I’m with you.
That’s ALL I play is physical media (SACD & CD’s)
Do you mean you prefer using USB instead of I2S from Matrix converter (from same source Mac mini I assume)? This may be the first confirmation MK2’s USB port is as good as I2S.
Yes, from the same Mac mini source I easily prefer USB with the MKII instead of I2S from the Matrix. On my system at least it is not a hard choice to make. The MKII simply doesn’t need any help from the Matrix. It sounds so incredibly good on its own.
That is good to hear! Sounds like a major improvement over DS. Thanks!
I knew the Matrix would be unnecessary with the MK2.
That’s what I’m thinking also. I hope we get an explanation on what the issue is. Could it be a part issue? If every MK2 has the same software how is this only happening on some and not on others? HMMM!
Ted had suggested that there wouldn’t be any sonic superiority of any input type over another, and in particular that usb would be just as good as i2s, which is great news for widest audience
That was not my experience a few days back, but I’ll have to try it some more. As I’ve mentioned, the USB input sounds great, even directly from a laptop. But taking the USB cable that is feeding the Matrix (coming from a modded Auralic Aries G1) into the USB of the DS2 vs. that same source through the Matrix out i2s to the DS2, I preferred the latter.
My thinking is that the Matrix is a dedicated external processor (which is ususally a better way to do it) that is making the USB source sound better before it gets to the DS2. So what is going into the i2s is already better sounding than what is going into the USB input. Not surprising if that might slightly edge out the internal processing on the USB input, aside from any other advantage that might be inherent in using i2s over USB.
I don’t doubt that some may be fine with it or even disagree with my perception of it.
Meanwhile, what was the clearest, cleanest window into my music I’d heard (last week), after going on 1.5 weeks with it being fed music 90-something % of that time, the window is gone, and there is a clear, deep pool fed by a mountain spring. But it is not cold. Perfectly comfy temperature. Hypnotic.
The less metaphorical take is that this is a very fine DAC indeed.
Edit: I guess I should add a caveat here that I realize I wasn’t actually responding directly to the quote at the top of this post. I conflated use of Matrix/no Matrix with simply comparing the USB and i2s inputs, which is not the same thing. Don’t know that I have any way of directly comparing the i2s and USB inputs from an identical source.
Thanks for your test. Mayby @dchang05 with a Summus can do that comparison USB vs I2S from the same source to the beta unit MK II (as soon as it comes back from PS Audio, of course).
Different users with different systems can reach different conclusions is very possible. USB port has some bugs to be fixed to receive DSD256. So, a different result could happen later. I am sure many are interested to know how good the USB is from MK2.
Currently I do not have any USB cable, which is one issue. Also, I am using AQ Firebird48 I2S to feed the streamer and AQ does not have an equivalent in USB yet.
If someone can loan me a set of USB and HDMI from the same line of a brand, I could compare both outputs from my Summus2. This may be the best way to compare the two inputs in MK2 fairly.
So you have played multiple SACD’s and CD’s on your PST and fed it into your MK2 without it shutting down? Are you using the I2S connection?
Just got about 18 hours in with the the new DAC… It really does smoke the DA2 in the C53. Its in a temp spot resting on a old OPPO… ( New carpet going in next week so its a temp spot ) I feel the soundstage is better and bass is tighter for sure… I reallly dislike the screen and cant barely see it… dissapointing for a unit of this caliber… As for Wifi I am linked up… When will we see any updates ? Are they over the air ? Will we get a email etc?
I compared the two earlier, but the DSD256 on USB does not work, but the USB is much improved over the MKI, only not as good as the I2S.
Now that the unit is more broken in, I’ll give it another shot and see how close the two input is.
The difference between my DS vs. my analog rig (Pass lab’s XP-17 / VPI classic 4 / Hana SL / ML) is the mid range and impact. The analog rig has that beefy (in your face, or front row) and natural feel of music. in comparison the DS sounded a little bit thin and laid back. If the new DSII drastically improve on these two fronts (more natural and pronounced mid range, more dynamic / impactful), I will be sold.
What does the Mc-1502 drive?
Curiously yours,
Martin Logan 13A
MK2 is not a subtle difference, Big step up in every way.
I wonder what have been done to our units, but it does not appear we will get ours back by thanksgiving 
Have faith, maybe can fix and over night back to us Monday or Tuesday. I hope they tell us what was wrong and what the fix is.