Car Accident In Kingsport, Tn Today, Sisto Funeral Home Obituaries, Chef G Garvin Recipes, Michael Potts Photographer Wife, Order Of The Long Leaf Pine Recipients, Articles M

I listen mostly to classical music, particularly with symphonic work, I prefer DAVE to MSB. Given your appreciation of the Pacific Microsonics DAC, I hope you'll get a chance to hear the Berkeley in your system as well. 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. We can operate our current DAC modules at up to 6 MHz for PCM and up to 50 MHz for DSD. 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. 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. After a year of listening to various components I'm content. Couldn't agree more. This gives us lots of headroom for future sample rates and audio formats.. 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. Thats not allthe CNC unibody aluminum chassis provides the discrete power supply with optimal thermal performance and an elegant design aesthetic. the Select II pushes the analog to be its best. Put simply, your DAC is ready for the future. If you send me a dave i will happily be your 4th friend who also owns a dave. Once you start playing a tune the DAC works out the sample rate and chooses the correct playback clock. If so I'd recommend the Aqua Formula xHD and the TotalDAC d1-Seven. It has the option for two PSUs and once you hear with both it becomes a necessity to have both. There are so. Point 75 EmmLab Dac2 I paid 9K$ for this on 2010. There are some tonal differences too, but what you prefer will depend on your other equipment and the music you like. And in the case of a great DAC with great amps in a system with very low noise, going direct to the amps can be magical. Too many DACs> Too many amps> Too many headphones. but with digital things change quickly, and a month ago I got a new server, the SGM Extreme. We are Both DACs connected directly to power amp using each DACs volume controle. Since this forum is mainly USA based and we are in the UK, I have very little to gain business wise here. 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. Dedicated Line DSD/DXD | Audirvana+ | iFi iDSD Nano | SET Tube Amp | Totem Mites, Surround: VLC | M-Audio FastTrack Pro | Mac Opt | Panasonic SA-HE100 | Logitech Z623, DIY: SET Tube Amp | Low-Noise Linear Regulated Power Supply | USB, Power, Speaker Cables | Speaker Stands | Acoustic Panels, You need to be a member in order to leave a comment. I understand that audio stores and distribution companies have the opportunity to A/B a significant amount of equipment. You must log in or register to reply here. 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. MSB Technology Discrete Modular DAC Page 2. I own the MSB Select II with the dual powerbases and 33 Femto Clock. so these are less preferred. I also looked at the MSB Discrete DAC but everything thing was an extra cost option (USB, AES/EBU, power supply, etc.,) and expensive. ), Chord Hugo 2 Review (Portable DAC & HP Amp), DAC Noise Modulation: Chord DAVE vs Topping DX7 Pro+, Digital To Analog (DAC) Reviews and Discussion, Amplifiers, Phono preamp, and Analog Audio Review. Of the ones you mentioned I'd be most tempted by the Emm Labs DAC 2x though if you can get a used higher-end Esoteric, you should jump on it. The demo model came in brushed aluminium but you can also get black. This is disabled if you are outputting to a preamplifier. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Its headphone amplifier is good but no match for higher powered units. For such a high entry price I wouldn't take the gamble to go on some recommendation by a stranger whose tastes I don't know. I'm doing this off the top of my head. I had the DAVE for 3years, it is an amazing DAC. There seemed to be a little more separation of instruments in the mix of whatever I was listening to than with the LAB12 DAC and Pre in the signal path and a slightly leaner edge to the music more clearly etched, perhaps? Theres just a sense that with the MSB in the line that everything is timed correctly and rock solid. The Discrete is around 11,000 whilst the Select is 120,750 with its power base. Powered by Invision Community. You are using an out of date browser. sounds just like the Dave. Impedance 100 Low Gain setting. After reading that review, and remembering the reverence APL had back in the day, alongside the Stahl Tek and Trinity dacs that were the heavy hitters 10-15 yrs ago, I was just curious as to whether . I hate to repeat myself, but there are no absolutes in audio, only preferences. Much appreciated. 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. 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). comparing top dacs directly is a bit challenging, even if you have them both together. 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). We used PCM (16/44,1 to 24/192) and DSD 64 and 128 for the comparioson. Firstly, that was a very impressive list of high end components you have listened to. If I got a great $20K DAC for less, I would not object. CH Precision mono dac with clock and 3 power supplies (7 boxes)----its more spendy---$150k, Merging Technologies NADAC w/power supply and clock---much better now with the clock and power supply upgrades than my previous experience.----around $60k. Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by mtoc, Jun 9, 2016. You'll be shocked by how much you lose by going through a separate preamp. September 6, 2016 in DAC - Digital to Analog Conversion. You might want to consideradding oneof Chord's Upscalers, either HugoM scaler, or the Blu Mk. I'm looking for suggestions between $10K - $12K. If you go reference you will never look back. The PSUs are available to match. But MSB Select 2 is regarded by many as the best thats why for something 1/10 of the price to compete in anyones eyes is quite an accomplishment. retail client forgets that most audio stores and audio distribution companies It's pretty funny how everyone gives their personal pet recommendation with the utmost confidence that the buyer will like it. How does it compare? Along with an integrated clock, changing this card allows switching between single-ended and balanced outputs. Any specific reason you wanna replace the Dave? Personally, I think that both these standpoints have their merits and its going to be a case of you paying your money and you taking your choice. dac at a reasonable price. - Up to 32 bit - 768kHz. Were constantly improving digital input modules to stay at the forefront of the high-end audio industry, ensuring youre always equipped with the most current digital file formats and interfaces. The Chord DAVE was also on my list, but I decided to pass (my Chord retailer was very 'pushy' and not helpful). it just complimented my system better than those other two. Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator, https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/absolute-top-tier-dac-for-standard-res-redbook-cd. Cs | Critical Mass CS2s -> components, Isoacoustics -> speakers + subs | Adona Eris II rack on Herbie's titanium footers | Fully treated and dedicated 2 channel room. Fully agree that it could come down to personal preference @RoriHope you have arranged auditions. To each their own, but I think Chord sounds cold and artificial. With the Bartok now quite a few $$$ more, the Tambaqui represents a fantastic price v performance ratio that would be at home in most highly resolving systems. UPnP Protocol For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. I hear the new Ayre QX-5 Twenty gives the DAVE a run for its money at $8950 but that is just hearsay. Even at very low listening levels, it was clear that the MSB was delivering a clean analogue output to the ampand Im aware that sounds a bit vague. Regardless if the buyer has never auditioned the unit, and found it corresponding to, Simaudio Moon Neo 260 DT CD Transport / Empirical Audio reclocking system: Synchro-Mesh Reclocker driven by Dynamo Linear Power Supply, 2 x Reference BNC digital cable / Schiit Yggdrasil Less is More (LIM) DAC / Octave HP 700 preamp / Octave RE 320 stereo amp with Super Black Box / Reference 3A Reflector monitors, on Sound Anchors Signature stands / dual JL Audio Fathom 112 v2 subwoofers / Cables: ZenWave Audio D4 interconnects, ZenWave SMSG speaker cables / Diverse Herbie's Audio Lab footers / Acoustic treatment: Tri-panels, window plugs, ceiling diffusers (all ASC), diverse carpets chosen for acoustic properties (wool, polypropylene basketweave), Sure absolutely agree that paying that much money without auditioning (preferably in my house, with my own equipment, in my room) does not make much sense. Our products include our in-house designed viton feet, but any audiophile M6X1 foot can be installed to personalize your system. Now, this is an important and quite a cool lesson in what is going on with the two PSUs. Cs | Critical Mass CS2s -> components, Isoacoustics -> speakers + subs | Adona Eris II rack on Herbie's titanium footers | Fully treated and dedicated 2 channel room. Like a true audiophile with "issues", I'm saying to myself, if at $8300 Sablon Audio King/Prince power cords throughout. Were honored to be recognized by the industry for bringing you the most lifelike sound we can. the North American distributors for Rockna so I thought I would jump in on this Wherever I read I see unanimous praise for the MSB Select II. It is my name after all! in this forum and they are all very good dacs. Hifi Pig is part of the Big Pig Media LLP group of companies. Yeah, you and me both- the look I got wasn't as funny as the one I got from the Sennheiser stand when I asked if they had any HD600 or HD650, instead of all those Momentums and so forth, but still. It seems to me that manufacturers are jacking up the price for the perception of quality. fake by any means necessary jacket. If I had been responsible for coding that display I would never tell anyone. Digital inputs : RCA coax, AES/EBU XLR, 2x Toslink optical, 2x module slots, word . 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. Yes, you read that right, the Select DAC is the best part of 121,000! What I do know is that the MSB brings an excellent level of performance by way of neutrality to a system that allows other parts of the system to do their thing its sort of the digital equivalent of a very (very) good cartridge. and as I said earlier there is no "best" when it comes to dacs or Its an interesting setup with everything from design through to milling the chassis to building the circuit boards being done in-house. The Dave as a DAC actually sounds decent. 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. Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator. home system and listening for that end result. 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. 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! Yeah, im thinking a post lock-down GTG is in order. Needless to say given everything talked about so far, the Prime DAC modules are made in-house and they have been making and designing discrete ladder DACs since 1999. Wherever I read I see unanimous praise for the MSB Select II. Main Menu Sit back and be immersed. It is a pretty DAC but usability is left behind. Personally we have A/B 76 different digital front ends. Moving away from the actual sound of the music, one of my main takeaways from listening to the Discrete was the sense of timing it brought to music. The Chord Qutest DAC has the same DAC architecture and filters as the Chord Hugo 2. Ill go through the modules included in the Discrete DAC and explain a little about each. Congratulations on the upgrade and enjoy it in good health. The AC modules are fully balanced at every stage, have no buffers, IV converters, or transistors in the signal path, and have no active devices used in the conversion process at all. let me know when it's on, I'll make my way down if I can. They both use FPGA for their decoding. The only true way for the end user to know what they prefer is through listening in their own system.. The other thing I've learned about the Chord Dave is it can sound very different depending on the interconnect and/or power cord used. - Meat Loaf. Our digital testing has been done over the last 20 + years I don't have that kind of money. If I want to build a complicated system, I won't consider DAVE because for the position of DAC, I can choose from other brands (Totaldac, NADAC, Rockna, Prismsound 8XR etc) at the same price. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Does anyone have formula for that? 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. And what streamer are you using to feed the DAC? What ice cream do you prefer? See what the reviews are saying. Regular readers will appreciate all that is taken from the MSB website and I make no apologies for not really understanding the electronics. So yes it's a question of being polite, but it's also about acknowledging the limitations inherent in making absolute pronouncements about differences between high performing components. DAVE is perfect for headphone system because you can save space and money of headphone amplifier. What did you think with the Chord Dave vs Emm Labs Dac2x? Theyre not limited by audio formats, sample rates, or even speed. 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. Up to 32 bit 768kHz It seems to take in zeros and ones and then somehow make sense of these and just convert them into faithful reproductions of the recording though me not being at the recording of any of the records I listened to, thats my assumption coming into play. Also, it is worth noting I heard the v1 DAC 2X, not the v2. This hobby is "highly subjective", influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or opinions; therefore you can A/B a million different components and come to a completely different conclusion on how it sounds compared to another listener. It's better than the MSB Analog I listened to. In that time, weve pushed the industry forward with each product weve built, redefining whats possible. 5 other people who only have 2 things in common with our system. Toggle signature. Then we have the Integrated Clock module and Im starting to get the whole modular approach to the design of the MSB DAC. The DAC has two modes; multi-bit PCM and single-bit discrete DSD mode. Tellurium Silver Diamond USB and Chord Blu. This one has similar sound signature to MSB Premier But it is half notch below MSB Premier on dynamics, details, soundstage. frequency response graphs, CSD waterfall plots, subjective gear reviews. 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. us, over a 2 day test period come to the exact same conclusion. Of those, I've only heard the DAVE. I could easily live with any of these. What makes you want to upgrade from DAVE? Digital: Jay's Audio CDT2 MK2 CD transport, Modified MHDT Labs Balanced Pagoda DAC. Thank you for posting! I'll take a look, however I've heard they're on the warm side? I wish you would have had the Totaldac D1 Seven to try. Dave gets a "thumbs up" overall from me though. 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. I've had many world class DACS in my studio over the years and the Crane Song is as good as any no matter the cost. But dont take our word for it. But of course, I love window shopping and perusing top tier systems including illustrious more familiar gear like Lampi, TD, MSB, Ares Cerat, Aqua. I submit dealers use the statement "component X competes against much more expensive components" far too often. The only true way for the end user to know what they prefer is through listening in their own system. So this was headphones straight out of the DAVE? I do however like the i2S connection better than any other The Pro USB was developed to offer a multi part USB solution that features complete electrical isolation and all the performance of MSBs proprietary Pro ISL input. in this forum and they are all very good dacs. digital 149728-117859 MSB select II vs all dacs ? I'm super happy with my Esoteric N-01, which is a noticeable step up in quality/musicality from the DAVE - as yes the DAVE sounds a bit "thin" (though extraordinarily detailed). I may need to reset expectations a bit lower: This is an update to some old DAVE vibration control posts. what Im saying is that comparing dacs also must take into account of all the interface advantages of each particular dac. for instance, the Select II is modular (customers can easily change modules in seconds)so it has the ability to quickly modify its inputs to allow for optimization of various interfaces. There are some tonal differences too, but what you prefer will depend on your other equipment and the music you like. It's too damn expensive, full stop. Anyway, I switched out the valve power amplifier and put in its place the Krell KST100 (all fully fettled and brought up to a better than new spec by Krell in the States) with my intention being to see what effect was the DAC and what was down to the amp basically isolating the effect to a component. https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/a-dac-that-crushes-price-vs-performance-ratio. I'm looking for suggestions on DACs I should listen to as possible replacement of my Chord Dave. has 20 hours on it. Nothing was amiss. You are using an out of date browser. Click to expand. this was how I originally decided to purchase the Select II as I was trying to hear another dac at shows that could do what I heard the Select II doing at a lower price. 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. The clock can be seen as being the heart of the DAC and once again the clocks are made in-house. The MSB Renderer was developed using an in-house hardware design running an ultra low noise A5 processor for optimal audio playback performance. There are separate optimal PCM and DSD modes for playbacks and bit perfect playback is how DAVE performs optimally as the FPGA up samples and noise shapes everything to 104MHz 5-bit. 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. of the 5 systems are completely different, our rooms are completely different Watts is avidly not reading this in anticipation of the video version he won't watch. 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. conversation. A modular I/O card keeps even the discrete DAC flexible, repairable, and upgradeable. I just heard DAVE directly connected to MacBook Pro via USB without any expensive cables, headphone amplifier, power conditioner. The end users ears are the only ears that count. Chord Dave vs Mola Mola Makua/Tambaqui vs Emm Labs Dac2x vs Rockna Wavedream IGNORED Chord Dave vs Mola Mola Makua/Tambaqui vs Emm Labs Dac2x vs Rockna Wavedream . It is on kind loan from a member and costs US $14,000. Right now my favorite DACs in my system are the Pacific Microsonics Model 2 (for PCM), Phasure NOS1a (for PCM), Meridian Ultra (for MQA), and the Playback Designs MPS5 (for DSD128). Focusing on our network renderer and USB input, your audio tech will be on the cutting edge. CH Precision C1 DAC. My first serious audio system was Garrard turntable, Fisher Int(SS), ADS bookspeaker bought on 1978. Good points by all. Sources: Hiby R6, Fiio x3II, Fiio x5II DACs: Dave, Yggdrasil, Hugo, Hugo TT, U12. Additionally, MSBs robust in-house design enables the finest quality playback of PCM and native DSD, while our low impedance circuitry drives your amplification directly without adding coloration or buffering noise. The bottom line for me is that great DACs can make a difference over good DACs. Compared to some other similarly priced DACs ($10 - $15k MSRP) I prefer the Discrete with 2 Discrete PS. I hope you understand. I suppose that the vast majority of people who listen for pleasure at home are looking for a balance between the two, and whilst I still maintain we are most likely to hear the biggest effect in a system by changing transducers, every element in the chain of sound will affect the final sound and, in a digital system, I think the DAC you choose can have a huge effect on the final sound. In my assessment the Makua offered a more open and spacious sound. I have heard the Dave and EMM Labs DAC2x up against aMakua that I subsequently purchased. It would only sound like sales so we 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. dCS Bartok>Chord DAVE>MSB discrete discreteR2R R2R DAVE BartokdCSBartok And thinking more about it, the differences at the time could have been small because the noise level in my system at the time of the comparison were relatively higher than they are now. I called the distributor and we went through everything again. Like the Lab12. @astewart8944--two years ago in Feb of 17 i did audition the original Formula dac in my system directly compared to the Lampizator GG 1.5 and the Nagra HD and preferred the Formula for its greater space, lower noise, and more neutral and fast presentation. 2001-2023 Head-Fi.org. DAVE is the most advanced DAC Chord Electronics has ever made. Aurender N10 is still not a USB only dedicated streamer so you will not hear what USB audio is fully capable off through Ms/Dave. As the topic suggests, looking for comparisons on the above Dacs from people who have atleast heard and compared 2 of these dacs. Look, says I theres obviously a fault with this unit as its lighting up, I can see it on the network and I can send tunes to it via the Stack streamer and Roon! We went through everything and I was getting ready to pack it up and send it back when I reached around the back of one of the PSUs and switched it on MUSIC!!! Chord Dave DAC "Sealed Box Brand New" Never Opened !! Do diamonds shine on the dark side of the moon? For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 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% list the Rockna Wavedream Edition sounds this good, how good does their 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. For the most part, I used this input and for a quick comparison one of the optical inputs. More to follow. EAR FILLERS HiFi Pig Playlists on Qobuz, Transatlantic Dispatches: A New World Disorder, Astell&Kern Launch Three New Products At High End Munich 2022.