# Sunlight: Sound Impressions **URL:** \ **Category:** DACs\ **Created:** [April 21, 2021, 12:34am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/sunlight-sound-impressions/23254 "2021-04-21T00:34:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![berlin](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/berlin/32/10983_2.png) [@berlin](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/berlin)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2021, 6:07pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/sunlight-sound-impressions/23254/23 "2021-05-03T18:07:01Z")
Thx! 😂 ---
**Author:** ![lufubu](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/lufubu/32/82613_2.png) [@lufubu](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/lufubu)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2021, 6:09pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/sunlight-sound-impressions/23254/24 "2021-05-03T18:09:58Z")
Instrument separation and positioning is fantastic ---
**Author:** ![jll37](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/71e660/32.png) [@jll37](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/jll37)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2021, 6:13pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/sunlight-sound-impressions/23254/25 "2021-05-03T18:13:12Z")
sounds great, easy install… ---
**Author:** ![moburns92](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/moburns92/32/115849_2.png) [@moburns92](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/moburns92)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2021, 6:16pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/sunlight-sound-impressions/23254/26 "2021-05-03T18:16:15Z")
If anything, I would have said the opposite…that Sunlight sounds (very slightly) less loud at the same volume settings on the DAC & preamp. ---
**Author:** ![kcleveland123](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/kcleveland123/32/45645_2.png) [@kcleveland123](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/kcleveland123)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2021, 6:20pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/sunlight-sound-impressions/23254/27 "2021-05-03T18:20:03Z")
Alison Krauss and Union Station album “Lonely Runs Both Ways” is one I know very well and I don’t have the proper words to describe how balanced the sound is at this point. Ease and accuracy combined to the closest to perfection I’ve yet heard. Very happy customer. ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/psaudio/original/3X/8/e/8e969e38f255d60f8ffd8e68ee8a6d9391ab85f2.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![kcleveland123](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/kcleveland123/32/45645_2.png) [@kcleveland123](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/kcleveland123)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2021, 6:25pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/sunlight-sound-impressions/23254/28 "2021-05-03T18:25:36Z")
What a great surprise from the PSA crew! This sure makes Monday less “Monday”. ---
**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:** [May 3, 2021, 6:28pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/sunlight-sound-impressions/23254/29 "2021-05-03T18:28:46Z")
> [@bruce-in-philly](#): > > Does Sunlight play “louder”? The cleaner the output of a DAC is the less energy is present (no energy from distortions or noise.) That will encourage you to turn the volume up a little and it won’t be as tiring at a given volume over time. The effects can be perceived as quieter or louder depending on the person, system and how you set the volume. I know things are going well with software if I find that I’m playing things louder than in the past without tiring. ---
**Author:** ![B.Gelinas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/34f0e0/32.png) [@B.Gelinas](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/B.Gelinas)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2021, 6:29pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/sunlight-sound-impressions/23254/30 "2021-05-03T18:29:50Z")
I here the same harshness in the highs - I will wait a few days to confirm this assessment … ---
**Author:** ![adimon](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/adimon/32/178064_2.png) [@adimon](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/adimon)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2021, 6:36pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/sunlight-sound-impressions/23254/31 "2021-05-03T18:36:52Z")
I know it is early but IMO the detail and placement of instruments has clearly improved. ---
**Author:** ![audiojan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/audiojan/32/95363_2.png) [@audiojan](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/audiojan)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2021, 6:37pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/sunlight-sound-impressions/23254/32 "2021-05-03T18:37:02Z")
Initial reaction after install and only a short listening session (basically this consumed my lunch today…)… More air, deeper soundstage, quicker bass, and just SUPER clean. This is with a DSS with Edcor transformers. More listening sessions later in the week. ---
**Author:** ![emailists](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9fc348/32.png) [@emailists](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/emailists)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2021, 6:41pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/sunlight-sound-impressions/23254/33 "2021-05-03T18:41:35Z")
I haven’t installed yet but I was a bit bummed that this will be the final update. Perhaps this means a replacement for the DS is in the works ? ---
**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:** [May 3, 2021, 6:43pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/sunlight-sound-impressions/23254/34 "2021-05-03T18:43:43Z")
Yes, see [https://forum.psaudio.com/t/wishes-upcoming-psa-directstream-mkii/21746](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/wishes-upcoming-psa-directstream-mkii/21746) ---
**Author:** ![kcleveland123](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/kcleveland123/32/45645_2.png) [@kcleveland123](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/kcleveland123)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2021, 6:55pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/sunlight-sound-impressions/23254/35 "2021-05-03T18:55:26Z")
Definitely cranking the volume a bit more and not noticing any harshness or other fatiguing aspects so far. Just wonderful “magic”. Really impressive bit of “tweaking” from @tedsmith and company. ---
**Author:** ![Francesco\_De\_Palo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9d8465/32.png) [@Francesco\_De\_Palo](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Francesco_De_Palo)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2021, 6:59pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/sunlight-sound-impressions/23254/36 "2021-05-03T18:59:11Z")
At a first listening session, I noticed more detail. the more air between the instruments, the greater the “thickness” of the sound. If this is the beginning … It’s like I replaced the Chinese 845s with Western Electric. wonderful ---
**Author:** ![rileyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e95f7d/32.png) [@rileyne](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/rileyne)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2021, 7:00pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/sunlight-sound-impressions/23254/37 "2021-05-03T19:00:29Z")
Installed first time, no problems. Playing redbook Cds via DMP with MSB amp & Magnepan 3.6. Its very different. Clarity, timing, space, speed, smoothness. Paying some 80s Indie cds and its a revelation, don’t know about Sunlight cos my system has had some magic dust sprinkled on it. Very grateful to all at PSaudio ---
**Author:** ![kcleveland123](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/kcleveland123/32/45645_2.png) [@kcleveland123](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/kcleveland123)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2021, 7:05pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/sunlight-sound-impressions/23254/38 "2021-05-03T19:05:12Z")
And one more for now. This is another stellar album with great song writing, playing and recording. I’ve also listened to this at least 50 times. Wasn’t sure it was possible to improve this “perfect” album but somehow just a bit better all around. Stunned. ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/psaudio/original/3X/c/0/c0d3f058c2b3de0e6f62f1f1624c636db7b68fb7.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![shardarweb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@shardarweb](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/shardarweb)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2021, 7:11pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/sunlight-sound-impressions/23254/39 "2021-05-03T19:11:06Z")
My first impression is that Sunlight is “sweeter”. I hear more presence in the high end–I don’t want to use the term “brighter” because that sometimes comes with negative connotations. I hear the difference the most in cymbals, piano, and acoustic guitar. The strings on guitar are so clear. On Steely Dan’s “Josie”, the chime sound (probably synthesizer) is crisper and cleaner. The location within the sound field seems to be more distinct. I’ll do more thorough listening tonight. ---
**Author:** ![bruce-in-philly](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/bruce-in-philly/32/55_2.png) [@bruce-in-philly](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/bruce-in-philly)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2021, 7:17pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/sunlight-sound-impressions/23254/40 "2021-05-03T19:17:41Z")
That makes sense Ted… when I fired it up, I put on some well recorded Bach piano… set the volume, then sat down… I kept reaching to turn it down at crescendos… I must have put it up too high to start… sounded fine to me. Peace Bruce in Philly ---
**Author:** ![vkennedy61](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/vkennedy61/32/41241_2.png) [@vkennedy61](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/vkennedy61)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2021, 7:16pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/sunlight-sound-impressions/23254/41 "2021-05-03T19:16:20Z")
First listening impression: Damn. Can I say “damn”? 😇 Two of my favorite test albums Muddy Waters Folk Singer and Steely Dan Gaucho both DSD64, have never sounded better digitally. @tedsmith - you are a genius. ---
**Author:** ![kcleveland123](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/kcleveland123/32/45645_2.png) [@kcleveland123](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/kcleveland123)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2021, 7:38pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/sunlight-sound-impressions/23254/42 "2021-05-03T19:38:36Z")
The other unusual sound improvement impression I’ve noticed with this FW install and previous significant upgrades of hardware is the sense that the time signature of the music has somehow slowed down. I guess this could be that “more air” between notes, but it’s really quite startling in a good way. [Previous page](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/sunlight-sound-impressions/23254.md?page=1) [Next page](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/sunlight-sound-impressions/23254.md?page=3)