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MBL, dCS, Goldmund, Gryphon etc Ultra High End Equipment

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  #1  
Old 12-15-2012, 01:17 PM
Elberoth Elberoth is offline
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Default MSB Analog DAC

Brought one home today.

The DAC has the following options installed:

- USB & MSB Network inputs
- standard remote
- standard PSU
- volume control

First (positive) surprise is that standard power supply. I was expecting a brick SMPS supply - similar to the ones that come with laptops, as MSB supplies sth similar with their basic transport - but what I got instead is a very substantial, LINEAR power supply, with TWO toroid transformers and 4 voltage regulators. Neat.



I will connect it to my system today evening to let it warm up overnight, before I start any serious listening.

I have a BADA Alpha DAC and Alpha USB already burning in 24/7 connected to a set top box in my living room, which should make for a nice benchmark. BADA is ~ $7k, and MSB ~$8k as tested.
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Old 12-15-2012, 01:30 PM
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Portugal Portugal is offline
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Adam, very interesting! These days I'm paying attention to any DAC that can double as a preamp.

How will these components fit your system given that you already have the Scarlatti?

Pozdrawiam, Pedro
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Old 12-15-2012, 01:36 PM
joeinid joeinid is offline
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Looking forward to the comparison. Thanks Adam.
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Old 12-15-2012, 01:46 PM
Elberoth Elberoth is offline
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Pedro - unfortunately I sold my Scarlatti (when I learned that the Vivaldi is coming) so no direct comparo will be available.

I have the $40k Accuphase DP-800/DC-801 combo on hand though. After I will be done with those DACs, I will bring the Vivaldi in
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Old 12-15-2012, 02:00 PM
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Portugal Portugal is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Elberoth View Post
(...) After I will be done with those DACs, I will bring the Vivaldi in
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ACDC - Back in Black. Adele - 19. Bryan Adams - Bare Bones. Diana Krall - Live in Paris; When I Look in Your Eyes. Dire Straits - Brothers in Arms. Don Williams - Borrowed Tales. FleetwoodMac - Tango in the Night. Frank Sinatra - At the Sands. Genesis - A Trick of the Tail. Gipsy Kings - Love Songs. Iron Maiden - Fear of the Dark. Keith Jarrett - The Koln Concert. Marillion - Script For A Jester's Tear. Marta Gómez - Entre Cada Palabra. Metallica - Metallica. Michael Jackson - Thriller. Miles Davis - Kind of Blue. The Moody Blues - Days of Future Passed. Pink Floyd - Delicate Sound of Thunder; Wish You Were Here. Rodrigo Y Gabriela - Live in Japan. U2 - Rattle and Hum.
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Old 12-15-2012, 08:22 PM
Cellindo Cellindo is offline
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This MSB Analog DAC with optional volume control is definitively on my "radar chart" to replace my unbalanced preamp.

I'm too very eager to hear your review/comments as it seems that super high-end digital sources found home with you in the past.
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Old 12-15-2012, 08:59 PM
Elberoth Elberoth is offline
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More porn and impressions to follow ...
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Old 12-16-2012, 03:27 AM
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Jerome W Jerome W is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cellindo
This MSB Analog DAC with optional volume control is definitively on my "radar chart" to replace my unbalanced preamp.

I'm too very eager to hear your review/comments as it seems that super high-end digital sources found home with you in the past.
Hum....
Laurent, did I read well ?
You want to replace your Shindo preamp because it is not balanced by a MSB dac / preamp ? Hum....is that you Laurent ???
You should read what Hervé Deletraz has to say about balanced design in home audio on his web site.
There is much more than balanced thing in the final sound of a system.

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Old 12-16-2012, 04:19 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cellindo View Post
This MSB Analog DAC with optional volume control is definitively on my "radar chart" to replace my unbalanced preamp.
Really?-- I would not go there ---this MSB system was the only setup I've heard

that almost rendered the sublime Harbeths unlisteneable.

Believe me I tried and went back to the room 3 times

Your wonderful Monbrison for that?

"oh no dear Liza dear Liza"

DesW

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Old 12-16-2012, 04:44 AM
bzr bzr is offline
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In a motel room, come on!
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