PS auido Direct stream Dac

The Ds dac competes with the best out there. Most reviewers use the DS dac and compares their reviewed dac with the DS. The best inputs to us in any dac are Ethernet and i2s but most of the cheaper dacs don’t include them. The other benefit of the DS is that’s it fpga based so it can be upgraded for free to include for example MQA or better sampling of dsd material for free. Most dacs don’t provide this. As stated above, their have been many releases of the firmware that increased the sq once or 2x a year at no charge, again not many others do this.
did I say the DS sounds fantastic too!

tinear123,

Your observation that the Holo May crushed the DS would be beneficial to those thinking of purchasing the DS.

Certainly,  I2S is the way to go for optimal SQ but for many, this is not a viable option without as you say, widespread industry support. To those thinking of getting the DS, go I2S all the way or not at all. 

I had a DSD for several years.  Sold it for $3500 about a year ago I think. It is excellent, though a bit dated and as others have pointed out, is no longer going to be updated.

it was never clear that an update was going to make is sound better so I am less worried about that.  I am not sure I would spend $4k for it today with products like the Rockna Wavelight out there.  That is a very analog sounding DAC.  
Can’t speak about the May.  I know it is well reviewed but I haven’t heard it nor do I know anyone who has done a head-to-head compare with it.  

So DAC have two parts --- the d-a and then the output stage -- For 'vinyl' sound you need a really good output stage.  I find that tubes make a big difference.  Have had two Audio Note DACs. - the more expense one is incredible. the less expensive one was wonderful.   The upper end of the Audio Note Kit line is worth considering if $ is a consideration.  

Thumbs up on the PS Audio Direct Stream DAC.  I bought mine as a trade up from a Mytek Brooklynn DAC and found it a significant step up.  ThePS Audio DACs are often available through The Music Room at about half price and, given that the firmware can be updated, they are a great value at that price.

You might also want to look at the Exogal Comet Plus.  It is around $3,200 new.  THe Absolute Sound did a head to head comparison of it to the PS Audio’s DAC (as the reviewers Reference DAC) and found it quite comparable.  It uses calculus based computations on it’s proprietary chip that improves the accuracy of the conversion back to an analog system.   Here is a link to that review:

https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/exogal-comet-digital-to-analog-converter

BEst of luck to you.