# Directstream DAC versus DCS Rossini **URL:** \ **Category:** DACs\ **Created:** [May 3, 2020, 11:12pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-versus-dcs-rossini/16690 "2020-05-03T23:12:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![craignorris](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/craignorris/32/94454_2.png) [@craignorris](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/craignorris)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2020, 11:12pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-versus-dcs-rossini/16690/1 "2020-05-03T23:12:17Z")
I have a friend who owns a PsAudio Directstream DAC, but who was helping a friend shop for a new DAC. They auditioned the DCS Rossini and both decided it had a significantly lower noise level than Directstream. I acknowledge that the price difference is significant, but have learned along the way that high price does not guarantee better quality. Is there a simple explanation for the perceived shortcoming of the Directstream DAC? Or perhaps another way to ask the question is what type of improvement is expected in the next firmware update? ---
**Author:** ![brett66](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/brett66/32/92201_2.png) [@brett66](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/brett66)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2020, 11:13pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-versus-dcs-rossini/16690/2 "2020-05-03T23:13:52Z")
Were they compared in the same system? If they were, I answer your first question with ‘listener preference’. No simple explanation but I would expect 4x spend to achieve a higher level of performance as I’m sure the TSS will for similar $. Ted has said he’d have liked to use higher quality output transformers but was constrained by the budget. Ted finds obscure ways to make things more efficient and often mostly improves the sound. Each update has been an improvement in my 2 years with the DS but some I had to adjust speaker position (mostly) to realize it. ---
**Author:** ![scotte1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/scotte1/32/147_2.png) [@scotte1](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/scotte1)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2020, 11:15pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-versus-dcs-rossini/16690/3 "2020-05-03T23:15:54Z")
> [@craignorris](#): > > They auditioned the DCS Rossini and both decided it had a significantly lower noise level than Directstream. If I may ask: Decided how/compared the two in the same system and heard “quieter” results when listening to the Rossini instead of the Sr.? Curiously yours. [PS - Did your friend’s friend go ahead and buy the dCS kit? dCS certainly has a great reputation for performance.] ---
**Author:** ![scotte1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/scotte1/32/147_2.png) [@scotte1](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/scotte1)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2020, 11:16pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-versus-dcs-rossini/16690/4 "2020-05-03T23:16:35Z")
> [@brett66](#): > > Were they compared in the same system? Ha! You beat me to it (by just a second or two). ---
**Author:** ![kzk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3da27b/32.png) [@kzk](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/kzk)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2020, 12:49am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-versus-dcs-rossini/16690/5 "2020-05-04T00:49:11Z")
It’s not a surprising result. Not apples to apples given cost delta. Different weight classes. Not that cost always indicative of quality (it isn’t) but in this case dcs one of most respected digital players, so the result you heard (dcs winning on sq) was no accident (nor should it have been unexpected, and that’s no disrespect to the psa unit). Of course, everything subjective and there will certainly be some who would prefer the PSA on sq ---
**Author:** ![craignorris](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/craignorris/32/94454_2.png) [@craignorris](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/craignorris)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2020, 1:18am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-versus-dcs-rossini/16690/6 "2020-05-04T01:18:51Z")
Yes, they hooked both to the same system. I am not sure what all thE hardware foodchain was, but they played through Avantgarde speakers. ---
**Author:** ![craignorris](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/craignorris/32/94454_2.png) [@craignorris](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/craignorris)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2020, 1:25am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-versus-dcs-rossini/16690/7 "2020-05-04T01:25:48Z")
And yes, he did purchase the DCS unit. ---
**Author:** ![mark-d](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/mark-d/32/20_2.png) [@mark-d](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/mark-d)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2020, 1:29am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-versus-dcs-rossini/16690/8 "2020-05-04T01:29:14Z")
> [@craignorris](#): > > They auditioned the DCS Rossini and both decided it had a significantly lower noise level than Directstream. I certainly don’t have bat ears…but the DS never came across to these ears as a very noisy dac. I would say that any type of a noise issues could be the fault of system synergy maybe. My DS is as quiet as a mouse. So much so that listening deep into the soundscape is not much of a chore at all…a black abyss comes to mind. ---
**Author:** ![IanB52](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f1d935/32.png) [@IanB52](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/IanB52)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2020, 6:22am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-versus-dcs-rossini/16690/9 "2020-05-04T06:22:58Z")
You might look at the architecture of DCS’ Ring DAC. My understanding of it is because they use a 5 bit conversion system instead of the DS’ one bit DSD output there is less noise. ---
**Author:** ![JJarego](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/jjarego/32/23781_2.png) [@JJarego](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/JJarego)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2020, 7:53pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-versus-dcs-rossini/16690/10 "2020-05-04T19:53:34Z")
Well, the noise floor is the DS Achilles’ heel. Nothing new here: although from a musical point of view is less relevant than many may think. I own one and love it. I could also live with a dCS, the Rossini being an excellent DAC, although at completely different price point. I would like to know your friend’s impression on how they both compare besides the noise floor issue 😉 Cheers! ---
**Author:** ![2chan4ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/eb9ed0/32.png) [@2chan4ever](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/2chan4ever)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2020, 5:33am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-versus-dcs-rossini/16690/11 "2020-06-03T05:33:43Z")
I would not be so sure about this. I own the MSB Select DAC II Loaded with Mono power bases. I feel that with Windom the DSS is nipping at the MSB’s heels. It is not quite there but it pretty darn close. You are comparing 6 grand to 130 grand here. So I think that speaks volumes. I really do not even see how Ted can even do better but I guess he can. If I can hear it is a different story. As for noise, I find the DSS to be dead silent. ---
**Author:** ![dawkinsj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@dawkinsj](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/dawkinsj)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2020, 6:11am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-versus-dcs-rossini/16690/12 "2020-06-03T06:11:33Z")
If you like the sound profile of the DSS a better comparison to my ears are the Aqua DAC’s whose TOTL is still about a tenth of your MSB. ---
**Author:** ![rajugsw](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/rajugsw/32/16086_2.png) [@rajugsw](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/rajugsw)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2020, 6:43am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-versus-dcs-rossini/16690/13 "2020-06-03T06:43:56Z")
I listen to my DSDS Sr. Through Electrostatic Headphones sometimes. I never noticed a noise floor/hiss issue. Definitely not through my Speakers. ---
**Author:** ![jazznut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5e925/32.png) [@jazznut](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/jazznut)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2020, 6:48am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-versus-dcs-rossini/16690/14 "2020-06-03T06:48:20Z")
I remember Ted writing somewhere that a little higher noise floor is part of the DS‘ design and unavoidable without loosing other benefits. ---
**Author:** ![IanB52](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f1d935/32.png) [@IanB52](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/IanB52)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2020, 8:03am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-versus-dcs-rossini/16690/15 "2020-06-03T08:03:37Z")
It’s definitely there in a big way if you go straight to the speakers without a preamp (or headphone amp with volume control) and don’t use the -20db output attenuator. If I go straight into my BHK 250-\>Focals, we are talking loud noise. I don’t love the effect of the output attenuator, and so the BHK preamp is a necessary component (plus it just enhances the sound) ---
**Author:** ![nortonkp](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/nortonkp/32/65506_2.png) [@nortonkp](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/nortonkp)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2020, 11:38am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-versus-dcs-rossini/16690/16 "2020-06-03T11:38:46Z")
One way to reduce noise… ---
**Author:** ![nortonkp](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/nortonkp/32/65506_2.png) [@nortonkp](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/nortonkp)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2020, 11:38am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-versus-dcs-rossini/16690/17 "2020-06-03T11:38:56Z")
> **[DirectStream Power Plant 20](https://www.psaudio.com/products/directstream-power-plant-20/)** > > The DirectStream Power Plant 20 is our most powerful AC regenerator ever with 2000 watts of pure regenerated power, and the first to accept both 20 amp and 15 amp power cables. The massive P20 is our finest expression of the art of pure power... ---
**Author:** ![danofesherintheuk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3d9bf3/32.png) [@danofesherintheuk](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/danofesherintheuk)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2020, 2:21pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-versus-dcs-rossini/16690/18 "2020-06-03T14:21:17Z")
I don’t get how a P20 reduces noise. Anyway, the Direcstream does produce noise but this is so much lower than the signal that it becomes irrelevant (i.e. not heard behind the music). As has been said, inefficient speakers will hide noise but efficient ones won’t. I think the DS is stunningly good (not that I’ve directly compared it with other respected dacs). ---
**Author:** ![robertedwards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3ec8ea/32.png) [@robertedwards](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/robertedwards)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2020, 4:19pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-versus-dcs-rossini/16690/19 "2020-06-03T16:19:12Z")
> [@kzk](#): > > It’s not a surprising result. Not apples to apples given cost delta. Different weight classes. Not that cost always indicative of quality (it isn’t) but in this case dcs one of most respected digital players, so the result you heard (dcs winning on sq) was no accident (nor should it have been unexpected, and that’s no disrespect to the psa unit). Agreed. I’d be curious to hear a DS against my Naim nDAC/Pardo TXPS. I’d also be curious to hear what PS Audio could do if they made something in the general price range of the DCS. ---
**Author:** ![IanB52](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f1d935/32.png) [@IanB52](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/IanB52)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2020, 7:28pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-versus-dcs-rossini/16690/20 "2020-06-03T19:28:13Z")
In my room, listening at 80db you get 20db of hiss. That is tons of noise, and you absolutely have to have a preamp or the 20db pad. [Next page](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-dac-versus-dcs-rossini/16690.md?page=2)