# DirectStream DAC - Headphone Edition **URL:** \ **Category:** DACs\ **Created:** [May 18, 2017, 5:27am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-headphone-edition/3984 "2017-05-18T05:27:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![wobblewobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/76d3ee/32.png) [@wobblewobble](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/wobblewobble)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2017, 5:27am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-headphone-edition/3984/1 "2017-05-18T05:27:22Z")
Hi Paul / Ted @adminpaul / @tedsmith Is there any chance of getting a headphone edition of the DirectStream? If so, I’d like you to take my money this year please 🙂 The DirectStream DAC + separate headphone amp is just too big for an office desk. Cheers! ---
**Author:** ![wobblewobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/76d3ee/32.png) [@wobblewobble](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/wobblewobble)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 7:24pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-headphone-edition/3984/2 "2017-05-19T19:24:07Z")
@adminpaul @tedsmith The silence is deafening ![cry](http://www.psaudio.com/wp-content/forum-smileys/sf-cry.gif "cry") Or no news may mean good news ? ![laugh](http://www.psaudio.com/wp-content/forum-smileys/sf-laugh.gif "laugh") ![wink](http://www.psaudio.com/wp-content/forum-smileys/sf-wink.gif "wink") ---
**Author:** ![Elk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/elk/32/1240_2.png) [@Elk](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Elk)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 7:43pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-headphone-edition/3984/3 "2017-05-19T19:43:24Z")
My recollection is there is no plan to incorporate a headphone amp into the DS. ---
**Author:** ![wobblewobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/76d3ee/32.png) [@wobblewobble](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/wobblewobble)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 7:57pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-headphone-edition/3984/4 "2017-05-19T19:57:47Z")
Understood. But a slightly smaller desktop DS for headphones? Also, plans can change, so would love to hear the latest from Paul / Ted ! Imagine plugging in a pair of headphones that are driven directly by Ted’s FPGA @tedsmith Cheers Gents. ---
**Author:** ![wobblewobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/76d3ee/32.png) [@wobblewobble](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/wobblewobble)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 9:10pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-headphone-edition/3984/5 "2017-05-19T21:10:06Z")
Another option, is I could have a DSD Snr out of sight, like under my desk, if I could use my Headphones with it. Is there 2 x XLR3 (DSD Snr end) to 1 x XLR4 (Headphone balanced cable end) adapter that could be used with the DSD Snr? ---
**Author:** ![wobblewobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/76d3ee/32.png) [@wobblewobble](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/wobblewobble)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 9:25pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-headphone-edition/3984/6 "2017-05-19T21:25:01Z")
Oh they do exist: [http://www.analogueseduction.net/audeze-headphones/audeze-4-pin-to-3-pin-xlr-adapter.html](http://www.analogueseduction.net/audeze-headphones/audeze-4-pin-to-3-pin-xlr-adapter.html) interesting Has anyone tried? Or will I be the first? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![tedsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/tedsmith/32/96626_2.png) [@tedsmith](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/tedsmith)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 10:25pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-headphone-edition/3984/7 "2017-05-19T22:25:42Z")
A couple of problems with that cable, the sex of the 3 pin XLR’s isn’t correct and I think you’ll find that the two 3 pin XLR’s can’t spread far enough apart to plug into the left and right outs of the DS Jr (tho, if they were the correct sex they would reach on the DS Sr.) ---
**Author:** ![wobblewobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/76d3ee/32.png) [@wobblewobble](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/wobblewobble)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 11:50pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-headphone-edition/3984/8 "2017-05-19T23:50:10Z")
Whoops, cheers @tedsmith I found a company that can make a custom one anyway: [http://www.c3audio.com/store/p74/Universal\_Interconnect\_Adapter\_-\_UPOCC.html](http://www.c3audio.com/store/p74/Universal_Interconnect_Adapter_-_UPOCC.html) Have you tried it yourself? Is it the “purest” and most practical way for you to listen to your DSD, like during the design phase when you’re testing out and tweaking how your FPGA sounds? Without an amp in the chain and without speakers (like for late night tweaking of your code)? ---
**Author:** ![Paul](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/paul/32/6_2.png) [@Paul](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Paul)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2017, 5:00am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-headphone-edition/3984/9 "2017-05-20T05:00:37Z")
We haven’t any actual plans on adding a headphone jack and amplifier inside DS. ---
**Author:** ![tedsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/tedsmith/32/96626_2.png) [@tedsmith](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/tedsmith)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2017, 6:38am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-headphone-edition/3984/10 "2017-05-20T06:38:18Z")
> **Mi2016 said** Is it the "purest" and most practical way for you to listen to your DSD, like during the design phase when you're testing out and tweaking how your FPGA sounds? > > Without an amp in the chain and without speakers (like for late night tweaking of your code)? It depends on your headphones and your experience listening to headphones compared to live music. My headphones need too much voltage to be driven directly by the DS. Tho I hear a three dimensional sound stage (mostly in my head) when I use headphones there are important pieces of the presentation that I don't perceive when listening in headphones. It's also way too easy to cause hearing damage with headphones, especially if you have a bug. But even with bug free code it's too easy to have too high of sound pressure for too long... And FWIW my preamp, amps and speakers are much less colored than any head phones I know of. Still at times I listen thru headphones for a little - before the Audeze LCD3's I never knew that music could sound so good thru headphones. I've heard other phones that sound great since - I just wasn't paying attention to headphones for decades... Also, FWIW, I don’t tweak how the FPGA sounds. I listen for bugs, I verify that things still sound correct, but I only try to make things more correct, i.e. I try to have fewer deviations from an “ideal” implementation. E.g. if I were to find a slight FR bump I’d figure out what caused it since any such bump would have to be a hardware or software bug. Then I’d fix the problem no matter if it sounded “better” or not. It has been my experience thruout this project that more correct technically always sounds more correct. ---
**Author:** ![wobblewobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/76d3ee/32.png) [@wobblewobble](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/wobblewobble)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2017, 6:58am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-headphone-edition/3984/11 "2017-05-20T06:58:34Z")
Thanks for the insights on the design process Ted ! @tedsmith So even the DS’s XLR outputs on the high gain setting (5.3Vrms) can’t drive your LCD3’s ? They’re listed as 110-ohms , it would probably struggle with my HD800-S headphones (300-ohms) ---
**Author:** ![tedsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/tedsmith/32/96626_2.png) [@tedsmith](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/tedsmith)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2017, 7:36am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-headphone-edition/3984/12 "2017-05-20T07:36:02Z")
> **Mi2016 said** > > So even the DS’s XLR outputs on the high gain setting (5.3Vrms) can’t drive your LCD3’s ? > > [The DS] would probably struggle with my HD800-S headphones (300-ohms) I'm not a headphone guru and I definitely don't use headphones like a typical user so I don't recommend or disrecommend using any particular headphones with the DS, but the DS isn't designed to drive headphones. My statement was made based on random reviews that I’ve read. Still I haven’t tried it myself - plugging expensive things into experimental software just isn’t a good idea. And worse would be to ignore potential damage to the ears with experimental software. I’m happy with the Oppo HA-1 as a headphone amp. One more layer of buffering is a good idea with experimental software. Struggle isn’t the word I’d use, the DS is happy driving a dead short indefinitely (that’s what mute is.) But whether a given set of headphones will sound good driven directly by the DS? I have no idea. ---
**Author:** ![Elk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/elk/32/1240_2.png) [@Elk](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Elk)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2017, 10:40am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-headphone-edition/3984/13 "2017-05-20T10:40:19Z")
> **Ted Smith said**. . . plugging expensive things into experimental software just isn't a good idea. Even my risk-embracing self finds wisdom in this. ---
**Author:** ![dux-servit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df788c/32.png) [@dux-servit](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/dux-servit)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2017, 12:47pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-headphone-edition/3984/14 "2017-05-20T12:47:34Z")
> **Mi2016 said** > > The DirectStream DAC + separate headphone amp is just too big for an office desk. Hmm, get a bigger desk ? I’ve had 2 previous audio products (not PSAudio) that were combo Amp/DAC. Decided that separate units were the way to go, which is why I purchased the DS Snr after considerable research. The problem with the combo approach is that technology moves so fast. So if you like the amp section but want a different DAC, then you are stuck. ---
**Author:** ![wobblewobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/76d3ee/32.png) [@wobblewobble](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/wobblewobble)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2017, 3:24pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-headphone-edition/3984/15 "2017-05-20T15:24:18Z")
> **Ted Smith said** I'm happy with the Oppo HA-1 as a headphone amp. Cheers Ted. If you've had a good experience with the HA-1 as an amp in combination with the DS and found it didn't alter the DS's sound (for better or worse), I should definitely give this a try (a demo) with my headphones. ---
**Author:** ![dux-servit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df788c/32.png) [@dux-servit](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/dux-servit)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 9:56pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-headphone-edition/3984/16 "2018-03-16T21:56:51Z")
I’ve become a headphones person in the last 3 years. Downsizing means no space for speakers. I’ve had DAC/amp combos, and would recommend separating. The DS has been the best DAC unit I’ve experienced for my headphones rig (Stax). ---
**Author:** ![Elk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/elk/32/1240_2.png) [@Elk](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Elk)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 10:04pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-headphone-edition/3984/17 "2018-03-16T22:04:31Z")
I agree; the DS is a wonderful headphone source. ---
**Author:** ![wobblewobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/76d3ee/32.png) [@wobblewobble](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/wobblewobble)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 11:25pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-headphone-edition/3984/18 "2018-03-16T23:25:46Z")
Since my OP in May 2017, I’ve upgraded my 2-box solution to a Chord Hugo2 and now Chord Dave, directly driving my headphones and I’m very happy with this 1-box solution. I’m still enjoying my PS Audio LANRover and I’m very interested in Octave and future DAC’s (that may directly drive headphones) so I still enjoy reading this forum. Being in a small apartment at the moment I had to sell my large speaker system but I anticipate being able to get back into speakers (and all the associated gear that comes with it) in the next 2 years. Top of my list will be PSA’s future active speakers, so I’m keeping a very close eye (and ear) on those developments. ---
**Author:** ![etchcube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ccd318/32.png) [@etchcube](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/etchcube)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2018, 5:35am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-headphone-edition/3984/19 "2018-03-17T05:35:06Z")
I was about to open a threat to ask for a standalone balanced headphone amp from PS Audio. The headphone community is huge and although there are great products, I would immediately go for a PSA product designed by Bascom. The amp in the BHK pre is nice but can’t drive an HE-6 or Susvara. I know Bascom designed a product for Audeze but a hybrid PSA headphone amp with 15W into 50 Ohms would be the killer product really missing in the PSA lineup and the market in general. ---
**Author:** ![Elk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/elk/32/1240_2.png) [@Elk](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Elk)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2018, 1:26pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-headphone-edition/3984/20 "2018-03-17T13:26:58Z")
The headphone enthusiast community is sizable and rabid. A powerful stand-alone headphone amp with 4-pin balanced and 1/4" outputs would be a wonderful product. I have not been on Head-Fi or otherwise paid attention to the headphone side of the hobby in quite some time. How are PS Audio products, such as the DS, regarded? [Next page](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-headphone-edition/3984.md?page=2)