and build quality is also excellent. 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. 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. Out of all of the DACs I've Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by mtoc, Jun 9, 2016. MQA decoding @ricred1, I would like to suggest you take a look at the Mola Mola Tambaqui when it arrives later this month I understand. The more observant of you will have read this and noticed that there is no mains inlet. The DAVE DAC does not perform anywhere near where it should. 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. 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. It seems to me that manufacturers are jacking up the price for the perception of quality. Equipment used: - Roon - 3-in 1-out XLR switchbox - Goldpoint SA2X Attenuator - Benchmark AHB2 Amplifier - Hifiman Susvara headphones (Also used Arya and HD800S but for the most part susvara) Video review of DAVE + Mscaler here: There are a lot of people that absolutely love the M-scaler. 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. 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. johndoe21ro Sources: Hiby R6, Fiio x3II, Fiio x5II DACs: Dave, Yggdrasil, Hugo, Hugo TT, U12. Talking of cool lets talk about this remote. There's 340 pages packed with HiFi Reviews, Industry Interviews and much more. But it need good system matching. 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. 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. Lots of time it I've tried it in my system and I don't like it. And differences at that level can be good. Point 75 EmmLab Dac2 I paid 9K$ for this on 2010. Personally we have A/B 76 different digital front ends.. Also; recently MSB introduced a new interface that optimizes USB and adds fibre to reduce noise, the MSB Pro USB. Sounds shrill on my workstation and work laptop. Ps Audio Directstream Dac Vs Auralic Vega Founded in 2004, Games for Change is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that empowers game creators and social innovators to drive real-world impact through games and immersive media Here is the list : Trinity Designs [Trinity DAC] TotalDAC [d1-Six] Aqua Acoustic Quality [Formula xHD] MSB Technology [Select DAC II Full Option . So true jr, the discrete R2R Multibit dacs like the Terminator the Holo, MSB, Total ect ect have a life and a boogie factor to the music that DS dacs lack, and yes they do show up bad recordings. 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. The world's largest high-end audio community. The other stand out dacs that we like are the 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. Chord Dave Replacement. Supported Formats (Depending on Input) 44.1 kHz to 3.072kHz PCM up to 32 bits 1xDSD, 2xDSD, 4xDSD, 8xDSD Accepts DSD via DoP on all inputs, Digital Inputs 1x RCA Coaxial 1x XLR 1x Word-Sync Out 2x Toslink 2x Isolated slots for optional modules, XLR Outputs Voltage: 3.57 Vrms Maximum Impedance 300 High Gain setting Impedance 150 Low Gain setting. had if for 2 years now. The lo-res display also makes menu ]set-up fiddly because it doesn't have enough space to display words. the Select II pushes the analog to be its best. Everyone hears differentlyI heard the Dave with the Blu and I prefer it without it. You'd expect Audiosanctuary to understand what a gutless amp sounds like, and at least put a headphone amp in front of that DAVE, if they wanted to sell people either the DAVE or the headphones. How hot does the Chord DAC get? And this level of detail the MSB Discrete brings to the listening experience was carried through everything I listened toand I listened to this DAC a lot, with it being the only thing I used to for a solid two weeks. Triangle Magellan Concerto 2< AQEverest< Vitus Audio SS-010 Mk2< AQDragon High Current< AQWELXLR< ChordQutestDAC w UpTone JS-2 & AQ Dragon Source < AQDiamond USB< InnuosPhoenix USBwAQ Dragon Source< AurenderN100H & AQ Dragon Source< NetGear GS105GESwitch w UpTone LPS1.2< Supra CAT8 Ethernet Click Here, 10100007 - Discrete DAC with Supply- Gallery - 1200px, 10100007 - Discrete DAC with Supplies - Gallery - 1200px, 10100006 - Discrete DAC - Gallery - 1200px, 10100003 - Discrete DAC Badge - Gallery - 1200px, 10100005 - Discrete DAC MSB Logo - Gallery - 1200px, 10100004 - Discrete DAC Jack Panel - Gallery - 1200px, 10100008 - Discrete DAC Basemetal - Gallery - 1200px, 10100009 - Discrete Supply Options - Gallery - 1200px, 10100010 - Discrete Supply Cover - Gallery - 1200px. 2. Sonically, it is akin to the old straight wire with gain only in the digital realm. The Discrete Power Supply feeds the DAC with dual low-noise power streams that are linear and independent. Conversely, you could spend a lot more and not gain a great deal in real terms. Get a Lampi Golden Gate Dac and match it with the RK5u4g rectifier and PX25 DHTs or the RK242 DHT. Was it a speaker setup or headphone setup? I don't understand why Chord DACs have to be so damn ugly! @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. As I said, its an odd one to describe but you do hear it as it brings a sense of rightness to rhythm tracks. Less experience with Dave on DSD, plus Rob claims to no longer decimate. The dCS Bartok was also interesting but, based on my research, I kept coming back to Bricasti. But of course, I love window shopping and perusing top tier systems including illustrious more familiar gear like Lampi, TD, MSB, Ares Cerat, Aqua. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. More to follow. It may not display this or other websites correctly. @smodtactical I would not take price as any arbitrator of quality, especially nowadays. Congratulations on the upgrade and enjoy it in good health. 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. Anyway, the little bit of extra detail on the strings, the attack, and decay are all there to be heard and its a marvelous thing to listen to. I'm really anxious to hear more opinions about this DAC and noticed that DAVE hasn't got a thread of its own (only together with Mojo). subjective to a point and that is why we do blind testing and A/B testing with Bespoke Audio Ultimate Silver TVC passive preamp, Totaldac xlr version D1-Drivers x2, Eisteddfod 340 & 840 amps, Magico S5 speaker, MSB Select DAC, MSB Select Transport, Nakamichi 700 XLE cassette deck, Taiko Audio Extreme Server, Tripoint Troy Signature NG groundbox, PLiXiR Elite 1500 isolation transformers. Whether its a software update or a leading-edge modular component, were here to help the most valued aspect of MSBour customers. Sent from my SM-G928V using Computer Audiophile mobile app. Thanks. The PSUs are available to match. To be 100% honest we have A/B tested most of the dacs mentioned Its an interesting setup with everything from design through to milling the chassis to building the circuit boards being done in-house. There is no such thing as a "FPGA DAC"! I also looked at the MSB Discrete DAC but everything thing was an extra cost option (USB, AES/EBU, power supply, etc.,) and expensive. I don't want to waste hifi shops time too much knowing I'll be going second hand either. connection because it eliminates some parts and gets you closer to a direct Playing Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jacksons Your Daddy Loves You from the Winter in America album gave me the same impression of a reach-out-and-touch soundscape with incredibly well-defined positions in the mix and a whole load of detail the over-driven sound of the electric piano at around a minute forty really stood out as being faithful to the recording; a case of high-fidelity highlighting a low-fidelity artefact? The MSB Renderer was developed using an in-house hardware design running an ultra low noise A5 processor for optimal audio playback performance. What else should one expect? Digital inputs : RCA coax, AES/EBU XLR, 2x Toslink optical, 2x module slots, word . Firstly, that was a very impressive list of high end components you have listened to. MSB Technology's Discrete DAC was the best DAC I'd heard in my systemuntil the MSB Premier showed up. But digital, potentially, can change things. It is a manual step which I forgot. In terms of sound quality, it's the best digital front end I . For some folk, a highly resolving and accurate system may well be described as being over-analytical, and on the other side of the audio fence, some will suggest that some systems sound nice but flawed. Strangely, this new review is not displayed when you select the review folder on the homepage. At this kind of price, it puts Chord DAVE as being direct competition and I said that DAVE was the best DAC Id heard back in 2018. Tellurium Silver Diamond USB and Chord Blu. sounds just like the Dave. Cheers @Stereophilus First let me preface my comments by stating that I have not heard a lot of high end DACs in my system. And the Jeff Rowland Aeris DAC with new PSU. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. That's just too money for the performance. Thank you all for your answers. I mean is it audibly noticeable? The sonic signature is detailed and yet easy to listen to, with the Discrete bringing a sense of the recordings scale (big or small) to the listening experience. sounds like a more transparent Chord Dave to my ears. Sit back and be immersed. Sound Media Group Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved. If I had been responsible for coding that display I would never tell anyone. Thank you for posting! 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. Can it output a Low or High Voltage on a single pin in a bitstream? 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. Elegant yet commanding, our finishes are available in a matte silver or matte black anodize. We have what I consider to be a pretty resolving system, but we also listen to music a fair old bit for pure pleasure and so theres a valve amp currently feeding our chosen reference loudspeakers though thats not to say this system isnt highly resolving in its own right. Wherever I read I see unanimous praise for the MSB Select II. 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. Complete electrical isolation The MSB simply sounded more real to my ears and offered a more convincing soundstage and tonality and all the tiny informations in the music where integrated in the musical flow whereas the DAVE simply sounded flat and not realistic to my ears and even lacked those tiny informations. Chord Dave Black New The Prime DAC With two prime DACs, MSB yields an unprecedented level of detail, reproducing the musicality, soundstage, and texture of an original performance, bringing the artist to you Ps Audio Directstream Dac Vs Auralic Vega Founded in 2004, Games for Change is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that empowers game creators and . There are so. From beginners to life-long hobbyists to industry professionals, we enjoy learning about new things and meeting new people, and participating in spirited debates. 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!!! Our publication is supported by its audience. Our digital testing has been done over the last 20 + years 1 - MSB Discrete 2 - dCS Bartok 3 - Mola Mola Tambaqui 4 - Chord DAVE (add the M Scaler later) 5 - Keep my Ayre QX-5 Twenty, do nothing Thanks! Much appreciated. After that you are GOLDEN. I dont know as that was years ago and I dont have one here to test against. DAVE is perfect for headphone system because you can save space and money of headphone amplifier. Very resolving, tone is on the cold side of neutral but otherwise pretty free of digital nasties compared to the cheaper Chords, and the stage is flatter than Keira Knightley. What ice cream do you prefer? Whats Best Forum is THE forum for high end audio, product reviews, advice and sharing experiences on the best of everything else. However, its also very nice to listen to in this system, though I would say it is more accurate/true to the original DAC than our LAB12 DAC or perhaps our Lampizator BIG 7. I havent heard the Rockna. And I make Best DAC Quality Ranking list. Copyright Hifi Pig and Hifi Pig Magazine, Big Pig Media LLP. us, over a 2 day test period come to the exact same conclusion. 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. Thirdly, having suggested that the brightness issue may lay elsewhere, I will shortly post a suggested tweak directly to both HMS and DAVE - that I have found to increase the "weight", "solidity" and "analogueness" of the resulting sound. This is a review, detailed measurements and listening tests of CHORD DAVE combination DAC and headphone amplifier. Some very good advice here. However, Id argue that there is sort of two trains of thought on this subject; one where theres absolute fidelity to the source material at all costs, and another that sounds great though to the listener but perhaps not absolutely true to the original source and I dont think its unfair to say that both these positions have their place in the world of playing tunes at home. The MSB simply sounded more real to my ears and offered a more convincing soundstage and tonality and all the tiny informations in the music where integrated in the musical flow whereas the DAVE simply sounded flat and not realistic to my ears and even lacked those tiny informations.