The new PerfectWave DirectStream DAC MK2, unlike the vast majority of high-end DACs based on off-the-shelf IC technology features 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.

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. 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 as well as an all-new attenuator architecture for better system level matching with six levels of attenuation that are automatically selected based on the requested volume level allowing DirectStream MK2 to be used as a preamplifier, directly feeding a power amplifier.

Features:

Unit Weight21 lbs [9.53 kg]

Unit Dimensions14” x 17” x 4” [ 36cm x 43cm x 10cm]

Power requirements

Input PowerModel specific 100VAC, 120VAC, or 230VAC 50 or 60Hz

Power Consumption25W

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

ConnectorRCA single ended or balanced, XLR balancedOutput level high, maximum4 VRMS Balanced
2 VRMS Single EndedOutput Impedance<100Ω/<200ΩFrequency Response20-20KHz +/- 0.25dBTHD+N @ 1KHz (full scale)<0.1%Output StagePassive audio transformer, fed by high current, high speed analog amps producing double rate DSD

Data Handling

FormatPCM or DSDSample rate (PCM)44.1kHz, 48.0kHz, 88.2kHz, 96.0kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz; 705.6kHzWord length (PCM)16b, 18b, 20b, 24bData rate (DSD)Standard (2.8MHz) or Double (5.6MHz) DoP as well as raw DSD on I2S and USB inputsInput jitter reductioneffectively 100%, residual immeasurable. No input PLLs, FLLs.Input Processing225.792MHzSignal Processing56.448MHzSynchronous Upsampling, all inputs56.448MHz for 48k, 96k or 192k; 11.2896MHz for all othersDigital Processing S/N rationUpsampling > 210dB, volume control and Sigma Delta Modulator: > 330dBDigital Volume ControlZero loss of precisionAnalog Conversion methodlow pass filter DSD256 (quad rate DSD: single bit DSD at 11.2896MHz)

I2S Digital Input

ConnectorHDMIFormatPCM or DSD. DoP on all inputs as well as raw DSD on I2S inputs

USB Digital Input

ConnectorUSB “B” TypeFormatPCM, DoP v1.1 (DSD over PCM), or Native DSDTransfer modeAsynchronous