MSB: Clock and Pre-amp

AJR

AJR

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Fellow ASs, I have two questions. Probably already covered in other threads but here goes:

1. Clock. How much better is the Femto 93 clock compared to the standard-issue MSB Premier clock? Worth the $5k or so?

2. Pre-amp. If I upgraded my Premier DAC to the Reference and used that as my pre-amp instead of (and sold) my Gryphon Pandora, would I lose anything in terms of SQ? Or stick with my Pandora?

My long term goal is a speaker upgrade, but want to optimise my electronics first.

Andrew
 
brodricj said:
Be content with what you have, it all looks good to me. Failing that, upgrade your S3Mk2 to M3.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Agree with you re pre-amp I think, and after a brief flirtation with Kharma I have concluded I simply don’t have a big enough listening area, so M3s are back in pole position. But my gut tells me that for $5k or whatever it is for the Femto clock I can squeeze out a material improvement in my DAC.
 
AJR said:
Thanks. Agree with you re pre-amp I think, and after a brief flirtation with Kharma I have concluded I simply don’t have a big enough listening area, so M3s are back in pole position. But my gut tells me that for $5k or whatever it is for the Femto clock I can squeeze out a material improvement in my DAC.
Click to expand...

Wouldn’t Bobby be able to allow a home demo of the Femto 93 clock?

Methinks that the Pandora / Antileon Evo would be more than good enough for now for the S3 Mk 2. Probably the better bet may be to aim for the M3 and then work on the DAC at a later stage
 
AJR said:
Fellow ASs, I have two questions. Probably already covered in other threads but here goes:

1. Clock. How much better is the Femto 93 clock compared to the standard-issue MSB Premier clock? Worth the $5k or so?

2. Pre-amp. If I upgraded my Premier DAC to the Reference and used that as my pre-amp instead of (and sold) my Gryphon Pandora, would I lose anything in terms of SQ? Or stick with my Pandora?

My long term goal is a speaker upgrade, but want to optimise my electronics first.

Andrew
Click to expand...

Hi Andrew,

The standard clock on the Premier DAC is the Femto 93. The standard clock on the Reference and Select DACs is the Femto 33. The Reference DAC with its base Preamp Output Stage and base Femto 33 clock gets you in the ballpark of the Select DAC sound wise. To my ears, it’s where the magic really begins.

Best,
Ken
 
nicoludio said:
Wouldn’t Bobby be able to allow a home demo of the Femto 93 clock?

Methinks that the Pandora / Antileon Evo would be more than good enough for now for the S3 Mk 2. Probably the better bet may be to aim for the M3 and then work on the DAC at a later stage
Click to expand...

Thanks. This makes excellent sense.
 
AJR said:
..But my gut tells me that for $5k or whatever it is for the Femto clock I can squeeze out a material improvement in my DAC.
Click to expand...

Save the $5K and put it towards the MPods for when you eventually upgrade to M3.
 
It’s Ref dac or bust according to numerous friends and dealers I know. Just made the move from Premier myself. It’s early but not subtle.
 
AJR said:
Fellow ASs, I have two questions. Probably already covered in other threads but here goes:

1. Clock. How much better is the Femto 93 clock compared to the standard-issue MSB Premier clock? Worth the $5k or so?

2. Pre-amp. If I upgraded my Premier DAC to the Reference and used that as my pre-amp instead of (and sold) my Gryphon Pandora, would I lose anything in terms of SQ? Or stick with my Pandora?

My long term goal is a speaker upgrade, but want to optimise my electronics first.

Andrew
Click to expand...

I just traded my MSB Premier for the Reference for the very same reasons, and more , you mentioned. I just posted a mini review here on audio shark
 
nicoludio said:
Wouldn’t Bobby be able to allow a home demo of the Femto 93 clock?

Methinks that the Pandora / Antileon Evo would be more than good enough for now for the S3 Mk 2. Probably the better bet may be to aim for the M3 and then work on the DAC at a later stage
Click to expand...

Just saw this. A great idea. I don’t know Bobby - have been dealing with Jeffrey. But they don’t have clocks for demo so doubt they would do this (and I wouldn’t want to ask).
 
Magico dealer in Singapore has M3 in for a demo! Soulution electronics. Might pay someone to box up my Gryphon and take it there to test 😎
 
Not sure what that has to do with MSB. Anyway, I wouldn't be doing it unless the M3 is in your price range. People listen to my M3 and regret doing so.
 
AJR said:
Magico dealer in Singapore has M3 in for a demo! Soulution electronics. Might pay someone to box up my Gryphon and take it there to test [emoji41]
Click to expand...

If it’s 7 series Soulution, don’t forget to bring all the packaging, remote, manual, etc. I don’t sell it, but I think a 725/711 is just incredible. BUT, I would think something new from Soulution has to be coming in a year or so. The 711/725/701, etc. has been out quite a while.
 
brodricj said:
Not sure what that has to do with MSB. Anyway, I wouldn't be doing it unless the M3 is in your price range. People listen to my M3 and regret doing so.
Click to expand...

Nothing to do with MSB. Just the most recent thread of mine i could find.
 
Mike said:
BUT, I would think something new from Soulution has to be coming in a year or so. The 711/725/701, etc. has been out quite a while.
Click to expand...

Hello Mike,

Dou you believe Soulution will update its 7 series once again?

Or add/enhance its more affordable ranges?

Cheers,

Thomas
 
Thoms said:
Hello Mike,

Dou you believe Soulution will update its 7 series once again?

Or add/enhance its more affordable ranges?

Cheers,

Thomas
Click to expand...

I don’t have any inside info, but I would guess the 7 series will see an update very very soon.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
Mike said:
If it’s 7 series Soulution, don’t forget to bring all the packaging, remote, manual, etc. I don’t sell it, but I think a 725/711 is just incredible. BUT, I would think something new from Soulution has to be coming in a year or so. The 711/725/701, etc. has been out quite a while.
Click to expand...

Maybe. My (limited) listening to Soulution is that it is very dry and sterile (but great quality). I think Soulution electronics paired with Magico makes no sense.
I prefer amps with balls. Let’s see. Fun.
 
“Dry analytical and transparent” amp (Soulution) with “dry analytical and transparent” speaker (Magico) = ...... Maybe I am wrong. The reason why my Gryphon Antileon Evo sounds so good is because it is dark chocolate as fuck and the Magicos smooth it out. M3s will be an even more perfect match.
 
Mike said:
I don’t have any inside info, but I would guess the 7 series will see an update very very soon.
Click to expand...

Hello Mike,

I know for sure that they’re implementing the Roon RAAT protocol into their 300 series network adapter. They’ll probably add it to the 760, if the implementation is good enough and doesn't impact sound quality.

As for updating their 711 stereo and 701 monos, I read somewhere an interview of C.Hammer saying that Soulution could go even further with their negative-feedback technology. Something even faster!

Not sure they plan on changing the amplifiers' circuit topology.

I plan to buy the 760/711 combo (the 760 directly connected to the 711).

But I suppose I should wait for the new model.

The question is how long the “very very soon” will be? :S
 
Thoms said:
Hello Mike,

I know for sure that they’re implementing the Roon RAAT protocol into their 300 series network adapter. They’ll probably add it to the 760, if the implementation is good enough and doesn't impact sound quality.

As for updating their 711 stereo and 701 monos, I read somewhere an interview of C.Hammer saying that Soulution could go even further with their negative-feedback technology. Something even faster!

Not sure they plan on changing the amplifiers' circuit topology.

I plan to buy the 760/711 combo (the 760 directly connected to the 711).

But I suppose I should wait for the new model.

The question is how long the “very very soon” will be? :S
Click to expand...

And will this be a tit-for-tat with CH 10 series, meaning the 702/712 (if that’s what they call it) is suddenly $200k?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
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