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For Sale: PS Audio DirectStream DAC (MkI), in silver, from the original owner. This is the DAC that reset the conversation on what solid-state digital-to-analog conversion could sound like — Ted Smith's custom FPGA-based, ladder-less DSD conversion architecture, upsampling everything to DSD in the digital domain before conversion. The result is an analog, non-fatiguing, deeply musical presentation that still holds up against far more expensive modern DACs. Retail MSRP as configured was $6795 in 2020.Included:PS Audio DirectStream DAC MkI, silver faceplatePS Audio Bridge II network card installed: Roon Ready, network streaming via UPnP/DLNACurrently running the latest "Sunlight" firmwareOriginal remote controlHeavy duty 14 AWG power cordOriginal double-box packaging, manual, decals, gloves and all included accessoriesCondition & History: Purchased new by me and in my system since day one — never sold, traded, or repaired. Smoke-free, pet-free home. No cosmetic damage; faceplate and chassis are clean. Fully functional, all inputs and the Bridge II tested and working.Why I'm selling: Upgraded to a Mola Mola Tambaqui.Why this DAC: The DirectStream remains one of the most respected DACs in high-end audio for a reason — it does away with off-the-shelf DAC chips entirely in favor of a custom updatable FPGA design. Paired with the Bridge II, it's a complete, high-resolution network streaming DAC ready to drop into any system.Original packaging included for safe shipping or easy resale down the road. Serious inquiries only — happy to answer questions, provide additional photos, or discuss local pickup if you're nearby.
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PS Audio, a pioneering American hi-fi brand, traces its roots to 1973 when co-founder Paul McGowan launched the company in California alongside Stan Warren. Emerging from the analog golden age, it debuted with a standalone phono preamplifier, reflecting McGowan's early passion for vinyl playback honed through radio station connections and encounters with audio enthusiasts. The brand quickly evolved, embracing digital audio in the 1980s by releasing one of the first high-end CD players, the PS Audio CD-1, soon after Philips and Sony introduced the format.
Today, PS Audio specializes in premium electronics, including power amplifiers, preamplifiers, digital-to-analog converters (DACs), and integrated amplifiers, with a hallmark focus on power conditioning via innovative AC regenerators known as Power Plants. These devices, born from Stan Warren's mid-1980s discovery that oversized transformers enhance audio performance, remain a cornerstone. The lineup also encompasses digital lenses for refining streaming and disc playback, alongside select analog components, though it eschews speakers, headphones, turntables, or cables.
Positioned firmly in the high-end market, PS Audio commands respect among discerning audiophiles for its bold engineering and unwavering pursuit of musical purity. Celebrating 50 years in 2023, it occupies a niche as an innovator rather than a mass-market player, appealing to buyers who prioritize transformative power delivery and digital refinement in sophisticated systems.
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