PS Audio is now shipping its PS Audio PerfectWave DirectStream DAC MK2 (read the review), successor to the acclaimed original version. The DirectStream DAC MK2 incorporates a host of newly-developed PS Audio technologies to deliver a new level of sonic performance in digital audio playback, along with easy setup and the convenience of remote-control operation. Its built-in volume control enables it to function as a digital preamp and be directly connected to a power amplifier.
The DirectStream DAC MK2 employs a FPGA (field-programmable gate array) using PS Audio-designed software, rather than standard off-the-shelf integrated circuits. This FPGA design enables the software to be custom-tailored for the highest level of audio performance, and the software is user-upgradeable to accommodate any potential updates.
The DirectStream DAC MK2 converts all input signals to a high-sample-rate 50-bit version, which is then converted to pure DSD and then to analog. The DIrectStream DAC MK2 accommodates PCM sources up to 705.6 kHz and DSD up to 256. The extreme processing power of the FPGA design has significant sonic benefits, yielding a remarkably natural sound with extraordinary resolution, depth and dynamic impact and complete freedom from digital artifacts. The DIrectStream DAC MK2 is fully balanced from input to output.
The PS Audio DirectStream DAC MK2 eliminates noise and jitter by galvanically isolating every input, output, ground, and power connection. It offers a host of inputs including two I2S, two balanced, coaxial, optical and USB inputs. The DirectStream DAC MK2 also provides balanced and single-ended analog audio outputs. It features an all-new attenuator architecture for maximum signal quality at any volume level, and can be connected directly to a power amplifier or used in conjunction with a preamplifier.
The DirectStream DAC MK2 is easy to set up and use, thanks to its streamlined front panel menu display and full-function remote control, which can also be used to operate other PS Audio components.
Like every PS Audio product, meticulous attention has been paid to parts selection and construction. The PerfectWave DAC Mk2’s elegant design matches other PerfectWave components, and it’s available in silver or black.
The PS Audio PerfectWave DAC MK2 is currently available at a US manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $7,999.
PerfectWave DAC MK2 Features at a Glance:
- Two I2S, two balanced, coaxial, optical and USB inputs
- Exclusive FPGA circuitry offers superior sound quality and user upgradeability
- Balanced and single-ended analog outputs; fully balanced design from input to output
- Accommodates all PCM sources up to 705.6 kHz and DSD up to 256
- Built-in volume control enables use as a preamp
- Galvanically isolated inputs, outputs, and ground and power connections
- Remote control or front-panel operation; remote can be used to operate other PS Audio components
- Plug-and-play with no configuration required
The Audiophile History of PS Audio
PS Audio is one of the more enduring and influential names in American high-end audio. Founded in 1973 by Paul McGowan and Stan Warren, the company began modestly with a focus on delivering high-performance audio components that made meaningful improvements to playback without relying on hype or inaccessible pricing. While the company has had its ups and downs over the decades—including multiple ownership changes and strategic pivots—it has managed to stay relevant by staying focused on innovation, transparency, and sound quality.
The company’s name, “PS,” comes from the initials of its two founders. Their first product was a standalone phono preamp—an affordable, well-engineered design aimed at vinyl lovers looking to improve the signal chain from cartridge to amplifier. At the time, phono stages were often built into receivers or integrated amplifiers and rarely given much design attention. PS Audio’s external solution was an early example of the company’s design philosophy: isolate functions, reduce noise, and give the customer better control over how the signal is handled.
In the 1980s, PS Audio gained attention with its line of preamps and power amplifiers, particularly the Linear Control Centers and the Model Two amplifiers. These products were well-regarded for their sonic neutrality and solid construction, helping the company earn a loyal following among audiophiles who valued performance over prestige. However, internal business challenges and shifting market dynamics eventually led to changes in ownership and direction.
By the 1990s, PS Audio had gone through various transitions. Paul McGowan left the company for a period and worked elsewhere in the consumer electronics industry, including at Genesis Technologies, where he was involved in designing loudspeakers and audio systems with Arnie Nudell (founder of Infinity Systems). In 1997, McGowan reacquired the PS Audio name and re-established the company in Boulder, Colorado, where it remains headquartered today.
The rebooted PS Audio started with a clean slate, and one of its early focus areas was power regeneration. In 1998, the company launched the Power Plant P300, a power regenerator that addressed the variability and distortion of household AC power. Unlike typical power conditioners that simply filter noise, the Power Plant series regenerated a pure sine wave, supplying connected audio components with clean, stable power. This approach helped establish PS Audio as a leader in power products—a niche that it continues to dominate with models like the P15 and P20.
While power products became a major part of the company’s identity, PS Audio didn’t stop there. In the 2000s and 2010s, it expanded its product lineup to include digital-to-analog converters, integrated amplifiers, music servers, and phono stages. The PerfectWave DAC and DirectStream DAC, developed with engineer Ted Smith, became signature products. Smith’s approach to digital conversion—upsampling all input formats to DSD and using FPGA (field-programmable gate array) architecture—allowed for regular firmware updates that meaningfully improved sound over time. This model of hardware that evolves through software updates became a cornerstone of the company’s digital strategy.
PS Audio also took bold steps with its Stellar Series, designed by analog engineer Darren Meyers. These components, including the Stellar Gain Cell DAC, S300 stereo amplifier, and M700 monoblocks, offered high-performance audio at more attainable price points. The hybrid Class A/Class D design used in these amps gained praise for delivering power and control with a more musical, less clinical presentation than many Class D designs of the past.
In addition to hardware, PS Audio has invested in content and community. Paul McGowan has published daily blogs for years, sharing thoughts on audio design, music, and industry trends. The company has also produced videos and even published a print magazine (“Copper”) focused on music and the audiophile experience. This media-first approach has helped build a strong customer base that goes beyond just product buyers—it’s a community of listeners who engage with the brand on a deeper level.
In recent years, PS Audio announced its first loudspeakers, designed in-house with input from both Darren Meyers and the late Arnie Nudell. These speakers represent a full-system approach, allowing the company to control the signal chain from source to output. PS Audio now manufactures many of its products in Boulder, reflecting its ongoing commitment to in-house design, testing, and assembly.
Today, PS Audio remains privately owned and continues to focus on what it considers the fundamentals: clean power, accurate digital conversion, well-voiced amplification, and a direct relationship with its audience. In a market increasingly split between ultra-premium luxury brands and commoditized digital audio products, PS Audio sits in the middle—engineering-forward, customer-focused, and unapologetically audio-first.
