jojoskidancer saidNot speaking for Gordon, but I believe it should, bridge is the same. Did not resolve my no connect, but that's because my problem apparently is with my Mini-DS, one doesn't like the other. But I was able to eliminate my router and switch as the problem. You can google to find the details but a crossover is wired reversed on one connector I believe.gordon saidGordon,rogerdn saidIf I am not mistaken, the newer Macs are smart enough that you can use either cable. Try it and see.stevem2 said I haven't tried it but I think I have read that others have used a direct connection with a crossover cable (or regular ethernet cable with a crossover adaptor) and then gone wireless from the Mini into a router for the internet connection and control point. Don't know what settings you use on the Mini, unfortunately.I think I have too, do you know what's different about a crossover cable ?Not sure what vintage is required.
EDIT
Just found this.
It calls for a crossover cable but worth a try with what you have or pick one up at best buy.
Does anyone know if this router-less Ethernet connection would also work on the DS?
Would I have to wait on the Bridge2 for it to work?
Frode saidSorry, I haven't gotten back to it. I still like the idea but I'm going to wait till I get a laptop with USB 3.0 or a better USB 3.0 host controller for my current laptop before I declare it a bust. I have another friend who got one and couldn't get it to work in multiple systems with multiple devices. If you feel like experimenting you could try it, but if you have a low frustration tolerance I'd pass.Ted Smith saidI received my Corning 3.Optical cable yesterday and I'm a bit frustrated. I can't really get it to work in any fashion but that may not be the cable's fault. I actually suspect my USB 3.0 ExpressCard adapter since I've had some similar problems in the past with it. I'll update you'all when I have more info.Any news on this one, Ted?I am on the verge of buying it too.
Regarding selection of normal and low gain on the DS. Is it possible through the remote control?
Yup! Just press “Filter” on the remote.
I use the PWD and (soon to be) DS DAC into a pre amp with open ended connections . I was reading in the DS instructions that the XLR connection has 6 dB more gain. My question is this: is there a way I can use RCA terminated cables from the XLR output? Is there some sort of adapter I can use on one end of the cable so I can run it out of the XLR output? I have never used balanced cables so I don’t have a clue. I need to avoid any sonic degradation.
Also, any tips on the best choice?
rossop said I use the PWD and (soon to be) DS DAC into a pre amp with open ended connections . I was reading in the DS instructions that the XLR connection has 6 dB more gain. My question is this: is there a way I can use RCA terminated cables from the XLR output? Is there some sort of adapter I can use on one end of the cable so I can run it out of the XLR output? I have never used balanced cables so I don't have a clue. I need to avoid any sonic degradation.Also, any tips on the best choice?
This is what I found:
http://store.transparentcable.com/audio/adapters/interconnect-adapters/
RCA > Female XLR: This high quality Neutrik Adapter allows one to use RCA terminated interconnects with source components (such as a CD player or preamplifier output) where the only available connection is intended for a female XLR. The connector does not make an RCA cable into a balanced cable. The connector changes the balanced connection on the component into a single-ended connection. (See picture 3. Item code is RCA>FXLR.)RCA > Male XLR: This high quality Neutrik Adapter allows one to use RCA terminated interconnects with receiving components (such as a preamplifier or amplifier input) where the only available connection is intended for a male XLR. The connector does not make an RCA cable into a balanced cable. The connector changes the balanced connection on the component into a single-ended connection.
Technically there’s no problem doing this. The one thing you want to make sure on DirectStream is to use only one or the other outputs and not both.
rossop said I use the PWD and (soon to be) DS DAC into a pre amp with open ended connections . I was reading in the DS instructions that the XLR connection has 6 dB more gain. My question is this: is there a way I can use RCA terminated cables from the XLR output? Is there some sort of adapter I can use on one end of the cable so I can run it out of the XLR output? I have never used balanced cables so I don't have a clue. I need to avoid any sonic degradation.Also, any tips on the best choice?
Nothing is ever simple:
Simple adapters which don’t use transformers have to make a choice how to hook up the three or four pins/connections in an XLR (positive, negative, ground and perhaps a separate shield) to the two or three pins/connections in an unbalanced cable (signal, ground and perhaps a separate shield.) Most adapters that hook up the balanced positive pin to the unbalanced signal pin, but the balanced negative pin or the balanced ground pin (or both!) may be connected to the unbalanced ground pin. If the receiving equipment doesn’t have a isolated ground on an unbalanced connector then this may be shorting out 1/2 of the balanced connection and both defeating the 6dB extra gain and possibly further degrading the signal. In that case using an unbalanced cable between the unbalanced connectors is much better.
If your source and destination components are internally balanced the best way to avoid sonic degradation is to use a balanced cable. If either or both are single ended inside then the tradeoffs aren’t so obvious - it depends on the interfaces they provide to convert the balanced connection to unbalanced or visa versa. (http://www.jensentransformers.com/an/an003.pdf has a lot more detail and should be interesting to those who are at least a little technical but haven’t been thru this before. Also there are other related ap notes at http://www.jensentransformers.com/apps_wp.html)
If I recall if both components aren’t balanced there won’t be any advantage using XLR adaptors, since the preamp is balanced… And if anything there could be a degradation in SQ since your’re adding the extra metal of the adaptors.
erikm said If I recall if both components aren't balanced there won't be any advantage using XLR adaptors, since the preamp is balanced.. And if anything there could be a degradation in SQ since your're adding the extra metal of the adaptors.I would only try this adapter to get the added 6dB of gain from XLR. What you say about SQ is something I am aware of. I only use US power cords and sockets here in Oz to avoid the use of adapters.
Unfortunately an XLR to SE adapter will not result in 6dB more gain. The extra gain exists only when both legs of the balanced output are properly combined in the receiving unit as a balanced signal.
6dB is double the voltage (note: not double the power or double SPL). It occurs because with a balanced signal there is a positive leg, and a negative leg which is the exact inverse of the signal. In simple summary, these are added together at the receiving end and, thus, there is twice the voltage than an SE signal (the receiving end measures the voltage difference in the two lines).
Connecting only one signal leg through an adapter leaves one of the legs out. As a result, there is no doubling of the voltage.
Elk said Unfortunately an XLR to SE adapter will not result in 6dB more gain. The extra gain exists only when both legs of the balanced output are properly combined in the receiving unit as a balanced signal.6dB is double the voltage (note: not double the power or double SPL). It occurs because with a balanced signal there is a positive leg, and a negative leg which is the exact inverse of the signal. In simple summary, these are added together at the receiving end and, thus, there is twice the voltage than an SE signal (the receiving end measures the voltage difference in the two lines).
Connecting only one signal leg through an adapter leaves one of the legs out. As a result, there is no doubling of the voltage.
Thanks Elk…saved me some bucks
Just out of curiosity, why are you hoping for a hotter signal? The DS is a bit hotter than nominal as it is.
Elk said Just out of curiosity, why are you hoping for a hotter signal? The DS is a bit hotter than nominal as it is.Hi Elk...I was after more headroom. I use JRMC and play a lot of playlists which I apply volume levelling to. With the PWD I started my pre at just under 50 out of 100. Now with the DS I have to start at about 60-70. No big deal. It's all good.
Three questions: on the DS screen, when I go to the gear menu, where it says “Bridge Update”, it is green so I pressed it. It says (something like) finding update. Then after a while it says “cant find update”
Is this normal? I thought as it was green, there would be an update (like on the PWD). If there were no updates I thought it would be red or say N/A. Bridge version is 0.2.15c…DAC version 1.1.5
Also DAC version 1.1.5. As far as I know this is the most recent DAC version (6115). Is it not? I take it this is more recent than 5407. It all seems a bit strange after the PWD where the firmware updates seem to reflect the version number. Like PWD version 2.2.0 would read 2.2.0 and not some seemingly random number like 6115.
I have noticed a lot of people have stated the DS needs big hours to burn right in. It has been my experience that digital components require about 100hrs to burn in. Any comments?
I understand preferring to leave the pre’s volume control around 50, although I bet it will sound just as good and there will not be any headroom issue.
6115 is the latest FW. Ted posted on the numbering convention. It is direct and easy, but I do not recall the system offhand. 
Burn in of any component is highly controversial. Ted confirms there is nothing in the DS which requires substantial burn-in and he designed the circuits so that temperature, component changes, etc. have little impact.
I’d love to see someone do a blind test of a DS with an hour on it (enough time to warm up and settle) v. a DS with 500+ hours on it. And an explanation that components always get better with burn-in, never worse. 
But some are convinced that everything tastes better when it sits on a Ritz.
My first question: [on the DS screen, when I go to the gear menu, where it says “Bridge Update”, it is green so I pressed it. It says (something like) finding update. Then after a while it says “cant find update”] about the Bridge Update on the page that come up when I press the gear menu?
Is this normal?.. IMHO it should be red or say N/A if no update is availably.
This one I do not know.
G’Day.
Green should mean you are up to date and need NO attention.
If you have access to the Bridge web page, enter the Bridge IP address in the URL bar of your web browser and you will have a snapshot of your versions.
2.15a is the latest.
I believe the front panel will just show 2.15 without the “a” , as mine does.
Glad to see you are up and running Ross.
gordon said G'Day.Thanks G...so if its NOT green it means there IS an update. No worries.Green should mean you are up to date and need NO attention.
If you have access to the Bridge web page, enter the Bridge IP address in the URL bar of your web browser and you will have a snapshot of your versions.
2.15a is the latest.
I believe the front panel will just show 2.15 without the “a” , as mine does.
Glad to see you are up and running Ross.
It’s good to be back playing the new DAC though I am getting some freezes when playing dsf files I conned Acoustic Sounds into selling me. I will get it all together eventually, I hope. I configured the Bridge page like you taught me. ie. static ip & LAN DHCP: NO
My Bridge page shows version 0.2.15a for the Bridge & version 1.1.5 for the DS
Front panel of the DS shows 2.15 like you said.