msb discrete dac vs chord dave msb discrete dac vs chord dave

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. The Hugo TT2 is intended to bridge the gap between the range topping DAVE and budget Qutest rack mounted offerings. I was upgrading it in this order and still could not believe every time it sounded better. Cheers @Stereophilus 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 the Jeff Rowland Aeris DAC with new PSU. Click to expand. Dedicated Line DSD/DXD | Audirvana+ | iFi iDSD Nano | SET Tube Amp | Totem Mites, Surround: VLC | M-Audio FastTrack Pro | Mac Opt | Panasonic SA-HE100 | Logitech Z623, DIY: SET Tube Amp | Low-Noise Linear Regulated Power Supply | USB, Power, Speaker Cables | Speaker Stands | Acoustic Panels, You need to be a member in order to leave a comment. About Chord Vs Dac Discrete Msb Dave . 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: The Dave as a DAC actually sounds decent. This hobby is "highly subjective", influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or opinions; therefore you can A/B a million different components and come to a completely different conclusion on how it sounds compared to another listener. 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. 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. There is no such thing as a "FPGA DAC"! The Base module has two outputs (high and low) depending on whether you are outputting to a preamplifier or directly to a power amplifier. Wavedream only has a couple hours on it, but from the first note it I wish you would have had the Totaldac D1 Seven to try. have had the opportunity to A/B many more pieces of equipment than any consumer You absolutely can say that you prefer other DAC's to the Berkeley Alpha Reference. Not sure why you would spend so much on a DAC when the Crane Song Solaris is available at $1,949. They're very back ordered and are a pro unit with balanced only outputs and no remote but oh my do they sound spectacular. Wherever I read I see unanimous praise for the MSB Select II. Actual auditioning of the unit prior to purchase is paramount. And differences at that level can be good. StereoNET (Australia) is part of an international network of publications owned wholly by Sound Media Group (Australia). Or arm yourself with a nice bottle of red and pay a visit to@Stereophilus. The MSB DAC comes with one external PSU as standard. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. But then we have to apply the law of diminishing returns. Chord states "DAVE is the most advanced DAC we have ever made. a year ago I got the new Renderer V2 which was a step up over USB. of the 5 systems are completely different, our rooms are completely different frequency response graphs, CSD waterfall plots, subjective gear reviews. 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. Were honored to be recognized by the industry for bringing you the most lifelike sound we can. Is this what passes for high end? Is it too hot to touch? 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 headamp is powerful but not involving. It is bested easily by DACs at $150. Looking forward to the your additions to the list. DAVE is perfect for headphone system because you can save space and money of headphone amplifier. Well build a personalized offer for your existing MSB products that count towards a new DAC or amplifier. The LED display, slaved to the audio clock, is refreshed between data processing to drastically reduce electrical interference. We feel Sign up for a new account in our community. 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. 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. Hope to try different formats on both DACs to see what works best in my system. personal preference." California crafted in-house from an aluminum billet, the enclosure feels solid yet refined. An FPGA does not have analog output, in the Chord DACs, the FPGA handles digital processing only, not conversion from digital to analog. I wired it all up and the unit lit up but I could get no sound out of it whatsoever. Elegant design. Like the rest of the main body of the DAC and the PSUs, the remote is hewn from a block of aluminium. Wherever I read I see unanimous praise for the MSB Select II. The USB module is completely electrically isolated and is again a standalone module capable of 32 bit#768kHz, MQA decoding and 8X DSD. Good points by all. @ricred1, youre right to point that out. You are using an out of date browser. Blimey my RME ADI 2 DAC looks to have better performance at a fraction of the cost, /===============================================================/, DACs, Streamers, Servers, Players, Audio Interface, Combination Audio DAC and Headphone Amplifiers. Like others said, I'd try first an MScaler with DAVE. In that time, weve pushed the industry forward with each product weve built, redefining whats possible. 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. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. I don't think any of us have heard the Dave, and we don't have any interest. From beginners to life-long hobbyists to industry professionals, we enjoy learning about new things and meeting new people, and participating in spirited debates. Both DACs connected directly to power amp using each DACs volume controle. 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. It is a pretty DAC but usability is left behind. heard, I could easily live with the Aeris, Dave, or Wavedream. The DAC has two modes; multi-bit PCM and single-bit discrete DSD mode. By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies. What I do know is that the MSB brings an excellent level of performance by way of neutrality to a system that allows other parts of the system to do their thing its sort of the digital equivalent of a very (very) good cartridge. How does the PS Audio DirectStream DAC compare to the Chord DAC? It's easy! dCS Bartok>Chord DAVE>MSB discrete discreteR2R R2R DAVE BartokdCSBartok Our products include our in-house designed viton feet, but any audiophile M6X1 foot can be installed to personalize your system. Sound Media Group Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Sablon Audio King/Prince power cords throughout. By so these are less preferred. 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. 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. Yeah, im thinking a post lock-down GTG is in order. Aurender N10 is still not a USB only dedicated streamer so you will not hear what USB audio is fully capable off through Ms/Dave. Thank you all for your answers. Sounds shrill on my workstation and work laptop. 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 more observant of you will have read this and noticed that there is no mains inlet. They are excellent pairing. Guess what I am trying to say is: preamps are important. Ill not get into the whole detail of this here but the MSB website does have an excellent (and interesting) explanation of jitter and why having a very low jitter clock is favourable to having a very accurate clock theres a link at the bottom of this review. had if for 2 years now. I've owned a PS Audio comes down to knowing what you are actually trying to achieve in a high end And what streamer are you using to feed the DAC? It is worth every penny. So take it for what it is. This unit came with two power supplies and Ill be playing with the DAC with one and with two to compare and contrast. I've had some excellent preamps in my system (Dartzeel, Absolare, Robert Koda, Kondo). Couldn't agree more. You might want to consideradding oneof Chord's Upscalers, either HugoM scaler, or the Blu Mk. 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. 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. They both use FPGA for their decoding. You could spend less and get close to the sound of this DAC, for sure. Equipped with high-visibility and a wide viewing angle, the display is both easy-to-read and stunning, exhibiting our love for intuitive features. Up to 32 bit 768kHz Digital Audio Forum: DAC, Transports, Digital Processing Forum, 4x20A circuits | Audioquest Niagara 3000 | Paul Hynes SR4T + HDPlex HD500 PSUs -> Music PC w/JCAT XE nic, HQPlayer, Roon, Tidal / Qobuz | HDPlex HD100 PSU -> OCX clock + EtherRegen | Aqua Acoustic Quality LinQ streamer | Aqua Acoustic Quality Formula xHD Rev. this was how I originally decided to purchase the Select II as I was trying to hear another dac at shows that could do what I heard the Select II doing at a lower price. You'll be shocked by how much you lose by going through a separate preamp. Theyre not limited by audio formats, sample rates, or even speed. 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 . The PSUs are available to match. Our publication is supported by its audience. 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. 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? Compared to some other similarly priced DACs ($10 - $15k MSRP) I prefer the Discrete with 2 Discrete PS. This latter track is a good track for me to play when listening to new kit as it is basically a drum machine and an acid box and this latter did sound just like a 303 there in the room. There is a real sense of spectacle and scale when the MSB is in the system. very important and our preference connection is an i2S connection. I found it big bold brash and dynamic but hard cold glary and fatiguing - all the old fashioned things I hated about early digital. Links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Hifi Pig and Big Pig Media with appropriate and specific direction (link) to the original content. In my assessment the Makua offered a more open and spacious sound. list the Rockna Wavedream Edition sounds this good, how good does their The next module is the display which is a cool and easy-to-read LED that is slaved to the audio clock. But the majority of the time all 6 of It is on kind loan from a member and costs US $14,000. Mike, Scott has been absolutely wonderful in his support, despite my purchasing the Found-Music 2A3s used (from Art S.) He has visited once and is planning another visit after the trip your way. DAVE is the most advanced DAC Chord Electronics has ever made. It would have been a different outcome though with the Cyrus pre-amp I previously owned, which cast a veil over everything. 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. I have Chord Dave and Blu2 too. 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. Watts is avidly not reading this in anticipation of the video version he won't watch. 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 agree with what you are saying but "far too often" the I'd also look at the Mola-Mola Tambaqui and the new dCS Bartok. I think people buy what they like. Price 9k in the U.K. Once you start playing a tune the DAC works out the sample rate and chooses the correct playback clock. Others might disagree but these are my findings. Over the air updates will ensure that your renderer always has the latest capabilities and ultimate convenience. You already have a very top tier DAC. 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. With a better matched preamp presence may be acceptable. luxury apartment hotels paris. The only other items in the chain were the Stack streamer and a pretty well-sorted network setup. 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 . Stuart Smith finds out. It could sound analytical or hot coupled with bright combination of speaker and amplifier. If you send me a dave i will happily be your 4th friend who also owns a dave. Auction bid 7 150 25 . This one has similar sound signature to MSB Premier But it is half notch below MSB Premier on dynamics, details, soundstage. I'm looking for suggestions between $10K - $12K. You are using an out of date browser. 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. Sent from my SM-G928V using Computer Audiophile mobile app. A modular I/O card keeps even the discrete DAC flexible, repairable, and upgradeable. Like x 5 List The main reason we took on Rockna was because their It's not just a matter of being polite, it's also about acknowledging that what we hear and what we prefer is uncertain and changes; that the comparisons were made at different points in time wherein my system had varying levels of resolution/ noise; the fact that making a change requires greater energy and usually more money than staying with what you have; and that sometimes the differences between components are not significant or actionable.