# DirectStream Time/Evolution Question

**URL:** <https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-time-evolution-question/12845>\
**Category:** Audio Components\
**Created:** [September 12, 2019, 3:19pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-time-evolution-question/12845 "2019-09-12T15:19:35Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![beatboy77](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dbc845/32.png) [@beatboy77](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/beatboy77)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2019, 3:19pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-time-evolution-question/12845/1 "2019-09-12T15:19:35Z")

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Am considering buying a DirectStream from a private seller with the Bridge II upgrade. He claims the device is around 5 1/2 years old. Have there been any hardware updates in these from back then to now or are they essentially the same product? Should I stay away from one this old? Opinions welcomed

Josh

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**Author:** ![brumtech](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/brumtech/32/27935_2.png) [@brumtech](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/brumtech)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2019, 3:49pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-time-evolution-question/12845/2 "2019-09-12T15:49:33Z")

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I don’t believe there are any hardware differences, only the multiple firmware upgrades. I personally think you’re safe purchasing a used DS. Plus it’s already broken in. If the price is right and you trust the seller, I’d go for it. Mine is that old and I have had no issues. Additionally, I’ll add that the DS is the heart of my system. It was more money than I’d ever spent on a DAC, but I have never regretted the purchase.

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**Author:** ![tedsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/tedsmith/32/96626_2.png) [@tedsmith](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/tedsmith)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2019, 5:14pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-time-evolution-question/12845/3 "2019-09-12T17:14:17Z")

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Many DS’s started life as a PerfectWave DAC or a PerfectWave DAC Mk II. As brumtech said: The hardware hasn’t changed since the initial release. Mine are certainly that old 🙂

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**Author:** ![amsco15](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/amsco15/32/28_2.png) [@amsco15](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/amsco15)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2019, 7:56pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-time-evolution-question/12845/4 "2019-09-12T19:56:10Z")

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I bought a PerfectWave DAC MkII about mid life span for that device. Shortly after the PWD was announced, I had PSA update it. It has worked perfectly it’s entire life. Best money I’ve ever spent on this hobby (and like many on this site, I’ve spent some money).

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**Author:** ![attmci](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e19b73/32.png) [@attmci](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/attmci)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2019, 9:41pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-time-evolution-question/12845/5 "2019-09-12T21:41:12Z")

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The first samples of the PerfectWave DirectStream DAC shipped at the end of April 2014  
Read more at [https://www.stereophile.com/content/ps-audio-perfectwave-directstream-da-processor#DMemCV3JWdmA1Epm.99](https://www.stereophile.com/content/ps-audio-perfectwave-directstream-da-processor#DMemCV3JWdmA1Epm.99)