MSB Reference DAC - Another thumbs up vote and quick review

**steinkrieg** · July 11, 2019, 11:30 PM

It was hard to do, but I recently decided to give up my VAC Master Preamp and Lumin X1 to move to an MSB Reference DAC with the preamp module.

First, let me say that the VAC Master is a very special piece, and all of the positive comments about it across the boards were completely true in my experience. I loved it and will miss it.

I decided to go 100% digital streaming for now, and that lead me to look for a truly great and focused solution. I just don't have the time these days to deal with downloads, vinyl, etc. Yes, vinyl will forever be great to hold in your hands, and vintage vinyl is like holding a piece of music history... But, Roon with Tidal and Qobuz is almost like living in the matrix of most of the world's greatest music at your fingertips. With the MSB Ref, 4 boxes were cut down to 2 in my rack, and cabling was reduced as well... simplification. But, what I was chasing was that ever elusive analog sound from a digital source.

I'm now a few hundred hours into the MSB Ref, and could not be happier. After listening to many products on the market over the years, I was questioning if all the MSB accolades were truly appropriate. For certain, at the price point of the Ref, any buyer should expect sound that is VERY special. That is exactly what you get. Outside of the MSB Select, there are very few competitors (if any) who can challenge what the Ref can do. It's a proprietary sound designed by MSB, and one that matches my ears better than any other I have heard.

Most of all, I think the sound MSB provides with the Ref and Select is extremely close to the analog sound we have all been chasing in digital over the years. Those with very experienced ears can talk about how vinyl has more bloom, or 1/2 inch reel to reel has more of whatever, but my personal conclusion is that MSB has brought digital within a hair of equal quality level to any format. I think the MSB sound seems closest to tape. In the past there was no argument that analog was better... now it is becoming MUCH more of a choice.

The future is here, and I like it... I just can't wait for this type of technology to graduate from being only for the esoteric / high experience buyers out there. It sure would be nice to hear this type of technology in home theaters, and all the other uses for DAC's.

As the many reviews say... MSB is in a league of their own. Forum arguments on this stuff seem to be endless, but I truly believe MSB is an exception... The digital game is finally in the era we all hoped for so long ago.

Thanks to Mike for his guidance on this journey!

Cheers

**Mike Lavigne** · July 11, 2019, 11:45 PM

congrats Jeremy! and nice write up.....I wholeheartedly agree with your comments.

enjoy your MSB Reference Dac!

**Mike** · July 12, 2019, 06:52 AM

Congrats Jeremy. I’m delighted you are so happy, but I knew you would be! The REF DAC is extraordinary. The MSB DAC’s are truly on another level.

**Alpinist** · July 12, 2019, 07:04 AM

Congratulations Jeremy! I’ve listened to the Reference DAC and it’s a magical sounding component. It’s magic is stunning realism.

Enjoy,
Ken

**KeithR** · July 12, 2019, 04:17 PM

I hate to say it, but no surprise here

just think MSB is in a class of its own at the high end of the digital spectrum

**brodricj** · July 14, 2019, 04:43 AM

I wouldn't say MSB are in a league of their own. At this end of the performance spectrum they have worthy competition, the different brand offerings are all different flavors of excellence. It's difficult to criticize any aspect of any of them. I heard an optimized fully tricked up MSB Select and I prefer my Esoteric Grandioso. I'd be happy with either. As I say, different flavors of excellence, choose the flavor you prefer.

**Al M.** · July 14, 2019, 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by brodricj

I wouldn't say MSB are in a league of their own. At this end of the performance spectrum they have worthy competition, the different brand offerings are all different flavors of excellence. It's difficult to criticize any aspect of any of them. I heard an optimized fully tricked up MSB Select and I prefer my Esoteric Grandioso. I'd be happy with either. As I say, different flavors of excellence, choose the flavor you prefer.

May I ask for specifics why you preferred your Esoteric to the MSB? Did you hear both DACs in the same system?

**Alpinist** · July 14, 2019, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by brodricj

I wouldn't say MSB are in a league of their own. At this end of the performance spectrum they have worthy competition, the different brand offerings are all different flavors of excellence. It's difficult to criticize any aspect of any of them. I heard an optimized fully tricked up MSB Select and I prefer my Esoteric Grandioso. I'd be happy with either. As I say, different flavors of excellence, choose the flavor you prefer.

Hi Brodric,

Which model Grandioso do you own? I owned the Grandioso K1 Player and G1 Master Clock. They were outstanding sounding components and I have nothing but excellent things to say about them. But to my ears, the Select II DAC produces a significantly higher level of realism. I was able to do a direct comparison in my home system. I’m not trying to invalidate your opinion. Audio component tastes are, as we know, highly subjective.

Best,
Ken

**brodricj** · July 14, 2019, 07:24 PM

Originally Posted by Al M.

May I ask for specifics why you preferred your Esoteric to the MSB?..

I like the sound of both, and don't have a preference for either on sound quality. I preferred the Esoteric because it's less than half the price of the MSB.

**Kuoppis** · July 15, 2019, 12:40 AM

Congrats, very nice DAC.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

**Al M.** · July 15, 2019, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by Alpinist

Hi Brodric,

Which model Grandioso do you own? I owned the Grandioso K1 Player and G1 Master Clock. They were outstanding sounding components and I have nothing but excellent things to say about them. But to my ears, the Select II DAC produces a significantly higher level of realism. I was able to do a direct comparison in my home system. I’m not trying to invalidate your opinion. Audio component tastes are, as we know, highly subjective.

Best,
Ken

Ken, may I ask in which way, sound wise, do you think the Select II DAC produces a significantly higher level of realism?

Thanks
Al

**Alpinist** · July 15, 2019, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by Al M.

Ken, may I ask in which way, sound wise, do you think the Select II DAC produces a significantly higher level of realism?

Thanks
Al

Hi Al,

The Select II DAC provides a level of detail, nuance, clarity and layering that are very close to a live musical event with an unprecedented level of ease. In my experience, nearly all other digital sources tend to deliver the former and not the latter or vice versa.

Best,
Ken

**Al M.** · July 15, 2019, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by Alpinist

Hi Al,

The Select II DAC provides a level of detail, nuance, clarity and layering that are very close to a live musical event with an unprecedented level of ease. In my experience, nearly all other digital sources tend to deliver the former and not the latter or vice versa.

Best,
Ken

Thanks, Ken, for the informative answer!

**alfa100** · November 28, 2019, 06:40 PM

Steinkrieg, Did you try this DAC through the preamp and yet preferred DAC direct to power amp ?

**steinkrieg** · November 29, 2019, 05:47 PM

Hi Alfa,

I did not get a chance to try it through the preamp... I can say after a few more months of use I do think the MSB preamp module is fantastic. It really helps justify the cost of the REF overall.

**Kuoppis** · November 30, 2019, 03:44 AM

Originally Posted by steinkrieg

Hi Alfa,

I did not get a chance to try it through the preamp... I can say after a few more months of use I do think the MSB preamp module is fantastic. It really helps justify the cost of the REF overall.

How much ist the pre module in Europe?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

**UltraFast69** · December 2, 2019, 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by steinkrieg

Hi Alfa,

I did not get a chance to try it through the preamp... I can say after a few more months of use I do think the MSB preamp module is fantastic. It really helps justify the cost of the REF overall.

Steinkrieg, you have put together a nice system

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

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Re: MSB Reference DAC - Another thumbs up vote and quick review

Re: MSB Reference DAC - Another thumbs up vote and quick review

Re: MSB Reference DAC - Another thumbs up vote and quick review

Re: MSB Reference DAC - Another thumbs up vote and quick review

Re: MSB Reference DAC - Another thumbs up vote and quick review

Re: MSB Reference DAC - Another thumbs up vote and quick review

Re: MSB Reference DAC - Another thumbs up vote and quick review

Re: MSB Reference DAC - Another thumbs up vote and quick review

Re: MSB Reference DAC - Another thumbs up vote and quick review

Re: MSB Reference DAC - Another thumbs up vote and quick review

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