I own a Directstream DAC SR That I love. If getting only one is all i can do which should i get? So my question is if own the Directstream SR will i be better off adding just the Air Lens or should i save up for MK2?
MK2 without ?
I would buy the Mk2 without hesitation over the Air Lens.
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How will you get music to the MKII?
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Agree MK2 vs Airlens purchase is a no brainer. MK2 easy choice.
If you get a MKii, you will still need AirLens or something to stream music to MKii. How are you getting music to DSD now?
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Oh, definitely use that as a trade in and get the MK2. The MK2 is so much better sounding and performing in every respect than the MK1. You won’t regret it for a moment.
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Knowing how tight the uk importer is I doubt there will be much of a trade-in in the uk
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Trade in, trade in… this is the problem! Outside US, I mean.
If PS Audio started an “Importer Trade In” strategy, this could help. Does PS Audio actually has a trade in policy for importers?
Local dealers do not accept trade in programs because they have to resell the used units. If they were able to send second hand units to the importer it would be a game changer. Consequently the importer should be able to send back the units to PS Audio.
You may say that it is needed facing 2 problems: taxes and shipment costs.
If sales generate quantities, I guess there could be solutions to adopt for this purpose.
Just my thoughts (from trade in and beta test excluded side of the world).
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No trade in and no Beta for you is unfortune since you are a huge fan of PSA gear like me. I was looking at Italian audio racks you recommended in one of the threads, and I wish I live in Italy. They are pricy and hard to find in the PSA trade in and beta side of the world. 
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Do not hesitate to ask me if you need help with the SolidSteel purchase, I can call them. Glad to do it for you.
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Thanks, the rack is number 10 on my list of upgrades. So, one of these days.
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Via a computer running Audirvana through USB right now.
You live in Italy, that should be enough of a bonus for you for your entire life!!! Lucky man! 
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I would never ever use usb into any dac. If the mk ii dac had Ethernet I would have bought it when it came out. I use roon on a server that is located in a different room than my audio room so Ethernet is the only way to go. And yes, I did try using the usb input on my ds sr dac with the AQ Diamond cable and Ethernet sounded much better. So for me, to go with the mk ii dac, I would also have to buy the airlens to use i2s into the dac. In reviews of the airlens, I’ve heard the airlens makes the ds sr and the new stellar gold dac sound better. If this is true, then the airlens would be good for existing ds sr and ds jr owners.
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I have mentioned it before in this forum, that with the MK1, I2S is the best way to go, but with MK2, USB is just as good as I2S, as a matter of fact, USB with MK2 is superior to I2S if used with a better USB cable. Using a good hard drive, the sound from USB is has even more detail and clarity than with a NAS ethernet system. The MK2 is incredible with a top quality streamer, the best digital I ever heard!
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Totally agree. When I had Euphony Summus 2 streamer with MK2, I tested both I2S and USB outputs. With MK1 i2s sounded much better, but with MK2 it is the other way around.
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What are better USB cable alternatives?? Do you have specific examples with a range of prices?
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Wayman uses a super expensive USB cable. I do not know your budget, but the best USB cable I have tried is from Shunyata line. Either Alpha, Sigma or Omega will give you much better sound, and it is the only cable that I could call a component upgrade.
In my audition of cables, Stealth T-select USB is a killer cable, but it is not cheap either. I also heard good things about Sablon 2020 USB, and Muon new USB cables but I have not tried them myself.
In my experience, USB cables make as much difference as any analog interconnect in my system.
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As Donald stated, the quality of USB cables can make a dramatic difference in SQ, depending on how high the quality of the rest of your system, just like HDMI cables. Go as far as you can afford, usually price is a good indication of SQ. My first revelation was the WW Platinum S7 USB cable. It just gets better as you go up the ladder from there.
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