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PS AUDIO DirectStream Junior
DAC
BRAND NEW - UNOPENED - WARRANTY
The
item is coming with the power cable, provided with "Schuko" plug. Using
a regular and inexpensive adapter, this technology allows the DAC to be
used in the UK, in order to plug the "Schuko" to your wall socket. It
is important to consider that the item cable can be plugged and
interchangeable from outside (like the same that you use for your
computer). You can safely use the item by plugging a cable suitable for
the English electricity network.
Pure DSD done right Introducing
DirectStream Junior (DSJ), a world class DAC based on the architecture
of the Stereophile and Absolute Sound’s Product Of The Year,
DirectStream. DSJ uses the same FPGA architecture and customized
code as PS Audio’s DirectStream DAC, and it is designed and built by
the exact same team. The idea behind the DSJ was to offer
near-identical performance at a fraction of the cost. How was this
accomplished? Lower cost chassis and user interface. DSJ, like
DirectStream, is hand-written, discrete, perfection based conversion
that uncovers all the missing information hiding in your digital audio
media for all these years. CD’s, downloads, high-resolution PCM or DSD
based media are expertly upsampled in the DSJ to ten times DSD rate and
output as pure analog directly into your amplifier or preamplifier.
Classic PCM-based DACS, including many of today’s DACS that can also
process DSD, tend to cover up some of the subtle musical details buried
deep within digital audio music; a problem inherent in their
architecture. DSJ solves this problem by employing a pure DSD
single-bit approach for both PCM as well as DSD media. This means that
your entire library of music can finally reveal all the music and
subtle low level details buried deep within its core – and now, at a
more affordable price than its progenitor, DirectStream. Imagine
going to a recording studio and listening to a master tape of any
recording made. This is the experience DSJ affords its owners who enjoy
a renewed sense of enjoyment and discovery when listening to everything
in their library: CD’s, downloads, DSD. The start of the 30-year war In
1981, music was reproduced exclusively on analog-based turntables and
tape decks with limited dynamic range. Despite the very listenable
music coming through those grooves, the audio world wanted more:
greater dynamic range, lower noise, extended frequency response. No
wonder that when, in 1982, Sony and Philips announced they had achieved
“Perfect Sound Forever,” music lovers around the world waited in eager
anticipation of analog’s promise finally fulfilled. Unfortunately those
early CD’s sounded less musical than analog. In some cases, much worse.
The launch of the PCM-based Compact Disc would set in motion a 30-year
war amongst Audiophiles, decimate the analog format, cover up subtle
musical details for decades and turn the music and audio industries
upside down–and not necessarily in a good way. There had to be a better
way to fulfill the promise of analog’s century of dominance for
sounding like music and PCM would not be it. That answer is DSD. Fundamentally better The
poor results of the first CD’s might not have been a problem if Sony
and Philips had waited another decade, passing over the classic PCM
delivery system in favor of PDM (DSD). The problem is the PCM decoding
process itself: whether a classic ladder-DAC or more modern multi-bit
Sigma-Delta type, most PCM playback processors mask some of the subtle
cues in music. Fortunately music’s details have been more faithfully
recorded than we ever suspected, but the cover-up of those recorded
details has been with us for more than 30 years. Happily, the missing
musical information is still buried deep within our audio
libraries–waiting to be revealed. In order to extract everything hidden
in PCM recordings, a completely new processing method is needed. Pure DSD is the answer Put
DSD into DSJ, you get DSD. Put PCM (how CD’s are recorded) into DSJ,
you get DSD. DSJ converts all digital inputs, including PCM, to pure
1-bit DSD, in an elegantly-simple path. In the process, the PCM feed
becomes more linear, less edgy, and never-before-heard musical details
are released from all digital audio recordings. Millions of CDs and
high-resolution downloads worldwide will gain new life, and be saved
from obsolescence. A better format DSD is a high sample
rate single-bit format while PCM is a lower sample rate many-bit
format. DSD sample rates are 64 times higher than those used to create
CDs and the output of a DSD stream can be placed through a simple
filter to produce pure analog ready to feed your audio system. PCM, on
the other hand, can produce great sounding music but to do so requires
a very complex and technically daunting conversion process to produce
something you can play on your system. Sometimes the simplest path is
the best sounding one. DSD is a far more analog-like encoding and
decoding process than classic PCM. In fact, most modern A/D converters
(used to make the recordings) are Sigma Delta based already and that
movement is growing. There are millions of PCM based recordings that
will be in our libraries for years to come, but with the introduction
of DSJ, you no longer need listen to them with a PCM based processor. Converting PCM to DSD Converting
PCM to DSD can be an easy exercise using any number of computer
software programs. Converting PCM to DSD properly, and in such a way as
to reveal missing details in the music, is a serious technical
challenge. To handle this properly DSJ utilizes 66-bit fixed-point FIR
filters, eliminates headroom issues common to PCM, flattens noise
response in the 20-100kHz region, uses coefficients optimized for best
sound rather than faster processing speed and optimizes
hardware-specific operations not possible in software. Unlike other
processors available today, DSJ unifies all inputs (PCM or DSD) at 10x
DSD, then uses a true single-bit double-rate DSD core engine. True DSD
core engines (compared to the standard multibit Sigma-Delta converters
followed by random lower quality multibit converters) offer advantages
in simplicity, linearity, and in analog-like overload characteristics
that avoid PCM’s hard clipping potential and a PCM processor’s
propensity to mask subtle details. Pure 100% single bit DSD based D to A Converter Most
of today’s sophisticated DACs are IC based instruments using
off-the-shelf-chips that are Multi-bit Sigma Delta based designs. While
these are relatively simple to design and produce, they don’t often
give the best results sonically. Because they are one-chip systems
compromises are made in their architecture that are not found in DSJ’s
custom based architecture. DSJ 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. Passive/active output stage Most
modern DACs use some form of active tube or solid state output stage to
amplify, filter and drive the DACs output. DSJ takes a different
approach: passive filtering with high-speed, high current analog
buffering. 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 for the single-bit, double DSD output of DSJ.
When you listen to DirectStream you never are accosted by added bright,
hard glare in the music as happens with many op-amp based designs.
Instead, clean, pure music flows from DSJ directly to your preamplifier
or power amplifier. Resolution perfect volume and balance controls Designer
Smith perfected a 100% bit-perfect volume and balance control that’s
built into DSJ, enabling users to control the output level when feeding
directly into a power amplifier or preamplifier. That the volume
control is completely bit-perfect means there is no loss of resolution
for any volume setting, a feature unique amongst the majority of DACS
in the world today. The ability to eliminate the preamplifier in the
system without any resolution loss is a major benefit to DSJ’s
outstanding musical performance. Simple, direct signal path with only one master clock Typical
high-end DAC designs use more than one master clock. There are often
separate clocks for USB, Audio and others, causing challenges for
system designers trying to synchronize the clocks. DirectStream
obviates the problem by basing the entire design on one master clock of
extraordinary high quality. Used is a low phase noise, low jitter clock
designed for DSJ by Crystek. Using this advanced approach the need for
synchronization is eliminated, jitter levels are reduced and music is
delivered with a clarity rarely heard. High immunity to jitter from sources Sources
have always had a major impact on sound quality with DACS. Transports,
computers, CD players, cables all make a significant impact on
performance into a typical DAC. This problem has been significantly
reduced with DSJ. Now, for perhaps the first time, sources of just
about any quality and jitter level sound nearly identical. For example,
you can take a cheap $30 DVD or CD player’s digital output, connect
with DSJ and have sound quality unthinkable for such a poor source.
Performance levels no longer are as dependent on the quality of source
or connections; certainly not to the degree they have been in the past.
Yes, cables and sources still make a difference, but with DSJ that
difference is significantly reduced. Asynchronous high speed USB and Network access DSJ
can match up to either a computer or a home network. If a network
connection is desired, DSJ comes equipped with our latest network card,
Bridge II. Connect to a NAS or computer with ease, and control your
music with an iPad, iPhone, or Android device. You can also connect
directly to your computer via USB. USB communication, if handled
properly, can have every sound quality advantage of a dedicated CD
transport or Network Bridge. DSJ provides a fully synchronous 24 bit
192kHz path for USB based audio, supporting up to 32 bit 192kHz, and
single as well as double rate DSD. Using a good quality USB cable
between DSJ and your computer, like a quiet MAC Mini, provides an
instant media server that can be controlled through any number of
handheld devices like an iPod, iPhone or Android using a 3d party
controller program. Your music can be managed by iTunes, Bit Perfect,
Pure Music or Ammara for ease of use. Polarity inversion A
handy feature on DSJ is the polarity (phase) control. This remote
control option allows users to select normal or inverted polarity for
every input and for every performance. Sources and music have no
standard for absolute polarity, a fact easily demonstrated by switching
polarities on the as the music plays. Many Audiophiles mark their discs
in polarity and out of polarity and are very careful to select the
proper polarity before playing each disc. Some CD players and sources
themselves invert polarity so that a disc you believe is inverted
actually is correct played on a specific device and incorrect on yet
another. To fix this problem you can assign each input on DSJ to switch
to the proper polarity when you activate that input, through the menu
system. Activating this control is the same thing as reversing the
loudspeaker connections of both loudspeakers (+ to -) at either the
amplifier or speakers. All live acoustic music is in absolute polarity
but some recordings may accidentally be made inverted and should sound
more realistic when you correct their phase with the switch. Play directly into your power amplifier or preamplifier DSJ
offers the ability to play directly into either your preamplifier or
power amplifier through either its balanced or single ended outputs.
You can select the optimum gain setting through DSJ’s setup menu, or
from the remote control, to match your amplifier and loudspeaker’s
sensitivity. If you choose to go through a preamplifier, it’s easy to
set DSJ at maximum level (or any level you wish) to match the preamp’s
gain. DSJ’s unique zero-loss volume control maintains full resolution
bit-perfect performance at any volume setting from the lowest to the
highest levels. Hear more than you ever imagined from CDs DSJ
converts everything to DSD, even PCM before delivering the music to
your system. This approach, coupled with careful design, low jitter and
a simple and direct signal path has the benefit of uncovering details
buried in the music you may not have realized are even there. CDs come
alive with subtle details that were never apparent with your older DAC;
details you never knew even existed. CDs sound more like high
resolution audio than you imagined, closing the gap between higher
resolution PCM and DSD copies. No longer do you need to consider
replacing your CD library because once you hear what’s truly on your
discs, you may not need to upgrade to a higher resolution copy at all.
Yes, it is that obvious and significant. DirectStream is the
culmination of one man’s quest for perfection, coupled with one
company’s search for the same. Principal designer Ted Smith put more
than seven years of work into designing what turned out to be one of
the most highly acclaimed Digital To Analog Converters yet made. DirectStream
doesn’t fit into every budget and, following its launch, an intense
design effort was formed to explore how a lower cost version of the
unit’s FPGA based architecture could be realized. The first
steps in J’s design process involved reducing the manufacturing costs
of the PerfectWave chassis. DirectStream’s PerfectWave chassis is
assembled from a combination of castings, extrusions, machined parts,
laser cut plates, and finished with a hand painted and polished piano
black top cover. Add a touch screen to the many machined chassis parts,
and the design group’s first decisions were fairly straightforward.
DirectStream’s touch screen was replaced by a lower cost OLED display
and haptic feedback volume control. Instead of multiple piece
assemblies, J’s chassis is constructed out of aluminum extrusions that
are less complicated to assemble. Instead of a hand-painted and
polished HDF top cover, as found on DirectStream, J sports a beautiful
gloss black Plexiglas cover that looks nearly identical to
DirectStream’s, mounted to a metal substrate. Our core design
requirement was to employ the identical engine of DirectStream into J.
Both DirectStream and J are based on the same Spartan 6 FPGA (Field
Programmable Gate Array) and the same basic operating system developed
over many years by designer Smith. Where the two differ is in the PCB,
power supply and output stages. DirectStream uses multiple printed
circuit boards: a separate digital, analog and Bridge/power supply
board, where J has everything on one PCB. DirectStream has several
power transformers and multiple regulators, J relies on one power
transformer and the same number of voltage regulators. The output stage
of DirectStream incorporates high-speed, high-current analog video
amplifiers driving a specially designed audio output transformer, while
J uses similar, passively filtered amplifiers driving the output
directly, without an audio output transformer. Two years of work
with PS Engineering, hundreds of hours in the listening room by
designer Smith, PS Audio CEO Paul McGowan, and Arnie Nudell (founder of
Infinity Loudspeakers), coupled with many more hours of tweaking,
tuning and care, resulted in DSJ exceeding our best expectations. DSJ
is one of the finest audio instrument in the world today. That it
includes a built-in Bridge II and is far more affordable than its
progenitor, DirectStream, turns out to be a source of pride for the
entire engineering team. DSJ is built in the United
States by hand. Local manufacturers use sophisticated PCB building
machines to populate and test the multi-layer board used in DSJ. It
takes a number of companies and a lot of skill and equipment to build
something this elegant and affordable. From high tech x-ray technology
to place the FPGA IC on the board, to automated pick and place machines
adding parts in just the right spots, DSJ’s circuitry is built, tested
and delivered to our Boulder Colorado facility by handpicked US
vendors. The chassis of DirectStream is a metal sculpture that is by
far the best we’ve ever built. A combination of aluminum and steel,
DirectStream weighs in at 20 pounds of elegance and beauty. There is a
measure of pride of workmanship that goes into every one of these
PerfectWave products and it shows from the moment you open the unit up
and plug it in. This is one gorgeous piece of equipment and just
the beginning of the most beautiful natural sounding audio equipment
you have ever had the privilege to own. Physical Unit Weight 18 lbs [8.1 kg] Unit Dimensions 14” x 17” x 2.75” [ 36cm x 43cm x 6.98cm] Shipping Weight 27 lbs [12.25 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 30W Digtial audio inputs I²S, Coax, XLR Balanced, TOSLINK, USB, Ethernet Sample Rates I²S,S/PDIF, and USB -- 44.1kHz to 352.8kHz 16bit, 24bit, DSD 64, DSD 128 TOSLINK – 44.1kHz to 96kHz 16bit, 24bit Analog Audio Output Connector RCA/XLR Unbalanced /Balanced (X2) Output level, low 1.41 Vrms(+5BV)/3.15 Output level high, maximum 2.81 Vrms (+8dBV)/5.3 Vrms (+12dBV) Output Impedance 100Ω/200Ω Frequency Response 20-20KHz +/- 0.25dB THD+N @ 1KHz (full scale) <0.03% Output Stage Active 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 on all inputs as well as raw DSD on I²S 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
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