It's my understanding that the Wavedream only Thanks for the interesting reply, cmarin. Aurender W20-> Lampizator Pacific SE -> Ayon Crossfire III or Circle Labs A100 -> Avantgarde Acoustic Trio LE 26 with 4x REL Carbon Special ,SACD Player: Audio Aero La Fontaine. The modular nature of MSB products allows you to have the bits you want and leave out those you dont, The display is a bit basic but it does what it needs to and you can see it from the other side of the room, Detail and transparency are the main features, Allows a real insight into the makeup of a track, Brings a sense of timing being bang on the money, Detail isnt a result of the higher frequencies being artificially pushed, Both PSUs are not absolutely necessary but once you remove one you want to put the other back in. 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. sounds like a more transparent Chord Dave to my ears. Ultimately, reducing noise in a system or improving room acoustics can have a bigger effect. Yes, definitely, as it is those extra tiny little bits of detail that adds the cherry on top of an already rather splendid slice of musical cake brought out on tracks like the audio show mainstay Keith Dont Go from Acoustic Live by Nils Lofgren. and build quality is also excellent. @ricred1, youre right to point that out. frequency response graphs, CSD waterfall plots, subjective gear reviews. Conversely, you could spend a lot more and not gain a great deal in real terms. Always use!! Couldn't agree more. I did try with just the one power supply and the Discrete remained a very strong performer with the differences being a very slight loss in the sense of separation and definition when listening intently. However, there is nothing wrong with "taking" recommendations, which help me build a list that I can use to research then find a way to audition my shortlist. I've had some excellent preamps in my system (Dartzeel, Absolare, Robert Koda, Kondo). This is because one PSU is supplying juice to modules including the screen and USB input etc but not to the output module. For sure with Hugo and Qutenot even debatable. I own the MSB Select II with the dual powerbases and 33 Femto Clock. At some point you have to be content in this hobby. Links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Hifi Pig and Big Pig Media with appropriate and specific direction (link) to the original content. Never use!! You'll be shocked by how much you lose by going through a separate preamp. 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. Up to 1km lossless transmission. Very resolving, tone is on the cold side of neutral but otherwise pretty free of digital nasties compared to the cheaper Chords, and the stage is flatter than Keira Knightley. You must log in or register to reply here. And I make Best DAC Quality Ranking list. I say take what everyone post when a grain of salt, because an individual's preference may be different than yours. It may not display this or other websites correctly. The world's largest high-end audio community. Never say never, but I reckon 99.9% of folk would get to the Discretes level of performance and not be able to justify another 110K to achieve, what I am guessing would be marginal gains though I have not experienced the Select and so cannot say for sure that this would be the case and it may be a total revelation is sonic engineering. This is a dealers email comment to me about comparisons he did. After a year of listening to various components I'm content. They both use FPGA for their decoding. Thanks. Will do. Tailored for both the transport and the DACs daily use, our remote brings you closer to the music you love. IMHO an audio recommendation in a forum is just an advice on what is worth listening and the reason why we think so. I havent heard the Rockna. Once complete there are measurements and functional tests before the final products are inspected, cleaned, and packed up ready to be shipped, but not before a white glove inspection by either Jonathan or Daniel. The formats that is used in comparison test is all 16bit / 44.1KHz, not DSD The Result : 1st : Select DAC II Full Option - 100% 2nd : Trinity DAC - 90% There's 340 pages packed with HiFi Reviews, Industry Interviews and much more. Australian Business Number 38 650 151 296, Digital Sources, DACs, and Computer Audio, Chord Dave vs Mola Mola Makua/Tambaqui vs Emm Labs Dac2x vs Rockna Wavedream. SO/ROON/HQPe: DSD 256-Sonore opticalModuleDeluxe-Signature Rendu optical--Bricasti M3 DAC--DIY Purifi Amplifier-Focus Audio FS888 speakers-JL E 112sub-Nordost Tyr USB, DIY EventHorizon AC cables, Iconoclast XLR & speaker cables, Synergistic Purple Fuses, Spacetime system clarifiers. Different songs will sound better with different sources - Different horses for different courses. Congratulations on the upgrade and enjoy it in good health. That's just too money for the performance. It is an unassuming but very nicely put together component that has had a great deal of thought put into the architecture of the parts that make it up. https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/, Check the true bit-depth of your files and audio engine, Guide to Subwoofer Calibration and Bass Preferences, Know your limits (Sound Exposure Safety Chart), Topping DX7 Pro+ vs Chord DAVE measurements (Cosmos ADC) - DAVE is better in some areas (surprise! I submit dealers use the statement "component X competes against much more expensive components" far too often. The other issue is preference. Like others said, I'd try first an MScaler with DAVE. Cs | Critical Mass CS2s -> components, Isoacoustics -> speakers + subs | Adona Eris II rack on Herbie's titanium footers | Fully treated and dedicated 2 channel room. I like Aqua Formula xHD and Totaldac Six. Chord Dave DAC "Sealed Box Brand New" Never Opened !! However, its also very nice to listen to in this system, though I would say it is more accurate/true to the original DAC than our LAB12 DAC or perhaps our Lampizator BIG 7. Click here to download your copy, At 11000 plus taxes as tested the Lampizator Big 7 is certainly no budget DAC, but does it deliver on sonic ability? The remainder heard, I could easily live with the Aeris, Dave, or Wavedream. those surpass any other digital choice. I'll take a look, however I've heard they're on the warm side? MSB Technology Discrete Modular DAC Page 2. Mola Mola is another well built great sounding 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). Roon Endpoint there are others I know about but Ive not heard them recently. It's better than the MSB Analog I listened to. But then we have to apply the law of diminishing returns. Taiko Audio Extreme > Sablon Audio Reserva Elite USB2022/Sablon Audio Reserva Ethernet2020> Aqua Formula XHDV2 > Sablon Audio King Sablon Interconnects > LDR pre > PuLSar45 DC SE amp > Sablon Audio Reserva speaker cables (pigtailed) > Avantgarde Duo Omega( Duelund xover). Also, it is worth noting I heard the v1 DAC 2X, not the v2. The DACs are individually shielded and thermally-bonded and multiple units are used per channel, which MSB tells us increases performance and lowers output impedance. 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. Thanks. Strangely, this new review is not displayed when you select the review folder on the homepage. Chord Dave Replacement. I wanted to know for anyone who has heard it have you also heard a DAC that approached it in sonic performance? But digital, potentially, can change things. The MSB DAC comes with one external PSU as standard. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites. The biggest question about this device is, Yeah listened to the same HEk V2 and Chord Dave with. The Discrete is a genuine high fidelity DAC and a fabulously built one to boot, add in the modular input flexibility and you have a pretty stunning product with excellent future proofing. By clicking links on our site, we may earn affiliate commission, but our editorial remains entirely independent and unbiased. I wired it all up and the unit lit up but I could get no sound out of it whatsoever. The PSUs are available to match. And what streamer are you using to feed the DAC? Ill not get into the whole detail of this here but the MSB website does have an excellent (and interesting) explanation of jitter and why having a very low jitter clock is favourable to having a very accurate clock theres a link at the bottom of this review. For example, the chassis for the products are made from North American-sourced metals, and then that is machined using Haas CNC machines that are built in California. personal preference. Well, you may not have heard a lot of high-end DAC's in your system, but the one's you've listed are pretty darned good. It is not hard to audition these DACs in Melbourneand this is your best way to work out your own preference. Like a true audiophile with "issues", I'm saying to myself, if at $8300 Wherever I read I see unanimous praise for the MSB Select II. I mean is it audibly noticeable? However, to get this level of separation and detail within the soundscape the DAC is clearly having a very important role to play. prefer to keep our test results among ourselves. The Merriam-Webster online dictionary tells me that the definition of high-fidelity (HiFi) is the reproduction of an effect (such as sound or an image) that is very faithful to the original and it would seem to be reasonable to assume that this is the goal of audiophiles around the world. 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. Im outputting directly to the LAB12 (and later a Krell KST100) power amp and so a digital volume algorithm is used where the digital volume control is left at a relatively high output so as not to encounter loss at lower volume levels. See what the reviews are saying. SoundLab A1Px's, ARC REF40, VTL Siegfired II, cj GAT2, cj ART, DCS Vivaldi 2.0 stack, Taiko Audio SGM Extreme, TechDas AF1+ , Graham Phamtom III, Sumiko Palo Santos, vdH Black Beauty, ARC Phono 3, Studer A80, Crystal Dreamline, Transparent Audio Ref XL digital and Ref Gen V power cables, CenterStage footers, Nordost Qkore6' s and QB8's! California crafted in-house from an aluminum billet, the enclosure feels solid yet refined. I was upgrading it in this order and still could not believe every time it sounded better. I can see that in an A/B comparison, many other DACs sound more impressive than DAVE/Blu2. I hope to also have an opportunity to listen to a T+A DAC8 (for DSD512) and a Chord Dave (DSD256) in my system soon (with HQPlayer). I wish you would have had the Totaldac D1 Seven to try. Regular readers will appreciate all that is taken from the MSB website and I make no apologies for not really understanding the electronics. 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. johndoe21ro I have personally not observed this - with either the DAVE or my Mojo. At MSB, we believe excellence is a promise worth keeping. The only true way for the end user to know what they prefer is through listening in their own system. So I saw the DAC lighting up and it looked fully functional, right down displaying the bit rate etc of the file playing, but no music. To be 100% honest we have A/B tested most of the dacs mentioned So this was headphones straight out of the DAVE? I've tried it in my system and I don't like it. You might want to consider adding one of Chord's Upscalers, either Hugo M scaler , or the Blu Mk. To each their own, but I think Chord sounds cold and artificial. Talking of cool lets talk about this remote. You go off people's opinions and hope it'll match your equipment and system when you put the hard earned down. definitely up there with the best dacs in the world. Cs | Critical Mass CS2s -> components, Isoacoustics -> speakers + subs | Adona Eris II rack on Herbie's titanium footers | Fully treated and dedicated 2 channel room. So thats it and I think the only thing I think Ive left out of the build part of this DAC is the 3 buttons and the knob on the front panel which are used for manually changing the volume and menu diving, though all this can be done from the remote. I cant help with comparisons of two of these DACs, but I did hear the Tambaqui up against the dCS Bartok and it was a pretty close call, but ultimately the dCS sounded more analogue and more immersive, I have heard the Dave and EMM Labs DAC2x up against aMakua that I subsequently purchased. We feel the Extreme has some special optimization for USB. I have the Berkeley Alpha Reference DAC, waiting for an upgrade. Others might disagree but these are my findings. @yyzsantabarbara, your dealer quote is interesting, I suspected that the Mola Mola was that good. There is a real sense of spectacle and scale when the MSB is in the system. The SQ is amazingly good. Didn't like it at all. Sources: Hiby R6, Fiio x3II, Fiio x5II DACs: Dave, Yggdrasil, Hugo, Hugo TT, U12. Click to expand. Lots of time it Of course this DAC is super pricey and out of the reach of many (including me). auditioned the Rockna Wavedream Edition DAC. We are There ain't no Coupe deVille hiding at the bottom of a Cracker Jack Box. Hmm.. Rori is definitely welcome. I actually like the simplicity of this and it is very intuitive to use when you get into setting up and menu diving, though diving is over-egging it a bit as the Discrete is a doddle to set upif you do it right, but more on that in a while. As a contented Qutest user, I would have hoped for "improved", performance from the Dave. 5 other people who only have 2 things in common with our system. Yes, you read that right, the Select DAC is the best part of 121,000! I suppose what Im saying (badly) is that the Discrete was true to the file it was being fed and I did enjoy hearing it allowed me to pull small details out of the mix Jazz at the Pawn Shop (DSD128) felt more lifelike and in the room than I am used to and raw tracks such as Phutures Acid Trax did sound rougher and really basically recorded. Personally we have A/B 76 different digital front ends.. The DAC has two modes; multi-bit PCM and single-bit discrete DSD mode. We used PCM (16/44,1 to 24/192) and DSD 64 and 128 for the comparioson. I also looked at the MSB Discrete DAC but everything thing was an extra cost option (USB, AES/EBU, power supply, etc.,) and expensive. Thats not allthe CNC unibody aluminum chassis provides the discrete power supply with optimal thermal performance and an elegant design aesthetic. None, despite working back as I always do if theres an issue! Fully agree that it could come down to personal preference @RoriHope you have arranged auditions. The best upgrade for Dave easy. I just heard DAVE directly connected to MacBook Pro via USB without any expensive cables, headphone amplifier, power conditioner. Actual auditioning of the unit prior to purchase is paramount. In that time, weve pushed the industry forward with each product weve built, redefining whats possible. DAVE is perfect for headphone system because you can save space and money of headphone amplifier. But even with great preamps, a great DAC in a low noise environment, will produce a more transparent sound going direct to the amps than through the preamp. I agree price is necessarily indicative of quality or performance. Whats Best Forum is THE forum for high end audio, product reviews, advice and sharing experiences on the best of everything else. Up to 32 bit 768kHz StereoNET (Australia) is part of an international network of publications owned wholly by Sound Media Group (Australia). Were honored to be recognized by the industry for bringing you the most lifelike sound we can. Sablon Audio King/Prince power cords throughout. Theres just a sense that with the MSB in the line that everything is timed correctly and rock solid. The MSB Discrete DAC is an American made Digital to Analogue Converter costing 11,000 plus an extra 1650 for the second external power supply. I called the distributor and we went through everything again. This is purely speculation based on browsing the internet over the years and internalising pro/con reviews from users. conversation. but with digital things change quickly, and a month ago I got a new server, the SGM Extreme. HiFiMan Ananda, SR Orange fuses, Taiko Audio Daiza platforms, Startech FMC optical network link, Oyaide EE f/s2.0 V2 mains spurs, Akiko Audio tuning sticks, GIK Acoustic TriTraps/panels. Looks like your budget goes up to ~$20k? I listen mostly to classical music, particularly with symphonic work, I prefer DAVE to MSB. The Prime DAC Module. Main Menu I know it is a standard talking point by some to suggest that Chord DACs aren't as good with DSD as PCM. But in the specific case of the BADA and PM2, if you wish for me to be more precise, then taking into account that I only had the BADA ref for a very short time, the bottom line was that I didn't feel at the time that the difference between the PM2 in my system was significant enough to make it worth the energy to change components or the potential financial loss involved in a trade. lastly; what I compare my MSB Select II to every day is my top level vinyl and top level reel to reel tape. It is just as important as the DAC itself. I cant help with comparisons of two of these DACs, but I did hear the Tambaqui up against the dCS Bartok and it was a pretty close call, but ultimately the dCS sounded more analogue and more immersive.However, this was at a time when both units were a similar price. Now to include the HMS. Elegant design. For the most part, I listened to the MSB through our LAB12 and Krell KST100 amps and TotalDAC D100 speakers. Point 75 EmmLab Dac2 I paid 9K$ for this on 2010. @smodtactical I would not take price as any arbitrator of quality, especially nowadays. MSB DACs also use a processing chip to handle oversampling and digital filtering (not sure if this chip is an FPGA or other type processing chip, but it is a high speed digital processing chip).
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