Directstream Mk 2 observations

I assume you mean an Aries G2.2 and that you friend is using a decent USB cable. I am not familiar with the Aries, but it is listed as a streaming transport. What is the source of the DSD256 music?

Yes and the source is downloads from the labels or NativeDSD etc. He tried different USB cables.

The sound he gets is not the one as when direct DSD works but not DoP, it’s the sound of noise as if a resolution isn’t supported at all, strange. Both units should be able to play DSD256 direct and DoP.

Maybe a setting in the Auralic Lightning App? Does this thread help?
AURALiC USB TO DS MK2 NO SOUND ISSUE - Audio Components - PS Audio

Thanks much, yes, this should solve it! Seems the conversion to DoP must be enabled for DSD256 whysoever! Great!

I am going to make a second shorting plug for i2s1. I use auto and plug into i2s2.my guess is the auto setup keeps querying for a source in auto and that creates noise that degrades USB. But when using i2S as source I heard improvement maybe not as much as with USB as digital source.

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Mountaintop Massive is superior. These need some breakin time before they bloom

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First off, I never said in any post that the mk2 beats anything below $13k that came from someone else as I have not heard everything out there for under $13k… The statement you quoted still stands as it was written. One cannot make a statement based only on measurements. Atkinson broke his own rules and measured before he listened. Anything he heard or did not hear was biased by what he saw in the measurements.

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Oops, you’re right, and I apologize. I had you confused with another poster who said that about $13k. Sorry. I’ll delete my post.

On whether Atkisson was biased, I disagree and will give him the benefit of the doubt based on his stellar reputation over decades, but neither of us can know for sure whether the measurements affected his subjective assessment or not.

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I have been using Orea Indigo footers (3) underneath DS Mk2. I have a few extra Acoustics Isopod footers in the storage. A few years ago I tried both under DS and I couldn’t tell much difference. I have made upgrades in gear, cables, and racks, so I figure I will try them again to see if they still sound the same.

Not so this time. Orea footer produced better clarity and focus, and the soundstage is better too. Now I need to get a couple of Orea Indigos (I have one) to put under BHK pre to replace Isopods. They are on sale now.

It’s all so system dependent. Orea work well, but in my system VooDoo Cable IsoPods are clearly better. And for a few components Herbie Audio Lab Iso-Cups (sadly no longer made) with his Deep Moss ā€œballsā€ are da bomb.

Many ways to skin the cat, but isolation attention pays off in good sonic dividends.

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I have tried VooDoo too, and you’re right on system dependency. The combination of other isolating devices and the racks I’m using resulted in various footers that I am using for each gear. For instance, I use a ā€œhomemadeā€ metal column support with ceramic bearing balls, plus the duro70 sorbothane sheet on top for PST and the streamer. These do not work as well on other gear however.

I may try some VooDoo again to see if they will sound better in my latest layout.

Caught these isolaters on Hans Beekhuyzen’s YT channel. He seemed to really like them. Prices aren’t too outrageous, thinking I might give them a try. Interested to hear if anyone has used them.

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They got good reviews from users. If you get them let us know how do they make a difference. I’ll put them in my list for possible tryouts.

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I have my PST and DS DAC Mk2 stacked on a PS Audio Power Base ( no longer produced ). My AirLens sits on top of the Mk2. It has vibration reducing feet. This seems to work really well. I do use Orea footers under much of my other gear.

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Handsome stack!

I have a half dozen PowerBases and keep an eye out for them on the used market.

Great kit!

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There’s one available in silver at TMR. The surface plate is tilting forward a bit FWIW.

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Everything matters! I may have differing results because all my components are on PS Audio PowerBases (not connected electrically) and between the PowerBase and component are isolation feet. Most all are IsoPods. My PST SACD and DSD Mk II are on Isopods on the PowerBases and both are also on 4" MapleShade platforms and all components are on a Ver 3 Samson rack from MapleShade.

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That’s a great setup on isolation!

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Wow! That is a great deal for stuff that does not wear out. As long as it is not damaged they will preform as if they were new.

Lonson, will you please post a picture, I would really like to see it.