This is a review and detailed measurements of the PS Audio NuWave DAC. It is on kind loan from a member. Looks like the NuWave DAC came out back in 2012 and it is now discontinued. The original cost was US $999. Strangely, I found two of them used on ebay selling for US $1,500!

DirectStream converts any digital input format, such as PCM or DSD to a pure DSD stream and outputs near-perfect analog signal.

The DSD64 tracks have over 30 times the resolution of the 16-bit 44.1KHz tracks so that they could make DSD sound better than PCM in comparisons. The truth is that in recent blind studies they’ve proved that high-resolution PCM and DSD are statistically indistinguishable from one another.

DAC, which stands for Digital to Analog Converter, is a chip that converts digital audio information into analog audio signal. In simple words, DAC is a decoder that provides a much better analog audio signal by increasing the sound quality. That is because DAC is more than just a conversion between digital and analog.

I first knew of PS Audio when they were best-known for amplifiers which they, of course, still design and produce. They also make preamplifiers, power conditioners, an integrated amp the size of a Jane Austen novel, audio accessories, and a unique DSD DAC that I am reviewing here today, the PerfectWave DirectStream DAC.

According to PS Audio the PerfectWave DAC MKII has a “completely redesigned digital input board, software, connecting cables and remote control as well as the addition of a PS Audio Critical Link fuse for the power supply.

Once that driver is installed, a quick visit to the Windows 7 control panel’s “Sound” settings offers the PS Audio DAC as an output option. A right-click of the mouse gives a user the option to make the NuWave the default recipient of the audio signal. Once complete, JRiver needs a small adjustment too.