# Directstream Mk 2 observations **URL:** \ **Category:** DACs\ **Created:** [December 22, 2022, 7:13pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-mk-2-observations/31566 "2022-12-22T19:13:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 117
**Author:** ![sixpack1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/sixpack1/32/6013_2.png) [@sixpack1](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/sixpack1)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2023, 1:00am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-mk-2-observations/31566/2349 "2023-07-04T01:00:59Z")
And an even larger contrast in cost too. The mk2 is perfect for me! Not in this world would I ever even consider spending the kind of money the dcs is demanding! ---
**Author:** ![emailists](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9fc348/32.png) [@emailists](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/emailists)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2023, 2:00am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-mk-2-observations/31566/2350 "2023-07-04T02:00:31Z")
Always nice to see these comparisons. I found a mono and stereo review which indicated just the dcs faceplate alone costs to manufacture what some stand alone dacs sell for. I’m also wondering if the simplicity of converting DSD to analog requires less components? ---
**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:** [July 4, 2023, 2:01am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-mk-2-observations/31566/2351 "2023-07-04T02:01:48Z")
That’s the point Vince was making I believe. The DCS at 4 times the cost of the DS had better be an all around better listening experience including a superior build quality…in contrast one to the other!👍🏻 ---
**Author:** ![sixpack1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/sixpack1/32/6013_2.png) [@sixpack1](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/sixpack1)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2023, 2:16am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-mk-2-observations/31566/2352 "2023-07-04T02:16:56Z")
And yet it is so unattractive! ---
**Author:** ![gd7288](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/gd7288/32/189098_2.png) [@gd7288](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/gd7288)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2023, 4:01am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-mk-2-observations/31566/2353 "2023-07-04T04:01:26Z")
It’s known for its head phone amp as well ---
**Author:** ![gd7288](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/gd7288/32/189098_2.png) [@gd7288](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/gd7288)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2023, 4:04am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-mk-2-observations/31566/2354 "2023-07-04T04:04:32Z")
MK2 is a great DAC esp at that price! Despite that there is another level where build quality and many audio aspects are “better” It then is up to each person whether they participate in the diminished returns thing and spend another $5000+ to get there ---
**Author:** ![gd7288](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/gd7288/32/189098_2.png) [@gd7288](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/gd7288)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2023, 4:20am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-mk-2-observations/31566/2355 "2023-07-04T04:20:16Z")
While we are all at it Never hear much about Play back designs round here. ---
**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:** [July 4, 2023, 4:38am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-mk-2-observations/31566/2356 "2023-07-04T04:38:15Z")
The Bartok has headphone capability…not the Rossini.At least from what I understand. ---
**Author:** ![gd7288](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/gd7288/32/189098_2.png) [@gd7288](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/gd7288)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2023, 5:22am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-mk-2-observations/31566/2357 "2023-07-04T05:22:09Z")
Ah yes You are correct ---
**Author:** ![vkennedy61](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/vkennedy61/32/41241_2.png) [@vkennedy61](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/vkennedy61)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2023, 5:33am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-mk-2-observations/31566/2358 "2023-07-04T05:33:08Z")
There are two versions of the Bartók. One w/ headphone ($22,950), the other without ($20,950). The headphone section is excellent. > **[Expanse | Enhanced Headphone Listening | dCS](https://dcsaudio.com/expanse)** > > We set out to create a new approach to signal processing that could allow us to optimise sound without altering the original reverberation in a recording or affecting a system's performance. After extensive research and development, and several... ---
**Author:** ![vkennedy61](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/vkennedy61/32/41241_2.png) [@vkennedy61](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/vkennedy61)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2023, 5:44am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-mk-2-observations/31566/2359 "2023-07-04T05:44:13Z")
I believe that’s the Vivaldi interior. ---
**Author:** ![vkennedy61](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/vkennedy61/32/41241_2.png) [@vkennedy61](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/vkennedy61)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2023, 5:51am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-mk-2-observations/31566/2360 "2023-07-04T05:51:04Z")
This is the later version. ![9530593556_0_g](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/psaudio/original/3X/b/3/b309be94d4e4c7dd546dad59469204b5fca8b008.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![luca.pelliccioli](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/luca.pelliccioli/32/93681_2.png) [@luca.pelliccioli](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/luca.pelliccioli)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2023, 10:48am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-mk-2-observations/31566/2361 "2023-07-04T10:48:40Z")
I’d buy the dCS stuff just for the remote, beautiful! I’m growing older and can’t understand why menus at restaurants and labeled words around me seem to be written with more and more microscopic fonts! It’s only me? ---
**Author:** ![akro](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/akro/32/177145_2.png) [@akro](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/akro)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2023, 10:54am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-mk-2-observations/31566/2362 "2023-07-04T10:54:52Z")
You keep the remote, send me the dcs I’ll pay shipping ---
**Author:** ![luca.pelliccioli](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/luca.pelliccioli/32/93681_2.png) [@luca.pelliccioli](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/luca.pelliccioli)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2023, 10:59am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-mk-2-observations/31566/2363 "2023-07-04T10:59:57Z")
As soon as Vince sells his next Rossini for the Vivaldi. Don’t assure you to be able to remotely play songs for you from the other side of the ocean, though. ---
**Author:** ![brian.fitterman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bbce88/32.png) [@brian.fitterman](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/brian.fitterman)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2023, 12:49pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-mk-2-observations/31566/2364 "2023-07-04T12:49:56Z")
> [@luca.pelliccioli](#): > > I’m growing older and can’t understand why menus at restaurants and labeled words around me seem to be written with more and more microscopic fonts! Are they getting smaller or are we getting older? I find myself using phone to take pics of some things now to expand tans stretch the picture. I do know I need a new Rx for my glasses. Coming this week I hope. ---
**Author:** ![luca.pelliccioli](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/luca.pelliccioli/32/93681_2.png) [@luca.pelliccioli](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/luca.pelliccioli)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2023, 1:37pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-mk-2-observations/31566/2365 "2023-07-04T13:37:36Z")
> [@brian.fitterman](#): > > Are they getting smaller or are we getting older? They are getting smaller, of course! ---
**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:** [July 4, 2023, 1:50pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-mk-2-observations/31566/2366 "2023-07-04T13:50:40Z")
> [@luca.pelliccioli](#): > > I’m growing older and can’t understand why menus at restaurants and labeled words around me seem to be written with more and more microscopic fonts! Amen, brother! ---
**Author:** ![weedeewop](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/weedeewop/32/190064_2.png) [@weedeewop](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/weedeewop)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2023, 1:50pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-mk-2-observations/31566/2367 "2023-07-04T13:50:55Z")
Fine sounding units to these ears. ---
**Author:** ![dchang05](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/dchang05/32/294697_2.png) [@dchang05](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/dchang05)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2023, 1:58pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-mk-2-observations/31566/2368 "2023-07-04T13:58:35Z")
My wife read the menu for me since she’s younger. However I still need to read the wine menu myself (if I don’t bring my own). [Previous page](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-mk-2-observations/31566.md?page=116) [Next page](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-mk-2-observations/31566.md?page=118)