Opinions on MSB Link III

[AudioNewt9]

So I have the opportunity to be an MSB link III for $35, but I am wondering if it is a good DAC and if it is worth it. It seems to have been a good DAC in the early 2000s and I am thinking of using it for my speakers so I can use my Modi 2 with my headphones.

 

[UCrazyKid]

There were a few versions of that DAC. The Link III, The Link III Half-Nelson, The Link III Full-Nelson. Do you know which it is? Has it been modified and does it have the power base or does it use the "wall wart"? I had the Link III with upgraded op amps and caps and it sounded pretty good. Then I found a MSB Gold Link III and power base with upsampling, AES input, LME49720HA op amps and the improvement was immense.
I'd say the Link III are a good DAC if you want to experiment and tinker with changing the filters, caps, op amps, etc. but you will likely be able to beat the sound with one of todays inexpensive DACs and will gain USB as an input.
It it happens to be a "Gold" with PowerBase, then there is some real potential there.

 

[audiohamster]

So I have the opportunity to be an MSB link III for $35, but I am wondering if it is a good DAC and if it is worth it. It seems to have been a good DAC in the early 2000s and I am thinking of using it for my speakers so I can use my Modi 2 with my headphones.

I had the basic MSB Link III DAC in college, it was awesome then for a college kid. I had it hooked up to a Denon CD player, I enjoyed it but it wasn't a favorite of everyone I spoke with about it. There was also a Gold version that came out at some point. I would say that for $35, if you have a source that can work with it, it's probably worth owning. I remember it wasn't harsh at all which is something I can't say about a lot of today's inexpensive equipment.

 

[AudioNewt9]

There were a few versions of that DAC. The Link III, The Link III Half-Nelson, The Link III Full-Nelson. Do you know which it is? Has it been modified and does it have the power base or does it use the "wall wart"? I had the Link III with upgraded op amps and caps and it sounded pretty good. Then I found a MSB Gold Link III and power base with upsampling, AES input, LME49720HA op amps and the improvement was immense.
I'd say the Link III are a good DAC if you want to experiment and tinker with changing the filters, caps, op amps, etc. but you will likely be able to beat the sound with one of todays inexpensive DACs and will gain USB as an input.
It it happens to be a "Gold" with PowerBase, then there is some real potential there.

im not 100 percent sure, i dont think it is coming with the power base, but it might. i will be looking at it soon