PS Audio Direct Stream MK2 DAC


While researching the PS Audio Direct Stream MK2 DAC on the PSA Forum, I came across this:

"Regarding “hum,” Ted said: “ You had the opportunity to return your device if it was wasn’t acceptable. I don’t know how one could claim to have been screwed…….”

Not only that, this “hum” was a known feature, as it was discussed early and often in the beta thread. Paul even went so far as to claim every component PSA has ever produced (or at least, every component on his shelf) has this hum."

Further, Ted himself says:

"The hum is coming from the piezoelectric response from a few critical capacitors in the power supply. The device was designed with a component that wouldn’t cause this problem, but supply chain problems forced us to design in a slightly older version of the part which caused the hum. Unfortunately, the new and old parts aren’t footprint compatible, so we’re stuck with the older version for a while even when the newer parts become available again."

Ted is Ted Smith, the" Chief Digital Dude" at PS Audio.

Question to all PSA DS MK2 DAC owners, do you hear a hum?

All in all, do you think it would be better to wait for a while until the problem sorts itself out - OR - is it "much ado about nothing" and I should just go ahead and get the PSA DAC?

I am leaning towards waiting .... But I am interested to hear your views too.

 

 

 

128x128dcpillai

@markmuse reread my posts - PS Audio offered a trade in on their DAC with a bridge but there is no mention of this loss of functionality on the website. Please reference this information. I’ve been a tech product manager for over 20 years. When you remove functionality you tell your customers. It’s called transparency and critical to maintaining the trust of your customers. Shipping products without scientific audio testing that results with hum and noise, as widely reported, should be proof enough this machine and company aren’t  worth it. There’s also no mention anywhere that the network OTA updates don’t work yet. A DAC with a network card for only firmware updates that doesn’t actually do firmware updates is less than useless. 

Oh the update of the 2.6.2 firmware. Requires a drive smaller than 8GB with FAT32 - you’re welcome PS Audio, happy to guide your QA and document teams for $$$. 

 The fix for the noise issue Stereophile mentioned, according to the release notes,  is a filter. A digital filter that changes the output bc the machine is noisy. Another proofpoint PSA isn’t doing scientific testing and their QA is weak. 

@acmaier3 

You are proving my point. This is a NEW product. But perhaps their nomenclature is a bit misleading (Mk2). As a previous owner of the Mk1 is odd that I did not make those assumptions? It was very clear to me. 

@markmuse  sorry did you actually make a point that counters my logic? No. 
you failed to mention if your MK1 had the Bridge. Was it noisy? Why is PSA shopping noisy untested products with useless components inside? 

@markmise Also, you failed to read si are arguing against facts. Paul McGowan the founder and principal owner of PSA has admitted their documentation isn’t clear. So again what’s up with you? Corporate shill? Fanboy blindness I think.