# DirectStream **URL:** \ **Category:** DACs\ **Created:** [February 26, 2014, 9:48am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream/870 "2014-02-26T09:48:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pncd-2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/46a35a/32.png) [@pncd-2](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/pncd-2)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2014, 9:48am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream/870/1 "2014-02-26T09:48:03Z")
Looking forward to upgrading my PWD II to DirectStream - just as soon as you can gear up for the volume of interest this is going to have. ---
**Author:** ![lonson](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/lonson/32/249792_2.png) [@lonson](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/lonson)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2014, 10:20am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream/870/2 "2014-02-26T10:20:30Z")
Yes, I know I will want to do this too. Hopefully it will not be prohibitively expensive to do so. ---
**Author:** ![Paul](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/paul/32/6_2.png) [@Paul](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Paul)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2014, 10:37am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream/870/3 "2014-02-26T10:37:06Z")
The upgrade replaces all three boards and the transformer inside, so unfortunately it’s the majority of what’s in the PWD itself. All that remains is the chassis and the front panel display. Upgrades will cost $2995. Or, you can get $2K trade in for the PWD and get a brand new DirectStream for $3995. ---
**Author:** ![Elk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/elk/32/1240_2.png) [@Elk](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Elk)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2014, 10:50am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream/870/4 "2014-02-26T10:50:58Z")
DirectStream is a good name, by the way. =D\> :-bd ---
**Author:** ![stevem2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@stevem2](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/stevem2)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2014, 11:08am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream/870/5 "2014-02-26T11:08:37Z")
Just curious–will the PWD MkII stay in the product line-up? If so, at the same price? ---
**Author:** ![Streets\_Still\_Works](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/streets_still_works/32/23_2.png) [@Streets\_Still\_Works](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Streets_Still_Works)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2014, 11:29am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream/870/6 "2014-02-26T11:29:11Z")
> Just curious--will the PWD MkII stay in the product line-up? If so, at the same price? I don't think so, as I'm sure all focus will be on DS from now on. --SSW ---
**Author:** ![alekz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/alekz/32/1121_2.png) [@alekz](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/alekz)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2014, 12:18pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream/870/7 "2014-02-26T12:18:11Z")
Actually, why not to resell refurbished PWDs after the trading-in campaign? ---
**Author:** ![edorr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/85e7bf/32.png) [@edorr](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/edorr)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2014, 12:26pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream/870/8 "2014-02-26T12:26:01Z")
Paul, did you try the DAC without your tube preamp? Do you still prefer the preamp in the chain with this new DAC? ---
**Author:** ![Streets\_Still\_Works](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/streets_still_works/32/23_2.png) [@Streets\_Still\_Works](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Streets_Still_Works)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2014, 12:49pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream/870/9 "2014-02-26T12:49:32Z")
> Paul, did you try the DAC without your tube preamp? Do you still prefer the preamp in the chain with this new DAC? Actually, the big question is if one can hear the rosin on the violins, If that sounds right, even on 44.1/16 redbook CD, then everything else will pretty much fall into line. I can hardly wait to hear it. --SSW ---
**Author:** ![alekz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/alekz/32/1121_2.png) [@alekz](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/alekz)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2014, 12:49pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream/870/10 "2014-02-26T12:49:53Z")
OK, let’s move the discussion to this thread. While the idea of PCM -\> DSD DAC is indeed not new, it’s all about the implementation. Looking at the white paper I can say that I like the simplicity, I like the software (FPGA) approach, I like 10xDSD (vs 1xDSD or even 2xDSD), and, of course, I like the passive LPF. On the other hand, I’m afraid that the software approach (though extremely flexible) may lead to unpredictable results (e.g. 2.0.x vs 2.2.x vs 2.3.x). But again, it’s nice to have a choice 😉 Speaking of the 10xDSD upsampling. I wonder if the pre-upsampling (let’s say from 16/44 to 24/172) will make any sense. ---
**Author:** ![lonson](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/lonson/32/249792_2.png) [@lonson](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/lonson)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2014, 12:55pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream/870/11 "2014-02-26T12:55:23Z")
Hmmm. . . three grand. Not sure I can swing that for a while. Okay, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![wglenn](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/wglenn/32/172_2.png) [@wglenn](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/wglenn)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2014, 1:01pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream/870/12 "2014-02-26T13:01:11Z")
> streets still works said: Actually, the big question is if one can hear the rosin on the violins, If that sounds right, even on 44.1/16 redbook CD, then everything else will pretty much fall into line. I am astonished at what is available from a 16/44 disk. It is not as inferior to other formats as I thought. It was just a matter of getting that info off the disk and out into the air in a clean fashion. The undetailed, less musical nature of "CD sound," especially at higher frequencies, is not the fault of the medium but rather the playback devices. We've been living with this since 1982. ---
**Author:** ![edorr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/85e7bf/32.png) [@edorr](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/edorr)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2014, 1:18pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream/870/13 "2014-02-26T13:18:15Z")
I have been saying that for a while based on my experience with the $30K MSB DAC. As the quality of hardware improves, the gap between formats narrows (and eventually all but disappears). The challenge of manufacturers like PS audio is to bring that level of performance to a realistic pricepoint. I will soon be able to report if Paul has risen to the challenge, since I’ll be doing an MSB / Direcstream shootout. If I can also lose my Arc Preamp in the process, I’ll be able to swap out over $50K worth of hardware (including cabling), for a $6K DAC. I’m not counting on it (too good to be true?) but who knows! ---
**Author:** ![Elk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/elk/32/1240_2.png) [@Elk](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Elk)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2014, 1:23pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream/870/14 "2014-02-26T13:23:48Z")
> wglenn said: The undetailed, less musical nature of "CD sound," especially at higher frequencies, is not the fault of the medium but rather the playback devices. Play back technology always falls well behind recording. One of the mysteries of the world. > edorr said: As the quality of hardware improves, the gap between formats narrows (and eventually all but disappears). Exactly. I have had many arguments with others on this point. > edorr said: I'll be doing an MSB / Direcstream shootout. Yes! I am eager to learn of your conclusions. ---
**Author:** ![stevem2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@stevem2](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/stevem2)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2014, 1:25pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream/870/15 "2014-02-26T13:25:21Z")
> Yes! I am eager to learn of your conclusions. +1 ---
**Author:** ![pmotz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/pmotz/32/269612_2.png) [@pmotz](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/pmotz)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2014, 2:04pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream/870/16 "2014-02-26T14:04:47Z")
Paul, in the other thread you mention that the volume control will no longer have an impact on sound. Presumably this is in reference to the current PWD recommendation to keep the volume above 50 and higher is better. The addition of selectable levels is good too, but the real question is with the IRS system, do you still prefer to use a preamp? The need for a preamp may drive my decision on upgrading. While it is certainly welcome to have an upgrade path, $3k is still a big investment. Selling the preamp would go a long ways to making this more affordable. Also, I would love to upgrade my amp but I’ve been holding off for your new amp to see what it offers, but now I have another decision to make. Decisions, decisions … ---
**Author:** ![edorr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/85e7bf/32.png) [@edorr](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/edorr)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2014, 2:15pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream/870/17 "2014-02-26T14:15:03Z")
Once I get my hands on a unit I will be able to comment on whether a good preamp still offers improvements in SQ with the directstream. Eager to hear Paul’s personal experience as well. ---
**Author:** ![Frode](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Frode](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Frode)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2014, 3:07pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream/870/18 "2014-02-26T15:07:36Z")
Very interesting news 🙂 I want one as well, obviously. I wonder if the FPGA is programmed inhouse or outsourced to 3rd. party? Also, is the volume control 64 bits since it does not degrade SQ? Post note: I understand now that the programming is done inhouse. ---
**Author:** ![edorr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/85e7bf/32.png) [@edorr](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/edorr)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2014, 3:10pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream/870/19 "2014-02-26T15:10:29Z")
Since the processing is in 1 - bitstream, I believe the “losing 1 bit per 6db attenuation” paradigm does not apply, and a different method if digital domain attenuation is used. I could be wrong… ---
**Author:** ![Frode](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Frode](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Frode)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2014, 3:13pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream/870/20 "2014-02-26T15:13:49Z")
> Since the processing is in 1 - bitstream, I believe the "losing 1 bit per 6db attenuation" paradigm does not apply, and a different method if digital domain attenuation is used. I could be wrong... Good point..... [Next page](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream/870.md?page=2)