Also; recently MSB introduced a new interface that optimizes USB and adds fibre to reduce noise, the MSB Pro USB. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Search: Msb Discrete Dac Vs Chord Dave. I own the MSB Select II with the dual powerbases and 33 Femto Clock. Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator. My wife said it In that time, weve pushed the industry forward with each product weve built, redefining whats possible. I think my DAVE sounds great with everything. and as I said earlier there is no "best" when it comes to dacs or This is because one PSU is supplying juice to modules including the screen and USB input etc but not to the output module. Copyright Hifi Pig and Hifi Pig Magazine, Big Pig Media LLP. 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 As the noise in my system keeps getting lower, the PM2 keeps reaching deeper to find even more musical engagement and purity in standard 16/44 files. 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. It matches Chord Dave and Mscaler on dynamics with slightly more bass slam. It will kick your ass. Cs | Critical Mass CS2s -> components, Isoacoustics -> speakers + subs | Adona Eris II rack on Herbie's titanium footers | Fully treated and dedicated 2 channel room. The PSUs are available to match. When you get the chance to hear Chord DAVE, try playing files bit perfect instead of upsampling them to DSD256 with HQPlayer. Its a clever thing meaning that their products are repairable and upgradeable for example, you can have a card that is set up for single-ended outputs or balanced XLR outputs (for review we have the balanced version). that it is difficult to say you have the best in regard to dacs but Rockna is 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. I would say go for one of the other MSB ModelsThe Reference is half of the Select dac and the premier and discrete dacs are stunning performers for their price level Just in case it's not obvious, toetapaudio is a Mola Mola Dealer. It is on kind loan from a member and costs US $14,000. It's easy! 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. Couldn't agree more. I suppose what Im saying (badly) is that the Discrete was true to the file it was being fed and I did enjoy hearing it allowed me to pull small details out of the mix Jazz at the Pawn Shop (DSD128) felt more lifelike and in the room than I am used to and raw tracks such as Phutures Acid Trax did sound rougher and really basically recorded. While were committed to long lasting products that hold their value, we realize audio systems are always evolving. 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. I auditioned a DAVE (not deconstructed) and TT2 and found all Chord products lacked the musicality of MSB. There are some tonal differences too, but what you prefer will depend on your other equipment and the music you like. I'll take a look, however I've heard they're on the warm side? 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. The BADA Ref is a great DAC and I understand the new version takes it to even another level. MSB Discrete Dac with one additional basic power supply. It's too damn expensive, full stop. 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. Then we have the Integrated Clock module and Im starting to get the whole modular approach to the design of the MSB DAC. Like the Lab12. Since opening our doors in 1986, weve been driven by one goal: to craft an unrivaled listening experience for music lovers across the globe. 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. 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. I like Aqua Formula xHD and Totaldac Six. Powered by Invision Community. 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. those surpass any other digital choice. Chord states "DAVE is the most advanced DAC we have ever made. JavaScript is disabled. This is purely speculation based on browsing the internet over the years and internalising pro/con reviews from users. Thank you all for your answers. 2. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 2. September 6, 2016 in DAC - Digital to Analog Conversion. There seemed to be a little more separation of instruments in the mix of whatever I was listening to than with the LAB12 DAC and Pre in the signal path and a slightly leaner edge to the music more clearly etched, perhaps? dCS Bartok>Chord DAVE>MSB discrete discreteR2R R2R DAVE BartokdCSBartok That's just too money for the performance. Chord Dave vs Mola Mola Makua/Tambaqui vs Emm Labs Dac2x vs Rockna Wavedream IGNORED Chord Dave vs Mola Mola Makua/Tambaqui vs Emm Labs Dac2x vs Rockna Wavedream . 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. First I want to say that I fully agree that the hobby is Both DACs connected directly to power amp using each DACs volume controle. 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. Click to expand. 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. I havent heard the Rockna. Its headphone amplifier is good but no match for higher powered units. The biggest question about this device is, Yeah listened to the same HEk V2 and Chord Dave with. Hmm.. Focal Utopia ~ LCD i4 ~ ETHER FLOW open/C ~ LCD-2.2/XC ~ Nighthawk ~ K10 custom ~ JH Angie, Chord mscaler // Chord TT2 // Oppo PM-1 (Artisan silver headphone cable) // Beyerdynamic DT880 600 Ohm // WAVE Stream bnc cables // Kef LS50 Meta. I dont know as that was years ago and I dont have one here to test against. As it stands, the Discrete offers a very good solution should you be a music lover that plays only digital files and you can go straight into a power amp. The only true way for the end user to know what they prefer is through listening in their own system. Since the Topping D70s SINAD is ~120 dB and it costs ~$650, then given that "money is power" (as opposed to amplitude), I would expect the Chord DAVE SINAD to be at least 120 + 10*log($14,000 / $650) = 133.3 dB. In my assessment the Makua offered a more open and spacious sound. Sound Media Group Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved. They are excellent pairing. The Hugo TT2 is intended to bridge the gap between the range topping DAVE and budget Qutest rack mounted offerings. More to follow. Main Menu 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. There's 340 pages packed with HiFi Reviews, Industry Interviews and much more. Cs | Critical Mass CS2s -> components, Isoacoustics -> speakers + subs | Adona Eris II rack on Herbie's titanium footers | Fully treated and dedicated 2 channel room. @smodtactical I would not take price as any arbitrator of quality, especially nowadays. With two prime DACs, the MSB Discrete yields an unprecedented level of detail that reproduces the musicality, soundstage and texture of an original performance, bringing the artist to you. But then we have to apply the law of diminishing returns. You're very polite about how you describe your preferences, cmarin. Tailored for both the transport and the DACs daily use, our remote brings you closer to the music you love. The output modules are where the converted digital signals are output to analogue signals that our amplifiers can make use of and MSB make two flavours of the output module. ), Chord Hugo 2 Review (Portable DAC & HP Amp), DAC Noise Modulation: Chord DAVE vs Topping DX7 Pro+, Digital To Analog (DAC) Reviews and Discussion, Amplifiers, Phono preamp, and Analog Audio Review. Get a Lampi Golden Gate Dac and match it with the RK5u4g rectifier and PX25 DHTs or the RK242 DHT. But digital, potentially, can change things. The Chord Qutest DAC has the same DAC architecture and filters as the Chord Hugo 2. Of course this DAC is super pricey and out of the reach of many (including me). Thanks. You already have a very top tier DAC. @ricred1, I would like to suggest you take a look at the Mola Mola Tambaqui when it arrives later this month I understand. This effect was evident on track after track but didnt feel like it was overly exaggerated. Were constantly improving digital input modules to stay at the forefront of the high-end audio industry, ensuring youre always equipped with the most current digital file formats and interfaces. Specifications: Type: Digital to analogue converter with volume control. It's my understanding that the Wavedream only Did I mention the remote is perfect? Many competing DACs will have a more comprehensive display at this price and, more commonly still, an app designed for intuitive access via smartphone and/or tablets. Up to 32 bit 768kHz Thank you for posting! At $20,000 I recommend the MSB Premier DAC with two power supplies (KeithRs system). Thanks guys! I may need to reset expectations a bit lower: This is an update to some old DAVE vibration control posts. digital 149728-117859 MSB select II vs all dacs ? Stainless steel buttons arrayed around an elegant volume wheel to optimize performance and response. Yes, definitely, as it is those extra tiny little bits of detail that adds the cherry on top of an already rather splendid slice of musical cake brought out on tracks like the audio show mainstay Keith Dont Go from Acoustic Live by Nils Lofgren. About Chord Vs Dac Discrete Msb Dave . I'm looking for suggestions on DACs I should listen to as possible replacement of my Chord Dave. After that you are GOLDEN. Over the air updates will ensure that your renderer always has the latest capabilities and ultimate convenience. Up to 4X DSD RCA outputs with the optional output module Voltage: 3.57 Vrms Maximum Impedance > 600 High Gain setting. There are separate optimal PCM and DSD modes for playbacks and bit perfect playback is how DAVE performs optimally as the FPGA up samples and noise shapes everything to 104MHz 5-bit. If I got a great $20K DAC for less, I would not object. 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. Is it better than the Chord DAVE that I raved about a few years ago? The video cannot be shown. so these are less preferred. How does it compare? The more observant of you will have read this and noticed that there is no mains inlet. The lo-res display also makes menu ]set-up fiddly because it doesn't have enough space to display words. The Discrete is around 11,000 whilst the Select is 120,750 with its power base. 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 seems to take in zeros and ones and then somehow make sense of these and just convert them into faithful reproductions of the recording though me not being at the recording of any of the records I listened to, thats my assumption coming into play. This one has similar sound signature to MSB Premier But it is half notch below MSB Premier on dynamics, details, soundstage. Astrostar here, said it completely blew away any dac he had before, and mind you, he has the entry level AC model. I would have loved if you heard them in the same system for a direct comparison. @ricred1, youre right to point that out. The other thing I've learned about the Chord Dave is it can sound very different depending on the interconnect and/or power cord used. The main reason we took on Rockna was because their let me know when it's on, I'll make my way down if I can. Ill go through the modules included in the Discrete DAC and explain a little about each. I wanted to know for anyone who has heard it have you also heard a DAC that approached it in sonic performance? The Discrete DAC, the successor and highly improved replacement to the now-famous Analog DAC is the MSB DAC that everyone has been waiting for. The Discrete is a genuine high fidelity DAC and a fabulously built one to boot, add in the modular input flexibility and you have a pretty stunning product with excellent future proofing. I can see the problem with this unit. Our publication is supported by its audience. 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. We can operate our current DAC modules at up to 6 MHz for PCM and up to 50 MHz for DSD. First let me preface my comments by stating that I have not heard a lot of high end DACs in my system. Right now my favorite DACs in my system are the Pacific Microsonics Model 2 (for PCM), Phasure NOS1a (for PCM), Meridian Ultra (for MQA), and the Playback Designs MPS5 (for DSD128). Mind you, I have chipless DSD with 1 bit processing, so the bar is set VERY high for me. Fair enough if you know some of the posters here and their listening preferences. You could spend less and get close to the sound of this DAC, for sure. Does anyone have formula for that? @shkong78 how good is the dave + mscaler vs msb? I found it big bold brash and dynamic but hard cold glary and fatiguing - all the old fashioned things I hated about early digital. It doesnt get too hot to touch. Set up is key, cables are super important, server is also I agree price is necessarily indicative of quality or performance. 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. I haven't heard MSB or theDenafrips DAC. I have heard the Dave and EMM Labs DAC2x up against aMakua that I subsequently purchased. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. I haven't yet come across one DAC that is best and will completely dominate other great DACs across all audio evaluation parameters. 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. Looking forward to the your additions to the list. Once you start playing a tune the DAC works out the sample rate and chooses the correct playback clock. 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. This all-American theme is continued in the companys PCB Shop where they use circuit boards produced for them in Silicon Valley, which are then made ready for the automated adding of the smaller components and hand-fitting bulkier components before washing and inspection. We are This is a company that is All American and fiercely proud of that fact. The Dave as a DAC actually sounds decent. The world's largest high-end audio community. @yyzsantabarbara, your dealer quote is interesting, I suspected that the Mola Mola was that good. I've also learned that a DAC's performance will depend heavily on the music player. The DAC comes equipped with a single power supply, but can be augmented with a second discrete power supply to enable optimized power isolation between all major components. StereoNET (Australia) is part of an international network of publications owned wholly by Sound Media Group (Australia). All rights reserved. I wish you would have had the Totaldac D1 Seven to try. Sent from my SM-G928V using Computer Audiophile mobile app. Some silly sausage plugged a white power cable into a black device. Sources: Hiby R6, Fiio x3II, Fiio x5II DACs: Dave, Yggdrasil, Hugo, Hugo TT, U12. 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. I believe it comes down to It may not display this or other websites correctly. it just complimented my system better than those other two. Once populated, the circuit boards are made into modules and then placed inside the casework. What effect does reconstruction filter have? a year ago I got the new Renderer V2 which was a step up over USB. And in the case of a great DAC with great amps in a system with very low noise, going direct to the amps can be magical. I recently bought a DAC with a digital volume control precisely to bypass the preamp, but when I compared the two approaches there was very little between them. luxury apartment hotels paris. Since opening our doors in 1986, weve been driven by one goal: to craft an unrivaled listening experience for music lovers across the globe. . 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. Australian Business Number 38 650 151 296, Digital Sources, DACs, and Computer Audio, Chord Dave vs Mola Mola Makua/Tambaqui vs Emm Labs Dac2x vs Rockna Wavedream. 2 DAC | Audionet Pre G2 preamp | Audionet Max mono blocks | Vivid Audio Giya G2 Series 2 | 4 JL Audio Fathoms | Echole ICs /SCs / Siltech Classic 550L jumpers, Shunyata PCs / Eth. 2001-2023 Head-Fi.org. Tellurium Silver Diamond USB and Chord Blu. Actual auditioning of the unit prior to purchase is paramount. Price 9k in the U.K. Nothing was amiss. 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: Elegant yet commanding, our finishes are available in a matte silver or matte black anodize. So I personally prefer to listen to different DACs just like I prefer to listen to analog as well as digital. I think people buy what they like. Founded in 2010 Whats Best Forum invites intelligent and courteous people of all interests and backgrounds to describe and discuss the best of everything. One name that was thrown around by a few people I know is the Rockna Wavedream. I havent heard the Rockna. Dealer's should be required to state they're a dealer every time they post or have a disclaimer in their username. CHORD Dave could be the most expensive deeply design DAC in the world and if you find it not your taste there is the best off the shelf DACs like akm4499 in Topping D90 for 699$ that could be even better than Dave. It is not hard to audition these DACs in Melbourneand this is your best way to work out your own preference. 2 are upscalers , not upsamplers. Thats why were thrilled to offer up to 100% trade-in value for existing MSB products when upgrading to a higher performing series. There ain't no Coupe deVille hiding at the bottom of a Cracker Jack Box. I understand that audio stores and distribution companies have the opportunity to A/B a significant amount of equipment. Founded in 2010 Whats Best Forum invites intelligent and courteous people of all interests and backgrounds to describe and discuss the best of everything. I wired it all up and the unit lit up but I could get no sound out of it whatsoever. 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. Theyre not limited by audio formats, sample rates, or even speed. 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. How does the PS Audio DirectStream DAC compare to the Chord DAC? You must log in or register to reply here. personal preference. Mola Mola is another well built great sounding In terms of sound quality, it's the best digital front end I . The USB module is completely electrically isolated and is again a standalone module capable of 32 bit#768kHz, MQA decoding and 8X DSD. No matter what ice cream you prefer, I prefer something else. Also, it is worth noting I heard the v1 DAC 2X, not the v2. I submit dealers use the statement "component X competes against much more expensive components" far too often. Stay updated on Bloom Audio at their. Who knows ?! An FPGA does not have analog output, in the Chord DACs, the FPGA handles digital processing only, not conversion from digital to analog. - Roon Endpoint. Actually the ChordHugo M Scaler and the Blu Mk. Mola Mola dac and the Total dac. If so I'd recommend the Aqua Formula xHD and the TotalDAC d1-Seven. I think is a good general rule of thumb, but there are some very transparent passive pre-amps out there. The DAVE DAC does not perform anywhere near where it should. Equipped with high-visibility and a wide viewing angle, the display is both easy-to-read and stunning, exhibiting our love for intuitive features. As you pursue higher levels of playback, an MSB upgrade path is always available to help drive your own desire for innovation. After reading that review, and remembering the reverence APL had back in the day, alongside the Stahl Tek and Trinity dacs that were the heavy hitters 10-15 yrs ago, I was just curious as to whether . 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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