Getting Started
©2022 PS Audio Inc. All rights reserved.
Owner’s Reference
DirectStream DAC MK2
®
PS Audio® Inc. 800-PSAUDIO 4865 Sterling Drive Boulder, Colorado 80301
A good location for DirectStream MK2 is in a cabinet or on a shelf at an easily accessible
height. Care should be taken to keep it away from power amplifiers or large, potentially hum-
inducing products. The IR (infrared) receiver for the remote is located to the left of the Touch
Screen. A direct line of sight will will help with DirectStream MK2's IR sensor, which has been
greatly improved from its predecessor, the DirectStream.
DirectStream MK2 and the PerfectWave SACD Transport were designed to stack on top of each
other if they are not placed on separate shelves. To do this, remove the feet from the unit you
wish to place on top of the stack. Carefully place the top unit so it rests on the bottom unit.
You will note that the bottom of the corners of each PerfectWave piece is specially designed to
mate with the top corners of another PerfectWave.
DirectStream MK2 offers multiple digital input choices including: two XLR (AES/EBU), RCA and
TOSlink (S/PDIF), USB as well as two I
2
S. All inputs, including USB, are capable of accepting
high-definition digital audio signals. The TOSlink input is capable of 96kHz, 24 bit audio.
AES/EBU up to 352.8kHz PCM and up to DoP128. I
2
S handles up to 705.6 kHz PCM and up to
DSD256. USB is capable of handling up to 705.6 kHz PCM and up to DSD256.
DirectStream MK2 uses an HDMI cable to transfer I
2
S data. This data can only be used with
another compatible component, such as the PerfectWave SACD transport, and will not work
in other HDMI equipment as the I
2
S format incorporated does not comply with the HDMI
standards. PS Audio freely publishes its I
2
S standard and it has been adopted by multiple other
manufacturers as well.
DoP (DSD over PCM) is a standard allowing single rate DSD to travel over S/PDIF (the
RCA, and XLR digital inputs are S/PDIF compatible) as well as over USB and I
2
S. It is
not currently possible to send DSD directly over S/PDIF and the DSD files must first be
converted to DoP standards to travel this route.
It is possible to send DSD files (without conversion to DoP) over DirectStream MK2's I
2
S inputs
as well as USB. Most programs, such as Roon, Audirvana, JRiver Media Center and Foobar
2000, will automatically convert DSD files to the DoP standards on the fly if the appropriate
checkbox has been enabled. There are no sonic penalties for conversion to DoP as the raw
DSD data is unaffected by the process.
Your new PS Audio DAC is supplied with a removable AC Power cord. While the supplied cord
is of good quality, it is recommended that you replace it with one of PS Audio’s matching
PerfectWave AC power cords for optimum performance. It is also recommended that you
connect your new DirectStream MK2 to one of PS Audio’s award-winning AC power products
such as the P3, P5 or P10 Power Plants.
Installation
Considerations
DoP
Digital Inputs
Available
1
Power Cables
