Excited about tomorrow...

[asiufy]

I'm going to be bold and say it... The MSB Reference (not even the SELECT), at $40k, will give a similarly-priced analog setup a good run for their money. And that's with analog recordings.

And before people call me names, I own thousands of LPs, and keep buying more of the buggers. I just like vinyl. But I'm also glad I can just grab my iPad and queue some music and not be left wanting to hear it on LP.

 

[Dre_J]

It’s here!!! MSB Select II with dual mono power bases. The MQA USB input module is installed for now and when the Roon ready MQA Ethernet module is ready, I’ll switch to that.

I have the XLR in and out preamp module, and added the RCA output for use with SE amps. Right now, I’m running direct to the Gryphon Colosseum.

For now, using the Lumin U1 (I’ll try the Aurender once they get MQA).

I just got it up and running. I will comment on sonics later.


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Congratulations, Mike. Enjoy the ride.

Dre

 

[Dre_J]

I'm going to be bold and say it... The MSB Reference (not even the SELECT), at $40k, will give a similarly-priced analog setup a good run for their money. And that's with analog recordings.

And before people call me names, I own thousands of LPs, and keep buying more of the buggers. I just like vinyl. But I'm also glad I can just grab my iPad and queue some music and not be left wanting to hear it on LP.

Yes, you are being bold. I would not go that far. There are too many variables and personal preferences to account for.

Instead of trying to knock off analog, why don't we enjoy what technology (analog and digital) has to offer in this day and age that allows us to listen to our music in more satisfying ways?

Dre

P.S. When asked if I'm format agnostic? I say yes --with a smile.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

Yes, you are being bold. I would not go that far. There are too many variables and personal preferences to account for.

Instead of trying to knock off analog, why don't we enjoy what technology (analog and digital) has to offer in this day and age that allows us to listen to our music in more satisfying ways?

Dre

P.S. When asked if I'm format agnostic? I say yes --with a smile.

agree, and that is what I've told posters who want to know the 'goods' about how it compares to vinyl. what is important is that it takes us to a degree of musical involvement and expressiveness that is unto itself and is very satisfying to listen to. we want to keep listening. objectively it does dig out detail in the analog realm, but it's not the same....and does not need to be.

what it does do for me, is to, in many ways, eliminate any need to worry about what form the media takes, and know i'm still going to really enjoy it and feel i'm connecting. and the digital interface now available delivers so much music so seamlessly and without any physical limits. it fits into my time better with less compromises.

i'm still pursuing improving my vinyl and, and I love acquiring the right master tape, but great music on digital also brings me lots of pleasure.

and i'm not putting down times when I might like to compare formats; my reference is my analog. and that aspect is fun. but every day now it's just enjoying the music. I can chose two or three digital files, sit back, turn the lights down, or multi-task, and there is no compromise. the musical pull is compelling.

 

[asiufy]

Yes, you are being bold. I would not go that far. There are too many variables and personal preferences to account for.

Instead of trying to knock off analog, why don't we enjoy what technology (analog and digital) has to offer in this day and age that allows us to listen to our music in more satisfying ways?

Dre

P.S. When asked if I'm format agnostic? I say yes --with a smile.

See, I knew it... Where did I knock analog off? I didn't. I just said the MSB REF is as good as a similarly priced analog rig.

Before these new MSB products (REF/SELECT), I could never get the same level of satisfaction from digital that I got from a record. And I'm not talking about 45 rpm, fancy reissues or expensive originals of sonic spectaculars. Maybe one of the reasons I enjoy the MSB so much is that 95% of my music collection (20k albums and counting) is comprised of not-really-great-sounding recordings. So, to all of a sudden be ale to enjoy the digital version as much as I enjoyed the LPs, it's extraordinary (to me), and worth quite a lot (again, to me).

 

[Dre_J]

See, I knew it... Where did I knock analog off? I didn't. I just said the MSB REF is as good as a similarly priced analog rig.

Before these new MSB products (REF/SELECT), I could never get the same level of satisfaction from digital that I got from a record. And I'm not talking about 45 rpm, fancy reissues or expensive originals of sonic spectaculars. Maybe one of the reasons I enjoy the MSB so much is that 95% of my music collection (20k albums and counting) is comprised of not-really-great-sounding recordings. So, to all of a sudden be ale to enjoy the digital version as much as I enjoyed the LPs, it's extraordinary (to me), and worth quite a lot (again, to me).

Alex, I think you may be a bit too sensitive on this post. I parsed that reply into two different responses.

The first response was a different observation to you saying you would be bold and state what you did. I countered with multiple variables would not allow me to come to the same conclusion (for myself or anyone that asked me). In essence, I'd tell them to seek out and make their own determination. (This is a bit diplomatic but I steadfastly believe that users are more satisfied with their choices when they make their own decisions after careful evaluation.)

The second response didn't contain a 'you' and was a general thought on the whole analog vs. digital back and forth that rears its head endlessly. (The reason for the terms 'we' and 'us')

If you'd be so kind, take a second look at what I wrote. I never said you were knocking analog.


Dre

 

[asiufy]

(This is a bit diplomatic but I steadfastly believe that users are more satisfied with their choices when they make their own decisions after careful evaluation.)

Dre,

No problem
And your quote above is perfect. Yes, it might be diplomatic to say it, but people make their choices for a million reasons, and we've got to respect them.

 

[KeithR]

More like Mark’s BS meter got pegged.

except it really isn't BS. I've had the MSB Ref dac in my room and compared directly to my Brinkmann TT (no slouch, and as good as than your analog rig). Have you?

I also have an Analog Dac and can safely say it sounds like good digital. And there isn't anything wrong with that. I'm hoping the Analog 2 gets me most of the Ref dac magic at a lower price.

I would go further to say that I wouldn't recommend someone spend 40k on an analog setup if they didn't already have a record collection. I'd buy the MSB and call it a day.

 

[Mike]

The biggest thing I can say is that the Select II just can’t be considered digital. I know this sounds ridiculous, and if I didn’t hear it myself, I would laugh, but it’s seriously a different source category all together. I feel it’s THAT different from your typical “DAC”.

For years the digital has been the worst thing in our systems, we were always trying to tune out the harshness with cables, some tubes, forgiving speakers, etc. Now I ask people to consider the “DAC” (for lack of a better term) is the best thing in the system, maybe by far. If that is true you will hear BIG differences when comparing just about anything else in the system. It is quite a revelation. It is further impressive to know that this has all been achieved without upsampling or tricks, just ….insane…precision in the DAC ladders and clock, then taking great care of the signal all the way to the output jacks.


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[Elberoth]

Damn, need to buy a new DAC, lol.

 

[mep]

except it really isn't BS. I've had the MSB Ref dac in my room and compared directly to my Brinkmann TT (no slouch, and as good as than your analog rig). Have you?

I also have an Analog Dac and can safely say it sounds like good digital. And there isn't anything wrong with that. I'm hoping the Analog 2 gets me most of the Ref dac magic at a lower price.

I would go further to say that I wouldn't recommend someone spend 40k on an analog setup if they didn't already have a record collection. I'd buy the MSB and call it a day.

Keith-You are barking up the wrong tree. I was specifically talking to Sandman about his comments comparing 1980s digital to the sound of analog at its inception. I did not make any comments to Alex over his $40k challenge.

 

[Elberoth]

Mike, how much is the dual PS, Femto 33 & Ethernet equipped Select II DAC in retail ?

 

[Mike]

Mike, how much is the dual PS, Femto 33 & Ethernet equipped Select II DAC in retail ?

MSB pricing can be found here:

http://www.msbtechnology.com/dacs/select-pricing/


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[Priaptor]

The Select II cannot be compared to other DAC's. As I mentioned above, it's in a separate source class of its own. It's something that must be experienced to be believed. You feel like you are plugged into the performers in the recording studio. And, it's going to get better over the next 200 hours of break in.

Mike,

Welcome to my/our world. People never believe until they hear it. It's an amazing DAC.

Enjoy
Howie

 

[puroagave]

I'm going to be bold and say it... The MSB Reference (not even the SELECT), at $40k, will give a similarly-priced analog setup a good run for their money. And that's with analog recordings.

And before people call me names, I own thousands of LPs, and keep buying more of the buggers. I just like vinyl. But I'm also glad I can just grab my iPad and queue some music and not be left wanting to hear it on LP.

Bon dia Alex. I did get to hear the 'big' MSB stack at your old store and it was all that. If it weren't for the fact we followed up the session with a brief encounter with the 'big' Kronos deck (and modest Ortofon cart, I might add) I would have left with a new understanding of what latest digital can do but alas I still preferred the vinyl - by a mile

Im off next week ill come down to check out the new store! I need to see you about some upgrade parts for an LP12 i pulled out of storage.

 

[asiufy]

Rob,

Well, that was way more than $40k in analog right there The phono stage alone was $28k... Table $48k.

I'm with Keith on this. If you don't have a sizeable record collection (like me, and most here), just get an MSB Reference and be happy.

Stop by next week!

cheers,
alex

 

[KeithR]

Keith-You are barking up the wrong tree. I was specifically talking to Sandman about his comments comparing 1980s digital to the sound of analog at its inception. I did not make any comments to Alex over his $40k challenge.

I'm sorry Mark - see your own reply in post #63. Your skepticism is on full display implying no digital sounds quite like analog or its recording chain.

Except I've done the comparison myself so thought I would share.

 

[Dguitarnut]

The biggest thing I can say is that the Select II just can’t be considered digital. I know this sounds ridiculous, and if I didn’t hear it myself, I would laugh, but it’s seriously a different source category all together. I feel it’s THAT different from your typical “DAC”.

For years the digital has been the worst thing in our systems, we were always trying to tune out the harshness with cables, some tubes, forgiving speakers, etc. Now I ask people to consider the “DAC” (for lack of a better term) is the best thing in the system, maybe by far. If that is true you will hear BIG differences when comparing just about anything else in the system. It is quite a revelation. It is further impressive to know that this has all been achieved without upsampling or tricks, just ….insane…precision in the DAC ladders and clock, then taking great care of the signal all the way to the output jacks.


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Wow is all I can say! I just got back from spending some time listening to Mike’s new toy!
I fully agree with his assessment in that it ought to be a different category all together.
This was the best sounding system I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing! The layer upon layer of music/musicians/instruments is amazing.....and it didn’t matter what recording you listened to...you heard it as never before with out shrillness edginess or other artifacts.
Offered Mike a kidney for the MSB but he said he already had two but mentioned to me to put it on EBay to get top dollar. He is a tough negotiator but always fair and truthful.

 

[Priaptor]

Wow is all I can say! I just got back from spending some time listening to Mike’s new toy!
I fully agree with his assessment in that it ought to be a different category all together.
This was the best sounding system I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing! The layer upon layer of music/musicians/instruments is amazing.....and it didn’t matter what recording you listened to...you heard it as never before with out shrillness edginess or other artifacts.
Offered Mike a kidney for the MSB but he said he already had two but mentioned to me to put it on EBay to get top dollar. He is a tough negotiator but always fair and truthful.

I have had my Select II for awhile now. Literally the BEST part of the unit is how amazing Redbook can sound. It is a startling revelation at how good redbook is assuming the recording is good.

 

[mep]

I'm sorry Mark - see your own reply in post #63. Your skepticism is on full display implying no digital sounds quite like analog or its recording chain.

Except I've done the comparison myself so thought I would share.

Here is what I said in post 63: "Digital has always sounded different than analog because it sounds, er, digital." What I meant by that is all digital I have heard so far doesn't sound like analog. I have not heard the MSB Select II DAC with dual outboard power supplies and therefore I can't possibly know how it sounds and I certainly never made any claims to the contrary. Everyone who has bought one for their store or bought one for themselves has pretty much made the same comments with regards to the MSB DAC and that is it sounds like a new source and sounds neither like analog or digital if I'm reading them correctly.