PS Audio PerfectWave DirectStream DAC Mk 2
Call us if you are looking to trade up your Directstream Mk1 to the Directstream Mk2.
The new awaited PS Audio PerfectWave DirectStream DAC Mk 2 boasts enhanced performance with an improved soundstage, improved texture, and greater realism. This latest DAC model provides a richer overall listening experience for audiophiles and audio professionals.
PS Audio Perfectwave DirectStream DAC MK 2
The PS Audio Perfectwave range of DACs have continually been highly regarded within the industry over several models across many years. The PS audio approach over the last decade or so has been to utilise custom code running on FPGA chips to do the digital decoding rather than relying on an off the shelf chip as a solution - this has allowed PS Audio to tackle digital conversion from a different angle and achieve award winning results in a firmware upgradeable package. With the introduction of the Directstream DAC Mk2, PS audio continue to up the ante by concentratiing on minimising sources of noise. Utilising galvonic isolation on all inputs coupled to new improved output transformers and a unique dual FPGA processor setup the Directstream2 elevates the sound quality, detail, dynamics and soundstage when comparing the sound to the multi award winning Directstream DAC.
DSD Up-Conversion of all Inputs
The PS Audio DirectStream MK2 DAC converts every one of its galvanically isolated input signals, both PCM and DSD, to a high sample rate 50 bit version which is further converted to pure DSD for its final conversion to pure analog. Use of twin FPGAs rather than an off-the-shelf DAC chip provides immense processing power, resulting in a complete lack of digital glare, and allows the owner to download our free operating system updates as they are released. With every free upgrade to the operating system, new levels of resolution and audio magic will enrich and make new this remarkable D to A converter.
The DirectStream MK2 is the heart of a highly resolving true reference quality digital audio-based system. It handles all PCM sources up to 705.6 kHz, and DSD up to 256. Its zero-loss digital volume control now features 100% galvanically isolated input, outputs, and power supplies as well as an all-new attenuator architecture for better system level matching with six levels of attenuation that are automatically selected based on the requested volume level allowing DirectStream MK2 to be used as a preamplifier, directly feeding a power amp.
Directstream DAC Mk2 Features
- 100% DSD BASED D-A CONVERTER
- UPGRADABLE VIA SOFTWARE RELEASES
- VOLUME, BALANCE CONTROL BUILT IN
- UPSAMPLES PCM AND DSD TO 20x DSD RATE
- DXD SUPPORT
- PASSIVE TRANSFORMER COUPLED OUTPUT
- IMPROVES IMAGING + SOUNDSTAGE
- DUAL FPGA PROCESSING
- HANDWRITTEN FILTERS, PROCESSING AND UPSAMPLERS
- IMMUNE TO OUTSIDE SOURCE JITTER PROBLEMS
- INCREASED DIGITAL HEADROOM
- NO OFF-THE-SHELF IC-DAC CHIPS USED
- UNCOVERS DETAILS USUALLY MASKED BY PCM PROCESSORS
- 7x DIGITAL INPUTS
- GALVANICALLY ISOLATED INPUTS AND OUTPUTS
- FULLY BALANCED FROM INPUT TO OUTPUT
- STORE AND INSTALL UP TO 10 FIRMWARE MOUNTAINTOPS
Specifications
Physical |
|
| Unit Weight | 21 lbs [9.53 kg] |
| Unit Dimensions | 14” x 17” x 4” [ 36cm x 43cm x 10cm] |
| Shipping Weight | 30 lbs [13.6 kg] |
| Shipping Dimensions | 20.5”x 24” x 10” [52cm x 61cm x 25cm] |
Power requirements |
|
| Input Power | Model specific 100VAC, 120VAC, or 230VAC 50 or 60Hz |
| Power Consumption | 25W |
Digital audio inputs |
I2S (2), Coax, XLR Balanced (2), Optical, USB |
Sample Rates |
Optical (TOSLink): PCM 16 and 24 bits at 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz and 96kHz
S/PDIF (Coax and XLR): PCM 16 and 24 bits at 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz and 192kHz DoP64 Dual XLR: PCM 16 and 24 bits at 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz and 352.8kHz DoP64 and DoP128 I2S: PCM 16 and 24 bits at 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, and 705.6 DoP64, DoP128, DoP256, DSD64, DSD128, and DSD256 USB: PCM 16 and 24 bits at 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, and 705.6, DoP64, DoP128, DoP256, DSD64, DSD128, and DSD256 |
Analog Audio Output |
|
| Connector | RCA single ended or balanced, XLR balanced |
| Output level high, maximum | 4 VRMS Balanced 2 VRMS Single Ended |
| Output Impedance | <100Ω/<200Ω |
| Frequency Response | 20-20KHz +/- 0.25dB |
| THD+N @ 1KHz (full scale) | <0.1% |
| Output Stage | Passive audio transformer, fed by high current, high speed analog amps producing double rate DSD |
Data Handling |
|
| Format | PCM or DSD |
| Sample rate (PCM) | 44.1kHz, 48.0kHz, 88.2kHz, 96.0kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz; 705.6kHz |
| Word length (PCM) | 16b, 18b, 20b, 24b |
| Data rate (DSD) | Standard (2.8MHz) or Double (5.6MHz) DoP as well as raw DSD on I2S and USB inputs |
| Input jitter reduction | effectively 100%, residual immeasurable. No input PLLs, FLLs. |
| Input Processing | 225.792MHz |
| Signal Processing | 56.448MHz |
| Synchronous Upsampling, all inputs | 56.448MHz for 48k, 96k or 192k; 11.2896MHz for all others |
| Digital Processing S/N ratio | Upsampling > 210dB, volume control and Sigma Delta Modulator: > 330dB |
| Digital Volume Control | Zero loss of precision |
| Analog Conversion method | low pass filter DSD256 (quad rate DSD: single bit DSD at 11.2896MHz) |
I2S Digital Input |
|
| Connector | HDMI |
| Format | PCM or DSD. DoP on all inputs as well as raw DSD on I2S inputs |
USB Digital Input |
|
| Connector | USB “B” Type |
| Format | PCM, DoP v1.1 (DSD over PCM), or Native DSD |
| Transfer mode | Asynchronous |
REVIEWS
This DAC is an excavator. It digs details out of....
This DAC is an excavator. It digs details out of records I am very familiar with especially red book CD’s. A good example of this is the Byrd’s 8 Mile High. I don’t know how many times I heard this track but I never noticed that when the guitar starts playing in the left channel it rattles the drum kit. I enjoyed the MK I and the two iterations before it but I always felt my vinyl rig sounded better. The digital was convenient and opened up more more potential music via streaming but I preferred the sound of vinyl for reference playback. Now I am not too sure if this is the case.
- Iwin 1949
First listen on MKII for about 20min. Musically it's unbelievable.
First listen on MKII for about 20min. Musically it's unbelievable. Something unexpected was big diff in bass. Sounds like a bit more, but what is there is so sweet and clean. Same with Hi pitched guitar strings, they are so pin point.
- Brian Fitterman
striking out of the box and better on every level
The difference between MK1 and Mk2 was striking out of the box and better on every level. The Mk2 is hands down the best bang for the buck.
- Straightwire
it is superior to DS1 in every way
The MK2 in my system is fully broken in, and it is superior to DS in every way. The sound is fuller with no hole anywhere. I got a fuller image and sound stage between the speakers than from DS. I adjusted my speakers, so they toe in less. It is not because I have experienced any problem, but because I did not lose any fullness and gained a wider soundstage.
- D Chang
Blown away
600 hrs into the MKII and blown away every time I turn in on. Many friends have come by for a listen during beta testing and will be ordering now that it is live.
- a26guy
you would have to pry this MKII from my cold dark hands to let this thing go
Ok, you would have to pry this MKII from my cold dark hands to let this thing go. I’m not going to use any analogue comparisons because it’s better than that In my humble opinion. I’ve be an audiophile ( if you call it that) for almost 60 years and this is the best sonics I’ve ever heard. Waiting for the incoming now. I could talk about soundstage and micro dynamics, noise floor, blah, blah, blah. But this unit is worth every penny. I don’t think you need mega cables to make it sound great. It just lets the music in, I’m a happy camper.
- Denny