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REVIEW: PS Audio Digital Link III DAC Processors

Model:	Digital Link III
Category:	DAC Processors
Suggested Retail Price:	$995
Description:	24 Bit 96/196 With USB, TOSLINK, Digital Cable
Manufacturer URL:	PS Audio
Model Picture:	View

Review by JimOfOakCreek on July 02, 2008 at 21:30:25 IP Address: 65.26.194.23

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I’ve owned the PS Audio Digital Link III DAC for 7 months. I waited this long to write this review because I didn’t know how to exactly describe the sound. This is my own subjective impression in my own words. Take it for what it is worth.

During the last 7 months I compared it to a Panasonic DVD player, a Onkyo CD player, the Optical output of a Panasonic SA-XR50 receiver and a plastic Stereo Link USB DAC. All four sources were amplified by my PS Audio C-100 Int. ICE Amp powering a pair of Magnaplanar MMGs and a 10” Dayton Titanic sub.

All four sources sounded clean, detailed with good sound staging. The commonality of all four is that they sounded digital. They all had an electronic “sheen” to the sound (much less so on the SA-XR50), an annoying artifact of many DACs. My ears are really sensitive to that electronic sound.

That is where the PS Audio DLIII is different. It does not sound digital at all. It has a warmish analog presentation with all detail and sound staging of the aforementioned equipment. THAT is the trick that the DLIII pulls off. It gives you the detail without the annoying electronic/digital sound. Even Internet Radio, streamed at 128kbps is enjoyable because it sounds somewhat like a vinyl LP .

I believe it’s due to the TI PCM1798DB DAC chip. That chip was actually developed by Burr Brown, which was bought out by Texas Instruments. Somehow, Burr Brown got it right. The hard code programming of that chip is such that the presentation is detailed without that fatiguing electronic overhang.

The sound is balanced with deep tight bass, warm mid-range, detailed/extended highs and a smooth LP like presentation. The bass stands out as exemplary. Vocals are really nice.

I hooked up my turntable to my PSA C-100 amp with an Audio Technica PEQ3 phono preamp. I did a direct comparison of “Kind Of Blue” which I have on vinyl and CD. I ripped the CD to my media PC and ran the Apple Lossless file thru iTunes via USB for the comparison with the LP.

The LP actually sounded darker and less detailed. The DLIII did not sound exactly like the LP but it didn’t sound digital either. It had its own character that was somewhat LP-like with more detail, a bit brighter but without the occasional pop and click. : -)

The DLIII is a great piece that I can recommend (after 7 months of use) with good conscience. One drawback is that there is no non-up sampling mode offered. You can choose ONLY between 96kbps or 194kbps but no “non-up-sample" mode. I would like to hear what the DAC sounds like in NOS mode but alas it is not offered. My impression is that 194kbps is a tiny bit brighter than 96kbps. Inputs offered are COAX, Optical and USB. I’ve once read that the advantage to up-sampling is that it makes it easier to filter out the hi-frequency carrier without attenuating the highs in the music.

One last drawback is that there is no remote control.

I really like the compact and sculpted appearance of the DLIII. I removed the cover to have a look at the chassis. I can tell you that the torroidal transformer is way oversized and construction is neat, spacious and simple, a great piece that will become a classic.

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Product Weakness:	No none-oversampling mode, no remote.
Product Strengths:	Warm non-fatiguing sound, detail, soundstaging, build quality, value.

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Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier:	PS Audio C-100
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Audio Technica PEQ3 phono preamp
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	JVC cheapo
Speakers:	Maggy MMG
Cables/Interconnects:	generic
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz, Rock, Zappa, Soft Machine, other wierd stuff
Room Size (LxWxH):	24' x 18' x 8'
Room Comments/Treatments:	Draperies, stuffed furniture
Time Period/Length of Audition:	7 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	None
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition):	N/A

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Atma-Sphere Music Systems, Inc.

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