@bdcody01
My opening statement after reviewing highly acclaimed dacs is that the PS Audio DirectStream Dac with its FPGA updates is that it constantly being upgraded over the air. The hardware is definitely to notch offering excellent connectivity with the Mconnect app makes this a Dac Steamer a force to be reckoned with at much over it 6k retail price tag and never mind the pricing I've seen on the used market. So now, as far as using it as a Dac Pre it can definitely suffice with either BHK amps having enough gain to make it work. Now I have tried it Dac only with my ARC 160S and you have to push the volume above 80 to get it to sound right in my room. After testing this dac only vs preamp dac I like Bascom and Paul have to agree that the pre opens up the musicality and sound stage quite a bit more. Never mind the air around the mids and highs and the force it gives the bass. Now if you really need to make it work and get more at that point I recommend playing with your power cord and cables.
Cheers
My opening statement after reviewing highly acclaimed dacs is that the PS Audio DirectStream Dac with its FPGA updates is that it constantly being upgraded over the air. The hardware is definitely to notch offering excellent connectivity with the Mconnect app makes this a Dac Steamer a force to be reckoned with at much over it 6k retail price tag and never mind the pricing I've seen on the used market. So now, as far as using it as a Dac Pre it can definitely suffice with either BHK amps having enough gain to make it work. Now I have tried it Dac only with my ARC 160S and you have to push the volume above 80 to get it to sound right in my room. After testing this dac only vs preamp dac I like Bascom and Paul have to agree that the pre opens up the musicality and sound stage quite a bit more. Never mind the air around the mids and highs and the force it gives the bass. Now if you really need to make it work and get more at that point I recommend playing with your power cord and cables.
Cheers