Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

I'm interested as to how the PS DirectStream stacks up.

Mattnshilp, Thank you for your excellent honest opinions and observations. I appreciate them, for they are stated clearly, unbiased and without regard to advertising revenue.

I just downloaded the new DS Firmware update. Pretty impressive with more "air". How do they do that?

Great thread. The only problem is the ODSE is made by one man at his time table.

Basically he takes the money up front.
He told me when I ordered (a different item than the ODSE) that he would build my unit when he has enough orders to make several in a row. When I tried to persuade him to build mine quicker, he said it was summer time and he was not going to be tied to a schedule.

Now Matt you may get special treatment due to this thread, but I didn't.
Just a heads up for you guys that want to part with your $8000.

Steve, Thanks for the reply. My order with you was for the Synchro Mesh that goes for $600.
It took 2 months to get and you wouldn't give me my money back when I wasn't impressed.

Matt,

I posted my actual experience with dealing with Steve. Others may have had different experiences.
Before you crown a winner, I just thought it would be important to note that you are dealing with a one man show subject to any conditions he wants to impose.

APLHIFI, Alex, is another one man show that I have purchased products from. Excellent designer, fantastic products. He always treated me fair with no problems. However, he got sick and way behind on his production.
Some people waited for over a year for his products!
There was an extremely long thread on Audiogon about this.

One should compare that to other companies such as PS Audio that have actual service and customer service departments.

Of course, as I stated earlier these were my actual experiences and YMMV.

Yes, I am a difficult customer. Customer service is extremely important to me. Items should work as advertised and Companies should back there products.

I applaud Matt for doing this comparison and I have no doubt that with his system he is giving an honest evaluation in sound quality.

I will bow out of this thread, for I agree that it is about the Dacs Matt is reviewing and I am sorry if I got it off course.

1200 hours of burn in at least? Come on...

Just for info. PS Audio updated the Firmware on the Direct Stream and it is a very significant audio improvement.

Rhanson739, What other reason would I have???
I have been a long time Audiogonner and "I states it as I hears it", to share my experience with others.