PS AUDIO DIRECTSTREAM DAC MKII

Pre owned. In excellent conditions. No visible signs of wear. Comes with remote control, original packaging, accessories, and manual.

The PS Audio DirectStream MK2 DAC represents one of the most advanced achievements in digital-to-analog conversion, the result of a design that completely abandons traditional IC chips in favor of a hand-written FPGA solution, developed by engineer Ted Smith. Unlike most DACs on the market, which rely on standard architectures and conventional digital processing, the DirectStream MK2 operates in a fully discrete and galvanically isolated manner on every input, output, power supply, and ground signal — effectively eliminating noise and jitter at the source. Every incoming digital signal, whether PCM or DSD, is converted to a 50-bit, high sample rate format, then further transformed into a pure DSD stream that feeds the analog output directly.

The resulting musical playback is remarkably natural and fluid, free from digital harshness, with extended dynamics and fine detail that bring out the full expression of every sonic nuance. The use of high-performance passive audio transformers as output filters and for final stage isolation is one of the most elegant and functional features of the design, allowing the DirectStream MK2 to be connected directly to a power amplifier or preamp — also thanks to its integrated volume control with zero resolution loss.

An additional leap in performance is provided by the “Blue Sky” software, a free update for all DirectStream MK2 owners, which redefines the potential of FPGA-based processing. Through 81-bit multipliers and even longer, more precise upsampling filters with custom-calculated coefficients, Blue Sky delivers a deeper soundstage, a blacker background, and astonishing transparency. Every detail, every hidden texture in the music emerges with vivid clarity, offering an emotionally compelling listening experience like never before.

Capable of handling PCM signals up to 705.6 kHz and DSD up to DSD256, the DirectStream MK2 is future-proof thanks to free operating system updates that continuously refine its digital processing capabilities. The result is a device that can deliver a musical performance astonishingly close to listening to an original analog master — revealing new depth and hidden detail in even the most familiar recordings. It’s a machine built for those who truly know the real sound of instruments and want to finally hear what’s been buried in their discs, files, or digital streams.

Technical Specifications:

• High-resolution digital-to-analog converter
• 7 digital inputs including asynchronous USB (24/192) and proprietary I2S input via HDMI (separate transmission of clock and data up to 32/192)
• Integrated Digital Lens for jitter reduction
• 5 selectable digital filters
• Native playback or manual upsampling/downsampling options
• Control via full-color touchscreen
• Optional Bridge card slot for home network connectivity; supports WAV, AIFF, ALAC, FLAC, WMA, MP3 formats
• Dimensions: 100 mm (H) x 435 mm (W) x 360 mm (D)
• Weight: 9.53 kg