Yes is my plan. By then the break in with Antero will have gained a 100 hours. It was curious my ears felt clear and it took a couple days of antibiotics therapy to manifest the sensitivity. I us d my Apple TV as Roon endpoint feeding my Prosessor though the Wolfson chip dacs it contains to process HDMI signals . It didn’t seem to induce same response for music or movie listening. My ears today are more noticeably clogged feeling so I will stay away from audio until congestion clears
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Sorry about that, hope you recover as soon as possible. Can’t imagine how frustrating you are feeling without music, especially during these days.
Good luck!
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Good afternoon,
Wrapping up a second week of listening. I have tried I2S, coax, and USB inputs. Unlike some, I appear to have been very fortunate that i have not really had any problems with my unit. It really does sound great.
I did want to share a few a few USB-related observations. Last night i moved from Windows 10 to 11 on my Dell XPS laptop. I was able to test the following configurations: 1) Qobuz feeding the DAC, 2) Qobuz/Dirac 3 Live Processor feeding the DAC, and JRiver 30 feeding the DAC.
The settings that I used for all three options were:
DAC volume = 100
Dell XPS laptop running Windows 11
Speakers: PS Audio Extended Resolution USB
Advanced Settings: 24 bit, 192 kHz (Studio Quality), Exclusive Mode options checked, Enable Audio Enhancements not checked
Qobuz
Audio Output External: Speaker (PS Audio Extended Resolution)
Wasapi (Exclusive Mode) checked
Maximum Listening Quality: HiRes 24 bits up to 192 kHz
Qobuz/Dirac Live Processor
Qobuz Audio Output: Virtual Audio Device (Dirac)
Dirac Processor Settings
Audio Device Type: Windows Audio (Exclusive)
Sample Rate: 192 kHz
Output: Speakers (PS Audio Extended Resolution USB)
JRiver 30
Audio Device: PS Audio Extended Resolution USB {Wasapi)
Output Format: No change for any sample rate up to 192 kHz
All 3 worked just fine after move to Windows 11. I had not seen much on this forum regarding settings, particularly along with the use of Dirac (i recognize that DSP is not everyone’s cup of tea). Thought that I would include this information in case others were or will be interested.
I had reported sporadic drops using both JRiver and Qobuz in past posts. I have noticed some dropouts for other devices on my wireless network (Xfinity Gigablast) today (streaming using a Roku) so I might try a router reboot over the next day or two. Not sure that this problem (at least for me) is Mk II related.
Once again, thanks so much to all the beta testers for sharing their thoughts and problems. Happy Holidays and Happy Listening to all!
Paul
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I too have had dropouts with JRiver 29. This is something I never had with the original Directstream. They more I hear of other users experiencing them the more I think it is related not to the PS Audio Driver as I have tried both the Wasapi and the PS Audio Asio drivers but the usb firmware for the mk 2. I hope the team looks into this so we all can have uninterrupted playback again.
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Ted,
I love the great sounding products that you design. I also very much appreciate that you are willing to participate here in the forums. Your comments help me understand and appreciate better the products I own. Thank you!
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Oh, one other thing. I was able to play DSD 128 and 256 using JRiver as well as different FLAC files.
A question for all beta testers: anyone still having any issues (no music from the DAC or other) after the last software upgrade?
Other than @dchang05 and a few others how many beta testers needed to send back their unit to be worked by PS Audio lab? And among the unlucky testers with a unit sent back, anyone able to know what hardware fixing part was the problem?
It seems no more issues has been reported recently on this thread (so to say, since a week or two ago), almost no issues that should require the DAC sent back to Boulder for hardware fixes. Am I wrong assuming that?
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I know patience is a difficult thing but seriously I would wait and not buy one of this first batch sent to the EU. If you have problem then you are looking at a relatively long wait period for repair if it has to go from Italy to Boulder. Plus all of the Beta units have been 120 volts and not units converted to 220 volts. You’ve got your building project and new Innuos to keep you occupied for a bit. In the meantime why not try out one of your “homegrown” DAC’s from Aqua on an audition until you’re sure the DS MkII is truly sorted out. The La Scala Mk 2 is the equal in price and based on having owned both an Aqua Dac and a modded DS their sound profile is similar. If I was in the market for one of the Mk II’s I would wait at least another quarter before doing anything.
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Hardcore!
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Any one of Beta tester using the MK2 to control volume
I heard some of you are running MK2 output at 100
I found it by passing the pre-amp volume, by setting pre-amp output to max, provides mod spacing between instruments
I would like to hear your feedback
I’ve had the DAC on 100 and have been using pre to control volume
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Well, according to Paul a majority of the testers are contacting PSA directly, so you really can’t know what is happening. Since so few reported to us here in the forum you also might not know if your transport/endpoint was tested and if it was, whether it was successful.
But since it’s shipped out and made it to your dealer in Italy, the MKII’s must have been working for at least a week or so. Perhaps you’ll need to do an update.
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That’s putting it mildly. FW179 is a substantial improvement over FW178 in my system. Any little graininess in the sound is all but evaporated and the clearness in the sound is stunning! Resolution is increased, and a more complete sonic picture of instruments and soundstage is apparent. This DAC really respond to tweaks and upgrades more than I ever experience from a DAC.
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Thank you Dawkinsy, a very wise suggestion. As soon as I get answers and assurances from PS Audio I decide. I’m pretty sure the units must be 230V. I have to admit that the dealer proposal for the combo Statement-DAC MK II with trade in pushed me in this direction, otherwise I would respect the rule of an upgrade at one time.
My project room is still scheduled on march, while Aqua products (made very close to me, geographically speaking) tempted me several times but never had the opportunity to audition them, being “obsessed” by PS Audio brand. Time will tell, who knows!
Good to hear your positive review. I was modest, but I do not have a different brand of DAC to compare like you 
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It is wise to get confirmation from PS Audio first. It seem a bit premature for a public release of the MK2, especially for overseas.
This MK2 is worth the wait. It is not a little better than the MK1, it is completely at another level. My transformer modified MK1 was a big improvement and it was pretty close to the Esoteric N-01XD when I compared it. As a matter of fact, my modified MK1 sounded better than the Esoteric when I use the I2S with the Matrix. And the MK2 completely outperforms those two units without breaking a sweat. Put a Dragon power cord with it, you’ll see. .
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It’s an interesting decision that the beta testers face.
On the one hand, you’ve got people like Vince and others reporting here on this thread, dedicating countless hours to testing and reporting on PSA’s product, and sharing their findings. The sharing is important when we have no way to listen to this thing short of shelling out 8 grand for the privilege (granted, it’s refundable). These people were not only playing the role of test engineers for PSA, but also surrogate listeners for us.
On the other hand, a majority of beta testers, per Paul, don’t share their findings on the forum, yet almost surely get to benefit by reading about the work of those who do share on the forum here (and it probably saves them many hours of work). I say almost surely because if they’re not forum members it seems unlikely they’d have known about the beta program.
I won’t judge the decisions, but I will thank those who chose and choose to share - thank you for your generosity in sharing, especially to those with the courage to post both positive and negative impressions.
Those reading here looking for insight don’t want the company line or a whitewashed version, but just want honest opinions good or bad — like you’d want when you ask your friends or co-workers for an opinion on an electrician or plumber or mechanic.
As for the large majority not sharing, all that the rest of us can do I suppose is wonder or make inferences as to why that might be (I have a guess as to why but it’s just speculation based on how this beta test and reports here (and reactions thereto) played out).
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My MKII, which had to be sent back to PSA, and which I posted about the other day, had to have the entire digital input board replaced. I wasn’t given a lot of details, but it had something to do with a bad I2S input. The USB driver also had to be reworked, which I assume was part of the latest firmware release. I haven’t had any issues since receiving the unit back almost one week ago. My original problem was intermittent resolution drops while using USB. I had no issues installing Antero, which on my system sounds sublime. My MKII shipped back with 178, which I quickly rolled back to 173, as I thought it sounded better, that is until Antero dropped. The firmware on the MKII installs easily and cleanly. I can’t say as much about my 2016 DSJ. My 2019 DSJ has cleaner firmware installs, but doesn’t sound nearly as good as the 16. I always assumed the sound differences were related to the revision to the boards. There are many visual differences between the boards on my DSJ’s, both parts and layout.
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Multiple builds seems like it could be solved with a simple decision. Decide against it by all means.
Just turned 300 hours and 50 hours burning in 179. First listen 179 sound more live especially at lower volumes. Bass is more distinct and controlled. Vocals are a bit more forward in my system, about 2 feet. 179 is definitely a keeper.
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