This has been asked before but it is hard to find. How do the fully modded DS compare to the DS Mk2? From what I can find the Mk2 sounds better.

Sorry, I updated the post above.

So I just need to ID the DS DAC’s pin configuration, correct?

Yup - I was just looking for it, I have it around here somewhere but it’s alluding me. I suppose we can ask Ted.

If it’s the same configuration as the Holo dac’s, it would be ALT2.

Another choice is Euphony Summus. This year they have Summus2 and 4 servers which is different from when I bought it last year (Summus2 w/ 2TB interior SSD). Its I2S is compatible with DS and DS MK2. In fact, it is selling at least $1k cheaper than what I paid. It is Roon ready, or you can use their own Stylus software to stream or play from exterior/interior storage. I found this server sounds great with the right setup. It is a great bargain. I need to buy a stream three times more to beat it I believe.

[image] scotte1: The AirLens may or may not be the ticket. Even though its not critical, I don’t want to give up full rendering (unfolding) of MQA files if I can avoid doing so. My DS Sr./B II combo and my Roon/Tidal combo give me that, on the intermittent occasion I discover a track that sounds best in that format with that renderer/player/source combination. My dilemma too with the DS1/Bridge II and the DS2 and AirLens developing on different cycles. With that, I have a Lindemann Limetree Bridge II doing network duties. It has galvanic isolation of its outputs and I found it provided a step up in sound quality, with the DS1, compared to the PS Audio Bridge II. It’s sounding great with the DS2! Given the DS2 won’t unfold MQA for you, you probably won’t be able to get a full MQA unfold on changeover, unless the MQA maxes out at or below 96kHz. In this instance, the AirLens or Roon (both unfold to 96kHz) would do the job before it reaches the DS2. Just popped on a David Elias MQA recording - while I’m only getting MQA decoding to 88.2k / 24 via Roon (rather than the 192k /24 of the same through the PS Audio Bridge II), it’s really quite enjoyable. Lovely dynamics. I think there’s more to be gained from a part unfolding, and then the better sound quality of the DS2, than a full MQA unfolding in the PS Audio Bridge II and then the DS1 taking over. But just my thoughts!

Good food for thought; thank you. Cheers.

DS vs DS Mk2?

Audio Components DACs

vkennedy61 January 12, 2023, 2:51am 256

Here’s the PSA Spec. I agree with @st50maint, it’s the same as the Holo Dac config ALT2:

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