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Quick Start Guide 3
®
Quick Start Guide
©2014 PS Audio Inc. All rights reserved.
Owner’s Reference
DirectStream DAC
section for further assistance on playback issues via USB.
I
2
S is available through several manufacturers as well PS Audio equipment such as the
PerfectWave Transport and the NuWave Phono A/D Converter. I
2
S is a parallel data
connection with separate clocks and data and transferred via an HDMI cable. I
2
S will
typically provide a slightly better performance standard than any serial data stream
such as S/PDIF or AES/EBU.
You can connect one or all seven inputs at the same time. For instance, you can
connect the USB input to your computer and the coax input to your CD player. Then
you can simply choose which one to listen to from the front panel touch screen (or the
remote) that selects the input. If you are using USB, make sure both the computer and
DirectStream are connected and powered up. USB also requires a driver to operate
properly. Mac computers running OSX have the driver built in. Windows based
computers require the PS Audio driver to be installed. Download the driver from our
website; it is the same driver used in the PWD. DirectStream will show up under Device
Manager as PS Audio PerfectWave DSD, under a heading PS Audio USB 2.0 Audio
Devices.
CONNECTING DIRECTSTREAM'S OUTPUT
DirectStream is designed to drive a power amplifier directly, or as another input on a
preamplifier. The outputs of DirectStream are high-performance, high current outputs
that can drive long lengths of interconnect cable without degradation.
Our recommendation is to use DirectStream directly into your power amplifier and
bypass the preamplifier. “There’s no preamplifier like no preamplifier”. Certainly this
is your choice but we believe the fewer pieces of equipment in the chain the better
performance of the system.
DirectStream has two types of analog outputs, balanced XLR or single ended RCA.
We do not recommend using both outputs at the same time
. Be aware that most
amplifiers and preamplifiers will produce 6dB higher level with the balanced outputs
relative to the single ended outputs. If you are using both outputs be advised they will
be at different levels. Our preference for connection to a power amplifier or preamplifier
is through the balanced XLR outputs of DirectStream.
If DirectStream has a gain mismatch with your power amplifier, you can use the
balanced outputs and achieve 6dB more gain or choose the single ended RCA outputs
for lower gain. DirectStream also has two output levels available to users. Go to the
setup menu on the front panel touch screen to select the best output level.
USB
I
2
S input
Connecting the
output
If there's a gain
mismatch
