Hello, I have owned the PS Audio DS DAC with Bridge, the Auralic Vega G2 and the Mola Mola Tambaqui (in the Makua Pre amp). Many good posts here. My experiences:
1) +1 to Michelle: in all situations a good pre amp improved everything. It just did. I tried both the PS Audio and the Auralic without and with different pre amps (PS Audio BHK Signature and Audionet Pre 1 G3).
2) I identify with your comments about the sound of the PS Audio; In comparison it was veiled and dirty sounding to me. Also there was always noise with the PS Audio stuff. The Auralic is way more clear and detailed. the Tambaqui is amazingly revealing and wonderful.
3) +1 to Michelle again! The cables and interconnects make a huge difference. With the PS Audio stuff I upgraded to some mid-grade silver clad balanced interconnects and speaker cables. They helped the PS Audio equipment gain clarity and resolution. But with the more resolving DAC's, the silver clad cables were too harsh. I demo's several brands and chose Audience AU24-SX. Smooooooth all copper, great midrange and bass, clear but not harsh. Relaxing in comparison.
4) Get the Mac out of the system...all my DAC's also streamed so easy there, no separate streamer required.
My journey took me to clarity and resolution...hearing things I never heard before. Good Luck! Ken
1) +1 to Michelle: in all situations a good pre amp improved everything. It just did. I tried both the PS Audio and the Auralic without and with different pre amps (PS Audio BHK Signature and Audionet Pre 1 G3).
2) I identify with your comments about the sound of the PS Audio; In comparison it was veiled and dirty sounding to me. Also there was always noise with the PS Audio stuff. The Auralic is way more clear and detailed. the Tambaqui is amazingly revealing and wonderful.
3) +1 to Michelle again! The cables and interconnects make a huge difference. With the PS Audio stuff I upgraded to some mid-grade silver clad balanced interconnects and speaker cables. They helped the PS Audio equipment gain clarity and resolution. But with the more resolving DAC's, the silver clad cables were too harsh. I demo's several brands and chose Audience AU24-SX. Smooooooth all copper, great midrange and bass, clear but not harsh. Relaxing in comparison.
4) Get the Mac out of the system...all my DAC's also streamed so easy there, no separate streamer required.
My journey took me to clarity and resolution...hearing things I never heard before. Good Luck! Ken