doubtful - it’s a pretty rare combination of skills required, it’s not like tweaking executable linux code, and also probably requires some less common dev kit too…
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Surely, this must have come as a surprise to many as it was to me, a partnership between PS Audio and Ted Smith in the designing & building DSD dacs had ceased, and without any word of warning.?!
Talk about a slap in the face.
I agree with @Dirk it does undervalue Ted’s achievements, because the new PMG is priced the same, effectively killing the intrinsic value of Ted’s design.
Paul goes at great length to say we’re all one big family. Pretty shabby way to treat the family! A massive change to the family, and we’re all kept in the dark.
Jeez, I am beyond annoyed.
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The way all of this has been handled is a complete debacle!!
I know the hoops you’ve gone through to get the DSD-MKII … I won’t go into them here - …your wife’s illness, etc. If this helps your stressed-out mind: I’d willingly buy your DSD-MKII, and at the full price you paid less than a month ago. And, I will give you a DS-MK1, F.O.C. You’d be getting your money back and a free DS-MK1. That way I’d have a backup DSD-MKII.. I’d use it in my TV system in place of the DS-MKI! Ted Smith DSD dacs will be well sought after in the coming years.!
Let me know.
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I have mixed feelings about the announcement of the new PMG Series. Until now, one of PS Audio’s greatest strengths has been the sense of belonging to a close-knit family of enthusiasts who were actively involved in shaping and discussing new products. We’ve always enjoyed an open and transparent view into the reasoning behind technical decisions and felt genuinely connected from initial concepts through to the final product—almost as if we were celebrating the birth of a new family member together.
This time, however, the experience is markedly different. The sudden introduction of the PMG Series, without any prior involvement, previews, or insight, comes as quite a surprise. It feels as though PS Audio has abruptly shifted gears, operating more like a conventional large corporation rather than maintaining the inclusive, family-oriented approach we have deeply valued over the years. It leaves me wondering why this change was made without involving or even informing the community that has so passionately supported and advocated for the brand.
Additionally, the new direction raises significant questions about PS Audio’s previous foundational philosophy. Previously, the company strongly advocated for keeping streaming modules and DAC units separated to avoid potential interference and ensure the highest fidelity analog output. This principle was frequently communicated as a key part of their design ethos. Now, suddenly, integrated solutions are presented as superior without clear explanations or justifications. Were prior concerns about network-chip interference unfounded, or has there been a fundamental technological breakthrough? Without transparent communication, this abrupt shift is puzzling.
Equally confusing is the decision to move away from the highly praised FPGA architecture developed by Ted Smith. This innovative design allowed for continuous, meaningful improvements through regular software updates, providing customers with ongoing enhancements and genuine long-term value. Ending active development of the DirectStream MK2 after just 2.5 years is unexpected and disappointing, especially given the significant untapped potential within the FPGA platform and Ted Smith’s innovative ideas which now remain unexplored. As a DirectStream MK2 owner and part of the PS Audio family, I’m genuinely concerned and disappointed about the sudden disappearance of Ted Smith from the development process. Why was he seemingly sidelined without explanation or acknowledgment? Ted Smith’s contributions have been instrumental and openly celebrated, making his abrupt removal from the picture highly unusual and disheartening. This does not align with PS Audio’s usual respectful and transparent approach. We DirectStream MK2 owners particularly feel blindsided, as we anticipated a lifespan similar to the original DirectStream, actively supported and updated for over eight years.
Another surprising aspect is the apparent decision that the new PMG DAC is expected to be perfect from day one, eliminating the previously cherished and beneficial concept of regular software updates. Given the inclusion of an integrated streamer, this approach raises significant doubts. How can the new system realistically adapt to the rapidly changing landscape of streaming services and digital formats without ongoing updates? Such a strategy seems impractical and raises concerns about the longevity and adaptability of the product.
Also surprising is the abandonment of tubes (valves) in the preamplifier stage. Previously, PS Audio passionately highlighted the sonic benefits of tubes, emphasizing their importance in achieving that renowned, warm, natural sound. Now, suddenly, tube technology seems to be entirely discarded in favor of solid-state solutions, again without a detailed rationale or explanation provided to loyal customers. What prompted this significant change? Is it purely based on measurable performance criteria, or has the philosophy regarding sonic characteristics fundamentally shifted?
Furthermore, the emphasis on measurement results in this new announcement feels distinctly different from PS Audio’s previous stance. Historically, the company placed the greatest importance on the subjective listening experience—trusting the ears of listeners above laboratory measurements alone. Now it appears that laboratory results have suddenly taken precedence over personal auditory perception. Who exactly is this shift intended to impress? This new emphasis feels like a departure from the authentic listening experiences that originally defined the brand.
It’s not that the new PMG Series itself lacks appeal or promise—it certainly appears impressive. The core issue is the unexplained and abrupt shift away from established philosophies, technologies, and practices. This shift leaves many of us who have invested heavily—emotionally and financially—in PS Audio’s vision feeling overlooked and somewhat sidelined. Has PS Audio consciously decided to pursue a new direction or target audience, leaving behind long-standing traditions and loyal supporters? It leaves an uneasy feeling in the community, as though an important tradition of openness and customer engagement has been significantly compromised without adequate explanation or consideration.
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Excellent! My feelings exactly…
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I imagine that PSA has seen what other brand’s products are selling well and that integration of streaming with preamps and integrated amps is a popular solution now. Lots of people want a lower component box count and are willing to sacrifice the advantages of separates you mention in order to achieve that. The market says it wants and ignoring that isn’t the way to get market share and stay in business. Purist audio solutions involving complicated multi box systems are a dying breed I suspect. If that line of reasoning is behind their new direction, I can see why they’d have little interest in engaging the current group of loyalists in formulation of new products.
If future products PSA make are designed to appeal to a less purist oriented customer, I also understand why they’d eliminate tubes. They’re less reliable than solid state and with current issues in international trade they just add another problem to deal with in parts sourcing.
Also not sure why a one box solution obviates the ability to make firmware updates to the product? Lot’s of companies do remote firmware updates to their products.
We’re entering a perilous time for high end audio and I suspect that manufacturer’s are going to have to be very attentive to what the diminished pool of future buyer’s want.
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Unfortunately, ASICs (unlike FPGAs) are not reprogrammable.
ASICs make sense for mature designs (no future modifications anticipated) as they are significantly less expensive than FPGAs.
disclaimer - i don’t have a dog in this race.
we saw a similar shift during the dev of the an2 that became the aspen speakers.
lots of involvement, then nothing until release.
psa used to retain its “plucky garage based company” but now they seem to be rather more conventional.
shame, as i really enjoyed the window into dev.
…but also, nowt i can do about it and if psa needs acceptance amongst the conventional hifi companies (and measurement based reviewers etc) then so be it.
i just miss ted’s technical openness - i learned a lot on one of my favourite subjects 
so if times have changed all i can do is thank ted for all his time and input on here back in the day
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Without the upgrade option, the PSA DAC now has lots of great competition…I purchased the DS1 and DS2 in part because they were upgradeable and had little competition in that area…
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Ted was a gem! I loved reading his highly technical posts (often a few times for all of it to sink in), many times it was waaay over my head. A genius, and a highly revered man…
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I’m not an electrical engineer and depend on product descriptions for insight into design decisions. I knew that, for instance, Constellation DACs were supposedly ASIC and they provide DAC firmware updates via USB. Different price tier admittedly. It does seem a gamble to assume a preamp with an integrated dac will remain relevant over its lifespan with no firmware updates. My Auralic Altair G2.2 streamer/dac had two firmware updates in the last year and the last one definitely made another improvement in sound quality.
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I purchased the MKII for what it is, not for what it might become.
It is as wonderful now as it was prior to the introduction of the new DAC.
I miss Ted. He is a hoot.
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Very well said.
However, on the point on going with a solid state topology with the preamp I have to disagree. My hope is that the PS Audio team has achieved what I and many others wanted, a merging of the best of solid state and tube advantages. Their sound has been getting closer for decades now. Maybe it’s time for some kind of breakthrough. I’m certainly willing to give them the shadow of doubt and see how this pans out.
In a way I feel that we should all back off on Paul and his team. They deserve a bit of time to enjoy their impressive rollout. I’m sure they have worked hard on it. You’ve made some excellent points on how they kind of dropped the ball on how they have handled this but hopefully these points are transitory and not indicative of an overall change in company philosophy.
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There may be other devices in the new PS Audio designs that are programmable. My comment was only that ASICs aren’t and, from what I understand, ASICs are big part of the new approach.
In a very general sense, FPGAs are best for prototypes, low-volume production and products that are reasonably expected to be “refreshed” once deployed. The non-recurring cost of an FPGA implementation is nil. ASICs best serve mature and relatively high-volume designs. There is a non-recurring cost of creating the ASIC mask but, once that is done, the recurring ASIC devices are relatively inexpensive (especially compared to FPGAs).
I respect the PS Audio engineers and their design choices. With my limited insight into what they’ve come up with, I admit I’m a little apprehensive about the risks of rolling out a design that might not be easily modified if issues surface in the wild. Mad respect to the early adopters in this case😊
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I wouldn’t be surprised if a Ted Smith DAC hit the market with another mfrs’ name on it
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DirectStream MK2 converts every one of its galvanically isolated input signals, both PCM and DSD, to a high sample rate 50 bit version which is further converted to pure DSD for its final conversion to pure analog. Use of twin FPGAs rather than an off-the-shelf DAC chip provides immense processing power, resulting in a complete lack of digital glare, and allows the owner to download our free operating system updates as they are released. With every free upgrade to the operating system, new levels of resolution and audio magic will enrich and make new this remarkable D to A converter. WE NEED TED!!
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For all we know it may have been Ted’s decision to bow out. The birth of the Mk 2 was a protracted experience with the non FPGA software being written by PSA (similarly to the Mk 1) and taking a long time to mature into Ted’s vision. Regarding the PMG range it might be that PSA is to be sold to some conglomerate which is dictating the future, a future without Ted and the PMG range being Paul’s last hurrah. Time will Tell. I too had great experience of working with Ted on at least one Mk 1 issue.
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I’m very happy with my DS2 and PST and Airlens…though certainly very disappointed there will be not more upgrades (had been hoping for a few more)…I do feel bad for those who purchased them the past few months and will have no upgrades…it seems Ted was around PS the first 1+ years of the PMG development…I’m still curious about the new DAC/Streamer, though it clearly will be different, not an evolutionary improvement as products before…
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Next announcement PSA bought out by Bose? I realized the world is getting crazier by the day but let’s hope that never comes to pass.
I agree with all the concerns stated so far. The mk 2 was and is still in developement as far as I am concerned. The second fpga has not even been employed as of yet. I feel like we were tricked into thinking the life cycle of this DAC would be years as was the mk 1. I also think it is interesting that they removed the touch screen form the DAC and transport under they claim that it was a source of noise! Suddenly it reappears in a different shape on the new product line. I sure hope that the mk 2 is not already dead ended. I am not thrilled that the new DAC is deadended right out of the box like so many others out there. I was not surprised at all that the new preamp was a solid state design. I expected it would be as that is Darren’s specialty. I sure hope we see some response from the PS Audio team assuring us that there will still be future developement of the mk 2. It is already great but it would be nice to see all of its capacity to be brought to fruition.
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