There are a couple of options for streaming higher-resolution music, ranging from “CD-quality” 16-bit/44.1kHz up to 24-bit/192kHz. This will change when Spotify's delayed HiFi tier launches, though when it comes to resolution and bit rate, Apple Music's 'lossless' feature has Spotify beat. Spotify streams songs at three different rates (~96kbps, ~160kbps and ~320kbps) all in the Ogg Vorbis format, though the highest caliber is limited to paid Premium subscribers. PCM or DSD.Standard-quality Apple Music tracks are 256kbps AAC files, the same format as tracks purchased from iTunes. DoP on all inputs as well as raw DSD on I2S inputs I2S(2), Coax, XLR Balanced, TOSLINK, USB, Network Bridge slot Model specific 100VAC, 120VAC, or 230VAC 50 or 60Hz The ability to eliminate the preamplifier in the system without any resolution loss is a major benefit to DirectStream’s outstanding musical performance. 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.

Resolution perfect volume and balance controlsĭesigner Smith perfected a 100% bit-perfect volume and balance control that’s built into DirectStream, enabling users to control the output level when feeding directly into a power amplifier or preamplifier. Instead, clean, pure music flows from the DirectStream directly to your preamplifier or power amplifier. When you listen to DirectStream you never are accosted by added bright, hard glare in the music as happens with many active designs.

The transformer is specially designed to act as both the galvanic isolation between the DAC and the outside world as well as the primary low pass filter required to present a perfect, low distortion, low noise output signal. 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 DirectStream feeding a high performance passive audio output transformer. DirectStream takes a different approach: passive. Most modern DACs use some form of active tube or solid state output stage to amplify, filter and drive the DACs output. The results of this design can be heard in increased musical information presented to the listener at every opportunity. DirectStream 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. Because they are one-chip systems compromises are made in their architecture that found in DirectStream’s custom based architecture. While these are relatively simple to design and produce, they don’t often give the best results sonically. Most of today’s sophisticated DACs are IC based instruments using off-the-shelf-chips that are Multi-bit Sigma Delta based designs. Pure 100% single bit DSD based D to A Converter This is the experience DirectStream provides its owners who enjoy a renewed sense of enjoyment and discovery when listening to everything in their library: CD’s, downloads, DSD. Imagine going to a recording studio and listening to a master tape of any recording made. This means that your entire library of music can finally reveal all the music and subtle low level details buried deep within its core. DirectStream solves this problem by employing a pure DSD single-bit approach for both PCM as well as DSD media.

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. CD’s, downloads, high-resolution PCM or DSD based media are expertly upsampled in the DirectStream to ten times DSD rate and output as pure analog directly into your amplifier or preamplifier. Hand written, discrete, perfection based conversion that uncovers all the missing information hiding in your digital audio media for all these years. Introducing DirectStream, one of the most remarkable DACS ever built.

Pure music vs bit perfect