I do have the option of using a preamp if I feel like adding some variety or texture but it isn’t in the same class of quality overall as the MKII direct. Soundstage, imaging, neutrality and finesse isn’t even in the same ballpark when I insert my preamp. I’ve always been curious what my reaction would be experiencing a really high quality one in the chain.
I really like the sound either way, but the Mk I had an output too low for my system so I first used a transformer to capture the balanced XLR gain in the single-ended RCA form which was much better, and then I added a preamp which gave me an even better, more full-bodied presentation. That setup was less necessary with the Mk II as the output of single-ended was higher, but I was so used to this overall presentation I left it alone. Then I changed amplifiers (was using a Decware Torii Mk III and then a pair of Decware SE84UFO Monoblocks, and then shortly after the Mk II arrived I moved to a Decware SEWE300B which is a true integrated amp. So I no longer use a separate preamp but have a preamp basically built into my amplifier. This current set up (using the balanced output of the Mk II into a transformer that has adjustable output into RCA single-ended, and then into the Decware ZROCK3 and into the SEWE300B) is giving me sound I never thought I would have. . . so I’m not making any further changes. Riding the gain between source, transformer and amp really makes for fascinating “tailoring” of the sound.
Paul in his post today described some ways to change up the sound of the new DAC by changing some settings. I really enjoy having the option to change up the sound so hearing about this was appealing to me. With the MKll it basically came down to firmware changes to accomplish this. More adjustability is always a plus for me.
Yes, flexibility and adjustability is a great thing for me in audio. I can adjust “gain” in DAC, phono preamplifier, balanced to single-ended transformer, ZROCK3 and ampifier which is a wonderful thing. And I have ten tubes in my system I can “roll” to tailor the sound. That is what makes it fun for me.
If you cannot adfford both go for the new DAC directly into your power amplifier. While I would always recommend the PMG preamp if one can manage, I understand that’s a lot of moola. Thus, because the PMG Signature 512 DAC has a new analog stepped attenuator at its output, it’s about as close to having a preamplifier as you’re going to get.
Also consider that when you use the volume control of almost any DAC, DSMKI and MKII, StellarGold included, the inherent noise of that DAC remains fixed and the signal goes up and down with volume. However, when you have a revolutionary new device like the PMG 512, with a real analog volume control at the output, the device acts just like a prea,p turning down whatever residual noise and the signal down together, thus preserving the S/N Ratio at any volume setting.
Also, don’t forget the PMG 512 DAC comes with a new state of the art streamer built in and this sounds amazing.
I think this peculiarity will be to my advantage in the hope of no more hiss from the speakers. 
Let’s hope for the best, I want to return to the family with my head held high… 
Absolutely and we want the same for you, my friend. Let’s make it happen!
Thank you, Paul, I will try to take it home (I’m talking about the PMG 512) at all costs.
The hiss from the BHK Preamp is tube rush. You get much more of that when using 6 volt tubes.
Why?
I am not sure of the reason but I have tried a number of them and that seems to be my experience. There is one possibility and that could be due to the fact that they require 5 ma bias and the 12 volt tubes require 4ma. Higher bias can contribute to that.
Just making sure you did move that jumper when you changed voltage.
Some have said they like the tungsram 7DJ8’s with 4 ma bias. This is not the configuration Bascom designed for.
Yeah, I have since paired my MKII with probably 15 different amps and 20 pairs of speakers with varying sensitivities. It all comes down to the amp and not the speaker. My open baffles are 97 dB sensitive, and I can use some amps with the MKII as a pre and no hiss, and some amps produce the hiss with the MKII as a pre. It is more of a relationship and pairing issue. At the end of the day, I have just accepted the anomaly, used it as the DAC it was intended to be, and paired it with a nice preamp. I would say to readers that the preamp feature in the DS MKI and MKII is cool, but I suggest a good preamp pairing to get the best out of these DACs. But yeah, at the end of the day, it all comes down to the amp you are using and how that relationship looks to determine if you will get the hiss or not.
Cheers - My MKII sits solidly in my rack and won’t be going anywhere, anytime soon.
It pairs well with a Hegel p30a.
Why is it named the PMG 512 when it maxes out at DSD 256 like the MKII?
Wait, what, it doesn’t max out at 512?!
Guess I didn’t read the fine print.
While it only accepts input up to DSD256, “At its core is the PureStream DSD512 engine, converting any form of digital audio into a pure 8X DSD stream.”
I wonder why PGM512 does not go with DSD512 playback anyway. PSA (and other places) is selling DSD512 downloads already.
Because internally, it runs at DSD512 or 22mHz as it is a DSD based DAC.