Interesting…
Have you convert d the Mac mini to runoff DC LPS or is it still SMPS?
The comparison streamer how is that powered?
Everything stock
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Granted, opinions of others, that you trust, can give you a guideline as to what gear you may ultimately purchase, but you have the capacity to do your own evaluation, on your own system. Many manufacturer’s and dealers loan/return policy facilitate this. All systems, sources, and perceptions are different. Home evaluation and your ear is the ultimate arbiter. Why trust anyone else? I would never purchase on “reviews” alone. Life is to short to be weighing all the opinions of others. I sleep better knowing I heard what I heard in my home and don’t look back.
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I’m probably different than most here in that I’m unwilling to assume that PSA is as good as other competitors based on faith and am therefore unwilling to shell out $8k just to hear it. Some are and that’s fine.
Ideally I’d compare it in a dealer against others I’m interested in, but obviously that’s not possible. That’s what I do with almost everything audio I buy, and it is free to do. Many dealers do home loans, and I’ve done that when possible as well.
Not trying to relitigate the biz plan direct only. But under the circumstances, the only way I’d even consider dropping $8k for a chance just to hear the Mk2 is if many people were saying it beats other competitors in similar price point. Otherwise, why bother? I know there are other great options that I’ve already been able to hear and compare. That said, if that were to occur, I’d seriously consider buying one to try because I like Ted’s approach from what I read about it here
Send a PM to Vkennedy61. He evaluated a Bartok and MK2 at same time same system.
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Whatever. All I’m saying is you have the opportunity to do the evaluation and have the knowledge that it was your system, your terms.
In my system, I prefer the MK2 over a Rockna Wavedream XLR ($8300) and TT2/Mscaler stack ($12,375)
IMO, the best way to know if a MK2 is for you is buy a MK1 that people are selling and see if you like the sound signature. If you do, the MK2 is just an overall improvement over that. With this month’s trade in special, you’re looking at more of a $6-7k DAC instead.
That’s actually exactly what I did and I had the MK1 for about one month before deciding to upgrade. I’ve had Schiit Yggdrasil, Abbas, Rockna, Denafrips, dCS, NAD M51, Violectric, etc before getting my directstream.
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Awesome! Thanks for posting that. What I was hoping to shake loose by my post! Hopefully more will chime in
yes, understood
The issue here is that most have not dished out $8k. That is list. Trade in deal now is unbelievable. $4500 upgrade. No tax (for me at least) and shipped to me free. 30 day to evaluate if it’s worth $4500 more than what I have now. How often do you get to own a great piece of gear and get full trade when next version 8 years later comes out.
Now granted 3500 for trade 3500 in bank to buy other things only. But considering the old ones were going for around 2400 used and they gave 3500. Sort of makes it harder to pass up.
That being said I get your standpoint. You want to see comparisons. It’s going to be a while. Takes months for publications to publish and seeing as few dealers to just walk up to going to be a while. Then there is do you trust those reviewers. Can you borrow a dCS from dealer and have MKII shipped? Only risk is shipping back to CO from your house. Prob only way you will get that review and trust.
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Thanks. I’ve sidetracked thread enough so don’t want to take up further oxygen now. Just saw the other person wanted same thing so echoed, and then clarified that I’m not looking for others to make decision (actually as far from that as is possible given I typically compare listening 10-20 things before buying) just rather some indication that it’s worthy in comparison to others in order to even bother with next step given the required outlay
It sounds better than most DAC out of box. Even after 500 hours it gets better. It also improves with every firmware i.e after 100s more hours of breaking in. But any new gear Speakers, amps, cables, pre amps dacs i found first few hours a delight then the rough sound comes usually last 100s of hours.
Ok, now this totally blew us away, using a Mac enabled us to install BACCH4Mac Intro* so we did, and it’s truly amazing. Qobuz / Roon / BACCH4MAC Intro* / Mac / USB to PS Audio MKII DAC …
After we installed the BACCH4Mac Intro* software on the mac we spent 7 hours straight listening to music… if that tells you anything.
Crystal clear, euphoric lifelike presentation, soundstage from wall to wall, best sound we ever heard from our set up.
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I am encouraged and thanks for sharing. Did you set up multiple Bins for you and listening partners or just switch sweet spot or line up in a row?
I have RoomPerfectDSP too. I will be able to optimize acoustics for room and BACCH for multiple listening positions and switch with my preamp remote one i set up bins and use headtracking or switch between users. It will be a bit longer setup but should be able to get everyone a prime seat without musical chairs.
I should have the Bacch4Mac audiophile edition in hand by next weekend.
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Line up in a row, less options available with the BACCH4MAC into version.
That works out great for our situation my office desk is directly behind the sweet spot. So we are both in the zone at the sweet spot and directly behind it at my home office desk.
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@tedsmith, power cycle with the back panel power switch still no sound ( did a few power switch power cycles)
it requires a factory reset to have sound again
My new MK2 is easily as good as or better sounding than my Tambiqui and at half the price is a steal.
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Nice
BTW what is the whole set up chain you’re running. Do you think you’ll procure later versions. I would have tried software only route first bu tall my McIntosh laptops or desk systems i passed on to my kids.