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For sure with Hugo and Qutenot even debatable. All rights reserved. It features the very best conversion technology available, using proprietary techniques never seen before, making DAVE the most advanced DAC/preamp amplifier in the world. As I listen to this tune a few times it strikes me that the Discrete is just that (discrete), it doesnt seem to add a great deal of itself to the file it is playing. Whether its a software update or a leading-edge modular component, were here to help the most valued aspect of MSBour customers. When I have done the comparison with other DACs I have had at the same time - Ayre QX5-Twenty, EAR Dac 4, exasound e32 - often the immediate impression is that DAVE/Blu 2 is not quite as good - a bit dryer sounding, not quite as smooth, not as airy or three dimensional And yet, over the longer term, it is deeply satisfying at a musical level in a way that the other DACs are not. "OK, it would be. That is not to say that a preamp doesn't produce value with respect to other sound quality characteristics that may affect the personal appeal of the musical reproduction (e.g., soundstage), or that the extra transparency won't reveal system issues, but there is no question that transparency is higher when going straight to the amps. Thank you all for your answers. You already have a very top tier DAC. I agree price is necessarily indicative of quality or performance. what Im saying is that comparing dacs also must take into account of all the interface advantages of each particular dac. And yes, you can improve it more by adding nice power source and cable. Bespoke Audio Ultimate Silver TVC passive preamp, Totaldac xlr version D1-Drivers x2, Eisteddfod 340 & 840 amps, Magico S5 speaker, MSB Select DAC, MSB Select Transport, Nakamichi 700 XLE cassette deck, Taiko Audio Extreme Server, Tripoint Troy Signature NG groundbox, PLiXiR Elite 1500 isolation transformers. But dont take our word for it. definitely up there with the best dacs in the world. To build a simple and good system). Perhaps thats a bit of an odd example for me to use as its a bit World Music but you are also made aware of the rightness of timing on percussive techno tracks. The Discrete is around 11,000 whilst the Select is 120,750 with its power base. I've yet to see a system with direct connections eliminating the preamp which wasn't improved by a adding a good preamp back into the mix! The MSB simply sounded more real to my ears and offered a more convincing soundstage and tonality and all the tiny informations in the music where integrated in the musical flow whereas the DAVE simply sounded flat and not realistic to my ears and even lacked those tiny informations. That's just too money for the performance. Unless they have the exact same components as the end user, it's impossible to tell that customer how component X will sound in their system. Up to 8X DSD I hate to repeat myself, but there are no absolutes in audio, only preferences. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Any specific reason you wanna replace the Dave? https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9eh61-lampizator-pacific-da-converters, https://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/lampizator-pacific-dac/, https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/subjective-grading-of-dac-that-i-had-heard-during-last-one-year-period. Out of all of the DACs I've Im getting a bit away from the review proper, but Im sure you can see why I have added that little diversion. September 6, 2016 in DAC - Digital to Analog Conversion. So, essentially, around the back of this DAC we have XLR output modules, dual power inputs (more on this in a moment) the digital input module (XLR, RCA, and two optical), and the USB input. I think is a good general rule of thumb, but there are some very transparent passive pre-amps out there. Going by the performance of the Mola Mola Makua (pre with dac module) it will be extremely good. With a better matched preamp presence may be acceptable. Anyone make that comparison? I could easily live with any of these. And this is where I had a problem with this DAC, though mostly the problem was of my own making. Anyway, the MSB Discrete is a machine that I consider to be highly resolving and a true HiFi product with regard to the definition I quoted above. I was upgrading it in this order and still could not believe every time it sounded better. Your web browser does not support iFrames. Ps Audio Directstream Dac Vs Auralic Vega Founded in 2004, Games for Change is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that empowers game creators and social innovators to drive real-world impact through games and immersive media Here is the list : Trinity Designs [Trinity DAC] TotalDAC [d1-Six] Aqua Acoustic Quality [Formula xHD] MSB Technology [Select DAC II Full Option . You're very polite about how you describe your preferences, cmarin. I don't think any of us have heard the Dave, and we don't have any interest. MQA decoding CHORD Dave could be the most expensive deeply design DAC in the world and if you find it not your taste there is the best off the shelf DACs like akm4499 in Topping D90 for 699$ that could be even better than Dave. This effect was evident on track after track but didnt feel like it was overly exaggerated. Along with an integrated clock, changing this card allows switching between single-ended and balanced outputs. An FPGA does not have analog output, in the Chord DACs, VLC | M-Audio FastTrack Pro | Mac Opt | Panasonic SA-HE100 | Logitech Z623, : SET Tube Amp | Low-Noise Linear Regulated Power Supply | USB, Power, Speaker Cables | Speaker Stands | Acoustic Panels, http://igg.me/at/geekpulseaudio/x/5216671. Thank you for posting! Price 9k in the U.K. Thanks guys! The Base module is used on the two lower DACs (including this one) and then the Preamp Output Stage for the top two DACs in the range. Funny how Rob Watts drones on and on about noise modulation, and then we see his product performing like this.. now one might not exactly call this noise modulation, but it definitely something to avoid, especially given the price tag. The PSUs are available to match. There are some tonal differences too, but what you prefer will depend on your other equipment and the music you like. JavaScript is disabled. Hope to try different formats on both DACs to see what works best in my system. luxury apartment hotels paris. https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/a-dac-that-crushes-price-vs-performance-ratio. Not sure why you would spend so much on a DAC when the Crane Song Solaris is available at $1,949. By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies. So true jr, the discrete R2R Multibit dacs like the Terminator the Holo, MSB, Total ect ect have a life and a boogie factor to the music that DS dacs lack, and yes they do show up bad recordings. Thanks for the interesting reply, cmarin. The sonic signature is detailed and yet easy to listen to, with the Discrete bringing a sense of the recordings scale (big or small) to the listening experience. of the 5 systems are completely different, our rooms are completely different Fair enough if you know some of the posters here and their listening preferences. Can I ask how you procured all those DACs? As it stands, the Discrete offers a very good solution should you be a music lover that plays only digital files and you can go straight into a power amp. Complete electrical isolation What didn't you like about the Dave? More to follow. Up to 32 bit 768kHz Search: Msb Discrete Dac Vs Chord Dave. subjective to a point and that is why we do blind testing and A/B testing with This ranking is just my subjective thinking. For the most part, I used this input and for a quick comparison one of the optical inputs. In that price range, you would be mad not to addthe MSB Premier DAC to your list as well. Edited November 11, 2020 by seadog. Given your appreciation of the Pacific Microsonics DAC, I hope you'll get a chance to hear the Berkeley in your system as well. California crafted in-house from an aluminum billet, the enclosure feels solid yet refined. Like others said, I'd try first an MScaler with DAVE. I would just add budget and the other components in the system are major factors to consider. It's too damn expensive, full stop. Since opening our doors in 1986, weve been driven by one goal: to craft an unrivaled listening experience for music lovers across the globe. I'm really anxious to hear more opinions about this DAC and noticed that DAVE hasn't got a thread of its own (only together with Mojo). I have enjoyed my time with the MSB Discrete DAC a great deal. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Sent from my iPhone using Computer Audiophile. I expected a lot better. It is a manual step which I forgot. Strangely, this new review is not displayed when you select the review folder on the homepage. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Digital Audio Forum: DAC, Transports, Digital Processing Forum, 4x20A circuits | Audioquest Niagara 3000 | Paul Hynes SR4T + HDPlex HD500 PSUs -> Music PC w/JCAT XE nic, HQPlayer, Roon, Tidal / Qobuz | HDPlex HD100 PSU -> OCX clock + EtherRegen | Aqua Acoustic Quality LinQ streamer | Aqua Acoustic Quality Formula xHD Rev. Digital: Jay's Audio CDT2 MK2 CD transport, Modified MHDT Labs Balanced Pagoda DAC. DAC Comparison Reference DAC Modules 4x Hybrid DAC Clock The Femto 33 Digital Inputs 4x User Replaceable Input Slots Optical and Coaxial input module Included Analog Outputs Preamp XLR Output Module - 150 Impedance RCA output available with external adapter Analog Inputs XLR Analog Expansion Modules RCA or XLR Input RCA or XLR Output I may need to reset expectations a bit lower: This is an update to some old DAVE vibration control posts. Whatever, the Discrete is a superb bit of kit that Id really love to take up residence in the system on a permanent basis, but thats not going to happen. - Up to 32 bit - 768kHz. MSB Discrete Dac with one additional basic power supply. Personally we have A/B 76 different digital front ends.. They're very back ordered and are a pro unit with balanced only outputs and no remote but oh my do they sound spectacular. To cut a long story short: A burnt in MSB Analog DAC with Power Base demoed side to side to a burnt in DAVE was no challenge for the MSB. What else should one expect? Thanks for the suggestions Wisnon. Others might disagree but these are my findings. What ice cream do you prefer? Its not bombarding you with information, but it is a notably more defined sound with regards to the spatial information and the way that elements sit in the mix a tad more solidity and more of a sense of the stereo image being wider and deeper and with instruments and sounds occupying a definite space of their own. connection to the dac chip. there are others I know about but Ive not heard them recently. You'll be shocked by how much you lose by going through a separate preamp. Many of these were already in a shootout on Audiogon with the same requirements - has to sound stellar on 16/44.1 tracks: I agree that the DAVE plus Blu 2 is spectacular, but not in a "hi fi" sense. This is the main advantage of DAVE (i.e. The Hugo TT2 is intended to bridge the gap between the range topping DAVE and budget Qutest rack mounted offerings. Didn't like it at all. those surpass any other digital choice. MSB Technology Discrete Modular DAC Page 2. A Chord DAC converts to analog via Chord's "Pulse Array DAC" which is a discrete circuit, similar to the discrete circuit used in the MSB DACs (but not the same). digital 149728-117859 MSB select II vs all dacs ? comparing top dacs directly is a bit challenging, even if you have them both together. Compared to some other similarly priced DACs ($10 - $15k MSRP) I prefer the Discrete with 2 Discrete PS. With two prime DACs, the MSB Discrete yields an unprecedented level of detail that reproduces the musicality, soundstage and texture of an original performance, bringing the artist to you. II cannot do anything but award this DAC our highest award, but that award goes with the caveats that it should be used directly into an amplifier and that Id like to have had the options for analogue inputs. It has the option for two PSUs and once you hear with both it becomes a necessity to have both. turns out that with the Extreme USB slightly pulls ahead of the Ethernet with the Renderer, then adding the Pro USB there is now a significant step up over the Renderer. At $20,000 I recommend the MSB Premier DAC with two power supplies (KeithRs system). Vega DAC 6/10 As dynamic as the Weiss, but a little too edgy in sound emphasised presence made female voices a bit hard on the ear. This is a very odd one to describe but came to the fore on tracks like Pan Eros from World Of Drums and Percussion. Analogue Volume Control 1dB from 0 to 106 Deactivable by menu, Dimensions ChassisWidth : 432 mmDepth: 305 mmHeight without feet: 51 mm.