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  #11  
Old 12-16-2012, 04:58 AM
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Apexorca Apexorca is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DesW View Post
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


Hmm. Strange.
Probably more due to Harbeths, acoustics ore that something was wrong. Whatever sound you like it's not possible that MSB can sound unlisteneable.
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  #12  
Old 12-16-2012, 05:03 AM
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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.

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.
MSB The Analog DAC is also unbalanced. Staring at MSB PLatinum DAC IV plus, MSB gets balanced.
Still, it sounds great!
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  #13  
Old 12-16-2012, 05:34 AM
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DesW DesW is offline
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Yes I've visited a few worse

Well maybe unlisteneable a tad harsh but the brittle edgy sound was apparent-- surely it was up to Vince to get the room up to a reasonable standard.

Anyway I called as I heard it

YVMV

Des
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  #14  
Old 12-16-2012, 10:02 AM
Cellindo Cellindo is offline
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Originally Posted by Apexorca View Post

MSB The Analog DAC is also unbalanced. Staring at MSB PLatinum DAC IV plus, MSB gets balanced.
Still, it sounds great!
Thanks for the info. If the Analog DAC is processing the output in a non symetrical/balanced way, then I'm no more interested...

Yes Jérome, the Shindo Monbrison will have to go, at least for CD replay, since it is a tad too "polite/delicate" sounding (despite very beautiful and rythmically perfect) while the Sasha are themselves a bit introverted speakers.
I would need a fully balanced preamp, or integrated balanced DAC + preamp, which is faster and delivers more energy.

Each time I audition a fully balanced system I know this is what I need ;-) No single ended connection for me in the future. My dCS and my A-65 are really true balanced designs.
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WILSON Sasha/ACCUPHASE A-65/SHINDO Monbrison/dCS Puccini/NAIM tuner/ECHOLE cables
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  #15  
Old 12-16-2012, 10:33 AM
Elberoth Elberoth is offline
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AnalogDAC may not have true balanced DACs (few digital to analog converters have !) but it still may have a fully balanced analog output stage.
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  #16  
Old 12-16-2012, 11:47 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cellindo

Thanks for the info. If the Analog DAC is processing the output in a non symetrical/balanced way, then I'm no more interested...

Yes Jérome, the Shindo Monbrison will have to go, at least for CD replay, since it is a tad too "polite/delicate" sounding (despite very beautiful and rythmically perfect) while the Sasha are themselves a bit introverted speakers.
I would need a fully balanced preamp, or integrated balanced DAC + preamp, which is faster and delivers more energy.

Each time I audition a fully balanced system I know this is what I need ;-) No single ended connection for me in the future. My dCS and my A-65 are really true balanced designs.
Laurent,

Did not know that the Sasha were "introverted" speakers ! Well, there is a place for everyone under the sun. Most people who do not like Wilson say that they are way too extraverted !
The important is to find the sound you have in mind.
I went from a 100% fully balanced dual mono system, from the MDA 1000 and the REF PHONO2 to the C1000P and the quad balanced 2301 to a Shindo system with only the Giscours preamp being balanced and not even fully balanced because inputs are still RCA only, and the level of the sound quality exploded.
My 300B Manley preamp is connected to the Manley Snappers and this system is also not balanced and it sounds much better than the Mcs.
It is possible that the best choice for your A65 would be an Accuphase fully balanced preamp.
Besides this obvious choice, you should not be too much concerned about balanced or not components when it comes to ultimate sound quality.
Please do not sell the Monbrison before calling me. I may be very interested in one.

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  #17  
Old 12-16-2012, 11:49 AM
earwaxxer earwaxxer is offline
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Currious to hear the coparo between the Alpha DAC and the MSB Analog.

I agree with the interest in going with DAC as preamp going balanced to power amp. I recently found very nice results using my Transporter as preamp, BNC digital to the new Gungnir then balanced to my Emotiva XPA-2. The Gungnir is truely balanced. Big difference. I had a tube preamp in there before I tried the balanced option direct to amp. The tube pre is now out. After that experiment, I realized a slight 'roll off' of the highs with the tubes, and a much more accurate, yet realistic timber from the DAC. Not the usual leading edge emphasis that digital is know for. Very happy camper.
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  #18  
Old 12-16-2012, 04:22 PM
Elberoth Elberoth is offline
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I did some reliminary listening today. Right of the bat, AnalogDAC sounds a bit different than Accuphase gear. The sound is fast, clear and transparent. It is not warm, but it is not bright or thin either. To me, it represent a new wave of dacs, with the next gen digital filters and jitter management done right, which results in sound that has great resolution, but is also very smooth at the same time, resulting in low listener fatigue. Accuphase gear is more rounded, slower paced and warmer - which is pretty much what Accuphase 'house sound' is all about.



I will let it burn for a few days, and then will bring the BADA from another room to compare.

BTW - the display is better than I thought. Since it faces the ceiling, I thought it will be useless, unless one leans over the DAC. But as it turned out in practice, when you sit ~ 10 feet from the gear, with the dac on the lowest rack shelf, the display is still legible, inspite of sharp viewing angle. Still - not everyone can place the DAC that low.
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  #19  
Old 12-16-2012, 04:57 PM
kev313 kev313 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cellindo View Post

Thanks for the info. If the Analog DAC is processing the output in a non symetrical/balanced way, then I'm no more interested...

Yes Jérome, the Shindo Monbrison will have to go, at least for CD replay, since it is a tad too "polite/delicate" sounding (despite very beautiful and rythmically perfect) while the Sasha are themselves a bit introverted speakers.
I would need a fully balanced preamp, or integrated balanced DAC + preamp, which is faster and delivers more energy.

Each time I audition a fully balanced system I know this is what I need ;-) No single ended connection for me in the future. My dCS and my A-65 are really true balanced designs.
Monbrison + Esoteric + Arome = good digital.
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  #20  
Old 12-17-2012, 01:53 PM
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Apexorca Apexorca is offline
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Hi Elberoth!

Have you compared The Analog DAC with your dCS Scarlatti? Is it even nearly as good it's very good.
Due to my testing, it can compete against much higher priced products!
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