# DirectStream DAC v Bryston or Denafrips? **URL:** \ **Category:** DACs\ **Created:** [August 27, 2021, 7:14pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-v-bryston-or-denafrips/25128 "2021-08-27T19:14:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![robertedwards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3ec8ea/32.png) [@robertedwards](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/robertedwards)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 7:14pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-v-bryston-or-denafrips/25128/1 "2021-08-27T19:14:08Z")
Curious if anyone has compared the Directstream DAC vs a Bryston BDA3.14, Denafrips Terminator, etc? ---
**Author:** ![davida](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/davida/32/94292_2.png) [@davida](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/davida)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 11:40pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-v-bryston-or-denafrips/25128/2 "2021-08-27T23:40:29Z")
Somebody around here will chime in … ---
**Author:** ![23whizzo23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/35a633/32.png) [@23whizzo23](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/23whizzo23)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2021, 3:50am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-v-bryston-or-denafrips/25128/3 "2021-09-19T03:50:30Z")
In the process of trading in a Bryston BDA3 DAC for the Directstream DAC. Was using Ayre DX-5 audio out only via HDMI (Audioquest Diamond) to BDA3 which was a big improvement over stock DX-5. Also purchasing Perfectwave Transport & will use i2s. Hopefully all will be acquired by the end of September. ---
**Author:** ![davida](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/davida/32/94292_2.png) [@davida](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/davida)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2021, 3:41pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-v-bryston-or-denafrips/25128/4 "2021-09-19T15:41:12Z")
When your Direct Stream DAC arrives …please give us a comparison of sq between them… That would be valuable…thanks Best wishes ---
**Author:** ![RonP](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/ronp/32/213555_2.png) [@RonP](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/RonP)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2021, 4:49pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-v-bryston-or-denafrips/25128/5 "2021-09-19T16:49:57Z")
I compared a Terminator MK1 to my DSD with Windom. I used I2S from my DMP ( it was a while ago) to Terminator. I remember feeling that the Terminator had more detail but the DSD sounded more analog and pleasing. I like that the DSD is built in the US of mostly US parts. I saw no reason to give up free, periodic gifts from Ted, now, especially Sunlight. I liked the look and feel of the Terminator better. Everything in that chain has since been upgraded by the mfr; Sunlight, PST, Terminator 2, so reading this was probably a waste of your time. 😀 ---
**Author:** ![joe-appierto](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/joe-appierto/32/294192_2.png) [@joe-appierto](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/joe-appierto)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2021, 5:24pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-v-bryston-or-denafrips/25128/6 "2021-09-19T17:24:10Z")
> [@RonP](#): > > so reading this was probably a waste of your time. Not really, unless the changes in equipment and/or software you mention have been revolutionary rather than evolutionary. If it’s the former then some conclusions could be drawn. If the later then you can ignore this, too. 🙂 Edit: I had that backwards. Typical – I confused even myself. ---
**Author:** ![23whizzo23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/35a633/32.png) [@23whizzo23](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/23whizzo23)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2021, 6:09pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-v-bryston-or-denafrips/25128/7 "2021-09-19T18:09:26Z")
Will do! ---
**Author:** ![23whizzo23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/35a633/32.png) [@23whizzo23](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/23whizzo23)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2021, 10:17pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-v-bryston-or-denafrips/25128/8 "2021-09-23T22:17:08Z")
Ordered today, could be here Sunday. ---
**Author:** ![davida](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/davida/32/94292_2.png) [@davida](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/davida)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2021, 10:26pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-v-bryston-or-denafrips/25128/9 "2021-09-23T22:26:35Z")
Conratulations…looking forward to hearing your comparison… Best wishes ---
**Author:** ![Boom\_Boom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d78d45/32.png) [@Boom\_Boom](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Boom_Boom)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2021, 3:25am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-v-bryston-or-denafrips/25128/10 "2021-09-26T03:25:21Z")
I ordered the Bryston and it arrived three days ago, after 2 1/2 months. The chips shortage, Covid work restrictions in Canada, and shipping delays really held up everything. It’s got 48 hours on it. I was choosing between the BDA-3 and the Directstream. Could easily live with either. Chose the Bryston since I have multiple video components that connect via HDMI. The price differential allowed me to invest in upgraded Shunyata power cord, Transparent Gen 6 XLR interconnect and HRS vibration control. I use the web browser interface and my wireless mouse to remotely switch inputs. Needs 100 hours before critical listening, but the bass is starting to awake. ---
**Author:** ![23whizzo23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/35a633/32.png) [@23whizzo23](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/23whizzo23)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2021, 9:29pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-v-bryston-or-denafrips/25128/11 "2021-09-26T21:29:57Z")
Received today, PS A Dac & Transport. Using an AQ (.6m) HDMI diamond connection for I2S conn’s. Same HDMI cable fed Bryston BDA3 from Ayre DX-5 or OPPO 203 from HDMI audio only outputs. PS is definitely better right out of the box (more detail/smoother/soundstage). The Bryston (performance/price) is damn good for making A/V transports with audio out HMDI conn’s (SACD/CD) only. ---
**Author:** ![davida](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/davida/32/94292_2.png) [@davida](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/davida)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2021, 10:31pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-v-bryston-or-denafrips/25128/12 "2021-09-26T22:31:34Z")
Hey whizzo… Thanks for your “early report” sans burn in… As burn in time accumulates…please send in your progress impressions…and as well vs a vs the Bryston in 2ch mode… Btw which Bryston dac model is yours? Comgratulations whizzo!! Best wishes ---
**Author:** ![23whizzo23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/35a633/32.png) [@23whizzo23](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/23whizzo23)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2021, 11:00pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-v-bryston-or-denafrips/25128/13 "2021-09-26T23:00:23Z")
Bryston BDA3 is packed and ready to go to PS Audio (trade-in). Bryston needed a better transport to feed it. I thought HDMI was the the way to go, but I didn’t have any quality XLR,RCA or BNC digital cables. The Bryston was definitely a great upgrade to the Ayre & OPPO, but readily got beat out by the PS Audio DUO in all aspects.