I just read that last night as well. Nice to see the the reviewers feeling PS  Audio can keep up with the big boys. Sad thing is, I thought PS Audio *was* the big boys! LOL  Well, at least to my budget they are.


I had a new Femme Fatale over a couple times this week. After some wine and soft music, I'm like HEY! You like Tori Amos? She's like "a redhead that can sing, hell Yeah" - my new friend being a redhead...  So I cleared the living room, sat her in the sweet spot, and warned her it might get a little loud. She said she'd never heard anything like this before.

This latest OS even left me jaw dropped. Without the edge of Pikes Peak Tori didn't have that - "live over the PA" sound that I've come to be used to, but the detail emerging from the black backgrounds without the (relative) harshness of the older OSs. I know I keep saying this, but *this* is what I expected the DirectStream to sound like from the beginning. Part of me is upset that it took so long to get here, and that I kept thinking it was so close to this and couldn't get better with each OS update. I can see where Stone gave up on the DS, but I'm glad I stuck it out (well I'm quite invested in it, even with the huge discount I got).

Personally, Yale Final sounds noticeably better than the Yale Beta - which leads me to believe that Ted may have snuck in that *extra* -3db noise reduction everyone keeps getting excited about. So I'm not sure that next update is going to be as big of an improvement as this one. If it is...damn! If not, I'm still very happy with the DS, and starting to feel like Lon and settling into the music rather than worrying about gear.  :)

I have a USB regen coming in, then anything after that is just going to have to be (DIY) room treatments and speaker position till I get some bills paid down, so it's good that I'm settling in.  :)

I've been out of the loop for a while. I should pop over to their forums and see what's going on. The Beta forum dried up around the time of Yale Final, so there really wasn't any news.

I've been happy with my system. That USB Regen added another level of detail, very similar to what Yale Final did for me. It's the nail in the coffin of the bits-is-bits theory for me. There is more to it than that, clearly.

New little review of change to Yale.

http://www.hifiplus.com/articles/ps-audio-yale-os-firmware-for-the-directstream-...

I thought there was FCC regulations against that.

Sounds amazing for those with multiple DirectStreams...imagine the surround sound! LOL

Upcoming "Junior" model:

https://readymag.com/PSAudio/Junior/

http://www.psaudio.com/directstream-junior/

I hear you. I have a feeling there will be early deals on this  though. . . I personally think this will go for 2500 to 3000 more often than not. And it does have the Bridge 2, and will be able to do the DSD/DVD-A disc to data stream handshake that is coming up for the PWT and the DS--quite well equipped. . . . To be honest, I think PS Audio knows what they are doing and I suspect it will do well enough for them. For those others. . . there's the NuWave and the used PS Audio market. On audio boards I am always surprised at how many people can afford high end components, and I'm betting I'd be surprised at how many could and would afford these. I'm shocked at how many here can afford the top end of Decware components, but Steve builds them and sells them. I couldn't for so long, what really has made it possible for me was losing a wife and getting some money the hard way by insurance from her unfortunate death, and selling a home I was lucky to triple my investment on in twenty years. That was almost pure luck. Otherwise I'd might still be listening to my DEC695, Rev. A amp and RL1 speakers!

I think the comparative product is the Auralic Vega at $3499 and would have thought the DS Jr would have been priced the same.  That said, as long as you don't purchase the product on pre-order, you will be able to get it much cheaper.   Through experience, I have no doubt about that.  Patience is on your wallets side in this case.  

In summary, I agree with all of you.  Happy listening!

http://www.hifiplus.com/articles/hi-fi-products-of-the-year-digital-audio/

The feedback on the new firmware continues to be positive though there seem to be bugs with USB use. (I am so so glad I don't use computer audio). My guess is that they'll fix these bugs and roll out another version for testing.

I've been alternating between using my DS as a preamp and the CSP2+. No matter what tube complement I use or what gain settings I clearly prefer the DS as the preamp rather than the DS through  the CSP2+. I love the sound that the CSP2+ influences with the ZP3 and my Denon universal player, so I'm just going to "set it and forget it" and quit playing with the DS and the CSP2+ together.

Lon,

The Torrey's install went smooth for me. It's like getting a new DAC every six months but for free and easy to send back if you don't like it. Just reinstall the old firmware. I think I will keep this one. Never before have I heard this amount of detail.

I too go back and forth with and without the CSP3 in with my DS. I too like direct into the the ZMA but I have no headroom driving my Janszen zA2.1 speakers. I will be getting the ZTpre shortly and am hoping it will be a game changer.

Wow, this thread has been some educational and informative reading.  

So, Lon, do you own the PS Audio DSD DAC & Transport?

I just loaded up the DS with Torreys.  No issues with the install.  Right now I am streaming TIDAL directly to the Bridge II without interruption.  I will spin some discs via the PWT later this evening.

I don't want to jump to conclusions regarding SQ.  That said, I am listening to Kenny Burrell's Midnight Blue while I type this and my foot is a tapping.  Great music.

The only firmware that hasn't worked for me is Pikes Peak.  I'll report back after longer term listening to Torreys.  

Lon, I would guess you need both the DAC and transport to get all it delivers, correct?  How long ago did you pull the trigger on this combo?

I want that combo.

Okay, got an SD Card in the mail from PS Audio with Torreys OS on it, popped it in the DirectStream and am listening to the new sound right now. Wow, I like it. A lot. This DAC and preamp just keeps getting better and better!

What are the main differences between the Nuwave and Perfectwave?  Who has what?

The new Torreys firmware for the DirectStream is pretty cool. I do think there is a general richer sound to Yale that I miss, but the detail and dynamics and flow of Torreys make it the one to keep.

Cool. I wouldn't get the Transport to use with the NuWave either; the real benefit of the Transport is the I2S via HDMI and that's not a choice on the NuWave.

I'll bet you will enjoy it. Good luck with the Van Alstine. It's fun to explore new audio. As I have a few systems in storage, I won't be doing any of that til I sell those.

Yes it has two HDMI outputs. But first off I don't own the NuWave, nor had one here. I think you meant PerfectWave/DirectStream. Well, PS Audio's use of the HDMI cable is NOT the same as the use for video and audio transmission to TVs or sound processors, etc. They are using it for a type of data transmission called I2S that transmits music data and clock data separated. This usually happens inside CD players, but rarely happens between transports and DACs, and until PS Audio developed their HDMI protocol it was done using what's called an AT&T connector cable.

So far only the PS Audio Transport, their latest phono preamp, a Wyred for Sound component and a few streamers have adopted and use the PS Audio HDMI I2S protocol. HDMI out from blu-ray and DVD etc. won't work.

.......data transmission called I2S that transmits music data and clock data separated.

....and before the development and use of I2S with HDMI/how PS uses it.....Audio Alchemy and Camelot Audio, first started it. Maybe California Audio Labs too?

See my I2S original signature below.....after the Audio Magic I2S...I used Revelation Audio I2S.....very nice. I still own all of my original AA gear from 2005! AH, NOT 2005.....1995 = 21 years and 2 moths ago! Where has it gone!

http://www.revelationaudiolabs.com/cables-digital/index.htm#i2s

+1 Lon, the P10 is top of the heap when it comes to power conditioning. The sale was so good I had to buy another one.

http://positive-feedback.com/industry-news/lanrover-transports-usb-audio/

http://hifiheaven.net/shop/PS-Audio-LANRover-USB-Transporter?language=en&currenc...

You're welcome. Though I haven't read the thread (my interest in computer audio is very small) there's a long thread from beta testers on the PS Audio forum.

PS Audio just launched the web page and a comprehensive video about the new Transport, now named the DirectStream Memory Player. I tossed my hat into the ring to be a beta-tester, though I have two of the current versions and was thinking of upgrading one of those. I've queried Paul and Scott about becoming a beta tester via upgrade but will have to wait til the finalizing of beta testing to find out.

Yes, it should be firmware updatable, the Transport I have currently is. It's the best transport I've ever experienced, so I have high hopes for this new one.

And I got my shipping notice, Beta Tester Armstrong will have his on Wednesday.