MSB Launches Two New DAC’s

Mike said:
I’m counting the days until the Premier and Discrete arrive.
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My Premier DAC will be sent in two weeks. Add some days for shipping and customs clearance and we write early July. I ordered a little late (march) so it was sent in batch number two.

Unfortunately, I’m not home then and have to wait until mid-July. Then I have some time to choose a server solution that is Roon ready.

Mike, hope you are in the first batch and can post pictures and listening impressions.
 
This is not a big issue for me as 99% of my music listening is from Tidal or my NAS (soon to be coordinated thru Roon) but is it possible to stream music from an iOS device thru Airplay via Roon and the MSB ethernet renderer?
 
A question for MSB, Lumin and Roon users in light of Tidal's financial and legal difficulties (not sure how real it all is, but it has given me pause for thought).

My plan was to feed my MSB Premier with streaming from Tidal and my NAS via Roon (I would buy the Nucleus + as the core) and into my Premier through the ethernet renderer input module. Importantly, while I appreciate the benefits of Roon from a user interface perspective, that it is not a driver for me as I am more than happy with the Lumin interface. I thought about keeping my Lumin T1 and using its digital out to feed the MSB Premier but the consensus seems to be that this is not a good idea - the sonics will likely be inferior compared to the alternatives.

What I am a little worried about by relying on Roon as my user interface and streaming consolidation to feed my MSB Premier is that I will be putting all my eggs in one basket. If Tidal goes under then I would be relying on Roon and alternative streaming platforms (eg Qobuz, Spotify) and the 'next big thing' streaming platform working together, which is no certainty (and from what I can gather, unlikely at present in the case of Qobuz). One of the great things about Lumin is that it is compatible with many different streaming platforms and seems quickly to take on board new ones through its ongoing updating program.

So what I am now thinking of doing is buying a Lumin U1 and using its USB digital out to feed the Quadrate USB MQA input module for the Premier, instead of Rooning-up and using the Premier etherner renderer input module. The cost of a Lumin U1 will be significantly more expensive than Rooning-up (Nucleus + plus Roon membership fees), but maybe it would be a safer bet. Not sure if there will be any sonic advantages either way.

Any thoughts would be gratefully received.

Andrew
 
I only invested in Roon (lifetime membership) because of the integration with Tidal. Without Tidal (or another music service) I would not have invested in Roon because there are other alternatives (like Logitech media server which is free) at much lesser cost. That said, if one has a good size music collection, Roon has a great GUI and offers the best music database management available. My hope is that Roon can partner with another music service provider that streams CD quality music.
 
AJR said:
So what I am now thinking of doing is buying a Lumin U1 and using its USB digital out to feed the Quadrate USB MQA input module for the Premier, instead of Rooning-up and using the Premier etherner renderer input module. The cost of a Lumin U1 will be significantly more expensive than Rooning-up (Nucleus + plus Roon membership fees), but maybe it would be a safer bet. Not sure if there will be any sonic advantages either way.
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Hey AJR, I'm in the same boat on Roon/Tidal - and that's why I didn't go with a Nucleus. I went with an Innuous which can run any UPnP program, so not stuck with Roon/Tidal. In fact, I've considered just using Linn Kazoo or something instead of paying for lifetime Roon. I would definitely recommend a server with ethernet to take advantage of MSB's renderer - and the new MSB renderer apparently sounds amazing.

I love the integration with Roon, but don't use much of its features (background reading, etc). I am on a yearly Roon membership, but need to figure out year 2 soon. Qobuz is coming to the states, so maybe Roon will integrate with them too (or may already, don't know).
 
Keith - thanks for this. I had not come across Innuous before. Reading up on it now it looks perfect for what I want: flexibility to run different streaming services, UPnP, and I can connect via ethernet cable to my MSB when it arrives. And a CD ripper! There must be some downside to it?
 
AJR said:
Keith - thanks for this. I had not come across Innuous before. Reading up on it now it looks perfect for what I want: flexibility to run different streaming services, UPnP, and I can connect via ethernet cable to my MSB when it arrives. And a CD ripper! There must be some downside to it?
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It's a nice sounding unit with good flexibility. You might also check out Melco, Antipodes, and Small Green Computer as well. They all are a bit different and I'm not sure what's easiest for you to audition or purchase.

As far as downside? well, its still a computer (ha!) unlike a Lumin or Aries G2. I will say the Innuous IP-based interface is as easy as it gets though.
 
@ AJR

I previously had the Lumin A1 and (still have) a Synology NAS and had gotten used to the Lumin app and user interface (although the Linn Kinsky and now the fidata apps work quite well too).

# uPnP / OpenHome / Lumin app

The Lumin app is an OpenHome app. Based on the user manual for version 1 of the MSB renderer module (www.msbtech.com/support/RendererManual.pdf), it is uPnP compatible but it is not (yet?) OpenHome compatible, so it would not be possible to connect the MSB and Synology NAS via ethernet and still be able to use the Lumin app. Things could be different for version 2 of the MSB renderer.

I discovered this uPnP / OpenHome distinction when trying the Weiss DAC502 with my Melco N1A (soon be replaced with the N1ZH).

# Using Lumin app with compatible server and USB

Otoh, with my Melco N1A running MinimServer, I was able to use the Lumin app when the Weiss was connected to the Melco via USB.

# USB vs ethernet inputs

While I was happy to be able to use the Lumin app through the USB output of the Melco, on extended listening, I felt that the ethernet input of the Weiss DAC502 was better than its USB input, even when the ethernet connection was handicapped by using an entry level LAN cable (Supra Cat 7) vs a high end USB cable (Acoustic Revive).

Therefore, if it is possible to extrapolate, subject to the usual YMMV caveats, the ethernet input of the MSB is likely to outperform the USB input.

# ROON with Synology / QNAP NAS

I understand that is now possible to run ROON in a Synology / QNAP NAS, depending on the specifications and processor used. You might want to explore this option.
 
I’m still crossing my fingers and toes that everything will work out with my Roon Nucleus Plus that I recently purchased and my Synology NAS, once I take delivery on my Select II DAC. I hope I don’t have to jump ship!

Ken
 
Is it fair to say that the general consensus amongst MSB owners/those who have done extensive listening that the latest ethernet renderer input module is superior to the quadrate USB input module all other things being equal, or is it very input dependent?

My MSB dealer (who also deals Lumin) says that many of his MSB customers also buy a Lumin U1 and use the USB output rather than using a server (although he doesn’t sell any media servers, so...).
 
AJR said:
Is it fair to say that the general consensus amongst MSB owners/those who have done extensive listening that the latest ethernet renderer input module is superior to the quadrate USB input module all other things being equal, or is it very input dependent?

My MSB dealer (who also deals Lumin) says that many of his MSB customers also buy a Lumin U1 and use the USB output rather than using a server (although he doesn’t sell any media servers, so...).
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Mike has both so he should be able to comment.

Ken
 
AJR said:
Is it fair to say that the general consensus amongst MSB owners/those who have done extensive listening that the latest ethernet renderer input module is superior to the quadrate USB input module all other things being equal, or is it very input dependent?

My MSB dealer (who also deals Lumin) says that many of his MSB customers also buy a Lumin U1 and use the USB output rather than using a server (although he doesn’t sell any media servers, so...).
Click to expand...

The renderer is quite a bit better than USB via the U1 or a similar device on the MSB.
 
Thanks Mike. In that case, I think Innuos it is for me (thanks Ken!) over the Nucleus + and the Lumin U1.
 
AJR said:
Thanks Mike. In that case, I think Innuos it is for me (thanks Ken!) over the Nucleus + and the Lumin U1.
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Stick with the MSB Renderer and a Roon Nucleus+, that’s my two cents.
 
AJR said:
Thanks Mike. Do you think I am being paranoid about being ‘locked into’ Room and Tidal?
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Yes. I’m sure Roon is finding alternatives like Quboz


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Mike said:
The renderer is quite a bit better than USB via the U1 or a similar device on the MSB.
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so far on the MSB Select II the new MSB renderer (with SGM as Roon core) is neck and neck with my SGM server w/USB (using Curious USB cable---modest priced) when I go back and forth......maybe the very slightest nod to the renderer. if a different device were used as a Roon core, might that lower the Renderer level of performance? don't know that......yet. the SGM might take things to the highest possible level used as a Roon core, or with USB.

the SGM is due for a significant upgrade soon to 'MK II, 'Evo spec'. we will see what does to the equation.
 
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