I have also been undecided and have followed the discussions. After all the reading and time gone by, I concluded that the PMG 512 has been stable and fully functional after the initial release issues. I believe the forum members who say that the built in streamer (even using Roon) tops any other streamer they have had in regards to SQ. It also seems to be a common report that the DAC SQ is beyond any previous iteration. If I had the money to spend, I would give the PMG 512 an in-home trial for sure and likely would keep it. I’ve got a Mac Mini as a server with SSD files and route it through a SPDIF Matrix 3. I would use the 512 streamer and remove the matrix from the chain. You could point the built in streamer of the 512 to the SSD on your Rock and benefit from the improved SQ, I suppose.
This forum (the only one I’m on) has users who are mainly silent if happy. Activity tends to peak around questions related to equipment purchase and problems. Too busy listening to take time to sing praise. I have one of the first 512 units and it needed to go home for R&R but since then no issues (well, early onrepeated use of the front button wore off some of the swish). Don’t recall a single post commenting negatively on SQ.
I purchased my PMG 512 at the end of October 2025. For probably three months I complained bitterly on this forum about the sorry state of the streamer software, which didn’t work reliably or consistently. Others frequently carped about the display and menu software.
I kept my 512 because I couldn’t bear to part with the sound quality despite months of continuing frustration. I’m glad I stuck it out, because the software works well almost all of the time, and the streamer really does sound wonderful.
As a DAC PMG512 can compete with the highly regarded DAC in Grimm MU2, and owners can be happy living with either one. Personally I listen to MU2 for streaming more since it sounded more to my liking especially when playing files from its internal SSD. To me MU2 sounds a little more relaxing for long term listening. It does need to reboot once a week to keep its top form, but so is PMG512.
However, the streamer of MU2 is more stable than that of PMG512. The one with PMG would disappear occasionally for some unknown reason. I use PMG 512 with SACD transport to play discs mainly.
I’m doing the trade-up to the PMG DAC from the last Perfectwave Directstream Mk2 Dac.
Last night I took the PW DA MK2 out of the system to get it ready to ship, & put in an old Gungnir. Well, often, “You don’t know what you got till it’s gone”. Quite a difference.
Just confirmed that the latest version available on the Firmware Downloads page is V3.0.6. I would like to know what has changed for V3.0.7, 3.0.8 and 3.0.9.
@littlebear I faced the same dilemma. I had a 1a Synergistic Research Master fuse. I hemmed and I hawed for a week & crossed my fingers & installed it. Fortunately, it worked but I can’t state that you should be as lucky. But if you decide to install it, there is no risk to your DAC.
You’re likely referring to your streamer firmware version, currently at 3.0.13, rather than the control/display firmware version, the latest of which is 3.0.6 as others have noted. If you use the internal streamer, it will behoove you to update to the latest software for that embedded device.
Don’t bother. You went with PS Audio top end because no short cuts in design and manufacturing. If Paul felt a fuse upgrade would make a significant difference, it would come installed in the unit.
