PS Audio Direct Stream

Ozzy :-
"So, when I say I am running the Direct Stream direct to my amp that's not exactly true. The Direct Stream first goes to the QOL and then to the Pass Labs Amp.
Yes, I have tried the Direct Stream bypassing the QOL, but I prefer the QOL in the chain."

That about says it all for Ozzy's personal experience.

Metralla,

Oxygen.

Charles1dad,

Do you have the DS hooked up to a preamp? If so, what preamp are you using?

What's not system dependent is with digital domain volume control, bits are dropped when not operating full range and resolution suffers. Whether you can hear the difference is system dependent ... depends on the quality of your system.

Sabai,
My system is posted on this site, and I don't use the Data Stream DAC.
My comment was a general observation based on hearing numerous audio systems over the years. If direct source to amplifier sounds better to you then that's the right way to go. It just hasn't been true in my listening encounters.