# Same problem different dac
**URL:** https://forum.psaudio.com/t/same-problem-different-dac/43727
**Category:** DACs
**Created:** [February 15, 2026, 7:00pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/same-problem-different-dac/43727 "2026-02-15T19:00:16Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@mitchb105](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/mitchb105)
#### Post date: [February 15, 2026, 7:00pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/same-problem-different-dac/43727/1 "2026-02-15T19:00:16Z")
I just recently changed my Mk1 dac for a Mk2 and I am finding that I need frequent reboots just like with the Mk1. When I reboot the sound is okay for maybe 12 hours and then goes harsh. I have my PST connected to my Mk2 with an I2S cable and my Auralic G2.1 is connected with an AES/EBU cable. When I reboot the sound is a bit thin for 15 minutes or so and then I am okay for maybe 12 hours. I wonder if my Mk1 and Mk2 don’t like the Keces IQRP 3600 conditioner? Should I try plugging the dac directly into the wall? I have a spare dedicated line to use. Please help!
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### Author:  [@tony22](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/tony22)
#### Post date: [February 15, 2026, 7:21pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/same-problem-different-dac/43727/2 "2026-02-15T19:21:27Z")
Try it into the wall for a bit. I have never had such a problem with either my old MkI or the MkII.
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### Author:  [@dchang05](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/dchang05)
#### Post date: [February 15, 2026, 7:49pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/same-problem-different-dac/43727/3 "2026-02-15T19:49:25Z")
It is unlikely the DAC is the problem, since you have my MK2. My routing is reboot it once per week and usually longer, not 12 hours for sure. I cannot tell you if the conditioner is the issue, but most likely it is within your system somewhere else.
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### Author:  [@mitchb105](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/mitchb105)
#### Post date: [February 15, 2026, 7:53pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/same-problem-different-dac/43727/4 "2026-02-15T19:53:52Z")
I plugged the dac directly to the wall and it sounds good immediately. I think the dac doesn’t like the Keces conditioner.
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### Author:  [@dchang05](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/dchang05)
#### Post date: [February 15, 2026, 8:00pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/same-problem-different-dac/43727/5 "2026-02-15T20:00:23Z")
Time to get a PSA generator, it for sure will solve your reboot issue. 😆
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### Author:  [@mitchb105](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/mitchb105)
#### Post date: [February 15, 2026, 8:04pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/same-problem-different-dac/43727/6 "2026-02-15T20:04:16Z")
I can’t afford a regenerater but plugging the dac directly to a dedicated line at my wall seems to have helped. I think the problem was the Keces
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### Author:  [@mitchb105](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/mitchb105)
#### Post date: [February 15, 2026, 8:14pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/same-problem-different-dac/43727/7 "2026-02-15T20:14:27Z")
The sound is much cleaner directly to the wall. The Keces has a smooth sound until it goes harsh but directly to the free dedicated line at my wall the sound is cleaner. I think problem solved.
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### Author:  [@dchang05](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/dchang05)
#### Post date: [February 15, 2026, 8:32pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/same-problem-different-dac/43727/8 "2026-02-15T20:32:34Z")
Save for a future good conditioner/generator. MK2 in my case had benefited from a P15 and my later conditioner even more than other gears. So you system SQ is limited by a so-so conditioner, it probably reduces your other gears’ potential too.
If you are pleased with the sound of MK2 from the wall, then likely the problem is on Keces. You should have heard a big improvement plugging MK2 into an audiophile conditioner.
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### Author:  [@paul172](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/paul172)
#### Post date: [February 15, 2026, 9:04pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/same-problem-different-dac/43727/9 "2026-02-15T21:04:14Z")
I think both of those dacs are more alike than you think. So very similar DAC with similar upgrades with same problems.
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### Author:  [@tomhail](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/tomhail)
#### Post date: [February 15, 2026, 11:47pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/same-problem-different-dac/43727/10 "2026-02-15T23:47:05Z")
You might be correct about MK1 and Mk2 being alike, but the actual problem OP reported has a common denominator - the Keces conditioner.
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### Author:  [@mitchb105](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/mitchb105)
#### Post date: [February 16, 2026, 12:45am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/same-problem-different-dac/43727/11 "2026-02-16T00:45:34Z")
The problem is resolved bypassing the Keces but the Keces had a nice sound. I find the sound directly to the wall lacking the warmth of the Keces. I noticed that with the Keces the Mk2 was physically a little warm but directly to its own dedicated line the Mk2 is cool. The sound is good however and the dac will last a lot longer before needing rebooting. I have a Hydra2 that I am not using., I may try it. I am getting 4 RAL ac cables in two days. They should be interesting.
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### Author:  [@mitchb105](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/mitchb105)
#### Post date: [February 16, 2026, 3:56am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/same-problem-different-dac/43727/12 "2026-02-16T03:56:58Z")
I have been with the Mk2 plugged directly into the wall for several hours now and I am convinced that problem was the Keces. The sound is nice now but the Keces did add a certain something. I could have just kept the Mk1 and plugged it directly into the wall but I didn’t know at the time. Just the same the Mk2 is a nice change.It also facilitated the trading of cables to be getting 4 RAL ac cables in two days. I am enjoying RAL cables throughout my system so I thought I would go full loom and try some of their power cable.There’s supposed to be a synergy with all RAL cables. I will find out for myself.
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### Author:  [@Audioholic](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Audioholic)
#### Post date: [February 18, 2026, 12:54am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/same-problem-different-dac/43727/13 "2026-02-18T00:54:13Z")
Try a Puritan 156 line conditioner. Probably the best bang for the buck line conditioner out there.
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### Author:  [@mitchb105](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/mitchb105)
#### Post date: [March 7, 2026, 12:34pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/same-problem-different-dac/43727/14 "2026-03-07T12:34:15Z")
I’m getting the best sound of my life but I do notice that the Mk2 sounds best with a 30 second reboot once or twice per week for the best sound. As I have tried every configuration and now have the dac bypassing the big Keces that it’s just the nature of the dac. I am enjoying the sound and now with RAL power cables to the Keces from the wall and from the Keces to the amp and preamp. I have the dac connected with RAL power cable to a Shunyata Hydra 2 and a Neotech 3001 Mk 3 power cable from the Hydra 2 to the wall. I am getting the best sound ever.
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### Author:  [@Elk](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Elk)
#### Post date: [March 7, 2026, 2:30pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/same-problem-different-dac/43727/15 "2026-03-07T14:30:38Z")
It sounds that this is the time to stop worrying and fussing. Forget about the equipment and focus on listening.
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### Author:  [@RonP](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/RonP)
#### Post date: [March 7, 2026, 4:12pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/same-problem-different-dac/43727/16 "2026-03-07T16:12:46Z")
This is reminding me of a friend who was divorced 5 times. After the third time we all assumed it was him.
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### Author:  [@tomhail](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/tomhail)
#### Post date: [March 7, 2026, 4:21pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/same-problem-different-dac/43727/17 "2026-03-07T16:21:38Z")
Or did he keep marrying the same person? 🙂
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### Author:  [@mitchb105](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/mitchb105)
#### Post date: [March 19, 2026, 5:54am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/same-problem-different-dac/43727/18 "2026-03-19T05:54:32Z")
I have discovered that my system sounds better with the Mk2 going directly to a dedicated ac line at the wall and the Hydra 6 which has the transport, streamer and tuner on it is best going directly to a dedicated ac line at the wall and bypassing the Keces. I still have my amp and preamp connected to the Keces which seems to work. My new setup sounds much better and I am hoping that it resolves my previous issues with my Mk2. So far so good.
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### Author:  [@lonson](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/lonson)
#### Post date: [March 19, 2026, 9:32am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/same-problem-different-dac/43727/19 "2026-03-19T09:32:23Z")
My Dad told me several times about an obituary he read of a man who married six times. In it he was quoted that his motto was “Eat, Drink and Re-Marry.”
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### Author:  [@mitchb105](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/mitchb105)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2026, 3:43pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/same-problem-different-dac/43727/20 "2026-04-02T15:43:56Z")
After living with my previous ac setup for 2 weeks I have discovered that the system sounds much better with the Hydra 6 with transport,streamer and tuner going to the Keces and the Mk2 sounds better with the Hydra 2 between it and the wall. I did not even bother to try the Mk2 on the Keces as I know it doesn’t work well. I forgot how good my system can sound.
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