What options would he have? If he says, MK1 is better, it will kill the sale of the new gold DAC. And, of course he has to say Gold DAC doesn’t come close to MK2 which costs twice as much. He has to make profit from the products he sells.
From my experience running the DAC via BHK Preamp, MK2 is better than MK1 in the area of bass response and clarity/soundstage. Edcor transformer narrowed the gap closer. When APS transformer and VOCM mods came around, MK1 was as good if not slightly better than the stock MK2. Honestly I could have been happy with either MK1 or MK2 (stock). Kept the MK1 (with the mod) happily. The only reason I’d upgrade is for the hope of what Ted could achieve with newer firmware updates. I have not tried the new Gold DAC, so take what I said only in the context of comparing the MK1 and MK2.
Verendus,
did you actually listen to and compare the upgraded (w APS transformer ) with the Mk2 ? If so, what percentage difference would you give the Modded Mk1 vs stock Mk2? Just curious for your opinion
Yes, not for very long, but had a chance to have both in the system for a few hours. MK2 fixes what Mk1 lacked in bass response and a bit of clarity/resolution. APS/VOCM does the same thing. I asked Richard the same question as he had much more extensive comparison. He rates Mk1 with APS the same or better than stock Mk2. I am not sure I could quantify the difference in % figure. My comparison was from the early firmware, so the massive firmware could have improved the sound of the MK2 significantly. But, at the moment, I am happy with the MK1 with the mods that fix most of its deficiencies.
I really like this DAC, but feels like it’s still in beta mode. Contacted service about a few bugs and was assured they were being worked on in a firmware upgrade. I’m just not convinced firmware will fix a few of these bugs. Did Beta testers experience these two issues I am having?
Correct sample rates are not displaying with coaxial or optical connections (working with i2s)
When switching between sources (i2s, optical, coaxial) I often have to switch back and forth quite a few times before making the connection (green light)
As I said, really like the DAC but back it goes while still under 30 day trial. Could be a headache otherwise.
Think I’m going to contact admin to see if they can extend the 30 day trial a few weeks to wait for a firmware update. Two weeks is probably a pipe dream, the DAC has been out for quite some time and bugs still being fixed. Normally I would throw up my hands and walk away from the thing, the problem is that it’s a great sounding DAC!
This is a good idea. I should have done that when I had the DSD MK2. In the end I sold it at great loss because it just wasn’t ready for prime time, and is still not. I was hoping to use it directly without the preamp and instead I have to purchase an -20db attenuator. Too much work around was needed and quirks to have to live with, this shouldn’t be for the price of the DAC.
Hopefully PSA will give you more time, but IMO even an extra month won’t be enough. PSA software updates are notoriously slow, DSD massive update is still not out yet even after months and multiple slips. Hope I’m wrong this time though.
When I ordered mine last week the sales rep estimated Massive might be available the following Friday, 1-5, so I told he to wait and ship it out then with it already installed. Tried to contact him by phone and email to ask it be shipped now and I would install it myself when available. Still no response. My bet is they are closed on Fridays?
Yeah, I figure two weeks is a pipe dream. “Soon” has different meanings in tech world and I think PS Audio priority is still their flagship DirectStream
Yes I could not get DSD to show on the SGD screen but I was using the D.BOB box with a Sony blu ray player X700MK2 it did play music, when I changed the output on the Sony to PCM it showed that. I decided to send the Sony and D.BOB back and I am picking up a used PST tomorrow, wish me luck @radioclash
Yes as far as I can tell the DAC is playing the correct sample rates, just not displaying them correctly. DoP is displayed as 174.4-24 when I play the files on DVDs through my PWT but is displayed as DSD when I stream DoP through coaxial from my Oppo.
Redbooks are displayed as 16-44 when played through i2s/PWT and displayed as 48-44 when streamed through coax from the Oppo.
What firmware is installed on your SGD? I have 2.5.2
I’d be interested in a reply to this as well. I have very little DSD 256 media at this point but it would be great to be able to play it through this dac
Any updates on a fix for the display showing 24 instead of 16 bit?
Also, the Stellar remote doesn’t control the MC loading on the Stellar Phono, is there fix in the works?
I’ve done all the firmware updates including 2.6.1. on the DAC.
I currently have the Direct Stream Junior DAC. I just received the Axpona sales email from Scott M. I’ve happily enjoyed my DS JR for 5+ years now. Was wondering though how the Junior stacks up against the new Stellar Gold DAC. My concern is going from Ted’s FPGA code to off the shelf ESS DAC chips. Normally no contest, Ted’s design wins. But sadly the DS JR has been discontinued, no more mountain top upgrades going forward. Has the Gold sound passed by the Junior or would I be taking a step backwards to trade in the Junior for the Gold.
If anyone has listened to both and came to some conclusion, I’m very interested to hear your opinion. And if @Paul has an opinion, even more interested.
