MSB DACs - The Best Bar None!

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3 жыл бұрын

Our friend and client Andrew joins us to review the MSB Discrete, Premier and Reference DACs. Andrew has owned all three, and gives his feedback on them.
We match and donate all the funds we receive from KZfaq for the videos, so please support us by watching, subscribing and liking them. Thank you very much for your support. Here is the link to our fundraising efforts to date: • How much we've raised ...
As always, we would love to hear from you, so please leave your comments and feedback below. If you have suggestions for future topics, please let us know.
Audio Excellence Inc. is a high end audio/video store in Markham, Ontario, Canada, a suburb of Toronto. We've been in business since 1991.
Check out our interviews with designers and audio luminaries like Daryl Wilson of Wilson Audio, Paul McGowan of PS Audio, Paolo Tezzon of Sonus faber, Wendell Diller of Magnepan, John Atkinson of Stereophile, Dan D'Agostino of D'Agostino Master Audio Systems, Nelson Pass of Pass Labs and others.
Our website is www.audioexcellence.ca
Contacts:
Adrian@audioexcellence.ca
Vilip@audioexcellence.ca
Jerry@audioexcellence.ca

Пікірлер: 93

@stoicroman9423 3 жыл бұрын

why aren't we getting more of these types of interviews. it's golden.

@mtbiker64 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks guys for another informative and entertaining video on an interesting topic, one of your best so far.

@gisleyber2s 3 жыл бұрын

Finally! I've been waiting for you to review MSB products since I noticed them in the background in your videos. I have an old MSB Link that I love for now, until I can afford something from the latest line up. Thanks so much.

@johnrobins795 3 жыл бұрын

Just finished the Cable discussion which made come back to this one...am hoping to see client's rooms in the future and really appreciate Brian's enthusiasm. Will look forward to my listening session tonight yet again🤸‍♂️🎶

@treyhorn5645 3 жыл бұрын

That was fantastic

@tomhirschel8524 3 жыл бұрын

Great show guy's.

@kjbiz 3 жыл бұрын

Love the albums you referenced

@skrads 3 жыл бұрын

Nice video as usual. Please keep them coming. By the way the C1100 preamp in the background should have the tube component below the control component. The control component generates significant amount of heat and should have its top clear (owners manual).

@barryb911 3 жыл бұрын

Their old entry level DACs were very good for the money. I have the Link DAC II w/ Channel islands mods and it's the most dynamic DAC I've used. Those old DACs are great for modders - lots of room to work.

@hushpuppykl 3 жыл бұрын

I’ve only listened to the MSB Analogue ... it’s GOOD! Really good. Speakers need to take priority nowadays as even affordable or mid range ones sound very good. I alway put priority to source and amplifier.

@jarms40 3 жыл бұрын

I bought the original MSB Link Dac. Weighed a ton. When you opened it up, it was almost completely empty. All the weight came from a sheet of lead taped to the top cover! It was pretty inexpensive, but it's draw was that it had similar jitter-reduction technology to the uber-expensive dCS DACs and it played the new DAD (hi-rez PCM DVDs that were the precursors to DVD-Audio) discs up to 24/96. It was quieter than the other sub-kilobuck DACs at the time, but I never warmed to it. Still, I kept it around because it had minimal resale value. About 18 months ago, I was looking for something to fill in for my bedroom headphone-based system while I was upgrading to a new headphone Amp/DAC to be a Roon endpoint. I pulled out the MSB and hooked it up to my MacBook Pro on one end and an old HeadRoom portable amp I had laying around on the other. Inexplicable magic running both planar and dynamic headphones. Never upgraded. Go figure!

@Coneman3 Жыл бұрын

I think vibration reduction is a key secret to great sound. Many underestimate it’s important.

@Vicks7 3 жыл бұрын

great interview, the DAC I would love to end up with as MSB has at least made some effort with the modular design to make it future proof and allow upgrades.

@hawkins55 3 жыл бұрын

The comments about walkman reminds me that my schoolmate had a walkman that was narrower and shorter than a cassette tape. To listen to tape, the chasis extended to partially enclose the tape. Otherwise, it collapsed to a small piece. I had an Aiwa walkman that had 4-band graphic equalizer, 4 programmable radio stations, frequency band extended to receive arial TV channel audio, autoreverse playback, detachable battery compartment that could take AAA's or a rechargeable battery and it came with detachable stereo microphone for recording, etc. Good old days!

@arize84 Жыл бұрын

This video has me absolutely convinced that I should strive for an MSB Discrete DAC.

@Revelator2025 Жыл бұрын

NOOO!!!! Must audition Playback Designs MPD-8 and learn about the creator Andreas Koch. It’s the most Beautiful sounding DAC.

@arize84 Жыл бұрын

@@Revelator2025 Got my eye on that.

@labalo5 3 жыл бұрын

TAD ME-1s are supreme!! Love mine!

@Date08202011 3 жыл бұрын

What amplifier are you using to drive the ME-1s? And digital sources, if any?

@labalo5 3 жыл бұрын

@@Date08202011 at this moment a H390. But looking to scratch an itch so a little. How about you?

@neuropsychdoc6341 3 жыл бұрын

Looking forward to your McIntosh C8 (2020) preamp review !!!

@keithmoriyama5421 3 жыл бұрын

Every audiophile discussion ends with... 'this $39,000. digital unit sounds like a $500. analog cassette.'

@weiminng 3 жыл бұрын

Hi, thanks for the very insightful video. Which is a better option? Discrete DAC with 2x Discrete PSUs or a Discrete DAC with a Premier power base?

@goodsound4756 Жыл бұрын

As an owner of the 2014 model MSB The Analog DAC I can confirm that the two different power supplies, the standard one with two independent transformers and the deluxe power base with five independent transformers, make a difference. While the standard one sounds more compact, the deluxe power base offers wider imaging with a bit more air and space. Not night and day difference and some may even prefer the standard one as the tonality stays the same, but with the more airy 3D-imaging I prefer the deluxe power base, a bit also for the cooler look.

@brandonburr4900 3 жыл бұрын

Great interview. It's terrific hearing from your clients. Not really familiar with msb current line. At this level I would be curious how they would compare to dcs. I would be curious to hear Phillips opinion since he has experience with dcs dacs from his videos. Guessing this msb dac would compete with the Rossini. All way out of my price range but still interesting to know. Playing at this level of $$$ nothing is going to sound bad, just different. Personal preference will be coming into play. Thanks!

@ayc868 2 жыл бұрын

do you mean msb discrete dac compete with the Rossini?

@elderinmoi1571 Жыл бұрын

A huge upgrade and less expensive would have been to go from tidal to qobuz 🤣

@divertiti 2 жыл бұрын

Adrian, Vilip, we really need a follow up video here. Did Andrew ever try the Femto 33 clock? What are his thoughts? If he upgraded his amps, I bet he'll get even more out of the Reference!

@tthedon2471 3 жыл бұрын

haha, would you guys do a shootout of msb vs totaldac? would that be the mother of all comparisons? :)

@NosTubes58 3 жыл бұрын

I’m with you on the source first perceptive......., but growing up in the 80’s deeply rooted in the Linn | Naim camp, I wouldn’t approach building a system any other way.

@hartgemini007 2 жыл бұрын

Just curious to know what brands of servers are the majority of your customers using the MSB or similar, I have the Descrete with the Innuos Zenith MK3 which is very good using their own Sense App however Roon sounds a flat in comparison . I demoed the Aqua LinQ with Roon module which is a notable improvement especially when listening to Roon. Just about to try the Antipodes K50 which has rave reviews also . Be very interested in your thoughts as to the best sounding servers available.

@klewja Жыл бұрын

I do not use an audio server with my discrete. I have an M1 Mac mini and use the gigafoilv4 with the ifi elite power supply. My dealer friend and I both found that the gigafoil combo actually sounds as good if not better than the Innuos statement.

@johnwhitehead8006 3 жыл бұрын

I always enjoy the intro clip of various audio equipment. I especially love the Mirage OMD omnidireccional speakers, in the mahogany finish! A great Canadian speaker company which, sadly, was bought up and shutdown by Klipsch.

@rig4365 3 жыл бұрын

" Big amp , small speakers" , yup!!

@Sams911 3 жыл бұрын

I wholly agree :-). kzfaq.info/get/bejne/g65ljKSTqMyoemw.html

@net_news 3 жыл бұрын

SMSL for the win!

@datdudeinred 3 жыл бұрын

9:19 HAHAHA YOU CAN SEE THE DISAPPOINTMENT ON VILIPS FACE...

@paulmlemay 3 жыл бұрын

I like Lewis

@tomhirschel8524 3 жыл бұрын

MSB Select is better still. Very reasonable too. ....Nothing to do with MSB......I remember going to the High end Munich show a few years ago, and some company had their reference system 600,000 Euros? Live performance vs the super system. Live was 20% better. And the super system had special state of the art recordings. So even if you're Jeff Bezzos, or Bill Gates, the technology is not there yet. Another 50 years maybe? Just my opinion.

@quant2011 2 жыл бұрын

I dont think anything can beat reference recordings on casette or tape on nakamichi deck or Reel to reel but at that level, its just mostly subjective and $$$ marketing

@Coneman3 3 жыл бұрын

Better than an Aries Cerat Kassandra?

@quant2011 2 жыл бұрын

Better than top of the line Nakamichi decks?

@Revelator2025 Жыл бұрын

Different. Just like an MPD-8 (Playback Designs) “betters” Aries in some ways. Just different.

@dajikbatarang1 3 жыл бұрын

Better than dcs?

@Sams911 3 жыл бұрын

no, but a close second place.

@divertiti 2 жыл бұрын

MSB is much better than DCS, I have heard them back to back, Select against the full Vivaldi stack. I couldn't finish a single song in the Vivaldi after MSB

@duarteteixeiradebarros3555 3 жыл бұрын

This was a great conversation. Should be repeated if possible.

@Sams911 3 жыл бұрын

I would argue dCS (who practically co-invented the technology) is better.... but MSB is good stuff, no doubt.

@hartgemini007 3 жыл бұрын

I demoed the DCS Bartok which was superb however ended up with the MSB Descrete which in my system sounded more organic and natural sounding. Looking to add a second power supply having heard this review .

@divertiti 2 жыл бұрын

I auditioned the full Vivaldi stack vs. MSB Select on a Wilson XVX system, the MSB blew Dcs out of the water. After listening to the Select, I couldn't finish 2 songs on the Vivaldi.

@Revelator2025 Жыл бұрын

Playback Designs MPD-8 actually beats both of them. Learn about who Andreas Koch is and what his technology does to all file formats. Amazing.

@terrym540 3 жыл бұрын

In the UK the price of the MSB Reference DAC ranges from £39,500 to £74,905. How are such prices justified? How many people possess 'golden ears' to discern the Manufacturer's alleged improvements in sound quality in moving through the upgrade path?

@Coneman3 3 жыл бұрын

It's because there are quite a few very rich people in our very unequal societies. Price tiering reflects income and wealth tiering. Same with cars.

@terrym540 3 жыл бұрын

@@Coneman3 One would expect price tiering to reflect tangible improvements, and benefits, that are discernible to the end user, That there are people who can afford the higher prices does not necessarily validate them. In the case of upgrades to the MSB The Reference DAC: Two Mono Powerbases: £14,500 Preamp Module: £6000 Femto 33 Clock: £14,905.

@divertiti 2 жыл бұрын

The answer is many many, the difference in a high level system is not subtle, I've heard the Discrete and Select back to back, and it's the difference between the music sounding real vs. just good hifi.

@RoaroftheTiger 3 жыл бұрын

$500 in1980, would be over $1500.

@eurekaakerue4649 2 жыл бұрын

❌✅ What happened to ((J )) ❓

@wa2368 3 жыл бұрын

I wonder if the 3 of ya fellas will pass a blind test (plus polygraph, of course) between a 750 dollar Denafrips Ares II and the 39,000 dollar MSB. (wink wink)

@labalo5 3 жыл бұрын

No contest MSB will kill it

@GlaciaDay 3 жыл бұрын

I don’t get why Denefrips DACs are such popular on KZfaq. I have tried Terminator myself, nowhere near my Lavry DA924 that I have used for almost a decade.

@laurelhardy4064 3 жыл бұрын

W A, why do you think they don't do blind test? Because they know they won't pass the test.

@wa2368 3 жыл бұрын

@@laurelhardy4064 A new Toyota Prius hybrid with all the stuff it has can be had for 24k. But, hey presto, it is 39k for a dac in a box. Isn't it unbelievable? A sucker's born everyday, i suppose.

@laurelhardy4064 3 жыл бұрын

@@wa2368 A sucker is born everyday? You are being too generous, I would say every hour.

@VideoArchiveGuy 3 жыл бұрын

I much prefer dCS to MSB.

@Sams911 3 жыл бұрын

agree...

@divertiti 2 жыл бұрын

Hard disagree, DCs doesn't come close

@VideoArchiveGuy 2 жыл бұрын

Perhaps their top of the kind DACs, but at the same price level to me the dCS products are far less musical and the MSB harder-edged and more “digital.”

@divertiti 2 жыл бұрын

@@VideoArchiveGuy I'm only talking about the top, Reference and Select. I A/B'ed the Select against full Vivaldi stack and MSB is much more engaging and musical while still having the dynamics and extension. Vivaldi sounded very conventionally digital in comparison, I kept on analyzing the sound where MSB got me lost in the music.

@VideoArchiveGuy 2 жыл бұрын

I haven’t heard the top of the line, but the Rossini with Clock gets rid of the metallic initial attack of piano strings that is my check for musicality; the last time I heard an MSB it had that (as did 95% of other DACs.) Wadia and Rossini/Vivaldi with Clock are the only ones I’ve heard that get it right, and right now the Rossini with Clock is the least expensive to get it right now that Wadia is effectively dead.

@miroslavkelekovic2507 Жыл бұрын

First, measurements driven and not listening the result is fully wrong aproach and I doubt MSB is following that approach. There are NO measurements to provide and correlate with sound signature. If you are looking into musical and organic natural sound then ANUK DACs are must to listen to, particularly higher levels (L4 and above). Not States only product are good on the market, actually very few are the good ones..

@igor_veles 2 жыл бұрын

Недосягаемый мир аудиофилии ...

@Sams911 3 жыл бұрын

disagree... dCS is the best, bar none!

@Xiaoguan8845 3 жыл бұрын

At least need check out btw DCS and mola mola

@Sams911 3 жыл бұрын

@@Xiaoguan8845 dCS is better than Mola Mola... but much more expensive too.

@Xiaoguan8845 3 жыл бұрын

@@Sams911 two reviewer on youtube said mola mola has wider sound stage and more air。the best show so far on youtube is under the ttitle of magico s3 constellation audio research metronome ,,,,,if you could check it out. the metronome dac is miracle

@Sams911 3 жыл бұрын

zhang li I’ve heard them all in person at my dealer. Trust me in this .. there is no DAC that’s as good as a DCS out there today. Especially if you go into the Rossini and Vivaldi level.

@Xiaoguan8845 3 жыл бұрын

@@Sams911 thanks alot. I shall try to saving up for a whole year to upgrate from esoteric D05 to dcs bartok

@entity279 3 жыл бұрын

Since there was a single, fanboyish, viewpoint presented here this video was less interesting. But I guess at least we've been made aware of another, more exotic, dac manufacturer