PSAudio Directstream DAC M-1 (refurb) vs Denafrips Venus II. Quick decision needed!

@yesiam_a_pirate 

I had a DirectStream Mk 1. It sounded good to me but I didn't like it's streamer card

Ill give a hearty Amen on that. I'm not sure I ever got it working...at least not correctly.

DaC is fine for now. It plays well with my system & sounds rather good. I'm sure there is better but the player is my weak spot IMO

I own a PSAudio MK-1 And an Airlens, I’m super pleased with the sound. I did purchase a $200.00 iPad from Best Buy to act as a full time remote to control Tidal connect, for me this was a no option upgrade as switching between different source Phones/computers was clumsy and aggravating. 4 people in my home operate the system and again switching was a pain.  

Anyone considering a foreign made DAC ought to pull the trigger prior to the end of the year as it appears that tariffs are coming. 

I never had any problems with my bridge II card. If we had a storm and had a power outage, I had to reboot the dac and everything was fine. Ethernet was better than all the other dacs I auditioned and what my friends auditioned. I then moved to the airlens which I use i2s and the sq went up again. Traded the bridge ii card towards the airlens. Got a nice $800 i2s cable and I’m set. Other reviewers have stated the airlens makes the ds mk1 sound better which I agree with.

@howardlee

Why are you putting so much pressure on yourself? There is no need to panic.

There will be other PSA dacs down the road that come available from TMR.

Don’t assume others know better when it comes to pleasing your ears.

Give the Venus a fair chance.

Impatience is, more often than not, a liability in this hobby.