MSB DAC owners

[tdx]

Another option would be to use a PS Audio Powerplant to power everything. Not only will it give you clean power, but you can turn on/off all your audio gear with one click on their remote. I have a PS12 and use that function sometimes and it works well.

 

[Peter Bomberg]

No that

Another option would be to use a PS Audio Powerplant to power everything. Not only will it give you clean power, but you can turn on/off all your audio gear with one click on their remote. I have a PS12 and use that function sometimes and it works well.

@tdx Can you program it to trigger the equipment to go into standby mode without turning off power? What I mean is I really don't want to turn on and off the amp 5 times a day, but I would happily put it in standby mode.

But honestly I suspect everything will just stay on when we are home and be powered off when we leave for longer periods.

 

[tdx]

No that

@tdx Can you program it to trigger the equipment to go into standby mode without turning off power? What I mean is I really don't want to turn on and off the amp 5 times a day, but I would happily put it in standby mode.

But honestly I suspect everything will just stay on when we are home and be powered off when we leave for longer periods.

unfortunately it's not made for that it's either on or off. But yeah i leave almost all my gear on 24/7 and just manually turn on/off my tube amp to save the bulb.

If you have any other questions about the DAC feel free to ask here or pm me, I'm always happy to talk about it it's a great piece of kit.

 

[tdx]

Long video, but I find it interesting especially when they go into the details about what they do differently in their DAC designs vs the competition. Of course a lot of it is self-serving marketing, but I do find their "future-proofing" philosophy better thought out than a lot of other DAC manufacturers. Anyway worth a watch for those who are considering an MSB DAC (and not just the Cascade)

 

[fiascogarcia]

Long video, but I find it interesting especially when they go into the details about what they do differently in their DAC designs vs the competition. Of course a lot of it is self-serving marketing, but I do find their "future-proofing" philosophy better thought out than a lot of other DAC manufacturers. Anyway worth a watch for those who are considering an MSB DAC (and not just the Cascade)

I've been looking into MSB dacs, and thought I would start at the bottom with the Discrete. So I'd like to use it to feed to my tube amp (rca) and SS amp (xlr). Do I really have to swap out modules to do this, or is there some sort of alternative?

 

[tdx]

I've been looking into MSB dacs, and thought I would start at the bottom with the Discrete. So I'd like to use it to feed to my tube amp (rca) and SS amp (xlr). Do I really have to swap out modules to do this, or is there some sort of alternative?

Could be wrong but I dont think you can output both Balanced and SE at the same time since each needs its own module. But I would email Vince Galbo at MSB to ask, he might have a workaround or something else.

 

[tdx]

Just ordered an Antipodes K50 server/streamer to use with the MSB DAC (instead of my current general use PC) as a source. Will report here on what if any sonic improvements this brings, and also which outputs sound best into the MSB (lots of options on both ends, intend to try them all).

 

[barbz127]

Just ordered an Antipodes K50 server/streamer to use with the MSB DAC (instead of my current general use PC) as a source. Will report here on what if any sonic improvements this brings, and also which outputs sound best into the MSB (lots of options on both ends, intend to try them all).

K30 g4 into proisl here. Keen to hear about the other inputs as I've been curious about upgrading to the k50.

 

[tdx]

K30 g4 into proisl here. Keen to hear about the other inputs as I've been curious about upgrading to the k50.

Will def let you know! I'll be trying USB, AES, Direct Ethernet and others if I can. Did you find the K30 brought an improvement to the MSB DAC vs regular source?

 

[barbz127]

Yes and the original k30 vs the g4 upgrade was another step again

 

[tdx]

Yes and the original k30 vs the g4 upgrade was another step again

Good to know. Paid extra for the G4 K50 for that reason

 

[tdx]

I've now spent a few days using the Antipodes K50 with the Premier DAC. Before getting it I was slightly worried that with MSB doing their best to isolate the DAc from upstream source variations the addition of a streamer/server would not yield any tangible benefits to the sound of the DAC. That is definitely not the case! Even though the MSB sounded great fed directly from my PC (especially with their optically isolated Pro USB input), the Antipodes takes the sound to another level. Increases in cohesion, flow and tonality are immediately apparent, and everything just 'gels' more, especially vocals.

I'm still experimenting with which output is the best, as they all sound good but slightly different. The new USB output that was implemented with their latest (G4) upgrade sounds excellent, and pairs really well with the Pro USB of the MSB using a FTA Sinope Cable. But AES (Jorma cable) also has its charm, maybe a tad less clean than USB but also a little more musical. Even Ethernet out is surprisingly good, maybe a happy medium between the two.

Other benefits include: not having to keep my PC on all the time anymore, a superb build quality for the case of the K50, and a super responsive and helpful after sales service from Antipodes.

So in case you couldn't tell, I highly recommend the addition of a streamer/server to MSB DACs. Even if one doesn't want to spend big bucks on the K50, a K30 or K22 or even one of their older units would still bring sonic benefits to the DAC.

 

[Shini44]

Regarding MSB ability to Stream music. if i have something like Lumin U2, i dont think i need to get that adapter right? will feed Lumin to MSB using Optical.

also i am Eyeing MSB product new (1-2 years maybe due the Price LOL)

right now have M-Scaler + DAVE (Farad Powered 3x Super3 Units) i read from someone that compared it to Premier and Select DAC that this combo isn't that far behind Premier.

next move would be MSB Cascade i hope within less than 2 years i come back to Quote my message be like, GUYS! Cascade is HOME! >:3


before that my stop would be the AIC 10 Amp though, always wanted grab one. i pre-ordered Mass Kobo 465 for now.

 

[tdx]

Regarding MSB ability to Stream music. if i have something like Lumin U2, i dont think i need to get that adapter right? will feed Lumin to MSB using Optical.

also i am Eyeing MSB product new (1-2 years maybe due the Price LOL)

right now have M-Scaler + DAVE (Farad Powered 3x Super3 Units) i read from someone that compared it to Premier and Select DAC that this combo isn't that far behind Premier.

next move would be MSB Cascade i hope within less than 2 years i come back to Quote my message be like, GUYS! Cascade is HOME! >:3


before that my stop would be the AIC 10 Amp though, always wanted grab one. i pre-ordered Mass Kobo 465 for now.

You can def use the U2 in both optical without an adapter and USB. Having a dedicated source will enhance the MSB DAC, I just did this myself with an Antipodes server.

Never owned any Chord gear so can't compare with the MSB. Maybe others that have tested them can chime in. My guess is your souped up Dave is indeed close in performance, but also in price after you factor in the cost of all you add ons

As for the Cascade, it is indeed endgame, but at an insanely high cost. I think it comes down to everyone's budget and use case. If you have the $$ then sure go for it but TBH such a high end DAC only makes sense if you use it within a crazy speaker setup in a dedicated room. For me, with my lowly Susvara HP and Spatial Audio X3 speakers and lack of a dedicated room, a great deal used Premier DAC was the most it made sense to spend on.

Finally regarding the Riviera, it is also amazing but the MK 465 is just as good. Just keep in mind if you get the 465 you need a separate amp for speakers, whereas the AIC10 does both.

 

[Shini44]

As for the Cascade, it is indeed endgame, but at an insanely high cost. I think it comes down to everyone's budget and use case. If you have the $$ then sure go for it but TBH such a high end DAC only makes sense if you use it within a crazy speaker setup in a dedicated room. For me, with my lowly Susvara HP and Spatial Audio X3 speakers and lack of a dedicated room, a great deal used Premier DAC was the most it made sense to spend on.

Never intend to use with speakers at all, yet I want to push susvara to do it's best period, they are speaker like in a way and scale very very high.