PS Audio PMG Signature 512 DAC

Description

PS Audio PMG Signature 512 DAC

The PS Audio PMG Signature 512 DAC, at its core is the PureStream DSD512 engine, converting any form of digital audio into a pure 8X DSD stream—no PCM, no decimation, no compromise.

That stream feeds the SpectraWave 64-Tap Sequencer, lowering noise and distortion while perfectly time-aligning the signal. From there, it flows into a state-of-the-art, direct-coupled analog output stage.

The result is breathtaking—fluid, natural, and as analog as it gets. With a built-in high-end streamer for seamless access to your music, the 512 is PS Audio’s best DAC ever.

For the first time in PS Audio’s history, their founder’s name graces a DAC. Yes, it’s that good. And this time, it’s personal.

 

 

View Owners Manual >> View PS AUDIO >>

 

Reviews

• “Maybe flabbergasted is too strong a word to describe what I heard, but I think it’ll do. Instruments are precisely placed, not only across the soundstage but also front-to-back. I didn’t realize my DSD was smearing the size and placement and the actual sound of the sound until I heard the same pieces via the PMG.”  Chris
• “I was awestruck. Stability, imaging, clarity, soundstage width and depth, silence between notes, dynamic range, bass reproduction, and “musicality” were consistently outstanding. Bottom line: if you are in the market for a new DAC , you must seriously consider the PS Audio PMG DAC” Jonathan

 

Features

Think of the PMG Signature 512 DAC as the ultimate destination in digital audio—a no-compromise centerpiece for the most revealing high-performance systems.

Whether your setup is purely digital or a hybrid of analog and digital sources, the 512 redefines what’s possible from a DAC. Built around their PureStream DSD512 engine and SpectraWave 64-Tap Sequencer, and featuring a fully balanced, direct-coupled analog output stage, the PMG 512 delivers sound with breathtaking realism, depth, and musicality. It supports I²S for a perfect connection to our top transport, and includes a world-class galvanically isolated streamer.

Replace your DAC, your streamer – or even your preamplifier – and prepare to be stunned by the transformation. Rich. Pure. Effortless. The PMG Signature 512 DAC is the product of over fifty years of innovation and the first to carry the name of our founder. It’s not just the best DAC they’ve ever built—it’s the best DAC PS Audio know how to imagine.

Design

Designing the PMG Signature 512 DAC was never about meeting expectations—it was about redefining what a digital source could be.

This is a radical departure not only from traditional PCM-based architectures but also from conventional DSD implementations and off-the-shelf chip solutions. At its core is the all-new PureStream DSD512 engine, a proprietary design that upsamples every input—PCM or DSD—to a native 8X DSD stream.

That stream is then refined by their SpectraWave 64-Tap Sequencer, a precision digital filter engineered to eliminate jitter, reduce noise, and preserve every nuance of the music.

The result is pure sonic truth, passed into a fully balanced, direct-coupled analog output stage. With galvanically isolated inputs, a built-in high-performance streamer, and precision analog volume control, the PMG 512 is not just a DAC—it’s the heart of a no-compromise reference system.

Application

The PMG Signature 512 DAC is as versatile as it is revolutionary—and a major step above even the finest DACs they’ve ever built. Use it as a standalone directly into your power amplifier, thanks to its ultra-precise analog volume control, and experience purity, dynamics, and realism like never before.

At its heart is PS Audio’s latest high-definition streaming module, fully galvanically isolated to eliminate noise and preserve absolute musical integrity. Whether paired with the PMG Signature Preamplifier for the ultimate reference system or run solo into your amp, the 512 delivers sound that is breathtakingly clear, natural, and alive. This isn’t just high-end performance. This is a whole new benchmark. The PMG Signature 512 DAC is music, uncompromised.

PureStream DSD512 engine

At the heart of the PMG Signature 512 DAC is a breakthrough in digital audio: the PureStream DSD512 engine. Running at a blazing 22MHz, PureStream upsamples any incoming PCM or DSD signal to a native 8X DSD stream—far beyond standard formats and completely free from PCM conversion or decimation.

This ultra-high-resolution DSD stream is then passed through our SpectraWave 64-Tap Sequencer, which time-aligns and refines the signal with surgical precision, lowering noise and distortion while preserving every musical nuance. From there, it flows directly into a simple, elegant analog low-pass filter—no complex conversion stages, just pure music.

The 512 doesn’t rely on off-the-shelf DAC chips. This is a custom-designed platform built from the ground up to achieve what no other DAC has: sonic transparency with SINAD better than -100dB and vanishingly low output noise. Multiple ultra-stable reclocking circuits, galvanic isolation between all digital inputs, and full separation between digital and analog sections ensure jitter-free, noise-immune performance.

And yes, the PMG Signature 512 also features PS Audio’s renowned Digital Lens technology, ensuring that incoming digital data is perfectly reorganized and reclocked before ever reaching the PureStream engine. Every effort in its design—from input to output—is focused on preserving imaging, tonal richness, and musical truth.

One listen, and you’ll know: this is unlike anything you’ve heard before. The PMG Signature 512 DAC is not just a component—it’s a revolution in digital audio.

An inside look

The SpectraWave 64-Tap Sequencer is a groundbreaking solution within the PMG Signature 512 DAC, unlike anything used in traditional digital filters.

Engineered as a fully discrete, patent-pending FIR architecture, SpectraWave operates at the same extreme 22MHz sample rate as their PureStream DSD512 engine. Designed from the ground up to handle ultra-high-speed data streams, its 64 precisely tuned taps work in real time to align musical transients with absolute accuracy, ensuring perfect phase coherence and eliminating timing smear.

Where typical filters introduce artifacts like pre-ringing or harmonic distortion, SpectraWave maintains the purity of the signal without compromise. It preserves the natural shape and timing of every note, creating a spacious, uncolored soundstage with lifelike presence. Instruments bloom into three-dimensional space. Transients arrive exactly when they should. Nothing is exaggerated. Nothing is lost.

Following the sequencer, the signal flows seamlessly into the PMG Signature’s fully balanced, direct-coupled analog output stage. This minimal-feedback circuit is designed for speed, transparency, and control. With ultra-low output impedance and high current drive, it effortlessly powers even the most demanding downstream components. There are no transformers, no coloration, and no filters to blur the truth—just a clean, open window into the soul of the music.

This isn’t just a better DAC. It’s a complete rethinking of what digital audio can be.

 

FAQ’s

1. What is the PS Audio PMG Signature 512 DAC? It is a reference-level digital-to-analog converter designed to transform digital music into a highly detailed, natural, and musical listening experience.
2. What digital formats does the PMG Signature 512 DAC support? It supports high-resolution PCM and DSD formats, allowing playback from a wide range of digital sources with exceptional accuracy and realism.
3. Can the PMG Signature 512 DAC be used with streaming devices and computers? Yes, it features multiple digital inputs, making it compatible with streamers, computers, CD transports, and other digital audio sources.
4. Does the PMG Signature 512 DAC have balanced outputs? Yes, it includes both balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) outputs for flexible integration with high-end audio systems.
5. What makes the PMG Signature 512 DAC different from standard DACs? Its advanced digital processing, high-quality analog output stage, and meticulous design deliver superior clarity, depth, and musical realism compared to conventional DACs.

 

Specifications

Physical

• Unit Weight: 30.3 lbs [13.61 kg]
• Unit Dimensions: 14 3/4” x 17 1/2” x 4 3/8” (with feet) 375 mm x 445 mm x 112 mm (with feet)
• Shipping Weight: 40.3 lbs [18.3 kg]
• Shipping Dimensions: 20 1/2” x 24” x 10” / 521 mm x 610 mm x 254 mm
• Color Options: Black / Silver

Power requirements

• Input Power: Auto Voltage: 120VAC or 230VAC 50 or 60Hz
• Power Consumption: 30W

Digital audio inputs

• Inputs:
• I2S (2), Coax (2), XLR Balanced (2), Optical, USB
• Sample Rates:
  • Optical (TOSLink): PCM 16 and 24 bits at 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz and 96kHz
  • S/PDIF (Coax and XLR): PCM 16 and 24 bits at 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz and 192kHz; DoP64
  • I2S: PCM 16 and 24 bits at 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, and 705.6; DoP64, DoP128, DoP256, DSD64, DSD128, and DSD256
  • USB: PCM 16 and 24 bits at 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, and 705.6; DoP64, DoP128, DoP256, DSD64, DSD128, and DSD256.

Analog Audio Output

• Connector: RCA single ended or balanced, XLR balanced
• Output Level High, Maximum: 4 VRMS Balanced / 2 VRMS Single Ended
• Output Impedance: < 100Ω / 200Ω
• Frequency Response: 20-20KHz +/- 0.25dB
• THD+N @ 1KHz (full scale): <0.001%
• Output Stage: High-speed op-amp with discrete buffers.

Data Handling

• Format: PCM or DSD
• PCM Input: Up to 768KHz 32 bits
• DSD Input: Up to DSD512
• DSD Output: DSD128, DSD256, DSD512 (user selectable)
• Analog Conversion method: 64-bit FIR filter to low pass analog filter

I2S Digital Input

• Connector: HDMI
• Format: PCM or DSD. DoP on all inputs as well as raw DSD on I2S inputs

USB Digital Input

• Connector: USB “B” Type
• Format: PCM, DoP v1.1 (DSD over PCM), or Native DSD
• Transfer Mode: Asynchronous

Streamer

• Connectivity:
  • Roon Ready
  • Tidal via Roon
  • Qobuz Connect
  • Spotify Premium
  • DLNA/UPnP
  • ShairPort

Network Support:

• WiFi: IEEE 802.11 b/g/n/ac (2.4 & 5GHz dual band)
• 10/100/1000 Ethernet