If only that were true that would be great. Google is likely reporting how it used to be. For example, when building the AirLens that was true and that’s one of the reasons the AirLens will connect to Tidal’s app.
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Hi Paul!
Different subject: Is the PMG DAC designed to play back DSD 512 files? My memory says that DSD 256 is the max supported but I wanted to clarify this point with directly with you.
dcr
Yes, that is correct. DSD256 is there highest the PMG can accept.
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So Tidal’s business model for expanding its endpoint base is to not allow development of new endpoints? That seems like a great plan for moving in the wrong direction, though maybe the company feels that ongoing spending to support new endpoint development is not offset by additional subscription revenue. Regardless, that doesn’t bode well for Tidal’s continuing future.
— Chris
The PMG DAC specifications web page is a bit confusing then: the “Data Handling” section lists “DSD INPUT” and “DSD OUTPUT” as supporting DSD512.
Oops. I gotta stop drinking in the morning. My bad. You’re right. Duh.
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Or you’re not drinking enough!
I find it so much easier to stop thinking rather than stop.drinking. PMG256 would sorta sound as good as Half Octave Records. 
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I took off work today to set up the PMG DAC, to make substantial changes to another audio set up in the house, and to catch up on mundane home chores.
Rather than test the PMG internal streamer with Qobuz Connect. I decided to stick with something I was more familiar with, so I connected my Airlens streamer to the PMG. I did A/B comparisons using Qobuz Connect between the new freshly unpacked PMG and the older MK2. My conclusion, the MK2 is very good, but the PMG is noticeably better and will likely continue to improve. I got the DAC improvement I paid for.
Vocals on the PMG were clearer, more defined in space, and even more natural and human in tone and presence. Cymbals were less smeared, more refined and delicate, the soundstage was slightly wider and dimensional. Overall imaging and instrument placement was better. From the above description, you can tell the background was also quieter and blacker.
It is very rewarding to listen to audio tracks I have heard most of my life. But now despite my old man hearing I can hear more distinct intelligible vocals. The background singers and instruments that I previously had strained to hear. It has been very rewarding listening to the new PMG series. BTW: I listened to the new PMG DAC, through the PMG PRE which I have been listening to for several months now.
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Wait till you try the internal streamer. It gets way better.
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That’s good to hear; and all we can ask for.
Enjoy.
As a PMG pre and DAC owner I wonder if you would consider a “what if” question? What if you are a DS MKII owner presently listening without a preamp. If you could only buy one for a purely digital based system would you buy the PMG preamp to pair with the MKII or would you remain without a preamp and get the PMG DAC? I know you haven’t lived with the DAC very long but inquiring minds would like your thoughts. Thanks.
I think a few have asked. Search up. Many were just to upgrade a pre. If it was me I would do the dac. They are giving 3000 for trade. You won’t get more than that and it may go down. The pre in PMG is supposed to be better as well.
Recall that they had no dacs to sell for several months.
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I have the same thinking and have no interest in spending $9k to hear a not huge improvement. There is a law of diminishing returns and far as money spent and sound improvement.
Qobuz connect has been down yesterday and today. You sure you were on Connect?
Just checked the used market and there is a glut of DS DACS. Best price I saw was a MKll fairly new for $3400 in WV.
Yes, I am sure it was Qobuz Connect. Qobuz has been working intermittently.
That was one reason why my review was short. It was also one of the reasons I chose not to use the internal streamer. After reading reviews here I was concerned I may blame connection failures on the new DAC, when It may actually be Qobuz. I will let Qobuz sort out Connect before reviewing the Internal Streamer. I do not have Roon and really like the advances Qobuz has made. I hope they get it fixed soon.
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I’m afraid I do not have a direct answer to your question. I do not know at this time the full potential of the PMG DAC.
With the MKI I went direct and resisted getting a preamp for years following Paul’s statements years ago. Then the BHK was released and I added it. After hearing it I preferred the sound of a preamp in the chain, besides that I began to occasionally play vinyl so I needed the extra inputs. Back then the sound direct was thin and anemic, less dynamic and dimensional than when using the BHK. I then added the MKII and did all the Mountain Firmware upgrades but still preferred the BHK in the chain.
Due to my neurosis about aging tubes, their loss of fidelity, and the hassle of taking the BHK out of my rack annually to replace tubes. I decided for me the BHK was the oldest and weakest link in my audio chain even though it still sounded good. So, replacing he the BHK with the PMG was a no brainer.
Sorry I don’t have the desire right now to experiment with listening to the PMG direct, perhaps another forum member does.
Might be worth holding on to a DS MKII and relegate it to a second system.