The DirectStream DAC is our reference standard D to A converter. It is unlike any standard chip-based DAC, and has received countless awards, worldwide.

DirectStream is one of the most remarkable DACS ever built as all the major reviewers agree. Hand written, discrete, perfection based conversion that uncovers all the missing information hiding in your digital audio media. CD's, streaming audio, high-resolution PCM or DSD based media are expertly upsampled in the DirectStream 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. It is the first choice of thousands of critical listeners worldwide, and with its ability to accept our free Operating System upgrades, will never become obsolete.

Design

DirectStream converts every input signal, both PCM and DSD, to single-bit, high sample rate 20X DSD signal. Use of a FPGA rather than an off the shelf DAC chip provides immense processing power, resulting in complete lack of digital glare, and allows the owner to download OS updates as they are released.

Application

DirectStream is the heart of a reference quality digital audio based system. It handles all PCM sources up to 352.8 kHz, and DSD 64 and 128 (USB and I2S) and DSD256 (I2S only, with the Sunlight OS). Its zero-loss digital volume control allows it to be used as a preamplifier, directly feeding a power amp. Include the Network Bridge to stream Qobuz, Tidal, and Spotify. Roon ready.

Technology

Class A+ Stereophile rated DirectStream DAC converts any digital input format from CDs, servers, and streamers, into a pure DSD format and outputs near-perfect analog directly to your power amplifier or preamplifier. Whatever the format, sample rate, or the medium, DirectStream provides a pure output that fulfills the promise of high-resolution analog performance from digital sources. DirectStream is the work of digital audio genius, Ted Smith. Unlike conventional DACs that rely upon off the shelf DAC chips, DirectStream is hand written onto a FPGA (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. Every six months or so, Ted Smith's continual research into digital audio reproduction nets another breakthrough in performance. DirectStream DAC owners are given it free in the form of a downloadable upgrade. In this way, DirectStream owners can be assured that their unit will continue to improve over time, and never become obsolete. 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 Conversion

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 takes a different approach by first converting all 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. DirectStream 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 DirectStream you never are accosted by added bright, hard glare in the music as happens with many active designs. Instead, clean, pure music flows from the DirectStream 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. DirectStream 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 transformer is specially designed to act as both the 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's zero-loss volume control. Designer Smith perfected a 100% bit-perfect volume and balance control that's built into DirectStream, 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's outstanding musical performance. Imagine going to a recording studio and listening to a master tape of any recording made. This is the experience DirectStream provides its owners who enjoy a renewed sense of enjoyment and discovery when listening to everything in their library: CD's, downloads, DSD.

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
• Direct signal pass with 1x master clock
• Handwritten filters, processors, samplers
• 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
• MQA + tidal ready with optional bridge II
• Fully balanced from input to output
• Color touch screen

Specifications:

• Digital audio inputs: I2S(2), Coax, XLR Balanced, TOSLINK, USB, Network Bridge slot
• Sample Rates
• I2S, and USB - 44.1kHz to 352.8kHz 16bit, 24bit, DSD 64, DSD 128 (I2S DSD 256 with Sunlight update)
• TOSLINK-44.1kHz to 96kHz 16bit, 24bit
• XLR (AES/EBU)S/PDIF (coax)– 44.1kHz to 192kHz 16bit, 24bit, DSD 64

Physical:

• Unit Weight: 22 lbs [9.97 kg]
• Unit Dimensions: 14" x 17" x 4" [ 36cm x 43cm x 10cm]

Power Requirements:

• Input Power: Model specific 100VAC, 120VAC, or 230VAC 50 or 60Hz
• Power Consumption: 30W

Analog Audio Output:

• Connector: RCA/XLR Unbalanced /Balanced (X2)
• Output level, low
• 0.282 VRMS Balanced
• 0.141 VRMS Single Ended
• Output level high, maximum
• 2.818 VRMS Balanced
• 1.414 VRMS Single Ended
• Output Impedance: 100Ω/200Ω
• Frequency Response: 20-20KHz +/- 0.25dB
• THD&IM @ 1KHz (full scale): <0.03%
• 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
• 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: 170MHz
• Signal Processing: 50MHz
• Synchronous Upsampling, all inputs: 28.224MHz
• Digital Processing S/N ration: >146 dB
• Digital Volume Control: Zero loss of precision
• Analog Conversion method: Delta Sigma (DSD) Single-bit double rate

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 or DoP v1.1 (DSD over PCM)
• Transfer mode: Asynchronous