Hi I have just purchased a direct stream perfect wave DAC. THE SERIAL NUMBER IS 019433. Can you please let me know when it was manufactured. Regards Richard
Welcome to the forum. I wonder if @jamesh has access to that information and could help you. He has dug up much more obscure information than that for other folks.
-Tom
Hi Tom, thanks for the welcome and suggestion. I will contact jamesh. I am a bit puzzled by the names on the dac. On the front it says Perfect wave digital to analogue converter. At the top right on the back is a bubble like sticker that says “Perfect wave DAC MkII.
The sticker means the DAC was upgraded to a MkII. This is good.
Your description points to a Perfectwave Dac which was the predecessor of the Directstream Dac. The MkI was upgradable to a MkII as your sticker implies.
Per AI:
Evolution of the PerfectWave DAC:
PerfectWave DAC (2011): The initial model was praised for its robust digital processing and network capabilities (via an optional “Bridge” card).
PerfectWave DAC MKII (2012): This updated version launched in January 2012 and featured a new Sample Rate Converter (SRC) for improved performance. The MKII was available as a hardware update for owners of the MKI.
PerfectWave DirectStream DAC (2014): In 2014, PS Audio introduced the DirectStream DAC. It was a complete redesign that upsampled all incoming digital signals to a high-rate DSD stream for processing, resulting in a more “analog-like” sound.
DirectStream DAC MK2 (2023): The first DirectStream model was discontinued in 2022 and replaced by the MK2 in January 2023. The MK2 featured several design enhancements but continued the use of a customizable FPGA.
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Thank you for the information. Now it makes more sense. I was getting confused by the naming conventions. Some DACs were describes as Perfect wave direct stream. Now I understand the difference. Thanks again. Richard
Thanks for replying. The naming conventions had me confused. Now I understand how it works.
Richard