Darko Does a Great High End DAC Comparison - Auralic vs PS Audio

cool. do you use it with or without a preamp between it and the amp?
The current evolution of my system has a Levinson 380s as the Ring master of my system. So all sources feed to the Lev Pre, including the Lumin T2. I have yet to hear a DAC or streamer directly connected to my amp, in my system that satisfies me long term. Sure it may sound decent and even good at first. But in my experience as familiarity kicks in and I start to get past the initial impressions, I usually hear the traits that eventually lead to fatigue. Interestingly, I came to the same place with most passive pre amps I have tried so far as well as CD players with Variable outputs. And my old DSpeaker Antimode 2.0 was horrid as a Pre. The Mytek Brooklyn did not fare much better.
 
I think those little Wilson speakers he was lent is going to mess him up for a while.
I'm going to run out and get a couple fig trees today based on his recommendation.
 
Even though I have the PS Audio DAC and am interested in his opinions, I have found that I just can't watch these.
Agreed. I can skim an article in 30 seconds. Video I have no patience for--there's no need for a video of an audio review. If it's something hands-on, like some of the YouTube channels I follow, the visual component of that is a necessity.

Well, that and I can't stand Darko's videos or writing... 🤣
 
oh - so it appears that darko is far more polarizing than i would have thought (i happen to like him and take note of his opinions). at least he's not another steve guttenberg (sp?). or do people think he is?
 
oh - so it appears that darko is far more polarizing than i would have thought (i happen to like him and take note of his opinions). at least he's not another steve guttenberg (sp?). or do people think he is?
Wait...what? I like Darko and Guttenberg but I don't think they are the same person.
 
I own the PS Audio Directstream DAC and purchased an Aurender Vega G2.1 in 2019. I compared them side by side and sold the Auralic. To my ears and in my system the Directstream DAC sounded better. I use an Aurender N10 as my streamer vs. the Bridge II in the Directstream.
 
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