href="/products/directstream-dac-mk2-refurbished?variant=48716484378914" class="link" >DirectStream DAC MK2 - Factory Certified

DirectStream DAC MK2 - Factory Certified

Since its groundbreaking introduction 8 years ago, the PerfectWave DirectStream has stood alone as one of the most remarkable DACs ever built. We are excited to share with the world the next generation of this technological wonder, the PerfectWave DirectStream DAC MK2. Unlike the vast majority of high-end DACs based on off-the-shelf IC technology, DirectStream MK2 is handwritten, discrete, galvanically isolated, 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 MK2 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 MK2. The ground breaking DirectStream DAC was the first choice of thousands of critical listeners worldwide, and now with the introduction of the MK2, that legacy will continue.

Note:

Discontinued from new production in 2025

$3,000.00 $7,999.00

Factory Certified 14-Day In-Home Evaluation Click for details

Factory Certified

DirectStream DAC MK2 - Factory Certified

Experience a transformative sonic leap with Blue Sky, the free software upgrade for the DirectStream MK2 DAC. This stunning update enhances the FPGA with cutting-edge advancements, including 81-bit multiplies and extending the length and accuracy of the upsampling filters with custom-calculated coefficients. The result is a profoundly deeper soundstage, a strikingly quieter background, and unparalleled detail that reveals textures and layers in your music like never before. Hear beyond the surface—experience the hidden depths of every note with Blue Sky, available now for all DirectStream MK2 owners.To learn more about the Blue Sky update click here: Learn More

What Factory Certified means

These are PS Audio units that have come home to our factory in Boulder — trade-ins, demos, and returns — not off-the-shelf new production. Each one is fully tested on the same benches we use for new gear: performance, safety, and reliability before it ships again.

14-day in-home evaluation — live with it in your system; if it is not the right fit, return shipping is on us.
One-year factory warranty from your purchase date when you register the serial (new products carry three years).
Honest cosmetics — function and measured performance meet factory standards; some units may show light blemishes.

Full Factory Certified warranty and evaluation terms

Since its groundbreaking introduction 8 years ago, the PerfectWave DirectStream has stood alone as one of the most remarkable DACs ever built. We are excited to share with the world the next generation of this technological wonder, the PerfectWave DirectStream DAC MK2. Unlike the vast majority of high-end DACs based on off-the-shelf IC technology, DirectStream MK2 is handwritten, discrete, galvanically isolated, 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 MK2 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 MK2. The ground breaking DirectStream DAC was the first choice of thousands of critical listeners worldwide, and now with the introduction of the MK2, that legacy will continue.

Galvanic Isolation

The Class A+ Stereophile rated DirectStream DAC just got a whole lot better in the MK2 version by solving one of the biggest problems in digital audio: noise and jitter from incoming sources. Thanks to a radical new technology the DirectStream MK2 DAC eliminates incoming noise and upsetting jitter by galvanically isolating every input, output, ground, and power source of this remarkable new DAC. Once delivered through these clean and noise free inputs the MK2 converts any digital input format from CDs, servers, computers, and streamers, into a pure DSD format and outputs perfect analog directly to your power amplifier or preamplifier. Whatever the format, sample rate, or the medium, the DirectStream MK2 provides a pure output that fulfills the promise of high-resolution analog performance from digital sources. DirectStream MK2 is the work of PS Audio's digital audio guru, Ted Smith. Unlike conventional DACs that rely upon off-the-shelf DAC chips, the DirectStream MK2 is hand-written onto a pair of FPGAs (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. Periodically, Ted Smith's continual research into digital audio reproduction nets another breakthrough in performance. DirectStream MK2 DAC owners are given it free in the form of a downloadable upgrade. In this way, DirectStream MK2 owners can be assured that their unit will continue to improve over time. Hear what’s been missing in your music for all these years. If you know the sound of music and instruments and want to hear what’s been missing on your discs, then this DAC is right for you.

DSD to analog

Converting the ones and zeros of digital audio into music we cannot distinguish between live or recorded is an art. Most of today’s 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 MK2 takes a different approach by first converting all galvanically isolated 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. The DirectStream MK2 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 the DirectStream MK2 you never are accosted by added bright, hard glare in the music as happens with many active designs. Instead, clean, pure musical magic flows from the DirectStream MK2 directly to your preamplifier or power amplifier.

Output and Volume

Most modern DACs use some form of active tube or solid state output stage to amplify, filter and drive the DAC's output. The DirectStream MK2 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 upgraded output transformer in the MK2 is specially designed to act as both the final 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 MK2's zero-loss volume control. Designer Smith perfected a 100% bit-perfect volume and balance control that’s built into DirectStream MK2, 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 DirectStream MK2's outstanding musical performance. Imagine going to a recording studio and listening to a master tape of any recording made. This is the experience the DirectStream MK2 provides its owners who enjoy a renewed sense of enjoyment and discovery when listening to everything in their library: CD’s, downloads, DSD.

What owners and reviewers say

Reproduction of low-level detail is also a strong suit, with very fine rendering against a jet-black background.

Editors' Choice: Best DACs $3,000 - $10,000. TAS Staff · Read full review

While the PerfectWave DirectStream DAC garnered a lot of buzz when it was released, my guess is a veritable chorus of accolades will soon be surrounding the DirectStream DAC MK2. If my budget only allowed for an ,000 DAC, I would give this one a very, very serious listen. Given its retail cost, i...

Paul Wilson, Future Audiophile · Read full review

The same size as its well-regarded predecessor, the MK2 processor replaces the rectangular, four-color touchscreen with a smaller display with a Mute/Menu button to its left and a blue-illuminated five-button controller to its right. However, it still upsamples PCM data to 30-bit words, now sampl...

Stereophile Magazine · Read full review

For sure the DirectStream DAC MK2 reflects the people at PS Audio and especially Ted Smith, who writes the firmware/software that has a major role in how the DirectStream DAC MK2 sounds. Of which, sounds neither bright, dull, rolled off, hyped, lean... sounds like what we want our music to sound ...

Positive Feedback · Read full review

Equipment like the Perfect Wave Direct Stream DAC MK2 from PS Audio shows that some 40 years of advances have made the best digital sound far more musical and realistic, and the best highest-resolution PCM, DSD, and DSD/SACD discs and streaming now outperform the best-sounding LPs that I’ve heard

The Absolute Sound · Read full review

14-day in-home evaluation

This is not the 30-day new-product trial — it is the Factory Certified evaluation period. How it works, or read the full warranty and returns policy.

Not for sale

We build these in Boulder, Colorado, and we are glad to show our work. Paul answers questions on video most weekdays, and the factory is open to visitors.

DirectStream DAC MK2 - Factory Certified

At home

Where it disappears into the music.

14-day in-home evaluation $3,000.00

Add to cart

TALK TO A HI-FI SPECIALIST

1-800-PSAUDIO

Design

DirectStream MK2 converts every one of its galvanically isolated input signals, both PCM and DSD, to a high sample rate 50 bit version which is further converted to pure DSD for its final conversion to pure analog. Use of twin FPGAs rather than an off-the-shelf DAC chip provides immense processing power, resulting in a complete lack of digital glare, and allows the owner to download our free operating system updates as they are released. With every free upgrade to the operating system, new levels of resolution and audio magic will enrich and make new this remarkable D to A converter.

Applications

DirectStream MK2 is the heart of a highly resolving true reference quality digital audio-based system. It handles all PCM sources up to 705.6 kHz, and DSD up to 256. Its zero-loss digital volume control now features 100% galvanically isolated input, outputs, and power supplies.

Galvanic Isolation

The Class A+ Stereophile rated DirectStream DAC just got a whole lot better in the MK2 version by solving one of the biggest problems in digital audio: noise and jitter from incoming sources. Thanks to a radical new technology the DirectStream MK2 DAC eliminates incoming noise and upsetting jitter by galvanically isolating every input, output, ground, and power source of this remarkable new DAC. Once delivered through these clean and noise free inputs the MK2 converts any digital input format from CDs, servers, computers, and streamers, into a pure DSD format and outputs perfect analog directly to your power amplifier or preamplifier. Whatever the format, sample rate, or the medium, the DirectStream MK2 provides a pure output that fulfills the promise of high-resolution analog performance from digital sources. DirectStream MK2 is the work of PS Audio's digital audio guru, Ted Smith. Unlike conventional DACs that rely upon off-the-shelf DAC chips, the DirectStream MK2 is hand-written onto a pair of FPGAs (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. Periodically, Ted Smith's continual research into digital audio reproduction nets another breakthrough in performance. DirectStream MK2 DAC owners are given it free in the form of a downloadable upgrade. In this way, DirectStream MK2 owners can be assured that their unit will continue to improve over time. Hear what’s been missing in your music for all these years. If you know the sound of music and instruments and want to hear what’s been missing on your discs, then this DAC is right for you.

DSD to analog

Converting the ones and zeros of digital audio into music we cannot distinguish between live or recorded is an art. Most of today’s 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 MK2 takes a different approach by first converting all galvanically isolated 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. The DirectStream MK2 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 the DirectStream MK2 you never are accosted by added bright, hard glare in the music as happens with many active designs. Instead, clean, pure musical magic flows from the DirectStream MK2 directly to your preamplifier or power amplifier.

Output and Volume

Most modern DACs use some form of active tube or solid state output stage to amplify, filter and drive the DAC's output. The DirectStream MK2 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 upgraded output transformer in the MK2 is specially designed to act as both the final 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 MK2's zero-loss volume control. Designer Smith perfected a 100% bit-perfect volume and balance control that’s built into DirectStream MK2, 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 DirectStream MK2's outstanding musical performance. Imagine going to a recording studio and listening to a master tape of any recording made. This is the experience the DirectStream MK2 provides its owners who enjoy a renewed sense of enjoyment and discovery when listening to everything in their library: CD’s, downloads, DSD.

Features

17 key features

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

DUAL FPGA PROCESSING

HANDWRITTEN FILTERS, PROCESSING AND UPSAMPLERS

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

GALVANICALLY ISOLATED INPUTS AND OUTPUTS

FULLY BALANCED FROM INPUT TO OUTPUT

STORE AND INSTALL UP TO 10 FIRMWARE MOUNTAINTOPS

Reviews

5 reviews

Editors' Choice: Best DACs $3,000 - $10,000. TAS Staff

Reproduction of low-level detail is also a strong suit, with very fine rendering against a jet-black background.

Read full review →

Paul Wilson, Future Audiophile

While the PerfectWave DirectStream DAC garnered a lot of buzz when it was released, my guess is a veritable chorus of accolades will soon be surrounding the DirectStream DAC MK2. If my budget only allowed for an ,000 DAC, I would give this one a very, very serious listen. Given its retail cost, it will effectively raise the bar on delivering a magnificent audio experience

Read full review →

Stereophile Magazine

The same size as its well-regarded predecessor, the MK2 processor replaces the rectangular, four-color touchscreen with a smaller display with a Mute/Menu button to its left and a blue-illuminated five-button controller to its right. However, it still upsamples PCM data to 30-bit words, now sampled at 2× the original's 28.224MHz

Read full review →

Positive Feedback

For sure the DirectStream DAC MK2 reflects the people at PS Audio and especially Ted Smith, who writes the firmware/software that has a major role in how the DirectStream DAC MK2 sounds. Of which, sounds neither bright, dull, rolled off, hyped, lean... sounds like what we want our music to sound like. Wait... come to think of it, the DirectStream DAC MK2 sounds like Ted; humble, honest, and truthful, all the while being playful and fun. Full of color and joy

Read full review →

The Absolute Sound

Equipment like the Perfect Wave Direct Stream DAC MK2 from PS Audio shows that some 40 years of advances have made the best digital sound far more musical and realistic, and the best highest-resolution PCM, DSD, and DSD/SACD discs and streaming now outperform the best-sounding LPs that I’ve heard

Read full review →

Want to leave your own review?

Specifications

Technical details

Physical
Unit Weight	21 lbs [9.53 kg]
Unit Dimensions	14” x 17” x 4” [ 36cm x 43cm x 10cm]
Shipping Weight	30 lbs [13.6 kg]
Shipping Dimensions	20.5”x 24” x 10” [52cm x 61cm x 25cm]
Power requirements
Input Power	Model specific 100VAC, 120VAC, or 230VAC 50 or 60Hz
Power Consumption	25W
Digital audio inputs	I2S (2), Coax, XLR Balanced (2), Optical, USB
Sample Rates	Optical (TOSLink): PCM 16 and 24 bits at 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz and 96kHz S/PDIF and AES3: PCM 16 and 24 bits at 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz and 192kHz; DoP64 Dual AES3: PCM 16 and 24 bits at 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz and 352.8kHz; DoP64 and DoP128 I2S: PCM 16 and 24 bits at 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, and 705.6; DoP64, DoP128, DoP256, DSD64, DSD128, and DSD256 USB: PCM 16 and 24 bits at 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, and 705.6; DoP64, DoP128, DoP256, DSD64, DSD128, and DSD256
Analog Audio Output
Connector	RCA single ended or balanced, XLR balanced
Output level high, maximum	4 VRMS Balanced 2 VRMS Single Ended
Output Impedance	<100Ω/<200Ω
Frequency Response	20-20KHz +/- 0.25dB
THD+N @ 1KHz (full scale)	<0.1%
Output Stage	Passive audio transformer, fed by high current, high speed analog amps producing double rate DSD
Data Handling
Format	PCM or DSD
Sample rate (PCM)	44.1kHz, 48.0kHz, 88.2kHz, 96.0kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz; 705.6kHz
Word length (PCM)	16b, 18b, 20b, 24b
Data rate (DSD)	Standard (2.8MHz) or Double (5.6MHz) DoP as well as raw DSD on I2S and USB inputs
Input jitter reduction	effectively 100%, residual immeasurable. No input PLLs, FLLs.
Input Processing	225.792MHz
Signal Processing	56.448MHz
Synchronous Upsampling, all inputs	56.448MHz for 48k, 96k or 192k; 11.2896MHz for all others
Digital Processing S/N ratio	Upsampling > 210dB, volume control and Sigma Delta Modulator: > 330dB
Digital Volume Control	Zero loss of precision
Analog Conversion method	low pass filter DSD256 (quad rate DSD: single bit DSD at 11.2896MHz)
I2S Digital Input
Connector	HDMI
Format	PCM or DSD. DoP on all inputs as well as raw DSD on I2S inputs
USB Digital Input
Connector	USB “B” Type
Format	PCM, DoP v1.1 (DSD over PCM), or Native DSD
Transfer mode	Asynchronous

Questions?

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Specifications

Physical
Unit Weight	21 lbs [9.53 kg]
Unit Dimensions	14” x 17” x 4” [ 36cm x 43cm x 10cm]
Shipping Weight	30 lbs [13.6 kg]
Shipping Dimensions	20.5”x 24” x 10” [52cm x 61cm x 25cm]
Power requirements
Input Power	Model specific 100VAC, 120VAC, or 230VAC 50 or 60Hz
Power Consumption	25W
Digital audio inputs	I2S (2), Coax, XLR Balanced (2), Optical, USB
Sample Rates	Optical (TOSLink): PCM 16 and 24 bits at 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz and 96kHz S/PDIF and AES3: PCM 16 and 24 bits at 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz and 192kHz; DoP64 Dual AES3: PCM 16 and 24 bits at 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz and 352.8kHz; DoP64 and DoP128 I2S: PCM 16 and 24 bits at 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, and 705.6; DoP64, DoP128, DoP256, DSD64, DSD128, and DSD256 USB: PCM 16 and 24 bits at 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, and 705.6; DoP64, DoP128, DoP256, DSD64, DSD128, and DSD256
Analog Audio Output
Connector	RCA single ended or balanced, XLR balanced
Output level high, maximum	4 VRMS Balanced 2 VRMS Single Ended
Output Impedance	<100Ω/<200Ω
Frequency Response	20-20KHz +/- 0.25dB
THD+N @ 1KHz (full scale)	<0.1%
Output Stage	Passive audio transformer, fed by high current, high speed analog amps producing double rate DSD
Data Handling
Format	PCM or DSD
Sample rate (PCM)	44.1kHz, 48.0kHz, 88.2kHz, 96.0kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz; 705.6kHz
Word length (PCM)	16b, 18b, 20b, 24b
Data rate (DSD)	Standard (2.8MHz) or Double (5.6MHz) DoP as well as raw DSD on I2S and USB inputs
Input jitter reduction	effectively 100%, residual immeasurable. No input PLLs, FLLs.
Input Processing	225.792MHz
Signal Processing	56.448MHz
Synchronous Upsampling, all inputs	56.448MHz for 48k, 96k or 192k; 11.2896MHz for all others
Digital Processing S/N ratio	Upsampling > 210dB, volume control and Sigma Delta Modulator: > 330dB
Digital Volume Control	Zero loss of precision
Analog Conversion method	low pass filter DSD256 (quad rate DSD: single bit DSD at 11.2896MHz)
I2S Digital Input
Connector	HDMI
Format	PCM or DSD. DoP on all inputs as well as raw DSD on I2S inputs
USB Digital Input
Connector	USB “B” Type
Format	PCM, DoP v1.1 (DSD over PCM), or Native DSD
Transfer mode	Asynchronous