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Affordable alternativ to the PS Audio DirectStream DAC

I have borrowed a DirectStream DAC from my dealer very nice of him because he knows that I can't afford it (:
I have to say it is everything I have ever wanted from a streamer/dac. Music just pouring out of my speakers, real sweet music.

Voices just sounds so real, everything is in place, there are details but not in your face. I just love it. This is like music should sound.

I am using it with a PrimaLuna HP integrated. Very nice combo.

The DirectStream DAC junior is discontinuing and I can't get my hands on a used one.

If you have heard the DirectStream DAC and know of another dac sounding as musical -- let me know   
martin-andersen
tonyptony
617 posts
 
Let me toss in a suggestion for the exaSound e32 MkII. Granted, you'd have to piece it together with a streamer, but exaSound is offering a package with their DAC, their Sigma Streamer and a Teddy Pardo supply (highly recommended) for $3399. 30 day risk free trial. I've owned the DS DAC since it was in beta testing, and agree with the OP's thoughts on its sound. My friend has a similar system but wanted a less expensive DAC, He chose the e32 MkII with the Pardo supply (doesn't have the Sigma Streamer). My opinion is his digital is quite nice. I consider a great budget alternative to my DS.
martin-andersen OP
139 posts
 
The Rockans are VERY expensive I was looking for something have the price of the PS Audio DirectStream
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,808 posts
 
Actually the starter Rockna Wavedream is $6k so that is not VERY expensive. 

Although they do have more expensive models in the SE series.

So expenisve is allways going to be a relative terms.

In our shop we have dacs from $1k to $35k so compared to a $1k dac a $6k Dac is expensive, compared to a $35k dac a $6k one is pretty cheap.


Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ


rbstehno
1,459 posts
 
If you hear somebody complaining about the PSA DS dac, ask them what release of the firmware did they use. Most people like the improvement each release provides. I’ve updated the dac multiple times and each new release sounded better than the prior release.
vassils's avatar
vassils
41 posts
 
I highly recommend the $1,500 Audio Mirror Tubadour III DAC.

I sold my Denafrips Terminator after hearing this DAC. BTW, I bought the Terminator after reading that people prefer it over the PSA DS DAC. And I am a big PSA fan and have some of their products including their big Power Plant P20.

A friend of mine also prefered the Audio Mirror DAC over a much more expensive Lampizator DAC and sold the Lampizator. It really is that good.
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