I wonder if anyone else is encountering static on the new MKII DS when using it as a pre-amp.
I have a MKI that I paired with an Air Lens streamer and a Classe’ Delta Stereo amplifier vis XLR, and everything was fantastic. I just got my MKII in and went with the same configuration, and now, all of a sudden, there is static in both the left and right channels. I dropped the MKI back in and had zero issues. I decided to incorporate my Audible Illusions M3B pre-amp into the mix and use the MKII as a stand-alone DAC the static was gone… BUT, I miss the dynamics and clarity of running the DS as a preamp via XLR… This can’t be the way it is, right??? Thx in advance. UPDATE – Just switched to SE outputs from the MKII to the Classe’ Delta amp and the static is literally 95% gone. Probably due to the less gain offered. But progress. But damn, I feel like its a bit less detailed… Hmm… But oh man, so good.
James,
You must have misread the manual. The higher setting of 100 is what would be used with a preamp. The lower number which the unit comes up with after a reboot is for direct as you would be adjusting the volume with the DAC.Try it and see.
I think you are misunderstanding his post. He is using the DS as a preamp. Look at the title of the post. Nobody should be putting the volume at 100 when the DS is acting as the preamp.
I’m running my MKll directly into my Orchard Audio power amp with absolutely no issues. I would talk to PS Audio as your issue isn’t normal. I really didn’t expect that I would like running direct after reading how many think that using a preamp with the MKll can sound better. If I were starting a system from scratch I would run it purely digital in just this way. With just a streamer and CD transport you’re good to go. Also using such a condensed system allows for a higher budget for the lower number of cables involved. Since getting a pair of Silversmith interconnects I’m a convert to the importance in not cheaping out on cables.
Now that I got straight what you are doing my question is do you increase the volume on the mk2 when playing music? When my DAC defaults to 25 after a reboot the volume is very low and I must turn the preamp gain up significantly to hear it. When I connect the DAC without the preamp I usuallly play with settings in the 30’s on the DAC. My speakers are quite efficient at 93 db per watt.
I am 1000% on board with your assessment.
My experience was the same using the MKI as a pre amp directly to amp!! The dynamics and clarity were through the roof and quickly made me forget about my Audible Illusions M3B pre amplifier. Of course it limited me to streaming only as the pre amp was gone. But just the performance increase of a shorter audio chain and amp direct was intense. Now to figure out why my MKII doesn’t like the Classe’ Delta amp when my MKI loved it so.
Yes, the Direct Stream DAC MKI and MKII are built and designed to act as a pre amplifier (volume and all) and in that capacity, elimination of another set of cables and a pre amp I got amazing results. Although it limits your system to a single source, so if you have a CD player or Vinyl rig you’re out of luck there.
I too used to use the mk 1 Directstream as a preamp. Many complained about noise with that one. I personally used to connect my turntable to it using the PS Audio NPC as the phono preamp A to D converter. I also have a PWT and a PST as sources as well as A Server connected via USB. Something is amiss if you are getting noise from the mk 2 as it is even quieter than the mk 1. I hope they resolve it for you. Have you tried the various Ground options to see if that may help? I have never had any noise issues with either version of the Directstream DAC.
