Demonstrations Available
All brands stocked
30 Years of Experience
Demonstrations Available
All brands stocked
30 Years of Experience
£7,995.00
The DirectStream DAC is PS Audio’s reference standard D to A converter. It is unlike any standard chip-based DAC, and has received countless awards, worldwide.
DirectStream is one of the most remarkable DACS ever built as all the major reviewers agree. Hand written, discrete, 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 upsampled in the DirectStream 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. It is the first choice of thousands of critical listeners worldwide, and with its ability to accept PS Audio’s free Operating System upgrades, will never become obsolete.
DESIGN
DirectStream converts every input signal, both PCM and DSD, to single-bit, high sample rate 20X DSD signal. Use of a FPGA rather than an off the shelf DAC chip provides immense processing power, resulting in complete lack of digital glare, and allows the owner to download OS updates as they are released.
APPLICATION
DirectStream is the heart of a reference quality digital audio based system. It handles all PCM sources up to 352.8 kHz, and DSD 64 and 128 (USB and I2S) and DSD256 (I2S only, with the Sunlight OS). Its zero-loss digital volume control allows it to be used as a preamplifier, directly feeding a power amp. Include the Network Bridge to stream Qobuz, Tidal, and Spotify. Roon ready.
Class A+ Stereophile rated DirectStream DAC converts any digital input format from CDs, servers, and streamers, into a pure DSD format and outputs near-perfect analog directly to your power amplifier or preamplifier. Whatever the format, sample rate, or the medium, DirectStream provides a pure output that fulfills the promise of high-resolution analog performance from digital sources. DirectStream is the work of digital audio genius, Ted Smith. Unlike conventional DACs that rely upon off the shelf DAC chips, DirectStream is hand written onto a FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). This allows far more precise and accurate processing of the digital signal, resulting in significantly better sound quality and upgradeability in the field. Every six months or so, Ted Smith’s continual research into digital audio reproduction nets another breakthrough in performance. DirectStream DAC owners are given it free in the form of a downloadable upgrade. In this way, DirectStream owners can be assured that their unit will continue to improve over time, and never become obsolete. Hear whats been missing in your music for all these years. If you know the sound of music and instruments, and want to hear whats been missing on your discs, then this DAC is right for you.
Converting the ones and zeros of digital audio into music PS Audio cannot distinguish between live or recorded is an art. Most of todays sophisticated DACs are IC based instruments using off-the-shelf-chips that rely upon Multi-bit Sigma-Delta functions to process the incoming digital audio. While these are relatively simple to design and produce, they rarely give the best sonic results. DirectStream takes a different approach by first converting all digital audio signals into a purer form of digital audio known as DSD. DSD is a far more analog-like encoding and decoding process than the classic CD based PCM. In fact, most modern A/D converters used to make recordings are DSD based already. DirectStream takes both PCM and DSD, upsamples the data and converts to single-bit DSD and then outputs pure music regardless of input format for the data. The results of this design can be heard in increased musical information presented to the listener at every opportunity. When you listen to DirectStream you never are accosted by added bright, hard glare in the music as happens with many active designs. Instead, clean, pure music flows from the DirectStream directly to your preamplifier or power amplifier.
Most modern DACs use some form of active tube or solid state output stage to amplify, filter and drive the DAC’s output. DirectStream takes a different approach: passive. In one of the simplest, elegant and musically correct executions of an output stage, high-speed class A video amplifiers are used as the final switch feeding a high-performance passive audio output transformer. The transformer is specially designed to act as both the galvanic isolation between the DAC and the outside world as well as the primary low pass filter required to present a perfect, low distortion, low noise output signal that is fed directly into the DirectStream’s zero-loss volume control. Designer Smith perfected a 100% bit-perfect volume and balance control thats built into DirectStream, enabling users to control the output level when feeding directly into a power amplifier or preamplifier. The ability to eliminate the preamplifier in the system without any resolution loss is a major benefit to DirectStreams outstanding musical performance. Imagine going to a recording studio and listening to a master tape of any recording made. This is the experience DirectStream provides its owners who enjoy a renewed sense of enjoyment and discovery when listening to everything in their library: CDs, downloads, DSD.
100% Dsd Based D-A Converter
Upgradable Via Software Releases
Volume, Balance Control Built In
Upsamples Pcm And Dsd To 20X Dsd Rate
Dxd Support
Passive Transformer Coupled Output
Improves Imaging + Soundstage
Direct Signal Pass With 1X Master Clock
Handwritten Filters, Processors, Samplers
Immune To Outside Source Jitter Problems
Increased Digital Headroom
No Off-The-Shelf Ic-Dac Chips Used
Uncovers Details Usually Masked By Pcm Processors
7X Digital Inputs
Mqa + Tidal Ready With Optional Bridge Ii
Fully Balanced From Input To Output
Color Touch Screen
| Weight | 14 kg |
|---|---|
| Brand |
PS Audio |
| Colour |
Silver ,Black |
Our delivery charges are based on weight and are charged at royal mail rates. Once you have added an item into your basket the shipping charge should appear based on the weight of your order, initially the charge is shown from a UK resident but after you enter your personal details the shipping for your country will appear. We deliver to any country in the world, anywhere with a valid address, typical delivery times are between 3 and 7 days.
We will use the most appropriate carrier for your order, anything lost in transit will be replaced in a timely manner, all orders are sent using recognised postal carriers and couriers.
On heavy and bulky items the charges can be quite high so please enquire via e-mail or telephone us for an exact cost to avoid mis-understandings.
Delivery times are based on current workloads, we try to dispatch in stock orders within 3 days of receipt, if your order is urgent please add a note in the order comments box. Occasionally we may run out of stock of an item or if it is built to order (power supply’s, mains leads etc) it could take slightly longer to dispatch.
Shipping charges start at £1.95 for small items like plugs and connectors, heavy items cost more and need to be sent insured delivery so please consider that when the cost appears in your basket.
Any questions about postage or delivery please tel. 01484 540561 or send us an e-mail
All items on the site (except those made to order) can be returned under the consumer contracts regulations within 30 days. Please contact us prior to returning so we can discuss your requirements. If the item has been specially ordered (not specially made) we reserve the right to charge a nominal re-stocking fee. We expect any goods returned to be in new condition complete with original packaging otherwise we reserve the right to refuse a refund. Items classed as “tailor made” cannot be returned under the regulations although Brook Audio may accept the return under certain circumstances.
Please note if you order goods from Brook Audio and live outside the EU you may have to pay import duty/taxes on your purchase. We have no control over this charge and we do not pre-pay the charges for you. We do not declare a lower value to avoid customs charges so PLEASE DO NOT ASK US TO DO THIS.
We get asked 100’s of times every week for tracking numbers, these are usually a waste of time as they only tell you that the goods are progressing through the carriers system. Usually for items sent overseas the country you live in will determine how quickly your goods arrive, as an example the Spanish postal service is very very slow, the Russian customs clearance can take weeks as well as Brazil.
No account yet?
Create an Account
