PS Audio PerfectWave DirectStream
Best high-end converter for audiophiles seeking pure, immersive digital sound.
Experience the next generation of digital audio with the PS Audio PerfectWave DirectStream DAC MK2. This acclaimed converter features the revolutionary Mount Massive upgrade, offering an unparalleled listening experience. It distinguishes itself with a discrete, hand-built conversion process, moving beyond standard commercial IC technology. The DAC expertly upsamples all digital media, including PCM and DSD sources, to an extremely high DSD rate, delivering a pure analog signal. Uncover hidden details in your music collection and enjoy a truly immersive soundstage.
$8250.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
99
/ 489
#99 in Audio Converters
Price vs Category Average
+89%
Above average
Conversion Type
Digital to Analog (DAC)
/ Digital to Analog (DAC)
Who it's for
- Audiophiles seeking a smooth, natural, and non-fatiguing listening experience
- Owners who value long-term performance gains through regular software updates
- Minimalists wanting to simplify their signal chain by removing preamplifiers
Who should skip it
- Budget-conscious listeners looking for more accessible high-end audio gear
- Users who prefer a plug-and-play experience over manual firmware maintenance
- Streamers who want integrated network functionality without additional hardware costs
Performance breakdown
Conversion Fidelity
Discrete architecture extracts nuance standard commercial chips simply cannot replicate.
Upsampling Precision
Transforms standard digital files into a rich, high-rate DSD experience.
Soundstage Depth
Creates an expansive, immersive environment that breathes life into recordings.
Future Proofing
User-updatable firmware ensures your hardware evolves alongside new digital standards.
Signal Integrity
Galvanic isolation effectively eliminates noise for a pristine analog output.
Format Versatility
Seamlessly handles both PCM and DSD sources with equal sonic authority.
Key Specs
Conversion Type
Digital to Analog (DAC)
Supported Formats
PCM, DSD
Maximum Sample Rate
56448.0 kHz
Conversion Technology
Discrete
Firmware Updatable
Yes
DSD Support
Yes
PCM Support
Yes
Maximum Bit Depth
0.0 bits
Features
- Revolutionary Mount Massive upgrade
- Discrete, hand-built conversion process
- Upsamples all digital media to high-rate DSD
- Outputs pure analog signal
- Next generation PerfectWave DirectStream DAC
- Handles PCM and DSD sources
- User-updatable firmware
- Galvanically isolated conversion
What customers say
The PS Audio DirectStream DAC earns high praise for its remarkably natural and musical sound quality. Owners consistently celebrate its unique FPGA architecture for delivering an analog-like experience that bridges digital convenience with vinyl warmth. Key highlights include exceptional resolution and an expansive soundstage that reveals subtle details without fatigue. A major factor in customer satisfaction is PS Audio's commitment to free, transformative firmware updates, which significantly enhance performance over time. While the initial cost is premium, users feel the world-class sonic performance justifies the investment, often viewing it as an endgame component. The consensus confirms this DAC sets a very high standard for digital audio conversion.
Know before you buy
The DAC upsamples all incoming digital signals, whether PCM or DSD, to a high-rate DSD format before conversion. This process ensures that every source benefits from the unit's specialized internal processing.
Unlike most DACs that rely on off-the-shelf integrated circuit chips, the DirectStream MK2 uses a hand-built, discrete conversion architecture. This allows for greater control over the signal path and results in a more natural, analog-like sound.
Yes, the unit features user-updatable firmware. This allows you to install future performance enhancements and feature updates released by PS Audio directly to the device.
The Mount Massive upgrade is a significant internal refinement that improves the processing power and signal handling of the DAC. It is designed to lower noise floors and reveal finer details in your music that standard converters might miss.
Yes, the unit utilizes galvanically isolated conversion. This design physically separates the digital input stage from the analog output stage to prevent electrical noise from your computer or streamer from contaminating the audio signal.
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