Since its groundbreaking introduction 8 years ago, the PerfectWave DirectStream has stood alone as one of the most remarkable DACs ever built. PS Audio is excited to share with the world the next generation of this technological wonder, the PerfectWave DirectStream DAC MK2. Unlike the vast majority of high-end DACs based on off-the-shelf IC technology, DirectStream MK2 is handwritten, discrete, galvanically isolated, perfection-based conversion that uncovers all the missing information hiding in your digital audio media. CDs, streaming audio, high-resolution PCM or DSD based media are expertly up-sampled in the DirectStream MK2 to twenty times DSD rate and output as pure analog directly into your amplifier or preamplifier. There has never been a better sounding DAC at anywhere close to the price of DirectStream MK2. The ground breaking DirectStream DAC was the first choice of thousands of critical listeners worldwide, and now with the introduction of the MK2, that legacy will continue.

Design
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.

Application
DirectStream MK2 is the heart of a highly resolving true reference quality digital audio-based system. It handles all PCM sources up to 705.6 kHz, and DSD up to 256. Its zero-loss digital volume control now features 100% galvanically isolated input, outputs, and power supplies as well as an all-new attenuator architecture for better system level matching with six levels of attenuation that are automatically selected based on the requested volume level allowing DirectStream MK2 to be used as a preamplifier, directly feeding a power amp.

Specifications:

• Unit Weight: 21 lbs [9.53 kg]
• Dimensions: 14” x 17” x 4” [ 36cm x 43cm x 10cm]
• Shipping Weight: 30 lbs [13.6 kg]
• Shipping Dimensions: 20.5”x 24” x 10” [52cm x 61cm x 25cm]
• Input Power: Model specific 100VAC, 120VAC, or 230VAC 50 or 60Hz
• Power Consumption: 25W
• Digital audio inputs: I2S (2), Coax, XLR Balanced (2), Optical, USB
• Connector: RCA single ended or balanced, XLR balanced
• Output level high, maximum: 4 VRMS Balanced, 2 VRMS Single Ended
• Output Impedance: <100Ω/<200Ω
• Frequency Response: 20-20KHz +/- 0.25dB
• THD+N @ 1KHz (full scale): <0.1%
• Output Stage: Passive audio transformer, fed by high current, high speed analog amps producing double rate DSD
• Format: PCM or DSD
• Sample rate (PCM): 44.1kHz, 48.0kHz, 88.2kHz, 96.0kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz; 705.6kHz
• Word length (PCM): 16b, 18b, 20b, 24b
• Data rate (DSD): Standard (2.8MHz) or Double (5.6MHz) DoP as well as raw DSD on I2S and USB inputs
• Input jitter reduction: effectively 100%, residual immeasurable. No input PLLs, FLLs.
• Input Processing: 225.792MHz
• Signal Processing: 56.448MHz
• Digital Processing S/N ratio: Upsampling > 210dB, volume control and Sigma Delta Modulator: > 330dB
• Digital Volume Control: Zero loss of precision
• Analog Conversion method: low pass filter DSD256 (quad rate DSD: single bit DSD at 11.2896MHz)
• Connector: HDMI
• Format: PCM or DSD. DoP on all inputs as well as raw DSD on I2S inputs
• Connector: USB “B” Type
• Format: PCM, DoP v1.1 (DSD over PCM), or Native DSD
• Transfer mode: Asynchronous