Turbotk jkrichards Feb 20 Awesome! When might the new board appear? I basically did all that by hand in my DAC#1 :wink: (plus more). And DAC#2, similar except still a 1 pole supply (but higher voltage, beefed up, etc). BTW I am truly enjoying DAC#3 with your new trafos (thanks!) and just the VOCM mod. I have it direct connected to the amp(s) currently and loving it. Your trafos do sound marvelous. Nice work! I think a large capacity core does help (and of course high nickel as well). gb-70 Mar 4 Last night I installed the Nickel Beeswax transformers in my second DS Sr. They were delivered here in only 10 days. Well packed and double boxed. Just great! Thanks to @jkrichards! After proper burn in I‘m curios how they compare to the Lundahls in DS #1. I will report later. WATChad Mar 8 Loving the tantalum caps over R6 and nickel APS transformers after letting them get situated for a few days. I went with the non-beeswax transformers after discussing with Jeff. For reference, coming from Ted’s Sunlight, FARAD external power for analog, and XS4400s from a few years ago. It was smile inducing right out of the gate. My intuition was similar to most other’s before me here. In general, the bass changed to a fuller and more musical form that closely resembles planar headphones (I’m driving Harbeth 40.2 AE). The delta feels more immediate, and I can see what all the hype has been about. Though I didn’t measure a song before and after upgrades, it feels like I don’t need as much volume now. As a BHK pre owner, I like it to get to 53 to trigger that final click, which might mean lowering the DSD from 92. This will need to be played with and determined. I’ll adjust subs ever so slightly today. Lkdog Mar 8 Am on day one of burn in of the VOCM and APS transformers upgrade on the DS Mk1. Agree the change in bass extension and slam is pretty significant. I have already had to tweak my dual sub setup bass levels and adjust the crossover levels with my monitors. Will probably keep tweaking them. My experience with burn in is the bass especially takes a few days to settle in and settle down and tighten up but there is no question there is a buttload more of it in mostly a good way. Also agree on the overall gain level. It is significant increase at the same suggested 92 DS Mk1 level with my VAC preamp. I did not take specific exact measurements, but the VAC preamp Vol dial is now at 8 o’clock for typical listening volume level (77-80db) and it was previously at around 9 o’ clock for the system to open up. Will report more later. Lkdog Mar 10 Ok have about 50-60 hours of burn in on the DS Mk1 unit with the VOCM and APS Transformer modifications. It is probably about where it is going to be at this point. Bass was a little overwhelming the first 20-30 hours but has tightened up. Short Review There is simply more of everything Longer Review version More gain. More extended and deeper bass. More high end extension More detail More reverb trails More space and air between instruments. No blurring of instruments. More sound stage height, width, and depth More control of the transients- no strain at all. It is effortless. More quiet background More inky black background More natural presentation overall More like live music on good recordings - suspends disbelief type thing. It is really very nice. Highly recommend. I have been in this hobby for decades and I am sure there is better as there always is, and I don’t know what I don’t know, but this thing is a beast. Very happy. As an aside the service and turnaround by @jkrichards was excellent. In a world where people drop stupid money on a power cord and sorbothane absorbers this is an absolute steal. Easily equal to a major core component upgrade. gb-70 Lkdog Mar 11 Very well said, @Lkdog ! So as promised some days ago I will briefly comment on my two DS Sr. for a comparison of the two most common mods. DS#1 is equipped with: Lundahl LL1948 output transformers, parallel mode Nichicon ES Muse Caps (THT) 47 μF over R6 Wima Film Caps 6.8 nF on C704 DS#2 is equipped with: APS Nickel beeswax transformers Vishay 220 µF tantalum caps (SMD) over R6 Both have some moderate 3M AB6005S shielding on relevant chips and are set to a fixed volume of 94. No other mods or differences exist at the time of comparing them. So it is still some apples and oranges comparison because of the differences in the VOCM mod, but I am no professional reviewer. Just searching for my favourite DS for the next years to be happy with. And, guess what, I found it! I will not repeat all the descriptions of the obvious benefits of these modifications. The topic is discussed over and over again. So here are just my subjective perceptions. #1 gave a bigger „Wow“-moment right after plugging in some month ago. #2 was much more reluctant in the first hours. So a proper 200 hrs burn in was absolutely mandatory for #2, much more than for #1. Don‘t know if it were the transformers or the caps, it just took some longer time for #2 to settle. The most appealing characteristics of #2 is the ease of its whole presentation. When #1 is sometimes a little too nitpicking especially in soundstaging, #2 keeps all instruments in a more natural order and size(!). The first vocabulary that came to mind was „coherence“. Everything has its place. And there is really a place for everything. No matter what kind of music or file type you play. So many details perfectly embedded in a realistic ambience, but never harsh or fatiguing. Just well tempered and balanced. Both perform better than I ever expected, but #2 is really always a little bit ahead of #1. Sometimes I hear slight advantages for #2 also in terms of timbre, but here they are really, really close. Even a stock DS is absolutely my taste in this respect. The even more realistic deep end of #2 is another obvious improvement. Don‘t know again if it is the caps or transformers, but texture and dimension of drums and bass is a little more on point on #2 as it is with #1. It is fast and never anemic. Just the right portion of good slam. To sum up: #1 sometimes shows some more unpolished, teenage manners, whereas #2 is more refined, mature and just more authentic. You know, I‘m exaggerating immensly. For me, #2 is the way to go, no doubt. I really appreciate @jkrichards professional work and knowledge. So great! Lkdog Mar 11 I know everybody says this, but it does seem more valid now… My non HI Rez music is more enjoyable now. I may actually start to use my OPPO universal player more for redbook CDs again and stream lower rez recordings more. audiojan Mar 15 I had @jkrichards install his new transformers and do the vcom mod at the same time. Already have his power board installed in my Mk1. Going from the XS4400’s to the new transformers, I wasn’t expecting night and day difference, maybe slight improvement in details, a bit more space; basically incremental changes. Was I ever in a for a surprise!!! These transformers (and the vcom) made a very noticeable difference. MUCH more space, especially depth and extremely analog (not that the DSS is very “digital” sound to start with). I see NO reason to upgrade to the MK2 at this point. The upgrades already done to the Mk1 takes it to such high level that I’m not too certain that it could get much better. :slight_smile: audiojan Mar 24 You will be incredibly happy with the end result! I had @jkrichards modify my DSS with the XS4400’s and I thought the result was spectacular. Sent it back and had him upgrade it with his APS transformers and do the vcom mod and I’m blown away how big of a difference that made! I can’t see any reason to upgrade to the DSS2 any time soon jpb6061 Mar 27 You will be gobsmacked! I’m so pleased that jkrichards has developed and made available these upgrades which IMHO are truly world-class! (he did my mods) JB paul56 Mar 31 My DSD MK1 is back from having APS transformers , VOCM mod and APS external power board fitted WOW , anyone thinking about going down this path I highly recommend it . Its only got a fews hours run-in on it but I can already hear how deeper , tighter and faster the Bass is . The sibilance that I heard on some songs is gone . I have a wall of sound . A big thanks to @jkrichards for making the parts available ,@tedsmith for all his contributions on this forum and of course to all the other people who have contributed to the mods . While the top was off I noticed that one of the heat sinks seems to have discoloured compared to the other 3 next to it . It seems to run hotter than the others so I guess that may be the cause . Is this something of concern . richp Apr 3 So… I am in the fortunate position to be able to compare a bone-stock MK1 vs a jkrichards modded MK1 (Transformers + VOCM). I purchased the latter from jkrichards, which he had already modified. For the tests, both DACs were left on for 2 hours for some warm up. Both powered from a PS Audio P3 generator. RCA outputs to 2 inputs on the preamp. Both fed from an Innuos Zen3 mini via coax (which I had to swap between the DACs for testing). Before getting into listening, I used a dB meter and pink noise to mark on the preamp the volume settings as the modded DAC has a bit more gain and I didn’t want that interfering my impressions. I also decided that using the pre was better then attenuating the output on the DAC; the Preamp we make here uses a TVC so it is very consistent across the volume range. Usually comparing components, the difference in character immediately makes certain things stand out and may throw off more objective listening and critique. It’s not the case here because the character, tonal balance is almost the same. The “house sound” is pretty similar… so if you like the PS Audio DAC sonic signature, you won’t be thrown in a different direction here. So… the sound. It is just simply, consistently, better. The separation in the mix of instruments and voices is improved. Definitely a bit more prat. Sightly more airy without being turned up. As others have mentioned, the bass is definitely improved in terms of control and tonality (I personally find real tone in bass difficult to achieve and this mod delivers the goods) The whole sound is more refined, more controlled, without getting dry or astringent… nor did it get lush and colored in the process. Definitely a worthy upgrade and really a no-brainer if you like your Directstream but want more of that same goodness. It’s a Directstream living its best life… as the kids say. Now to pack this puppy up for AXPONA. Lkdog Apr 12 OK, I think I have the whole enchilada going now. APS Nickel transformers VOCM mod USB shorting plug HDMI shorting plug Have an aftermarket fuse. Just picked up a used @jkrichards External power controller board from a fellow forum member and I installed it tonight.(Installed easily and well designed). Got a Zerozone external LPS. (Build quality looks great by the way) Made up the correct umbilical cord cable termination ends. It all powers up as it should. LOL. I can’t listen to music as everybody is asleep right now. The APS transformers/VOCM mod upgrade is well described. It is killer. Have had that burning in off and on a couple weeks now. Stupid question- what exactly does the External LPS for the DSD analog board do for overall sound in people’s experience? Will be able to listen tomorrow.:rofl: Lkdog Apr 12 Well, have it fired up this morning and it all works flawlessly. As for the sound- it was already excellent. The black background and purity of sound is ridiculous. Overall the control that this modded DAC has over whatever source material you feed it is really impressive. It never strains. Thanks to all for the creativity in figuring out all of these mods over the past couple years to an already very good DAC. dvorak Apr 18 Finally got my DAC back from the technician with XS4400 transformers upgraded to APS, all R5 and R6 replaced with thin film equivalents and R6 paralleled with an extra 47uF to stabilise Vocm. While I’m sure there’s going to be some burn-in time before it settles in there are some immediately discernible improvements. The DAC volume control remains fixed at 92 like it was before. With the transformer change the output level is higher so I have to use different positions on the pre-amp’s potentiometer volume control to get the same volume. I don’t think that impacts these observations though. First, the noise floor is obviously lower. In the opening verse of Dire Straits’ song Brothers in Arms, there is an almost-muted high hat gently marking selected off-beats. I think I discovered this via headphone listening some years prior to getting this DAC and the DS has always struggled to extract that detail through my speakers. Not any more, it’s plain as day once you turn the volume up high enough. There’s a similar story in the bass but it comes across as grip and control rather than “detail” or a lower noise floor. In the silent bar right before the 2 minute mark in Angus and Julia Stone’s Yellow Brick Road, there’s a very low level kick drum pacing out beats 2, 3, 4. This is another detail I haven’t heard from my system in years but here it is just like I recall having discovered on some other setup I can’t recall. But the bass overall is just so much better. It isn’t louder but it’s stronger and deeper and better timed. The pulsing bass in Jewel’s What’s Simple Is True is finally rhythmic. Groove Armada’s Suntoucher drops into the abyss but no longer disappears. Piano Black on the first disc of the Cowboy Beebop OST now has clear bass notes on every beat of every bar instead of just most of them. Along with the extension and timing comes more harmonic structure down low, like in dense piano chords. And plucked double-basses have never had so much presence in the room – feel the air compress around you when the bassist aggressively mutes their instrument on the 2nd count of every 4 in Umi Yushida’s version of This Masquerade. Thanks yet again to Ted, and JKRichards and son for the chance to enjoy continued improvement on this DAC over such a long period. This should keep me satisfied for a few years until a MkII with APS transformers eventually seduces me. MK2 verendus 2 posts 08-14-2023 at 11:22am For those who own MK1, the APS/VOCM mod is really a better bang for the buck. Comparing the unmodified MKII with the modded MK1, I can concur that the latter sounded better than the former. The MK1 although is getting old, is a mature product with a pretty stable firmware. gme109 43 posts 05-21-2023 at 02:46pm This DAC upgrade is insanely good. I initially let it burn-in non-stop via the USB stick on the PST, for 200 hrs, but the sound has continued to improve under normal use. The soundstage is rock solid with vocals and instruments clearly defined and focused. The soundstage has also expanded in all directions, creating more separation and air around the performers. And the bass, OMG the bass, is crazy good. Tight, punchy, and incredibly rhythmic. This is a component level upgrade, without the price tag. straightwire Regular July 18 I’ve been cooking Jeff’s nickel transformers for about two weeks in my MK2 and now and they seem to be settled in. Jeff was kind enough to scrape together enough nickel plates between father and son and get a pair assembled prior to his overdue shipment. I had Jeff do the install, and it came back in quick fashion with an AP performance plot as well. As for the sound, I can easily say it is another veil lifted in my system. There is no fanfare, or chasing of the vagaries like in an expensive fuse. This mod stays true to the script. It doesn’t change the character of the MK2, it enhances it. Thinks are a little quieter, and at the same time more dynamic. I have set my preamp one notch lower, yet perceive the same volume. Bass is a tad tighter and deeper as well. What it did for imaging was the biggest “wow” in my system. Instruments are more in focus, in a more defined space. So, I like the APS transformers and feel the hassle and expense more than justified. It’s another step closer to making digital sound, well, less “digital”. If you make the plunge, be sure to put 200 hrs. plus on them to smooth them out. gme109 43 posts 04-27-2023 at 11:08am Placed the newly upgraded PS Audio DSD MKI DAC, which I sent to JK Richards to do the mods, into my system at around 6 pm yesterday evening after the system had been unplugged for two weeks and was pleasantly surprised how good the music flowing from it sounded. Normally my system remains turned on and in standby at all times, but even then, it takes at least 30 minutes to an hour of playing music before the sound really starts to gel to the point where I get lost in the music. Yesterday I was held captive immediately and remained affixed in my listening chair for 4 hours straight as I went through my music collection as if hearing these silver discs for the first time. The PS Audio MKI DAC was no slouch to start with, and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to music through it, but it’s an entirely new and more refined DAC now. The top end is more detailed while also sounding smoother and more delicate. Cymbals have more shimmer and sparkle, and their presence lingers longer as the sound decays into a blacker background. The midrange and vocals sound absolutely stunning and to die for! Again the lower noise floor reveals subtle inflections in the vocals that were previously obscured, further suspending my disbelief. The bass now digs deeper and is more controlled and articulate. The foundation of the music has more drive and bass lines are easy to follow now. I also noticed I don’t need to listen as loud in order to get the bass to come alive and really boogie. Before when listening at lower levels the bass never really had the presence and punch it did when turned up louder. Now even at much lower levels everything including the bass sounds prefectly balanced. I can say without hesitation, this is the best bang for the buck upgrade I’ve ever made. lkdog 417 posts 04-27-2023 at 11:14am Agree with above post as it is almost exactly how I would describe the upgrade. I can attest to the massive enhancement of the DSD Mk1 after the APS transformers, VOCM mod, and I2s input shorting plug on unused input. I had @richardselectronics do the work on the unit. Quick turnaround. Huge soundstage, and control with detail and presence. The Bass response is deep and defined. If you have a DSD1, this is a no brainer. It is then an endgame DAC. I have had a lot of separate DACs and high end source units with modded DACs from a lot of the usual vendors here in last 20 years. All good, but this is another level totally for the price people blow on cables here. kcleveland123 9d Just received and installed JK Richards’ most excellent APS nickel core audio transformers in the Mk1 DAC. Very initial impressions are extremely positive. Have listened to two very familiar Lyle Lovett cuts so more to come later today and this weekend, but I’m really liking what I hear so far. Also, @jkrichards tip to buy some kind of proper de-soldering station is brilliant. It took me about 5 minutes to remove both Edcor XS4400 transformers and another 10 minutes to solder in the new APS units. DAC powered right up and worked the first time. Yay! APS DAC Xformers Update: Thanks to JK Richards for pointing out the need for the Vocm upgrade as part of the nickel transformer swap. Bought a magnifying lamp and discovered I can still handle surface mount parts without too much fuss. Just finished this and playing some more classic Lyle Lovett. Man this DAC is getting absurdly great. kcleveland123 1d Yessir. The sound is simply magnificent. Hard to describe the combination of both ease and articulation. Back to that proper place of just enjoying loads of music. A good sign for sure. My audiophile goal in general is to elevate both my digital and analog front ends to be equal but different. So far so great. GeorgeAb 13h Just received my DAC after the Vocm and APS xformer mod. Read the reviews on this thread and expected an improvement; however, I’ve heard it before and am a tad jaded. I expected a subtle improvement. Whenever, I make a change the first things I put on is the Stereophile Vol 2 Test Cd to verify I didn’t swap channels and phase. As I listen to “The Fender Bass Guitar you are about to hear should appear to come from the left……”, I’m like OMG! The low end authority and inner detail was so obvious. The out of phase test throws an image to the front and right of the right speaker for some reason. This time it is farther forward and to the right and chiseled in granite. Wow, this is really good. A few folks mentioned more bass. I was a tad concerned as it occurred that the software may have been tweaked to make up for the original xformers and with the APG xformers it may be an issue. I thought not a biggie as I can correct. Well after only sitting with this for an hour not on board with the more bass statements. Authority, control, articulation of the low end; yes, absolutely concur, but not larger amplitude. When I get around to doing Room EQ Wizard (REW) sweeps I do not expect to see more bass. So freaking happy. To put this in perspective, IMO this was a bigger upgrade by a wide margin than when I went from Perfectwave MK2 to the DS DAC (aside from going from edge to buttery smooth) from a perspective of detail, soundstage, chiseling of instuments within soundstage, tight grip on low end. Really happy. Thanks Jeff! gme109 43 posts 05-14-2023 at 03:36pm Can't give you a break down of the percentages of each mod, as I had Jeff install both mods for me. But I would estimate the percentage of both mods combined is easily a 50% improvement, but in terms of musical involvement and enjoyment, there's a night and day difference. Every parameter of the sound has improved. Considering the cost of the upgrades, even if you pay Jeff or someone else to install the mods, is a no brainer.