While listening to an SACD, DMP to MK1, the output just stopped abruptly. No death rattle or any audible hint that things were coming to an end.
I reseated my I2S cable. NG
I ejected the CD and tried another. NG. Still showing progress on the screen.
I tried streaming (coax). The screen confirmed the coax command. I got a horrible 2 second noise, then silence.
I power cycled the DSD; roughly 30 seconds off. Then when it rebooted it came back happy.
20 minutes later, same thing.
Repeat the power cycle this time off for 60 minutes with all cables removed and itās been playing for a couple hours pretending nothing ever happened.
Any thoughts? Iāll call Boulder tomorrow to ask if theyāll work on a modified DSD.
Iām pretty sure theyād work on it, or have some idea why you wouldnāt need to send it in.
Never really happened to me. . . other things have happened (lost screen, which came back, āfilm negativeā screen, never lost sound though).
It may be fine now that youāve had a long total reboot.
1 Like
I hope she keeps going as is. Itās sounding normal and wonderful, both CD and streaming inputs.
Maybe static got lost in there? Iām going to keep it going all day.
1 Like
This time it made an enormous farting sound before it died. I can also smell a bit of electrical burning. Itās on the floor unplugged. It was a great couple of years.
Considering that Iām the second owner and Kurt charged me so little for it, it might be time for an upgrade.
Canāt afford a PMG right now. Maybe a Denafrips. Iād like to avoid ChI-fi but whatās a brother to do?
1 Like
I would look into the repair via PS Audio. They are very reasonable in repair costs. That said, now is a good time to get a Mk 2āI have both a modded Mk 1 and a stock Mk 2. The stock Mk 2 sounds considerably better, I love it. And pricing is really to the buyerās advantage these days.
3 Likes
Makes sense. But I would like to start with new.
A couple of nights ago my system came to an erupt hault while spinning a disc. It was the PST, and it became unresponsive. Had to power cycle it and all was fine. This has happened a few times in the past. I think the PST is really sensitive to any power blips.Never experienced anything like that with my DSD MkI though. Hopefully itās an easy fix.
I borrowed a Denafrips Pontus from a friend who doesnāt use it. It works.
But in the words of Caesar (Dom DeLouise), āNice. Not thrilling. But niceā
How dose it compare to the DSD MkI, which I believe has the upgraded transformers?
The MK1 has an analog richness that the Pontus does not.
2 Likes
Going back a few years you swapped your DS-1 with a friend for his Pontus and a cash balance. You were happy then with the Pontus.. After reading your post (I hang on to your every word 
)
I bought a Pontus II and I liked it a lot. My son borrowed it when I got the DSD-MKII and Iāve never seen again. Nothing new there!!
I have and still use DS-1 & DSD-MKII, Denafrips Venus 15th ( Terminator internals ) different topologies but I like what they all do in their own way. DACs are mightly system dependant.
2 Likes
Whatās your opinion of the Venus 15th? How does it compare to the DSD MK2?
Still early days I only bought it 4 days ago.! Iāve connected it to the system in my workshop for some burn-in hours - still to take it in my house / system(s for a proper review. I cannot comment on the difference between them. What I hear pleases me / ears no end!!. I like what Denafrips delivers or I wouldnāt have bought another model.
The āVenus 15th has the Terminator DACā - itās the same cost as the Venus 12th but in the larger Terminator box. Excellent DACā¦ Anyway, Iām not one for recommending hifi products to others because we hear things differently.
3 Likes
@RonP so sorry youāre having trouble with my old DS Mk1. It was solid for me for many years and I did a couple of mods including the new output transformers. This thing punched way above its weight for me and only the Mola Mola Tambaqui bested it.
If PS Audio is willing to have a look and possibly repair that might be worth the trouble, but I also get wanting something new and different too.
Best of luck,
Kurt
2 Likes
Kurt
I love the sound of this thing, so I will get it repaired. Even if I buy something new, Iāll keep it.
Thanks
Ron
5 Likes
@RonP Sucks about your DAC. Mineās been great and greater now that both the Perfectwave Transport has itās display and HDMI connectors replaced at the factory. Same goes for the MK1 DAC. They were already 11 years old based on the the serial numbers. Gary Gill gave me an excellent deal if I bought both together.
Joe
3 Likes
It lives again!
With very little to lose, I gave the MK1 to a friend who makes his own hifi gear to troubleshoot.
He found a failed capacitor which took out a resistor. He thinks it took a power surge.
I pick it up today. $75.
13 Likes
Great news! Itās nice to have a friend with those capabilities. I would have offered to take a look as well but weāre geographically quite far apart.
1 Like
Awesome news Ron. Iām genuinely happy to read that.
1 Like
Wunnerful.
1 Like