Published On: June 29, 2015

PS Audio NuWave DSD DAC Now Available

Published On: June 29, 2015
Last Updated on: October 31, 2020
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PS Audio NuWave DSD DAC Now Available

PS Audio has announced that its NuWave DSD DAC is now shipping with an MSRP of $1,299. Incorporating designs that were first implemented in the company's DirectStream DAC, the new DSD-capable NuWave boasts a number of improvements (detailed below) over...

PS Audio NuWave DSD DAC Now Available

By Author: Home Theater Review
The staff at HomeTheaterReview.com is comprised of experts who are dedicated to helping you make better informed buying decisions.

PS-Audio-NuWave-DSD.jpgPS Audio has announced that its NuWave DSD DAC is now shipping with an MSRP of $1,299. Incorporating designs that were first implemented in the company's DirectStream DAC, the new DSD-capable NuWave boasts a number of improvements (detailed below) over its predecessor in the same convenient form factor.

From PS Audio
PS Audio is excited to announce the availability of the NuWave DSD DAC. With an MSRP of $1,299 (US), DSD capability, and unrivalled connectivity and sound quality that will remind you of the DirectStream, we think the NuWave DSD will be the new class leader.

As you know, our NuWave DAC has long been the market leader in the $1,000-$1,500 DAC segment. Its combination of features, build quality and sound quality have been hard to beat--until now.

What makes the NuWave DSD so great? We've taken the lessons learned from the DirectStream and applied them to a smaller-scale, lower-cost unit. While there's no way we can incorporate all the features and capabilities of the DirectStream at this price point, we think you'll be impressed with all we've accomplished:

• The NuWave DSD is fully asynchronous and accepts PCM inputs up to 192/32 from any digital source, including I2S (unlike the old NuWave DAC), coax, and USB; Toslink is of course limited to 96 kHz. DSD (single or double rate) can be input via I2S and USB;

• All input signals are taken into the NuWave DSD in Native Mode, without Sample Rate Conversion (SRC);

• The input is a simplified FPGA known as a CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device), which discovers sample rate and format, reclocks all incoming data, reduces jitter, waveshapes data output to the DAC chip, and utilizes high speed/low gate count logic to reduce propagation delay for faster throughput;

• The DAC chip itself is the acclaimed 32-bit ESS Sabre Hyperstream architecture, the output of which is passively filtered to reduce transient distortion;

• NuWave DSD's power supply includes a massive analog transformer, seven regulators, properly bypassed high-speed switching diodes, and a massive 15,000 mFd of storage capacitance;

• The output stage is a unique Class-A configuration, fully balanced and direct-coupled hybrid array (utilizing both discrete semiconductors and ICs), with an extended bandwidth of -3dB at 60 kHz!

We realize that's a lot of info, but the NuWave DSD provides a class-leading set of features, which still fit into the popular half-width chassis. While the ability to play DSD is big news, for many users the bigger story is the NuWave DSD's incredible sound quality from existing CD libraries.

Like the DirectStream before it, the NuWave DSD produces a seamless 3D soundstage from "normal" CDs. The improvement in sound quality over other DACs is astonishing, hand-tuned and personally voiced by Paul McGowan. We expect the NuWave DSD to make its owners happy for years to come.

The NuWave DSD was totally designed, engineered, programmed and built at the PS Audio factory in Boulder, Colorado. We're proud to offer another leading-edge, value-oriented product that is Made in the US. Products have already begun shipping from our Boulder facility.

Additional Resources
• Complete product details on the NuWave DSD DAC can be found here.
PS Audio DirectStream Network Audio Player and DAC Reviewed at HomeTheaterReview.com.

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