PS AUDIO DIRECTSTREAM JR DAC

The PS Audio DirectStream Junior (DSJ) is designed as a concrete response for those seeking a high-end digital-to-analog converter at a more accessible price than the celebrated DirectStream. At its core, the DSJ shares the same architecture: a fully FPGA-based design, specifically the Spartan 6, hand-programmed by designer Ted Smith, which completely avoids the use of traditional commercial DAC chips. This technical choice allows the DSJ to convert every digital signal, regardless of origin or format, into a pure DSD stream, passing through a 10x DSD up-conversion before finally converting to DSD128, delivered through a fully balanced analog output.

The resulting sound is surprisingly analog, with such transparency and naturalness that listening is almost indistinguishable from a reference analog source. Regardless of the file type played—whether a simple MP3, a high-resolution FLAC, or native DSD—the DSJ’s timbral consistency and refinement remain constant, with a clarity that removes the harshness typical of conventional digital playback. The unit effectively eliminates the “coldness” often associated with compressed files or digitized older CDs, offering instead an engaging, spacious listening experience rich in micro-details.

One of the most appreciated features is the native integration of the Ethernet Bridge II module, which allows the DSJ to connect to the home network for streaming music from TIDAL or local libraries, also compatible with Roon. Transitioning from one file to another, even across different resolutions and formats, is instantaneous and smooth, without perceptible interruptions or delays. This is precisely where the DSJ shines: in its ability to treat every source with the same care, delivering high sound quality even with files that originally might not deserve it.

The DSJ also functions as a true digital preamplifier, equipped with RCA and XLR outputs for direct connection to a stereo power amplifier. Volume control is integrated, precise, and lossless, thanks to a tactile feedback knob that replaces the touchscreen display of the larger model. The chassis design is simplified but retains an elegant, well-built industrial aesthetic.

A major strength of the DSJ is its ability to receive software updates over time through free firmware releases from PS Audio. This ensures continuous evolution of the DAC, not only in terms of compatibility with new standards—such as Roon integration—but also with concrete improvements in sound quality, resulting from ongoing optimizations of the FPGA code. This aspect adds value and longevity to a component that, in an ever-evolving digital landscape, manages to stay current with the most advanced technologies.