msb discrete dac vs chord dave

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. Over the air updates will ensure that your renderer always has the latest capabilities and ultimate convenience. None, despite working back as I always do if theres an issue! I have heard a lot of top DACs at shows or other systems but not in my own. After a year of listening to various components I'm content. With two prime DACs, we yield an unprecedented level of detail, reproducing the musicality, soundstage, and texture of an original performance, bringing the artist to you. They both use FPGA for their decoding. The Discrete DAC we have here is the baby of the four DACs MSB produces, with the top-of-the-range Select DAC boldly proclaiming to be the worlds finest DAC. Sonically, it is akin to the old straight wire with gain only in the digital realm. 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). 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. MSB Technology's Discrete DAC was the best DAC I'd heard in my systemuntil the MSB Premier showed up. By I agree with what you are saying but "far too often" the So I personally prefer to listen to different DACs just like I prefer to listen to analog as well as digital. Others might disagree but these are my findings. will every hear. The SQ is amazingly good. Wherever I read I see unanimous praise for the MSB Select II. You must log in or register to reply here. 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. The reasoning behind the two clocks dealing with different frequency families is that music is mostly recorded within multiples of the 44.1kHz family or the 48kHz family and having a clock dealing with each family minimises loss. How does it compare? Everyone hears differentlyI heard the Dave with the Blu and I prefer it without it. Founded in 2010 Whats Best Forum invites intelligent and courteous people of all interests and backgrounds to describe and discuss the best of everything. First I want to say that I fully agree that the hobby is 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). The more observant of you will have read this and noticed that there is no mains inlet. Right now my favorite music player is from the same manufacturer of the Phasure NOS1a DAC: Stealth LPS running XXHighEnd software; again with the same caveat that I haven't heard a lot of the other highly regarded music players in my system. The DAVE DAC does not perform anywhere near where it should. My first serious audio system was Garrard turntable, Fisher Int(SS), ADS bookspeaker bought on 1978. By clicking links on our site, we may earn affiliate commission, but our editorial remains entirely independent and unbiased. I have had Dave in my system. Now, this is an important and quite a cool lesson in what is going on with the two PSUs. I agree with your statement. A modular I/O card keeps even the discrete DAC flexible, repairable, and upgradeable. Theyre not limited by audio formats, sample rates, or even speed. Height with feet: 68 mm Weight: 8.2 kg, Accessories included: Manual Remote control Aluminum MSB USB charging cable 4 X Spikes and Cups 4 X plastic inserts Power connector splitter, MERASON FRROT DAC REVIEW The Merason Frrot DAC costing 995 isn't the first thing that comes to mind when we think of Switzerland. You are using an out of date browser. When a dealer post something you have to take it with a enormous grain of salt. The MSB DAC comes with one external PSU as standard. Once populated, the circuit boards are made into modules and then placed inside the casework. Edited November 11, 2020 by seadog. Our publication is supported by its audience. Also, it is worth noting I heard the v1 DAC 2X, not the v2. retail client forgets that most audio stores and audio distribution companies If so I'd recommend the Aqua Formula xHD and the TotalDAC d1-Seven. They're very back ordered and are a pro unit with balanced only outputs and no remote but oh my do they sound spectacular. There is no dark magic involved. Get a Lampi Golden Gate Dac and match it with the RK5u4g rectifier and PX25 DHTs or the RK242 DHT. 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 states "DAVE is the most advanced DAC we have ever made. There is scale on bigger productions and intimacy on smaller-scale recordings and pieces, It wont make a pigs ear into a sows purse, but its majestic on really good recordings, Its very detailed but not harshly so actually, its a very easy component to fit in a system and live with, Its not cheap and you will want both PSUs once you compare with just one, No analogue inputs to make it the heart of a full system, You know that MSB have stuff that is out of reach financially and potentially better, Price: 11,000 plus 1,650 for a second power supply. https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-rothschild-70aab85/, Headphones and Personal Audio with Pitch Perfect Service. Fixed. The LED display, slaved to the audio clock, is refreshed between data processing to drastically reduce electrical interference. The Premier is a super-high-resolution, completely silent, utterly dynamic component that lets music flow through it less hindered than through anything else I've heard. I'm looking for suggestions on DACs I should listen to as possible replacement of my Chord Dave. Mola Mola is another well built great sounding The MSB simply offered more of everything and to my ears proved again that a true multi bit converter/ladder DAC is superior to delta/sigma or FPGA DACs. Point 75 EmmLab Dac2 I paid 9K$ for this on 2010. If you have a turntable, for instance, the Discrete will have to act as a standalone DAC and go into a preamplifier/integrated amplifier which will then add its own flavour to the mix. @yyzsantabarbara, your dealer quote is interesting, I suspected that the Mola Mola was that good. MSB thrives off the innovation required to meet consumer demands. The evolution of the original irreverent and irrelevant and non-authoritative site for headphone measurements, i.e. 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. It was a speaker setup (as in my signature.) Sound Media Group Pty Ltd DAC Comparison Reference DAC Modules 4x Hybrid DAC Clock The Femto 33 Digital Inputs 4x User Replaceable Input Slots Optical and Coaxial input module Included Analog Outputs Preamp XLR Output Module - 150 Impedance RCA output available with external adapter Analog Inputs XLR Analog Expansion Modules RCA or XLR Input RCA or XLR Output It may not display this or other websites correctly. in this forum and they are all very good dacs. Yeah, im thinking a post lock-down GTG is in order. What didn't you like about the Dave? You are using an out of date browser. Stainless steel buttons arrayed around an elegant volume wheel to optimize performance and response. You could try some of the newer dacs that has gotten good reviews. - Meat Loaf. "OK, it would be. I havent heard the Rockna. Sources: Hiby R6, Fiio x3II, Fiio x5II DACs: Dave, Yggdrasil, Hugo, Hugo TT, U12. so these are less preferred. Of course this DAC is super pricey and out of the reach of many (including me). Hmm.. Couldn't agree more. I may need to reset expectations a bit lower: This is an update to some old DAVE vibration control posts. Would I pay extra for the second supply? Thanks. 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. But DAVE also seems to me to highlight the original recording so if the recording is flat, the playback sounds flat (still with great accurate timbre) but if the recording really showcase the soundstage and the 3-dimensionality of the instruments and vocals, DAVE really portrays that well. Once you start playing a tune the DAC works out the sample rate and chooses the correct playback clock. The Prime DAC Module. So this was headphones straight out of the DAVE? I haven't heard MSB or theDenafrips DAC. Firstly, that was a very impressive list of high end components you have listened to. One of the things I jotted down in my notes during this time was the sense of scale the Discrete brought to the music I was listening to big music sounded BIG and more intimate recordings had their own scale too. I can only comment on the Emm labs, if u can get a DA2 I think you will be happy "An audiophile is only done when they go to the great brick and mortar store in the sky" Ron Resnick You might want to consider adding one of Chord's Upscalers, either Hugo M scaler , or the Blu Mk. You are using an out of date browser. Is it better than the Chord DAVE that I raved about a few years ago? I'm looking for suggestions on DACs I should listen to as possible replacement of my Chord Dave. This is a dealers email comment to me about comparisons he did. 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's not just a matter of being polite, it's also about acknowledging that what we hear and what we prefer is uncertain and changes; that the comparisons were made at different points in time wherein my system had varying levels of resolution/ noise; the fact that making a change requires greater energy and usually more money than staying with what you have; and that sometimes the differences between components are not significant or actionable. 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. sounds just like the Dave. It has the option for two PSUs and once you hear with both it becomes a necessity to have both. The Chord Qutest DAC has the same DAC architecture and filters as the Chord Hugo 2. From beginners to life-long hobbyists to industry professionals, we enjoy learning about new things and meeting new people, and participating in spirited debates. The DAVE is very resolving, but thinner tonally in comparison to the EMM Labs. But the differences between great DACs is small. I own the MSB Select II with the dual powerbases and 33 Femto Clock. JavaScript is disabled. It is not hard to audition these DACs in Melbourneand this is your best way to work out your own preference. September 6, 2016 in DAC - Digital to Analog Conversion. 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. Its an interesting setup with everything from design through to milling the chassis to building the circuit boards being done in-house. us, over a 2 day test period come to the exact same conclusion. My wife said it As a matter of fact, I'd appreciate getting your impressions. But it need good system matching. It will kick your ass. The world's largest high-end audio community. And the Jeff Rowland Aeris DAC with new PSU. I don't want to waste hifi shops time too much knowing I'll be going second hand either. That statement makes sense in an analog paradigm. Didn't like it at all. 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. They are all excellent DACs and at that level of performance, it's ultimately about system synergy, personal preferences and the limitations of our hearing. This is a very odd one to describe but came to the fore on tracks like Pan Eros from World Of Drums and Percussion. 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. I auditioned a DAVE (not deconstructed) and TT2 and found all Chord products lacked the musicality of MSB. 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. The DAC has two modes; multi-bit PCM and single-bit discrete DSD mode. The modular nature of the Discrete and other MSB DACs is very clever and I assume this goes a good way towards giving it such a neutral and detailed sound, where no one part is interfering with what the other is doing. as my Select II sits it would list for $116,450. Whether its a software update or a leading-edge modular component, were here to help the most valued aspect of MSBour customers. Cs | Critical Mass CS2s -> components, Isoacoustics -> speakers + subs | Adona Eris II rack on Herbie's titanium footers | Fully treated and dedicated 2 channel room. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Mike, Scott has been absolutely wonderful in his support, despite my purchasing the Found-Music 2A3s used (from Art S.) He has visited once and is planning another visit after the trip your way. Copyright Hifi Pig and Hifi Pig Magazine, Big Pig Media LLP. 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. Stay updated on Bloom Audio at their. MQA decoding It's UPDATE VIDEO THREE for the Chord Electronics DAVE DAC REVIEW I have spent a lot more time with the DAVE Dac, still using. Sit back and be immersed. has 20 hours on it. 2. Did you audition all of them in the same place with the same system? I'm looking for suggestions between $10K - $12K. Regular readers will appreciate all that is taken from the MSB website and I make no apologies for not really understanding the electronics. Blimey my RME ADI 2 DAC looks to have better performance at a fraction of the cost, /===============================================================/, DACs, Streamers, Servers, Players, Audio Interface, Combination Audio DAC and Headphone Amplifiers. Of those, I've only heard the DAVE. There is a real sense of spectacle and scale when the MSB is in the system. What else should one expect? Conversely, you could spend a lot more and not gain a great deal in real terms. 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. We are Let us do the work of refurbishing and finding your current electronics a new hometheyll continue to be enjoyed for years to come. 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% The best upgrade for Dave easy. Who knows ?! https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/a-dac-that-crushes-price-vs-performance-ratio. 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. Jon Hopkins Music For Psychedelic Therapy was a beautifully enveloping experience, made all the more so as sounds come and go in the soundstage in a somewhat more solid way than without the usual DAC. and our ears are completely different. 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. That is not to say that a preamp doesn't produce value with respect to other sound quality characteristics that may affect the personal appeal of the musical reproduction (e.g., soundstage), or that the extra transparency won't reveal system issues, but there is no question that transparency is higher when going straight to the amps. See what the reviews are saying. and build quality is also excellent. Search: Msb Discrete Dac Vs Chord Dave. And what streamer are you using to feed the DAC? The MSB Discrete, as I mentioned, came with two power supplies but you can operate it with just one with the supplied doodad. I'm looking for suggestions between $10K - $12K. The jump from Six to Seven is rather large. The next module is the display which is a cool and easy-to-read LED that is slaved to the audio clock. I like Aqua Formula xHD and Totaldac Six. The demo model came in brushed aluminium but you can also get black. T&A Dac8 (for DSD512) or Lampi Atlantic for any native rate DSD playback. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Have you thought about hooking up a Blu2 to Dave? More to follow. Up to 32 bit 768kHz Mola Mola dac and the Total dac. I have heard the Dave and EMM Labs DAC2x up against aMakua that I subsequently purchased. Sablon Audio King/Prince power cords throughout. When I have done the comparison with other DACs I have had at the same time - Ayre QX5-Twenty, EAR Dac 4, exasound e32 - often the immediate impression is that DAVE/Blu 2 is not quite as good - a bit dryer sounding, not quite as smooth, not as airy or three dimensional And yet, over the longer term, it is deeply satisfying at a musical level in a way that the other DACs are not. 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. You'll be shocked by how much you lose by going through a separate preamp. as far as direct comparison with other dacs the closest Ive done is listening to the Select II at shows and then listening to other top dacs in other systems at shows. 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. It's pretty funny how everyone gives their personal pet recommendation with the utmost confidence that the buyer will like it. If you currently have an MSB DAC or amplifier that you lovebut are looking to experience more from your systemplease reach out to your local dealer. Rori This leaner and cleaner edge has the effect of adding a level of perceived detail to the listening experience. Then we have the Integrated Clock module and Im starting to get the whole modular approach to the design of the MSB DAC. and this is borne out in the sound that this DAC brings to the party. Its weighty, it feels perfect, its not overly ostentatious and its perfect! The video cannot be shown. In that time, weve pushed the industry forward with each product weve built, redefining whats possible. 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. Once you add the second discrete PS, and a module or two for it to work, the price goes over $23-24K. Set up is key, cables are super important, server is also the Select II pushes the analog to be its best. The headamp is powerful but not involving. Thank you, Mike. Chord Dave DAC "Sealed Box Brand New" Never Opened !! To be 100% honest we have A/B tested most of the dacs mentioned turns out that with the Extreme USB slightly pulls ahead of the Ethernet with the Renderer, then adding the Pro USB there is now a significant step up over the Renderer. 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. It is just as important as the DAC itself. This is how MSB describe these modules: Its best to think of our DAC modules as a black box: the modules take the raw digital data in and output a continuous voltage. I say take what everyone post when a grain of salt, because an individual's preference may be different than yours. Thanks for the interesting reply, cmarin. More sharing . Wherever I read I see unanimous praise for the MSB Select II. The only other items in the chain were the Stack streamer and a pretty well-sorted network setup. 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. And this is what separates the very good from the excellent piece of audio equipment. Sent from my iPhone using Computer Audiophile. I thought the DAVE was just as stunning with DSD as PCM. It's better than the MSB Analog I listened to. But dont take our word for it. It matches Chord Dave and Mscaler on dynamics with slightly more bass slam. The only true way for the end user to know what they prefer is through listening in their own system.. UPnP Protocol Sounds shrill on my workstation and work laptop. 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. It is not hard to audition these DACs in Melbourneand this is your best way to work out your own preference. I have personally not observed this - with either the DAVE or my Mojo. Superior conversion begins with clean and stable low-noise power. You could spend less and get close to the sound of this DAC, for sure. Then just stay with the basic Premier unit, and the power supply that comes with it. However, to get this level of separation and detail within the soundscape the DAC is clearly having a very important role to play. Would love to hear your opinions of which was better and why? Digital inputs : RCA coax, AES/EBU XLR, 2x Toslink optical, 2x module slots, word . Almost all gear I hear is pretty good and some are great but the most expensive ones are not universally the best to my ears. 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. Others might disagree but these are my findings. Gbel High End [Divin Noblesse], [Divin Marquis], ([Epoque Aeon Fine]). The world's largest high-end audio community. JavaScript is disabled. Is this what passes for high end? Pass Labs INT-60. MSB are an American brand headed up by the brothers Jonathan and Daniel Gullman and located in Silicon Valley, California where they design and build a range of amplifiers, transports, and DACs.

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