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. With the MSB there has been a great deal of attention paid to ensuring the signal stays as pure as possible and is not affected by other parts of the DAC or outside sources; modular construction, dual power supplies, isolation of USB etc. I wanted to know for anyone who has heard it have you also heard a DAC that approached it in sonic performance? This would help to take your digital playback upa few levels. I'm looking for suggestions on DACs I should listen to as possible replacement of my Chord Dave. https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9eh61-lampizator-pacific-da-converters, https://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/lampizator-pacific-dac/, https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/subjective-grading-of-dac-that-i-had-heard-during-last-one-year-period. I did have the BADA Ref in my system for a short audition, and the Trinity And CH Precision C1 for a longer stay during a previous iteration of my system. DLNA Protocol. more might come to mind and I will add them. I don't think any of us have heard the Dave, and we don't have any interest. and this is borne out in the sound that this DAC brings to the party. JavaScript is disabled. The Merriam-Webster online dictionary tells me that the definition of high-fidelity (HiFi) is the reproduction of an effect (such as sound or an image) that is very faithful to the original and it would seem to be reasonable to assume that this is the goal of audiophiles around the world. Any owners around here? This effect was evident on track after track but didnt feel like it was overly exaggerated. The Chord Qutest DAC has the same DAC architecture and filters as the Chord Hugo 2. Up to 8X DSD Concluding that there is some kind of problem with using an FPGA vs. what MSB does is not technically supportable. The SQ is amazingly good. there are others I know about but Ive not heard them recently. This is a very odd one to describe but came to the fore on tracks like Pan Eros from World Of Drums and Percussion. You're very polite about how you describe your preferences, cmarin. Lots of time it Whats Best Forum is THE forum for high end audio, product reviews, advice and sharing experiences on the best of everything else. Chord Dave Replacement. 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 So thats it and I think the only thing I think Ive left out of the build part of this DAC is the 3 buttons and the knob on the front panel which are used for manually changing the volume and menu diving, though all this can be done from the remote. Once you add the second discrete PS, and a module or two for it to work, the price goes over $23-24K. We await Phase 2 where all DACs are assessed using upsampled data via your Lumin U1 to establish ranking and the preferred format through each. It seems to me that manufacturers are jacking up the price for the perception of quality. It's embarrassing. heard, I could easily live with the Aeris, Dave, or Wavedream. If I want to build a complicated system, I won't consider DAVE because for the position of DAC, I can choose from other brands (Totaldac, NADAC, Rockna, Prismsound 8XR etc) at the same price. That's the negative to going my route I guess. The video cannot be shown. Since opening our doors in 1986, weve been driven by one goal: to craft an unrivaled listening experience for music lovers across the globe. MSBs top-level DAC is 121K and there are other brands out there offering very expensive options, but the truth is that the vast majority of people will never feel the need to spend that kind of money (even if they could) to eek out that last-minute bit of detail. Let us do the work of refurbishing and finding your current electronics a new hometheyll continue to be enjoyed for years to come. The dCS Bartok was also interesting but, based on my research, I kept coming back to Bricasti. To each their own, but I think Chord sounds cold and artificial. The only other items in the chain were the Stack streamer and a pretty well-sorted network setup. 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. This is purely speculation based on browsing the internet over the years and internalising pro/con reviews from users. Is it better than the Chord DAVE that I raved about a few years ago? It is worth every penny. We are Like the rest of the main body of the DAC and the PSUs, the remote is hewn from a block of aluminium. I hear the new Ayre QX-5 Twenty gives the DAVE a run for its money at $8950 but that is just hearsay. @smodtactical I would not take price as any arbitrator of quality, especially nowadays. Whats Best Forum is THE forum for high end audio, product reviews, advice and sharing experiences on the best of everything else. Once you start playing a tune the DAC works out the sample rate and chooses the correct playback clock. A Chord DAC converts to analog via Chord's "Pulse Array DAC" which is a discrete circuit, similar to the discrete circuit used in the MSB DACs (but not the same). I submit dealers use the statement "component X competes against much more expensive components" far too often. ISOAcoustics Oreas footers. Its headphone amplifier is good but no match for higher powered units. Perhaps thats a bit of an odd example for me to use as its a bit World Music but you are also made aware of the rightness of timing on percussive techno tracks. Of course your opinion on sound quality is your own, and valid, but to suggest that the reason for the difference is because the Chord is an "FPGA DAC" is technically incorrect. JavaScript is disabled. Looking forward to the your additions to the list. Sit back and be immersed. 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. It will kick your ass. For sure with Hugo and Qutenot even debatable. But the majority of the time all 6 of I'm looking for suggestions between $10K - $12K. With two prime DACs, we yield an unprecedented level of detail, reproducing the musicality, soundstage, and texture of an original performance, bringing the artist to you. Fully agree that it could come down to personal preference @RoriHope you have arranged auditions. Its an interesting setup with everything from design through to milling the chassis to building the circuit boards being done in-house. 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. 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). I'm also a very patient person and can wait for the right bit of kit at the right price to come up secondhand. 2. its that good. Ok, I looked a prat but it proves that the separate PSUs are actually doing something rather than being there for show, though they do look rather cool in themselves. The evolution of the original irreverent and irrelevant and non-authoritative site for headphone measurements, i.e. September 6, 2016 in DAC - Digital to Analog Conversion. The PSUs are available to match. Any specific reason you wanna replace the Dave? I have had Dave in my system. This puts it up against some serious competition! When we set out to make the MSB remote, the design was built from the ground up. In my listening tests, I could detect no attribute that made it sound special. Then just stay with the basic Premier unit, and the power supply that comes with it. 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 . 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You are using an out of date browser. and as I said earlier there is no "best" when it comes to dacs or very important and our preference connection is an i2S connection. If you have a turntable, for instance, the Discrete will have to act as a standalone DAC and go into a preamplifier/integrated amplifier which will then add its own flavour to the mix. Yeah, you and me both- the look I got wasn't as funny as the one I got from the Sennheiser stand when I asked if they had any HD600 or HD650, instead of all those Momentums and so forth, but still. The best upgrade for Dave easy. You might want to consider adding one of Chord's Upscalers, either Hugo M scaler , or the Blu Mk. The only true way for the end user to know what they prefer is through listening in their own system. Focusing on our network renderer and USB input, your audio tech will be on the cutting edge. How r they comparing to the MSB Select 2 and Trinity? 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. In my assessment the Makua offered a more open and spacious sound. You already have a very top tier DAC. 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. Were honored to be recognized by the industry for bringing you the most lifelike sound we can. It's my understanding that the Wavedream only Good points by all. MSB Technology's Discrete DAC was the best DAC I'd heard in my systemuntil the MSB Premier showed up. Thats why were thrilled to offer up to 100% trade-in value for existing MSB products when upgrading to a higher performing series. Thank me laterLoL. Firstly, that was a very impressive list of high end components you have listened to. Sent from my SM-G928V using Computer Audiophile mobile app. It would have been a different outcome though with the Cyrus pre-amp I previously owned, which cast a veil over everything. I'm super happy with my Esoteric N-01, which is a noticeable step up in quality/musicality from the DAVE - as yes the DAVE sounds a bit "thin" (though extraordinarily detailed). And differences at that level can be good. But even with great preamps, a great DAC in a low noise environment, will produce a more transparent sound going direct to the amps than through the preamp. You already have a very top tier DAC. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. How hot does the Chord DAC get? It is just as important as the DAC itself. It would only sound like sales so we It is not hard to audition these DACs in Melbourneand this is your best way to work out your own preference. Only hifi shops and shows hear and there. Guess what I am trying to say is: preamps are important. Tellurium Silver Diamond USB and Chord Blu. What did you think with the Chord Dave vs Emm Labs Dac2x? It's pretty funny how everyone gives their personal pet recommendation with the utmost confidence that the buyer will like it. Ultimately, reducing noise in a system or improving room acoustics can have a bigger effect. Chord states "DAVE is the most advanced DAC we have ever made. Both DACs connected directly to power amp using each DACs volume controle. I can leave my hand on it as long as I want to. https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/a-dac-that-crushes-price-vs-performance-ratio. CH Precision mono dac with clock and 3 power supplies (7 boxes)----its more spendy---$150k, Merging Technologies NADAC w/power supply and clock---much better now with the clock and power supply upgrades than my previous experience.----around $60k. It may not display this or other websites correctly. I expected a lot better. Not a bad idea Snoop! Then we have the Integrated Clock module and Im starting to get the whole modular approach to the design of the MSB DAC. Can't beat the form factor of it though, great for off a desk top. Not sure why you would spend so much on a DAC when the Crane Song Solaris is available at $1,949. Roon Endpoint Given your appreciation of the Pacific Microsonics DAC, I hope you'll get a chance to hear the Berkeley in your system as well. I like Aqua Formula xHD and Totaldac Six. This is because one PSU is supplying juice to modules including the screen and USB input etc but not to the output module. 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. 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. As a matter of fact, I'd appreciate getting your impressions. My wife said it Over the air updates will ensure that your renderer always has the latest capabilities and ultimate convenience. The end users ears are the only ears that count. 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. What makes you want to upgrade from DAVE? Whatever, the Discrete is a superb bit of kit that Id really love to take up residence in the system on a permanent basis, but thats not going to happen. Looks like your budget goes up to ~$20k? I've owned a PS Audio But if you don't, what is your reference point? Strangely, this new review is not displayed when you select the review folder on the homepage. HiFiMan Ananda, SR Orange fuses, Taiko Audio Daiza platforms, Startech FMC optical network link, Oyaide EE f/s2.0 V2 mains spurs, Akiko Audio tuning sticks, GIK Acoustic TriTraps/panels. It's easy! @ricred1, youre right to point that out. There is a real sense of spectacle and scale when the MSB is in the system. Amplification: Cyrus Mono x300Signatures. MSB Technology Discrete Modular DAC Page 2. Sonically it is very much as its name suggests and converts files faithfully and without loss or (importantly) embellishment. I'm looking for suggestions on DACs I should listen to as possible replacement of my Chord Dave. Funny how Rob Watts drones on and on about noise modulation, and then we see his product performing like this.. now one might not exactly call this noise modulation, but it definitely something to avoid, especially given the price tag. Mind you, I have chipless DSD with 1 bit processing, so the bar is set VERY high for me. Of the ones you mentioned I'd be most tempted by the Emm Labs DAC 2x though if you can get a used higher-end Esoteric, you should jump on it. Even at very low listening levels, it was clear that the MSB was delivering a clean analogue output to the ampand Im aware that sounds a bit vague. The Discrete is around 11,000 whilst the Select is 120,750 with its power base. You could try some of the newer dacs that has gotten good reviews. CH Precision C1 DAC. Search: Msb Discrete Dac Vs Chord Dave. Did you audition all of them in the same place with the same system? This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. 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. 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. And if I had to guess (given I haven't heard both), I'd guess it outperforms the Tambaqui. While were committed to long lasting products that hold their value, we realize audio systems are always evolving. The lo-res display also makes menu ]set-up fiddly because it doesn't have enough space to display words. However, to get this level of separation and detail within the soundscape the DAC is clearly having a very important role to play. list the Rockna Wavedream Edition sounds this good, how good does their No matter what ice cream you prefer, I prefer something else. My first serious audio system was Garrard turntable, Fisher Int(SS), ADS bookspeaker bought on 1978. 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. However, there is nothing wrong with "taking" recommendations, which help me build a list that I can use to research then find a way to audition my shortlist. Like the rest of the DACs in the MSB range, the Select DAC is modular in its architecture with each of the modules being produced in house, as outlined above. As you mentioned imaging better, incredible PRaT with MSB. It is my name after all! Others might disagree but these are my findings. 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). Id imagine that upscaling refers to increasing bit-depth (like from 16 to 24 bits) which adds "vertical" resolution to the waveform in theory, improving amplitude resolution making subtle low-level detail more natural and audible (among other things) if done correctly. In that price range, you would be mad not to addthe MSB Premier DAC to your list as well. Founded in 2010 Whats Best Forum invites intelligent and courteous people of all interests and backgrounds to describe and discuss the best of everything. Sent from my iPhone using Computer Audiophile. T&A Dac8 (for DSD512) or Lampi Atlantic for any native rate DSD playback. frequency response graphs, CSD waterfall plots, subjective gear reviews. This latter recording gets played to death at shows, but that doesnt detract from it being a very good tune and a very good recording, though I have been known to take the piss a bit when it gets played for the tenth time in a day at audio events. As the topic suggests, looking for comparisons on the above Dacs from people who have atleast heard and compared 2 of these dacs. The in-house discrete design is then constructed into its own shielded CNC pocket for optimal isolation. You are using an out of date browser. You must log in or register to reply here. Anyone make that comparison? By And I've learned to be careful and not generalize how a component will sound based on show conditions or other systems. The more observant of you will have read this and noticed that there is no mains inlet. @shkong78 how good is the dave + mscaler vs msb? Stay updated on Bloom Audio at their. There is scale on bigger productions and intimacy on smaller-scale recordings and pieces, It wont make a pigs ear into a sows purse, but its majestic on really good recordings, Its very detailed but not harshly so actually, its a very easy component to fit in a system and live with, Its not cheap and you will want both PSUs once you compare with just one, No analogue inputs to make it the heart of a full system, You know that MSB have stuff that is out of reach financially and potentially better, Price: 11,000 plus 1,650 for a second power supply. The world's largest high-end audio community. Thank you, Mike. Like others said, I'd try first an MScaler with DAVE. https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-rothschild-70aab85/, Headphones and Personal Audio with Pitch Perfect Service. However, there are two inputs for external PSUs and a little doodad/adapter that allows the use of one external PSU. Superior conversion begins with clean and stable low-noise power. And the Jeff Rowland Aeris DAC with new PSU. Up to 32 bit 768kHz I agree with your statement. Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by mtoc, Jun 9, 2016. Sound Media Group Pty Ltd 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. When connecting to the MScaler, Dual-BNC was used on the chord dacs with shawline digital BNC cables. Watts is avidly not reading this in anticipation of the video version he won't watch. Hope to try different formats on both DACs to see what works best in my system. I mean is it audibly noticeable? Who knows ?! Couldn't agree more. This very pleasant sound I was experiencing, it could be argued, was to a large degree down to the choice of amplifier and what that added to the mix, and I do think this is a valid argument. There is no such thing as a "FPGA DAC"! But dont take our word for it. It's just more financially viable to me for the performance and price ratio. If I got a great $20K DAC for less, I would not object. Of those, I've only heard the DAVE. The Base module has two outputs (high and low) depending on whether you are outputting to a preamplifier or directly to a power amplifier. Actual auditioning of the unit prior to purchase is paramount. It's too damn expensive, full stop. luxury apartment hotels paris. I have enjoyed my time with the MSB Discrete DAC a great deal. Besides that the MSB looks so much better. Aurender W20-> Lampizator Pacific SE -> Ayon Crossfire III or Circle Labs A100 -> Avantgarde Acoustic Trio LE 26 with 4x REL Carbon Special ,SACD Player: Audio Aero La Fontaine. What ice cream do you prefer? There are some tonal differences too, but what you prefer will depend on your other equipment and the music you like. I understand that audio stores and distribution companies have the opportunity to A/B a significant amount of equipment. Everyone hears differentlyI heard the Dave with the Blu and I prefer it without it. It's better than the MSB Analog I listened to. If you go reference you will never look back. 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. Sounds shrill on my workstation and work laptop. Now, this is an important and quite a cool lesson in what is going on with the two PSUs. 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. Congratulations on the upgrade and enjoy it in good health. - Meat Loaf. First let me preface my comments by stating that I have not heard a lot of high end DACs in my system. Cs | Critical Mass CS2s -> components, Isoacoustics -> speakers + subs | Adona Eris II rack on Herbie's titanium footers | Fully treated and dedicated 2 channel room.