Bill Leebens

The original programming was done specifically for our application, and the ASIC was cloned from that. May I ask why you ask this?

Our new transport, the DirectStream Memory Player, will output raw DSD via a secure I2S connection to our DirectStream and DSJ DACs. You can see and hear it at RMAF; we'll be in room 1107 (top floor of the Tower, directly across from the elevator). The new Memory Player will be used in a system with our DirectStream DAC, BHK Signature preamp, BHK Signature 300 mono amps, and Scaena loudspeakers. As always, multiple P10 Power Plants will supply clean AC for the system. See you at the show!

Angelo, I was going to post the official PS Audio answer, but Orgel pretty well covered everything! The only thing I'd add is that here could problems indexing the whole NAS in one go--- there's a post on a Plex forum regarding a 20TB library, and the poster said that it took 72 hours to initially index his files. Be advised that there could be indexing errors if you try to have Roon index the entire library in one go. Beyond that---enjoy! Cheers, Bill

Well, it certainly should be! BTW, we will be showing the new DirectStream Transport at RMAF. It will output native DSD from SACDs to DirectStream, DSJ and late-production NuWave DSD DACS> FYI. ;->

LANRover is built for us, to our spec. We thought it was pointless to try and reinvent the wheel, and went to a leader in the field who has already spent millions in development. Please note: this is NOT an off-the-shelf unit. It is built to our spec, utilizing a number of changes designed to improve audio performance. That's all I'm going to say right now. When we approach release, we'll bring out more details and full application notes. Capiche? Bill Leebens

I appreciate that. Tell your friends!

I appreciate the support, guys. It ain't easy! Cheers, Bill

Bridge 2 does gapless, quite nicely.

Got it, thanks. I think I did it. ;->

My understanding was that I had to reach a certain level of seniority or something, in order to get the sig. I am admittedly an impatient soul, so if I bypassed something, I apologize.

I was about to say....Jeez, 43 years in the biz, leading-edge designs in digital audio, power regeneration and amps, a bunch of patents...and that's your take-away? DirectStream is the daily-use DAC for a number of recording and mastering engineers, and the reference unit for editors and reviewers worldwide. Reviewers have given DS DAC of the Year and Digital Product of the Year awards from every major mag, and it was positively reviewed right here on CA. All those folks are gullible, too? If you've got an issue, let's hear it. Right now you come across as just another snarky guy on the net.

Yup. That's a good set-up, and Accuphase has a transport/DAC pair that will do it as well. Last time I checked, the Meitner set-up ran about $22,000 for the pair, and the Accuphase gear was even more. Let's just say DirectStream paired with the DirectStream Transport will be less. A lot less. ;->

Absolutely. As stated in the press-release, while Junior does possess the basic character of DS, ultimately, DS has more detail, sense of space, and so on.

The simplest way to answer that is to quote our press-release, which details how DS and DSJ are the same---and how they're different: Following the success of DirectStream, designer Ted Smith was given a challenging design brief for a new model: same basic architecture as DS in a smaller,PerfectWave-style chassis, built-in network bridge, and performance at least 80% that of the original. As usual, Ted did all we asked, and then some. All it took was two years of work. By simplifying the power supply, output circuitry, display and user-interface, we've managed to produce a unit with 85%---not 80%--- of the detailed, natural sound that has made DirectStream a reference standard for reviewers and recording engineers worldwide...and even included our Bridge II, while we were at it. All for $3,999, a full 41% less than the cost of DirectStream including Bridge II. Both use identical FPGA architecture Both upsample all inputs to 10X DSD rate Both can be upgraded by downloading new firmware (DS uses SD cards; Junior, USB sticks) Both will have firmware updates released simultaneously The question most will ask regarding DirectStream Junior is, "But how does it sound?" Junior possesses the DS's basic character: full,rich,warm, never electronic or "digital". Both models make the most of standard Red Book discs, and uncover a wealth of music long-buried in music libraries. Many listeners, when hearing CDs played through DS and Junior, assume they're hearing hi-res downloads. Where the two DACs differ is in the areas of spatial accuracy, transparency, separation of instruments, soundstage width, and treble accuracy. We'd estimate that Junior provides 85% of DirectStream's performance in those areas, and without hearing the original, listeners will find it hard to believe that anything could possibly sound better: Junior is that good. Ultimately, DirectStream is better than Junior, but compared to any other DAC near its price---Junior can safely hold its own. I hope that helps. Cheers, Bill

Keep watching. ;->