That pretty much aligns with what I assume people think about me too.
I would be happy with “He’s crazy but he shows up and hits it out of the park.”
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Or at least goes down swinging for the fence.
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That is a hard ask. Iwill let it stream while traveling on business trips. I can’t see it is possible to catch up. There’s a Grand Canyon separating the 2 from 1’s performance.
Have a great trip, and you may like 2 a little better after the trip.
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I have not heard much change since last night (FW179), so I put back the stock fuse. Do not bother, I still like the Purple fuse better, and vmax still likes his Ultimate SHD better than Purple. 
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This has probably been discussed before, but doesn’t modding the DirectStream DAC MKII or any other PS audio product void the warranty?
I’m not speaking for PS Audio, but in the past they’ve said that if the mod doesn’t cause the warrantee issue or doesn’t get in the way of diagnosing or fixing the warrantee issue then they don’t care. But, for example, if they need to swap the board…
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@vmax, The M-1 fuse in MK2 sounds a lot better with 179 than when I had it with 178. I only had a couple of days with 173 at the beginning of break in so I cannot comment on any of 173 SQ.
However, the M-1 sounds a bit darker, and more importantly to you, the mid-range is more pronounced in my system. It could be that all AM fuses have a fuller presentation towards the mid, which makes me hearing less high and bass as a result (compare to Purple). If I did not have Purple earlier, I may have enjoyed M-1 more. But it seems with MK2 the SR line of fuses may match better with their “thinner” presentation.
Did you like stock fuse better than AM Ultimate S? It has less bloom than M-1 as I remembered. Since Purple has its issue in your system, the next-in-line will be Orange. SR. Orange frankly is inferior to Purple, but it does not have the sharper focus of Purple, but I have no idea if it will help your system or not.
There are so many variables, and it is impossible to provide a sure answer. But I doubt M-1 fuse will be a great solution. The next suggestion is to use cables/ cords with silver conductors. But that is a pricy experiment.
Also, tubes that are more analytical with less roll off may help too.
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I think we are thinking down the same line. I have a Diamond Xtreme power cord ready with a new watt gate silver plated power connector the prongs have a finish reminds me of Al’s stealth power cord. That now modified Xtreme was the busted ground prong in my P20 , I used to use on the DS. Right now I have a silver wired whisper powering MKII. It is nit hiding any details. . The wires in that Xtreme are silver plated copper.
I was already thinking lime you! Thanks for the
m-1 retrial!
I am sure I will gey this sorted soon. I still have EQ filters as a fall back. I don’t like those but better than nothing.
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My assumption of “too much energy in high and mid” is that it was causing these frequencies too full. If you mean too many details to the bright side, then just REVERSE everything I posted earlier 
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It is really just too much mids energy. The Beta tester thread is back as locked. Look at upper mid voicing curves I posted. I need to knock down around 2k to 3k maybe a 1 to 1.5 dB is my guess. Then I can play louder get better bass. Upper highs are fine.
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Yup, you do not need M-1.
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Somewhere i have an excel plugin app on and old windows laptop that Mcintosh modified from Lyngdorf that will let me modify that voicing and soften the cut, but it is not the easiest tool to use. The i have to load onto USB stick and into m my processor. It is much easier swapping cables and fuses
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I just replaced the Purple in my MK2 with a M1 and with the 179 firmware, and it is a really good balance. It reduced some of the brightness and gave much more body to the sound, more like vinyl, and just like with the MK1 DAC, only with much higher density and resolution. With the 178 it was a bit duller and Purple worked better, but 179’s brightness helps with the more laid back M1. The M1 is sweeter balance overall. I’ll let the M1 settle in more and decide which I like more, but right now in my system, I’m leaning more towards the M1 with 179. If your system is a little thick and dull sounding already, I wouldn’t recommend the M1, Purple may work better.
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I figured you may like M-1 better in your system. M1 is sweeter indeed.
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Yes, as I played more music, the sound with this combo is simply incredible!! Wow, my vinyl has some competition!!
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I just realized this statement is problematic and I need to clarify. I believe vmax has two or three M-1s in the system already, and so did I. I absolutely love M-1 over Purple in P15, and I also like M-1 in PST better than Purple. It makes PST sounding more analog without losing any detail. I have a Purple in BHK pre and I found the pre is less sensitive reacting to tweaks including fuse. So, with a few M-1s in the system already, I like Purple better in MK2. If you only have one M-1, I tend to think the best place for it will be MK2 because it will make the most improvement.
Okay, I have posted on fuses more than anything, but my statement needs a correction.
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It’s a matter of balancing your system. You can use the Purple or you can use the M1 to get your system to really shine, they are both excellent fuses and are a very effective tweak. They seem to work like tone controls, but without degrading the sound in the process.
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Now you’re making me want a 4th M-1. My MKII is so bright with 179 I have lost any desire to even tweak it more today or hear it screech. I couldn’t even make it through one song today. I made tonight a movie night instead.
Tomorrow if every other trick fails at least maybe a fourth M-1. I hate to spend on another one with Air Lens being close. It could put a power supply out of commission with a M-1
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Despite my assessment, I don’t really know your system especially how your speakers sound through MK2. Bright and Purple/orange do not match well for sure. Waymenchen likes it better so it may help you too.
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