Directstream Junior

Audio Components DACs
61

Hey Ted,

Loving the Jr. Thanks!

Ran the BitPerfect test and a “B” showed up in the display. Is that what I’m looking for?

62

Thanks.

Yep, the B is bit perfect.

63

Mini-review:

It’s like taking a hot bath.

And that in no way calls into question the “accuracy or resolution” of a hot bath.

When you do it, you’re in the moment, you forget everything else (which is one of the things I’m looking for from both), the critical part of your brain shuts off (which I am quite frankly always hoping for - but it rarely happens) and you can just ‘be here now’ with the music. This is also not to say that I am not and will not be listening critically. But when something’s just RIGHT. . .

Thanks again. I have to get back in the tub ; )

Mark

64

Hi all,

Two basics questions about DS Jr

  • Form Factor, 14" (36cm) is depth and 17" (43cm) is width ?

  • Any chance to be RoonReady certified ?

Regards

65

Yes and they’re working on it. Paul said in another post that he was testing a beta version of the Roon endpoint software (probably testing on the DS but it should also work on the Jr). Still some bugs to work out so no timing announced (and probably not absolutely guaranteed but looks good).

66
stevem2 said Yes and they're working on it. Paul said in another post that he was testing a beta version of the Roon endpoint software (probably testing on the DS but it should also work on the Jr). Still some bugs to work out so no timing announced (and probably not absolutely guaranteed but looks good).
Thank You stevem2, good news !

Any insights about DS JR depth ? 14" (36 cm) ?

67

14"
deep, 17" wide and yes, once Bridge II work on Roon is done DSJ will be included to play Roon.

68
Elk said Please let us know what you think when you audition any of the DACs and what you finally decide.

You have an excellent, revealing system. It will be great fun to hear what alternate DACs can do in it, especially as you are already using a very good DAC.


I bought a Wyred4Sound Recovery and for $200 it brought my DAC2DSDse up a few notches for sure. New DAC plans on hold for now.

69

Why have no DirectStream Jr owners posted a pic of their new DirectStream Jr installations? I’m keen to see some pics of DS Jr units in action.

70

Ditto here - silver or black, doesn’t matter, these beauties need to be shown off.

I’d like to know how users feel like the volume method (nice looking knob on the right) of the Juniors vs the bigger DirectStream, its volume intervals and experience of use. Paul will tell me otherwise if wrong, but to me the implementation looks very good, competent and stylish while keeping the cost of production ref the big DirectStream down. I for one really appreciate that because it enables me to afford this innovative technology by PS Audio and Ted the brains behind the product.

71

The volume control is the same in both DS and Jr. in terms of sound and basic operation - though the steps are slightly different so you get a real “knob feel” with the Jr. relative to the touch screen on DS. But essentially they are the same.

72

Music to my ears Paul -thanks!

73
Paul McGowan said The volume control is the same in both DS and Jr. in terms of sound and basic operation - though the steps are slightly different so you get a real "knob feel" with the Jr. relative to the touch screen on DS. But essentially they are the same.
Just to clarify: both the DS and the DS Jr do all volume control operations identically in the FPGA - a 1/2 dB step per volume unit.
74
Ted Smith said

There’s no particular need for a BNC on the S/PDIF of the DS - yes, a BNC can be 75 ohms (unlike an RCA) and hence can cause fewer impedance discontinuities and hence fewer reflections and hence less jitter, but the DS doesn’t care as much about that as much as most DACs. And having a non-standard connector is a problem for more people as well.

In the DS the signals on the Coax and XLR inputs are already galvanically isolated. The issue is that all shields are tied together tightly which is the best thing to do on most systems. Not connecting the shields of the cables to ground can cause much more problem than ground loops. Using a strong ground helps keep the groundloop noise from affecting the DAC proper (or at least minimizes any such effect.) But the DAC can’t fix the damage to the sound quality that groundloops cause the rest of the system.

In general the best thing to do with the DS (and most audio equipment) to control such noises is to use optical or balanced connections, then much of the common mode noise canceled out (or absent) on each connection. The next best is to use a connection with a separate shield from any of the signals (i.e. I2S or AES/EBU.)

Ted

I wasn’t aware the coax and XLR inputs to the DS DAC are isolated. Can you confirm, and what type of isolation? I’m using the Audiobyte Hydra Z as a USB isolator/reclocker/bridge. I’ve tried I2S, XLR and Coax to the DS and getting good results with a short (< 6 inches) BNC-BNC coax cable to the DS. I’m also cleaning up the system - power supplies, ground loops, speaker mounts etc. Everything I do reduces smearing and improves musicality. Also shows just how good the DS DAC (Yale) and the Hydra Z are, as they are not exhausted yet. Looking forward to the next DS software release.

Lonan

75

I was making a subtle distinction - the inputs are isolated but their shielding isn’t - on most coax cables the shield and ground are the same thing or they are connected together. On most balanced cables the shield and ground are connected together. On the AES connector if the + and - (together) inputs are a 110V from ground the differential receiver still works because the inputs are AC coupled. If they were DC coupled then this wouldn’t be true. The issue is that not connecting the shields to ground can allow the cables to act like radio antennas, but connecting them to ground can cause ground loop problems which can pick up noise as well. Balanced cables at least give you the option of nulling out most of the noise from any such ground loop.

I think one of the most cost effective things you can do for your audio system is to get dedicated power lines with great grounding. Often the problem is that electrical contractors don’t believe that any of this makes any difference and will argue with you about the quality and type of materials needed and/or not take care because they know it doesn’t matter (e.g. they often don’t think you need 10 gauge or don’t care about how many splices are in a run back to the electrical panel…) Still it’s important to follow local electrical codes. If you are lucky you can find a contractor that’s used to audiophiles.

76

Can balanced cables between DS, preamp and amp still help if say your preamp is not fully balanced ?

77

If the input and outputs of a device are balanced you can get the benefits of common mode noise rejection. Some devices are internally not balanced, but they can still have the benefit of common mode noise rejection on the inputs or outputs. Unfortunately sometimes the circuitry used to balance an output or unbalance an input are just add-ons and can degrade the signal more than the balancing lowers the noise. It depends on your system. The Sony SCD-1 and SCD-777ES come to mind, they were pretty good players for their day but the balanced outputs were another opamp that affected the outputs noticeably.

78

Thks, I was talking abt my Classe SSP-800, any idea ?

79

I don’t know it specifically, but I suspect that it doesn’t loose much with balanced and in general there’s a lot to gain. Even tho the runs are short between my SimAudio Moon Attraction and my main preamp, the darker black background I get in my whole system from balanced cables is significant.

80

I took the plunge and ordered a DSJ - I have not been this excited about an audio product in a while! I have Minimserver and BubbleUPNP Server installed on the NAS and will use either the Lumin or Linn app to play files and Tidal until Torreys and Roon integration (I will miss Room, so I hope it comes soon). I will use the Bridge via ethernet, eliminating the player, USB cables and USB re-clocking device (Aualic Aries > Curios > W4S RUR > Curious.

Two questions -

1 - I get the benefit of cables and went through several USB audio cables, being pretty surprised by the differences. But since the Bridge is receiving files over ethernet, rather than “audio” (I know I am generalizing) I wonder about the benefit of anything beyond a cable that is well constructed and meets the spec (I use Cat 6 for everything that is wired at home). How are people’s experiences? I do not mind buying a good cable, but anything beyond the AQ Cinnamon seems overkill for this application.

2 - What fuse does the DSJ use? I plan on trying an audiophile fuse, probably the new SR Quantum Black (I put one in my Pass INT-60 and it is terrific). Also, how does the current flow through the fuse holder - from the rear to the front of the unit, or from the front to the rear?

Thanks! Unit is being built, but I am already tweaking…

TP