Like a true audiophile with "issues", I'm saying to myself, if at $8300 other dacs I have enjoyedin no particular order; I would not call this second tier; but I prefer what hear from my Select II to what Ive heard from these. 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 submit dealers use the statement "component X competes against much more expensive components" far too often. They both use FPGA for their decoding. MSB Technology Premier Digital-to-Analog Converter - Roon Endpoint. Digital: Sonore opticalModule > Uptone EtherRegen > Shunyata Sigma Ethernet >Antipodes K30> Shunyata Omega USB> Gustard X26pro DAC < Mutec REF10 SE120, Amp& Speakers: Spectral DMA-150mk2 >Aerial 10T, Foundation: Stillpoints Ultra,ShunyataDenali v1 andTyphon power conditioners,Shunyata Delta v2 and QSA Lanedri Gamma power cords, QSA Lanedri GammaRevelationinterconnect,Shunyata SigmaEthernet,MIT Matrix HD60speaker cables, ASC isothermal tube traps, Stillpoints Aperture panels. The DAC comes equipped with a single power supply, but can be augmented with a second discrete power supply to enable optimized power isolation between all major components. How hot does the Chord DAC get? They are excellent pairing. a year ago I got the new Renderer V2 which was a step up over USB. This very pleasant sound I was experiencing, it could be argued, was to a large degree down to the choice of amplifier and what that added to the mix, and I do think this is a valid argument. 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! Chord Dave Black New The Prime DAC With two prime DACs, MSB yields an unprecedented level of detail, reproducing the musicality, soundstage, and texture of an original performance, bringing the artist to you Ps Audio Directstream Dac Vs Auralic Vega Founded in 2004, Games for Change is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that empowers game creators and . Couldn't agree more. Of course this DAC is super pricey and out of the reach of many (including me). Out of all of the DACs I've MSBs top-level DAC is 121K and there are other brands out there offering very expensive options, but the truth is that the vast majority of people will never feel the need to spend that kind of money (even if they could) to eek out that last-minute bit of detail. - Up to 32 bit - 768kHz. The other issue is preference. DAVE is perfect for headphone system because you can save space and money of headphone amplifier. Chord DAVE DAC Preamp Amplifier - Moon Audio Over the air updates will ensure that your renderer always has the latest capabilities and ultimate convenience. Theyre not limited by audio formats, sample rates, or even speed. I dont know as that was years ago and I dont have one here to test against. 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. Elevator Pitch Review: Built in America, the MSB Discrete is a modular DAC that also acts as a preamplfier, though, as supplied, it has no analogue inputs. To be 100% honest we have A/B tested most of the dacs mentioned This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Wherever I read I see unanimous praise for the MSB Select II. This is THE place where audiophiles and audio companies discuss vintage, contemporary and new audio products, music servers, music streamers, computer audio, digital-to-analog converters, turntables, phono stages, cartridges, reel-to-reel tape machines, speakers, headphones and tube and solid-state amplification. At this kind of price, it puts Chord DAVE as being direct competition and I said that DAVE was the best DAC Id heard back in 2018. I auditioned a DAVE (not deconstructed) and TT2 and found all Chord products lacked the musicality of MSB. More to follow. I'm also a very patient person and can wait for the right bit of kit at the right price to come up secondhand. Sound Media Group Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved. 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. And this level of detail the MSB Discrete brings to the listening experience was carried through everything I listened toand I listened to this DAC a lot, with it being the only thing I used to for a solid two weeks. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. retail client forgets that most audio stores and audio distribution companies Sit back and be immersed. Point 75 EmmLab Dac2 I paid 9K$ for this on 2010. lastly; what I compare my MSB Select II to every day is my top level vinyl and top level reel to reel tape. Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers, A healthy approach to understanding measurements, After being asked for the 308th time, Merv lists top 5 headphones, $1000 to the first to design a headamp using discrete components with better measurements than Magni 3+, http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f6-dac-digital-analog-conversion/chord-dave-29757/#post579518, (You must log in or sign up to reply here.). Different songs will sound better with different sources - Different horses for different courses. However, to get this level of separation and detail within the soundscape the DAC is clearly having a very important role to play. The USB module is completely electrically isolated and is again a standalone module capable of 32 bit#768kHz, MQA decoding and 8X DSD. Always use!! I'm doing this off the top of my head. I like all this attention to detail and the MSB website suggests a company that is massively proud of its American heritage and of the products they make. MQA decoding For sure with Hugo and Qutenot even debatable. Going by the performance of the Mola Mola Makua (pre with dac module) it will be extremely good. That's just too money for the performance. I've sometimes heard people say that DAVE is too bright or analytical for them. Everyone hears differentlyI heard the Dave with the Blu and I prefer it without it. Auction bid 7 150 25 . The Chord DAVE was also on my list, but I decided to pass (my Chord retailer was very 'pushy' and not helpful). conversation. However, the extra PSU does add to the cost considerably! There is the option to add a streaming module to the Discrete and if I was in the market for a digital streaming solution, then this is where I would be going. After a year of listening to various components I'm content. We have what I consider to be a pretty resolving system, but we also listen to music a fair old bit for pure pleasure and so theres a valve amp currently feeding our chosen reference loudspeakers though thats not to say this system isnt highly resolving in its own right. Search: Msb Discrete Dac Vs Chord Dave. Dave gets a "thumbs up" overall from me though. It matches Chord Dave and Mscaler on dynamics with slightly more bass slam. Others might disagree but these are my findings. Audiogon Discussion Forum Nothing was amiss. Conversely, you could spend a lot more and not gain a great deal in real terms. the North American distributors for Rockna so I thought I would jump in on this I thought the DAVE was just as stunning with DSD as PCM. And this is where I had a problem with this DAC, though mostly the problem was of my own making. Is it too hot to touch? Roon/Jriver 22 -> Ayre QX-5 Twenty -> Ayre AX-5 Twenty -> B&W N802D (Transparent Cables). the Extreme has some special optimization for USB. Each clock is made up of two independent clocks but only one is used at any given time so as not to add unwanted noise to the circuit. Can it output a Low or High Voltage on a single pin in a bitstream? To me, the instrumental timbre seems more accurate with DAVE than any other DACs I've heard. 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. This latter recording gets played to death at shows, but that doesnt detract from it being a very good tune and a very good recording, though I have been known to take the piss a bit when it gets played for the tenth time in a day at audio events. The only other items in the chain were the Stack streamer and a pretty well-sorted network setup. UPnP Protocol 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. I found it big bold brash and dynamic but hard cold glary and fatiguing - all the old fashioned things I hated about early digital. Thanks for the suggestion ecwl. 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). 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. What ice cream do you prefer? To my ears it makes music sound unnatural. I agree price is necessarily indicative of quality or performance. Given your appreciation of the Pacific Microsonics DAC, I hope you'll get a chance to hear the Berkeley in your system as well. Guess what I am trying to say is: preamps are important. You already have a very top tier DAC. The end result is a digital experience defying expectations. 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. Would love to hear your opinions of which was better and why? Once populated, the circuit boards are made into modules and then placed inside the casework. I hear the new Ayre QX-5 Twenty gives the DAVE a run for its money at $8950 but that is just hearsay. With a better matched preamp presence may be acceptable. let me know when it's on, I'll make my way down if I can. 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. If you take a look at their website you will see that the machining shop is a fully equipped facility designed to meet the needs of a company producing high-quality cases in which the electronics will be fitted no off the shelf or cheap bent metal cases here! I don't understand why Chord DACs have to be so damn ugly! I expected a lot better. With the MSB there has been a great deal of attention paid to ensuring the signal stays as pure as possible and is not affected by other parts of the DAC or outside sources; modular construction, dual power supplies, isolation of USB etc. The DAVE DAC does not perform anywhere near where it should. Thanks for the interesting reply, cmarin. 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. My wife said it Or arm yourself with a nice bottle of red and pay a visit to@Stereophilus. as my Select II sits it would list for $116,450. Although I would like to keep this as close to $10-12K as possible. It's pretty funny how everyone gives their personal pet recommendation with the utmost confidence that the buyer will like it. I've tried it in my system and I don't like it. @shkong78 how good is the dave + mscaler vs msb? Audiogon Discussion Forum which make some people prefer this one to MSB Select II Point 85 Chord Dave and Mscaler (or Blue II transport) This one give transparent and 3D soundstage with excellent details. I have listened to MSB Analog DAC and Diamond DAC IV but not in the same setup as DAVE. I have heard a lot of top DACs at shows or other systems but not in my own. I can leave my hand on it as long as I want to. I haven't yet come across one DAC that is best and will completely dominate other great DACs across all audio evaluation parameters. Fully agree that it could come down to personal preference @RoriHope you have arranged auditions. Now, this is an important and quite a cool lesson in what is going on with the two PSUs. Others might disagree but these are my findings. 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. what Im saying is that comparing dacs also must take into account of all the interface advantages of each particular dac. 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. You could spend less and get close to the sound of this DAC, for sure. It is my name after all! Lots of time it @ricred1, youre right to point that out. About Chord Vs Dac Discrete Msb Dave . What is available on models higher up the MSB food chain is the ability to add an analogue module so that you can use the unit as a true preamplifier and DAC. Is it better than the Chord DAVE that I raved about a few years ago? You are using an out of date browser. JavaScript is disabled. 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. In that price range, you would be mad not to add the MSB Premier DAC to your list as well. And now that my system is much more resolving, it's possible that the differences could be larger and my preferences could change. Focal Utopia ~ LCD i4 ~ ETHER FLOW open/C ~ LCD-2.2/XC ~ Nighthawk ~ K10 custom ~ JH Angie, Chord mscaler // Chord TT2 // Oppo PM-1 (Artisan silver headphone cable) // Beyerdynamic DT880 600 Ohm // WAVE Stream bnc cables // Kef LS50 Meta.
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