True. There is always something better. Usually at a cost. But sometimes there are bargains.
1 Like
Just responding to what you posted. No qualifiers.
1 Like
I understood that. I should have said something about similar costs.
The MK1 had an additional card to add the streamer functionality. This option is omitted on the MK2. So, the MK2 does without a streamer. Which will be obvious by now.
BTW, I do have a Chromecast Audio, which costs $35 and is both a streamer and a dac and does Roon a well! That should make you happy!
1 Like
Gorgeous kitâŚ
Aspirational excellence, from my current perspectiveâŚ
Whoa, this is pretty harsh. Sorry itâs not what you expected. The DS MKII is one of the best sounding DACs in the world and that is what we promote it as.
I get that it never feels fair to get something believing one thing only to find it to be another. That sucks.
Please feel free to reach out to me personally. paul@psaudio.com
6 Likes
They did this, as already pointed out, to permit over the internet firmware updates. One of the main advantages of using the FPGA based digital to analog conversion is the ability for the end user to update the firmware. The original DS, which it appears you owned, had at least 10 firmware updates. The firmware updates were done by downloading the files, then copying them on an SD card, which was then inserted in the DS. Many folks had trouble getting this to work properly so the solution for the Mk II is to direct connect the DS Mk II to PS Audio via the internet, thatâs why they include an RJ-45 jack and wi-fi. Very logical actually.
As for streaming, with the DS Mk I (as has been pointed out) it did not stream on its own, it required the Bridge II which was an accessory to the DS MkI. Streaming was still in its infancy when the DS was first released so not everyone wanted that capability. As such, the DS was $6k (and could not stream on its own) and the Bridge II (which provided streaming) was $800.
The good part of having the streaming device internal to the DAC was it could share the power supply of the DAC and no interconnects were required, saving money. The bad part was determined some time ago, the Bridge II introduced noise, compromising sound quality. Rather than go to great lengths to reduce or eliminate that noise for an internal streamer for the DS Mk II they chose to not offer an internal streaming device. Personally, I liked the internal device, it made for a cleaner installation aesthetically. I was ok with a small compromise in sound quality.
I hope this helps you understand how PS Audio got to this point. To be clear, I have no affiliation with PS Audio, Iâm a long time customer and have been keenly watching the design process since before the original DS was released.
11 Likes
Thanks pmotz for the history lesson. Indeed, thatâs a very clear recap of how we got to where we are. Plenty of folks (and me) found, over time and years of use, that removing the Bridge card from the MK1 helped the sound quality immensely. Itâs one reason we made the decision with the MK2 to go pure DAC and leave the noisy streamer outside.
If you look at the upcoming AirLens (I knowâŚyou canât look because itâs not out yet 
) youâll note that one of its main attributes is keeping the incoming network noise on one side of the chassis while producing clean, noise-free, galvanically isolated digital audio on the other side.
Weâve made every attempt at lowering noise and jitter in the MK2, including removing the noisy network card.
8 Likes
Thanks Paul !
That said, will the AL present its processed data to the MK2 as clean as the PST does? If not, will you develop such a product as part of the PerfectWave Series?
@brian.fitterman is there or is there not a network card in the machine?
Anyway spoke to the McGowans - they agree the website is confusing and will fix it. RMA approved.
There is not nor does the website say anything about one or it being Roon ready. Nor does the Roon partners Webpage claim it is. The add on card came later. The Mk2 never had such claim and I personally do not think itâs confusing. What part of the web site of PSA do you think led you to believe that?
1 Like
Andy, please be respectful of other members in your posts.
1 Like
Andy I read via email before it was deleted. Yea itâs different. They had a card now they donât.
Did the manual say Wi-Fi and Ethernet was for streaming? If so then I could agree. But I do not think it did. All I see is that it clearly states use for upside g firmware when available. Now if you want to complain that feature is not yet turned I would say ok.
I have bought 3 DACs in past 4 years. All of which I made sure I could use with roon. My second was MK1. I ended up with Sonore as it sounded better than card which I sold.
I feel bad you did not get what expected but you seem to want to blame someone else for trying to deceive you. I do Not agree with your claim. At no point did they say end point for anything other than external device via USB or I2S such as a computer.
In PSA âs world sound quality is trumping ease of use/setup.
Oh and the Mk1 was not roon ready. The bridge card was. It was the streamer that had an internal connection. The DAC itself bought on its own was not.
2 Likes
Randyâs email has not been deleted; ir was flagged and is hidden as inappropriate.
He received an email inviting him to modify it to remove the insults. If he chooses to do so he will be able to repost it.
*Andy, not Randy.
FYI/FWIW.
Oops
Thanks
Flying flanges led to an error.
2 Likes
I did a search of the manual and the only time the word âstreamingâ is used is in the âWelcomeâ section of the âIntroductionâ saying âCDs, streaming audio, high resolution PCM and DSD based media âŚâ are things the DS can be used for. The section on wi-fi and network cable use only talks of updating firmware. The manual is very DAC oriented, it doesnât stray into other areas. The only âerrorâ I found was it said to replace the provided power cord with a âmatching PerfectWave AC power cordâ. Sure, as long as you donât mind used!
2 Likes
@rambilly - The manual is clear and so are the thousands of posts on this forum.
Iâd be one of the first people to support your argument if it was true, but unfortunately itâs not. We all make mistakes. The good news is you can send the MK2 back and get your money back, or you can invest in a streamer, thereâs dozens to choose from.
Here are two topics on the forum where we have been discussing streaming:
2 Likes
Did you address this post to the wrong forum member?
Maybe? 
