# Modding the DirectStream DAC MKI **URL:** \ **Category:** DACs\ **Created:** [December 7, 2015, 8:31pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/modding-the-directstream-dac-mki/2680 "2015-12-07T20:31:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![minimalist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9e8a1a/32.png) [@minimalist](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/minimalist)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2020, 2:51pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/modding-the-directstream-dac-mki/2680/226 "2020-11-07T14:51:42Z")
Got it. Thanks. (And to think that we didn’t even have to pay extra for magic transformers!) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![yuriy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/yuriy/32/67331_2.png) [@yuriy](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/yuriy)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2020, 3:16pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/modding-the-directstream-dac-mki/2680/227 "2020-11-07T15:16:07Z")
The standard transformer is already shielded, if I’m not mistaken, with a tape on which a pheromagnetic is applied (a tape of a video recorder). Perhaps that’s why the additional screen was redundant. I even had the idea to remove this tape, but I did not risk soldering the transformer for this. But with new transformers it will already be possible to try such an experiment. ---
**Author:** ![yuriy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/yuriy/32/67331_2.png) [@yuriy](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/yuriy)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2020, 3:28pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/modding-the-directstream-dac-mki/2680/228 "2020-11-07T15:28:09Z")
On my system in position 100, articulation in the bass and clarity on the treble are slightly enhanced. But at the same time the sound is clamped, the “air” decreases, everything becomes flatter and boring. In the 60-75 position - everything “breathes” and bewitches. And interestingly, with the new transformers, this has become more noticeable. ---
**Author:** ![amsco15](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/amsco15/32/28_2.png) [@amsco15](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/amsco15)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2020, 3:44pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/modding-the-directstream-dac-mki/2680/229 "2020-11-07T15:44:50Z")
So the question becomes, what good, enterprising company(s) are out there that want to, and are capable of, doing this transformer modification, and how much would it cost? I paid a hefty price to upgrade my Cary SLP-05 to whatever level of super-duper they call it. I’d pay it to upgrade my DSD too. Bet there’s a market. I’m guessing PSA sold a relatively decent number of DSDs. Edit, as much as I’m going to want a TSS, pretty sure it will cost way north of anything I’m comfortable with. This upgrade might be a nice step until the entire DSD is upgraded. ---
**Author:** ![weedeewop](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/weedeewop/32/190064_2.png) [@weedeewop](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/weedeewop)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2020, 4:14pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/modding-the-directstream-dac-mki/2680/230 "2020-11-07T16:14:23Z")
I second your thought, if an individual was up to modifying the DSD and did not result in voiding the warranty I’d be all in. ---
**Author:** ![Baldy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/baldy/32/223847_2.png) [@Baldy](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Baldy)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2020, 4:24pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/modding-the-directstream-dac-mki/2680/231 "2020-11-07T16:24:33Z")
I would think that any “cover off” end user mod would void the warranty and rightfully so. ---
**Author:** ![yuriy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/yuriy/32/67331_2.png) [@yuriy](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/yuriy)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2020, 4:25pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/modding-the-directstream-dac-mki/2680/232 "2020-11-07T16:25:30Z")
The human voice is the most emotional factor, since there is no intermediary between the performer and the listener in the form of a musical instrument. In formal audiophile terms, the new transformers provide greater intelligibility, detail and more overtones. Therefore, voices are better separated, do not mix, and other instruments do not mask them, even when they sound in unison. With the new transformers, the vocals come to life and this triggers a great emotional response. With old transformers I didn’t have such strong emotions. I also have spiritual chants, Christmas carols, recorded by my friend sound engineer in two microphone ways. I took it out especially today and listened to it. This sounds amazing! And even in those places when the male bass enters, it is pure and powerful, no mumbling or porridge. ---
**Author:** ![amsco15](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/amsco15/32/28_2.png) [@amsco15](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/amsco15)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2020, 4:28pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/modding-the-directstream-dac-mki/2680/233 "2020-11-07T16:28:38Z")
My warranty, and I’ll bet many others, expired some time ago. Warranty issues wouldn’t be a thing for me. This is where the cost comes in. Everything has a price, including warranties. I doubt this will happen but is sure fun to think about. My DSD remains the best investment in this hobby ever. ---
**Author:** ![weedeewop](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/weedeewop/32/190064_2.png) [@weedeewop](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/weedeewop)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2020, 4:39pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/modding-the-directstream-dac-mki/2680/234 "2020-11-07T16:39:44Z")
I agree it’s fun to think about, and should the planets align I’d be in. Opinions my differ… ---
**Author:** ![RonP](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/ronp/32/213555_2.png) [@RonP](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/RonP)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2020, 4:44pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/modding-the-directstream-dac-mki/2680/235 "2020-11-07T16:44:08Z")
Maybe we should all say it together: “PS Audio Custom Shop”!!! ---
**Author:** ![minimalist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9e8a1a/32.png) [@minimalist](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/minimalist)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2020, 6:13pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/modding-the-directstream-dac-mki/2680/236 "2020-11-07T18:13:07Z")
You know, I’m at a time/situation in my life where I’ve often considered offering a mod service for the DS since, in my experience, they can lead to quite striking improvements (some have been mentioned above). I always chickened out though after considering liability insurance and worrying about cross-border shipping damage. I’ll do the XS4400 mod once it comes in and shoot some photos for people to check out. ---
**Author:** ![Baldy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/baldy/32/223847_2.png) [@Baldy](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Baldy)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2020, 6:52pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/modding-the-directstream-dac-mki/2680/237 "2020-11-07T18:52:57Z")
That’s what hot rodding is all about. ---
**Author:** ![tony22](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f04885/32.png) [@tony22](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/tony22)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2020, 7:29pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/modding-the-directstream-dac-mki/2680/238 "2020-11-07T19:29:41Z")
I’ve modded a bunch of stuff in my day, and I’m pretty sure I can do this Xfmr swap out, but what makes me hesitate is that this DAC is a _system_ unlike most other audio components. What I mean is that the FW updates are made and assessed with the hardware being what it is. I’m not sure it’s a guarantee that swapping in new parts will insure the next (or any) FW change will be the best one for _the modified configuration_. ---
**Author:** ![tedsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/tedsmith/32/96626_2.png) [@tedsmith](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/tedsmith)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2020, 7:49pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/modding-the-directstream-dac-mki/2680/239 "2020-11-07T19:49:29Z")
I think you are safe there Tony. We don’t so much sculpt the sound as we try to make it objectively better, the XS4400 is a step in that direction. The DS was designed for both the transformer it shipped with and the XS4400. I found Edcor looking for quadfiler transformers and the XS4400 was the first one I found (that wasn’t toooo expensive like the ones I liked from Jensen). There might be just a smidge of more ultrasonic noise, but the firmer bass and overall ease should be apparent. Similarly a better (cleaner) 12V supply won’t skew the DS’s audio tone. There are plenty of parts that replacing with “better” parts would be a step back for most listeners, but the specs for the XS4400 were taken into account. ---
**Author:** ![chris5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f19dbf/32.png) [@chris5](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/chris5)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2020, 7:56pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/modding-the-directstream-dac-mki/2680/240 "2020-11-07T19:56:34Z")
Shame they don’t seem to ship to the uk, I can’t see it in their Country dropdown ---
**Author:** ![Elk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/elk/32/1240_2.png) [@Elk](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Elk)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2020, 7:57pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/modding-the-directstream-dac-mki/2680/241 "2020-11-07T19:57:01Z")
Photos would be of great help to many interested in performing the swap, and informative to the rest. ---
**Author:** ![Baldy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/baldy/32/223847_2.png) [@Baldy](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Baldy)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2020, 8:00pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/modding-the-directstream-dac-mki/2680/242 "2020-11-07T20:00:04Z")
You might be able to work with someone here to purchase locally and then ship to you in the UK. ---
**Author:** ![chris5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f19dbf/32.png) [@chris5](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/chris5)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2020, 8:06pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/modding-the-directstream-dac-mki/2680/243 "2020-11-07T20:06:16Z")
Thanks for the thought / offer 🙂 😁 to be honest, just the thought of trying to get the dac apart is putting me off, changing transformers would be ok though. ---
**Author:** ![chris5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f19dbf/32.png) [@chris5](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/chris5)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2020, 8:09pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/modding-the-directstream-dac-mki/2680/244 "2020-11-07T20:09:20Z")
… although I’ve not actually done any soldering for 25 years! ---
**Author:** ![Baldy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/baldy/32/223847_2.png) [@Baldy](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Baldy)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2020, 8:09pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/modding-the-directstream-dac-mki/2680/245 "2020-11-07T20:09:31Z")
This is generally a pretty friendly group bellied up to a worldwide bar of sorts 😄 [Previous page](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/modding-the-directstream-dac-mki/2680.md?page=10) [Next page](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/modding-the-directstream-dac-mki/2680.md?page=12)