For me it’s like Widom that opened soundstage and revealed more details but I was missing Snowmass musicality. Now these two are combined and once more I don’t think about changing DAC. Great job.
3 Likes
hi Ted, a personal thank you for all you do. Sunlight may be the best update i have used to date and i have been through all of them. Like many of the people here on this thread, my entire system of electronics is PS Audio. The only major parts that are not PS are the incredible Thiel 3.7 speakers, and the REL subs.
I guess i need to start saving up for what is coming: What does TSS stand for and when is it projected to be in production? Is there a ballpark price on the unit if i may be so bold as to ask? Thank you again. I for one am so glad that you are working with PS. Best audio company on the market.
2 Likes
TSS = Ted Smith Signature DAC
I think Paul coined the name.
3 Likes
Thank you Sir. and thanks for all you do on all these threads. that must be a full time job?
I know at one time there was talk of the new DAC being called Obsidian but that was a while back.
1 Like
The TSS will be the first product in the new Obsidian line. (Or at least that was the last plan I heard about : ) )
5 Likes
It’s interesting that this line exists at all, as the one below was marketed as kind of cost no object already (at least at the beginning). But that’s not your matter.
The quality demand in that price range from those customers will be exciting for PSA I guess.
1 Like
Obsidian: Cool name. Also useful for slaying White Walkers.
I kind of liked “Oblivion,” though, as it was coined elsewhere on this board – as in, what’s going to happen to my bank account, job, responsibilities to my family, etc.
5 Likes
I’m not sure we are understanding each other. The Obsidian line will have a DAC, perhaps a streamer, perhaps a preamp, amp, etc.
3 Likes
Will I have to drive out to Glass Butte and take a flint knapping class to get the most out of the new Obsidian line?
1 Like
I installed sunlight, but smile still not disappeared on psaudio login page 
Yes, that’s what I meant…probably various equipment in the somewhat 20k range each I assumed or maybe 30k + for amps. A different league.
Sunlight rescues CD from the Good Will bin.
Picked up a used copy of “Cure * Wish” a week ago and wasn’t impressed with the sound quality or the music, so I placed in the reject pile. Decided to play it today to hear how it sounded with Sunlight, and I almost didn’t recognize it. Not only was the sound quality much better, but I also enjoyed listening to several cuts on the disc. I had more insight into the music with all the layering in the soundstage, and subtle nuanced sounds mixed into the tapestry of the music. Sunlight allowed me to connect with the music and the artist on much deeper level than previous firmwares.
5 Likes
had the same reaction to the Norah Jones Live cd. meh and not great sounding at all and it was in the reject pile as well. tried it again and now it is a keeper. so i know what you mean.
1 Like
Clarity, better ambience, enhanced instrumental separation, and cleaner lower frequencies are my impressions. Also the dynamics seems improved, more lively sound
Its really special this time, this version shines. I´m sooo happy
cheers Ted, and the PS Audio staff
Michael
4 Likes
4 posts were merged into an existing topic: Sunlight: Installation and Technical Issues
16 posts were merged into an existing topic: Sunlight: Installation and Technical Issues
Paul who??? 
1 Like
Shortly after installing Windom, while I did appreciate its sound quality, I started experiencing some listening fatigue during musical passages with multiple high pitch voices singing together (a single voice was not an issue). In an effort to eliminate listening fatigue, I changed my speakers from Spendor D7 to Pierre-Etienne Léon Kantor S3.2, and that was a great improvement.
But, over time, the listening fatigue crept back-in: still there, but lessen 
After a conversation with Ted, he indicated to me that the DSD Sr. output analog section was sensitive to the electrical characteristics of the XLR cable I was using, and he suggested a low impedance cable, and he mentioned the Iconoclast cable company.
Unfortunately, being in Canada, when I buy something from the USA, it is not always so easy to try something and return it if it does not work - there are always delays and extra costs in exchange rate, duty taxes, shipping.
So, I contacted my favorite dealer, explained my problem (listening fatigue due to some occasional harshness in the highs) and asked for XLR cable suggestions to replace my Audience AU24E 1.5 m XLR, and he suggested Kubala-Sosna, and he loaned me a KS 1 meter expression XLR cable.
I tried it, it seemed nice, but I was not sure: I still had this auditory memory of a previous listening session of the Hugo TT2 where the TT2 did have sweet highs.
So, I decided to wait until Sunlight came along.
Now that Sunlight is there, I contacted my dealer again and asked him to loan me the KS 1 meter expression XLR cable and the Hugo TT2, in order to compare:
- “DSD Sr. + KS 1m Expression XLR” against
- “Hugo TT2 + Audience AU24E 1.5m XLR”.
I just completed the comparison this week-end.
I was flabbergasted: the DSD/KS combination was actually pretty much on par with the TT2/Audience, where the: - DSD and TT2 have similar amount of details
- bass was better with the DSD
- medium was slightly more accurate on TT2
- image accuracy almost the same with TT2 having a slight advantage
- image on the DSD not as forward as on the TT2, which I prefer : I do not like forward image very much
- strings sounded more natural on DSD
- harsh high pitch passages seemed drier on the TT2 but wetter (or more fleshed-out) on the DSD
To my surprised, the DSD was now easily on par with the TT2 and superior on some factors important to me.
So, I decided to keep the DSD/KS combination.
Now, my DSD Sr is singing instead of shrieking 
Conclusion: I would suggested for those with excess treble energy using Sunlight that they would try a good quality Kubala-Sosna XLR cable and see if the situation improves.
Thank you Ted - it seems I will finally keep the DSD Sr (I am actually relieved, and my wife is glad I did not buy yet another DAC).
6 Likes
I still am having issues with Sunlight. Does anyone have the Chesky CD Beethoven no 9 Rene Leibowitz? Track 04 Presto 9:00, there is a consistent triangle. It is pure but… I dunno, kinda stands out… I am not being picky here, it calls my attention to it… should not do that. Or should it?
Anyone?
BTW, this is rock music…!
Peace
Bruce in Philly
I’ve always had fixed volume at 100, but I tried fixed volume at 92. It sounded smoother, less edgy. By the way, with the new Sunlight, I’m noticing louder click/pop noise on DSD compared to the previous releases. Why?