Anything wrong with PS Audio DirectStream DACs?


I'm counting right now 19 (nineteen) PS Audio DSD DACs for sale (new and used). Strange. Some second owners also selling... The reviews are unanimously stellar.

I wonder why.
cbozdog
I know this is a old post but I wanted to give some feedback . I always looked at the Direct Stream as cheap and had it in my head it would not sound good . This went on for many years , I had around 12 DACS in those years . 

I ended up buying the Totaldac Twelve around 33k USD , after sending it back to france for upgrades costing 3-5k a shot it became old so I sold the Twelve . The bad part is I took a 18k loss because that’s all the open market would bare . 

I ended up ordering a DCS Bartok 15k last month and there was a 5 week min wait time . I was at my dealer last week that sells PS Audio and told him I have no source and I’m getting bored waiting for my new Bartok . My dealer again suggested I try the DS for the cost so I purchased it with the Bridge 2 . The next day I hooked it up and was shocked it was not bad at all , I gave it a couple days to warm up etc and came back to it .

I ended up canceling the DCS Bartok and putting the 15k back in my pocket . Digital audio is moving so fast and I am completely satisfied with the DS at this point . Are there other DACS out there that sound better ? sure but for the money you will be hard pressed to find better . If the DS was 10k it would still be a bargain . 

If you are looking for a DAC/Streamer that sounds good for a decent price you owe it to yourself to try the DS . 

My System 

Luxman C-900u
Luxman M-900u
PS Audio Direct Stream NB 2 
Shunyata Triton 3
Martin Logan 15a




a1uc ...Make sure the DS dac has Snowmass firmware loaded into your unit...by far the best firmware yet...Then let it run in continuously for at least 750 hours of breakin time and let us know how much more it has improved .....You will be doubly shocked... 8)
@a1uc  Nice post, very interesting. I recently heard the Luxman m900u and the c900u with TAD ME1 speakers. I just loved it, so much so that the m900u will be the amp I get. I am hesitant to spend on the Luxman c900u preamp because this system is for my office and it seems like a little overkill cost wise for my small room.

Have you ever tried any other preamps with the m900u? 

Have you tried the PS Audio DS directly into the Luxman m900u? 

I have realized that I prefer a preamp in the chain but it would interesting to hear from someone with your particular gear.