- Thread Author
- #1
MSB Cascade DAC arrives at Suncoast Audio
- Thread starter Mike
- Start date
Michaels HiFi
Well-known member
NICE!!
- Thread Author
- #4
Yes sir! We did the unboxing yesterday. I’ll give it some break in time and post. But initial impressions, out of the box, beats the Select II. Dynamics, dynamics, dynamics. depth, details, micro detail especially, soundstage and most importantly, musicality. Just better in every respect.
Puma Cat
Well-known member
SF Audiophile Society recently organized a listening audition of MSB's new Digital Director products at a Bay Area hi-fi store in Novato, CA
Both Jonathan Gullman and Daniel Gullman Francis of MSB were there to provide an introduction and overview of the new Digital Director (URL: https://msbtechnology.com/the-digital-director/)
We then listened to the impressive new Digital Director with the big MSB monoblocks. To say folks were impressed would be an understatement. Here are some pics of the event. Daniel Gullman Francis is at the left in the photo, near the side wall.
The attendees, enraptured by the new Digital Director. Jonathan Gullman, one of the other founders of MSB, is to the left of his brother, Daniel, along the side wall.
Wonderful event, and fabulous-sounding MSB products. During the break, I met both Daniel and Jonathan, and they invited me down to visit their facility in Watsonville, CA some time in August. If they let me take some photos of my visit, I'll post them here.
You're killing me Mike!
- Thread Author
- #7
Soon come! Soon!
still-one
Active member
I just re-read your initial post and initially I missed that you stated better than the Select II. I had assumed you meant the Reference DAC, but are you saying better than a Select II with Digital Director??
One reason I am asking I have been A/B'ing a Select II in my set-up for the past week. (without Digital Director). Just wanting to consider all options since Wadax and the upcoming dCS product (whenever released)are going to be too rich for my blood.
Do you recall other the supporting products used for the demo (speakers, cables, etc)?SF Audiophile Society recently organized a listening audition of MSB's new Digital Director products at a Bay Area hi-fi store in Novato, CA
Both Jonathan Gullman and Daniel Gullman Francis of MSB were there to provide an introduction and overview of the new Digital Director (URL: https://msbtechnology.com/the-digital-director/)
We then listened to the impressive new Digital Director with the big MSB monoblocks. To say folks were impressed would be an understatement. Here are some pics of the event. Daniel Gullman Francis is at the left in the photo, near the side wall.
The attendees, enraptured by the new Digital Director. Jonathan Gullman, one of the other founders of MSB, is to the left of his brother, Daniel, along the side wall.
Wonderful event, and fabulous-sounding MSB products. During the break, I met both Daniel and Jonathan, and they invited me down to visit their facility in Watsonville, CA some time in August. If they let me take some photos of my visit, I'll post them here.
Puma Cat
Well-known member
Cabling was Nordost, IIRC, but I don't remember the speakers. I'll see if I can find out what they were. To be honest, I don't think it would matter in any "practically significant" way.
Bones13
Member
When using a Digital Director used in in existing MSB line up, the computing/control portion of the DAC unit is bypassed, but is still present.
In addition to new tech in the DAC, PSU, and Digital Director, the MSB Cascade differs from the previous MSB setup by totally removing most the processing components from the DAC unit, just retaining display, and button circuitry, and volume control (?).
Reclaiming, at least, 2 module slot spaces, and directly implement optical connections, provides additional internal space. (allows for internal changes, and a smaller case(?)
In addition to new tech in the DAC, PSU, and Digital Director, the MSB Cascade differs from the previous MSB setup by totally removing most the processing components from the DAC unit, just retaining display, and button circuitry, and volume control (?).
Reclaiming, at least, 2 module slot spaces, and directly implement optical connections, provides additional internal space. (allows for internal changes, and a smaller case(?)
- Thread Author
- #13
Dynamic! Musical. 3D layered. Organic. Engaging. Betters the Select II by some margin. I’ll admit, I was skeptical. But I’m not sure how they did it - for less.
Hi Mike, how big is the some margin, is it incremental or a significant upgrade?
Regards
- Thread Author
- #15
It’s better in all aspects.
My Cascade shipped today! I had a lightning strike a month ago that took out a lot of electronics. Even gear off the grid but only connected by Ethernet. Now I have made sure that all my stages of surge protection have sizable insurance policies attached. Listening impressions coming soon.
Cincy
Cincy
Michaels HiFi
Well-known member
Awesome (not the lightening strike part). Let us know how you like it!
Sorry Eric. I had that happen to me a couple of years ago. Surge devices protected the large components; however, anything connected via Ethernet (low voltage) was damaged.
Hope things better soon and enjoy the new Cascade!
I'm protected now (I hope!). I put Ethernet line surge protectors at my connection with the Fiber modem from FIOS and at each outlet where audio gear is attached. Then I used a Reiki Audio optical bridge to make sure a pulse does not get through to my Pink Faun server or the Cascade DAC. If this doesn't work, I don't know what else to do. I've been hit three times in the past five years.
The Sandman
Member
Yeah, Tampa is the lightning capital of the World unfortunately. I’ve had my share of strikes, near misses, and surges. I currently have a full lightning rod setup on my roof with 6 or 8 ground rods around the house, a commercial grade surge protector in parallel with my service entrance (meter), multiple heavy duty surge protectors protecting my service panel (circuit breakers), all of my TV and networking equipment plugged into double conversion UPS boxes, and all audio components protected by various Shunyata devices. Knock on wood, no surge damage since.