MSB Pro USB

Kingsrule said:
On the other hand the PRO USB might be a TOUCH thin. I never played the USB connection games but my instinct tells me a good USB cable might get it perfect....
Click to expand...

King,

When you find one that sounds right, please let me know, I’ve been looking for years. ;)

Ken
 
My ProUSB interface and module (for my Select II DAC) will be arriving at the end of May - looking forwards to enjoying the benefits of optical noise isolation and re-clocking of data packets to my Femto33 clock’s tick-tock !
 
Alpinist said:
Hi King,

I am not surprised by your comment, I expected the MSB Pro USB to be excellent. Every MSB digital input module has been outstanding and all are designed in-house. They don’t play follow the leader. That’s why they’re better.

As for me, I will stick with the MSB Renderer V2 until a V3 comes out. Since the addition of the GigaFoilv4 Ethernet Filter, the Keces P3 LPS for the GigaFoilv4, the Keces P8 LPS for the Roon Nucleus Plus, Audience AU24SE Power Cords for each Keces LPS, and AudioQuest Diamond Ethernet Cables for the network, I am getting unprecedented sound quality out of my system. Extraordinary detail, nuance and ease, as well as holographic imaging, all coming from a dead silent background.

I never thought it could could be this great. Thanks again to Mike for the recommendations!

Ken
Click to expand...

Hi Ken,

I have my own fanless Roon server for the MSB Renderer V2. I've bridged the two Ethernet connections on the JCAT Ethernet card for an inline feed (or so the "Romaz" theory from computer audiophile goes, though I've yet to definitively prove the routing). I was wondering if you or anyone else did any comparisons of the GigaFoilv4 with the JCAT card (which also has an optional 5v power input). I suppose I could just get one and compare, but the Audioquest Diamond isn't cheap, and I'm interested in opinions as well.

Thanks,
Darryl
 
Darryl R said:
Hi Ken,

I have my own fanless Roon server for the MSB Renderer V2. I've bridged the two Ethernet connections on the JCAT Ethernet card for an inline feed (or so the "Romaz" theory from computer audiophile goes, though I've yet to definitively prove the routing). I was wondering if you or anyone else did any comparisons of the GigaFoilv4 with the JCAT card (which also has an optional 5v power input). I suppose I could just get one and compare, but the Audioquest Diamond isn't cheap, and I'm interested in opinions as well.

Thanks,
Darryl
Click to expand...

Welcome to AudioShark, Darryl. I’m sorry but I haven’t tried a setup along these lines. Mike Bovaird from Suncoast Audio recommended my current configuration and I’ve been extremely happy with it. Totally turnkey and sounds amazing.

Ken
 
Thanks Ken. And glad to hear that. Mike sold me my Select II as well and I can say the same -- just a marvelous piece of audio engineering.
 
Darryl R said:
Thanks Ken. And glad to hear that. Mike sold me my Select II as well and I can say the same -- just a marvelous piece of audio engineering.
Click to expand...

Thanks Darryl. Good to see you here.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I’ve had the MSB ProUSB in the store for over a week now. This one was not a prototype, but rather a completed version and one which I purchased.

How does it compare? Like everything it comes down to personal preference. However, I thought it best to have a few customers over for the shootout.

We wanted to compare:

1. MSB Roon Renderer (from wall w/AQ Diamond Ethernet to Renderer)
2. MSB Roon Renderer (from wall with CAT6 to GigaFoil/Keces P3 to Renderer)
3. MSB ProUSB (from wall w/AQ Diamond Ethernet to Aurender, AQ Diamond USB to ProUSB, ProUSB via ProISL to ProISL module in the DAC)
4. MSB ProUSB (from wall with CAT6 cable to GigaFoil/Keces P3 to AQ Diamond Ethernet to Aurender, AQ Diamond USB to ProUSB, ProUSB via ProISL to ProISL module in the DAC).
5. MSB ProUSB (from wall w/AQ Diamond Ethernet to Innous Statement - on demo/loan, AQ Diamond USB to ProUSB, ProUSB via ProISL to ProISL module in the DAC).
6. MSB ProUSB (from wall with CAT6 cable to GigaFoil/Keces P3 to AQ Diamond Ethernet to Innous Statement, AQ Diamond USB to ProUSB, ProUSB via ProISL to ProISL module in the DAC).
7. MSB ProUSB (from wall w/AQ Diamond Ethernet to Roon Nucleus Plus with Keces P8, AQ Diamond USB to ProUSB, ProUSB via ProISL to ProISL module in the DAC).
8. MSB ProUSB (from wall with CAT6 cable to GigaFoil/Keces P3 to AQ Diamond Ethernet to Roon Nucleus Plus with Keces P8, AQ Diamond USB to ProUSB, ProUSB via ProISL to ProISL module in the DAC).

At all times, the cables were:

- AudioQuest Diamond Ethernet
- Cheapo Cat 6 (when feeding the GigaFoil)
- AudioQuest Diamond USB
- Analysis Plus Power Cables on the MSB Select II DAC
- AQ Hurricane Source Cables on the various Music Server Transports.

Speakers for the Testing:

B&W 800D3’s with a pair of DB1D subs
Luxman M900u Monos
Luxman C900u Preamp
AQ Speaker Cables and IC’s

- We played an assortment of redbook, high res and DSD64, 256 and 512 files. No MQA as we were playing off the NAS at all times.

Phew!

Findings:

- We found the AQ Diamond with GigaFoil/Keces direct to the MSB Roon Renderer to be the most transparent, with the GigaFoil/Keces taking out some of the grunge in the upper registers.

- The ProUSB nullified the benefits of the GigaFoil/Keces P3. We could hear a big difference in configuration #1/#2, but not once we introduced the ProUSB (which converts USB to Fiber Optic - ProISL).

- However, it was unanimous that the #5 configuration sounded best overall, but finished second due to the reasons noted below. The Innous Statement had meat on the bones, without any noticeable loss in transparency, and sounded very analog. HOWEVER, two notes:

- The Roon Nucleus Plus in the #7 configuration was incredibly close to the Innous Statement - as in 99 vs 100. The Roon Nucleus Plus allows full NATIVE DSD and DSD512. This gave it the edge for our winner in the shootout.

- the Innous Statement is NOT capable of NATIVE DSD on any MSB DAC (via the ProUSB) and it DOES NOT play DSD256 or above on any DAC (limited to DSD128). This may not matter to some, but the NATIVE vs DoP was a big deciding factor, plus we couldn’t play our DSD512 files. If these things aren’t important to you, than the Innous is a worth considering. But in our configuration, it was so close to the $2498 Roon Nucleus Plus, that it was literally indistinguishable when paired with the ProUSB. I have no doubt it is superior on other DAC’s feeding them straight via USB, but for our tests - going into the great equalizer - the ProUSB, it was too close to call.

Therefore, for all the reasons mentioned above, the #7 configuration (MSB ProUSB (from wall w/AQ Diamond Ethernet to Roon Nucleus Plus with Keces P8, AQ Diamond USB to ProUSB, ProUSB via ProISL to ProISL module in the DAC) was the overall winner.

NOTE: My Lumin U1 was not available for this test. I will be bringing it in and testing against the Roon Nucleus + shortly.
 
Mike said:
I’ve had the MSB ProUSB in the store for over a week now. This one was not a prototype, but rather a completed version and one which I purchased.

How does it compare? Like everything it comes down to personal preference. However, I thought it best to have a few customers over for the shootout.

We wanted to compare:

1. MSB Roon Renderer (from wall w/AQ Diamond Ethernet to Renderer)
2. MSB Roon Renderer (from wall with CAT6 to GigaFoil/Keces P3 to Renderer)
3. MSB ProUSB (from wall w/AQ Diamond Ethernet to Aurender, AQ Diamond USB to ProUSB, ProUSB via ProISL to ProISL module in the DAC)
4. MSB ProUSB (from wall with CAT6 cable to GigaFoil/Keces P3 to AQ Diamond Ethernet to Aurender, AQ Diamond USB to ProUSB, ProUSB via ProISL to ProISL module in the DAC).
5. MSB ProUSB (from wall w/AQ Diamond Ethernet to Innous Statement - on demo/loan, AQ Diamond USB to ProUSB, ProUSB via ProISL to ProISL module in the DAC).
6. MSB ProUSB (from wall with CAT6 cable to GigaFoil/Keces P3 to AQ Diamond Ethernet to Innous Statement, AQ Diamond USB to ProUSB, ProUSB via ProISL to ProISL module in the DAC).
7. MSB ProUSB (from wall w/AQ Diamond Ethernet to Roon Nucleus Plus with Keces P8, AQ Diamond USB to ProUSB, ProUSB via ProISL to ProISL module in the DAC).
8. MSB ProUSB (from wall with CAT6 cable to GigaFoil/Keces P3 to AQ Diamond Ethernet to Roon Nucleus Plus with Keces P8, AQ Diamond USB to ProUSB, ProUSB via ProISL to ProISL module in the DAC).

At all times, the cables were:

- AudioQuest Diamond Ethernet
- Cheapo Cat 6 (when feeding the GigaFoil)
- AudioQuest Diamond USB
- Analysis Plus Power Cables on the MSB Select II DAC
- AQ Hurricane Source Cables on the various Music Server Transports.

Speakers for the Testing:

B&W 800D3’s with a pair of DB1D subs
Luxman M900u Monos
Luxman C900u Preamp
AQ Speaker Cables and IC’s

- We played an assortment of redbook, high res and DSD64, 256 and 512 files. No MQA as we were playing off the NAS at all times.

Phew!

Findings:

- We found the AQ Diamond with GigaFoil/Keces direct to the MSB Roon Renderer to be the most transparent, with the GigaFoil/Keces taking out some of the grunge in the upper registers.

- The ProUSB nullified the benefits of the GigaFoil/Keces P3. We could hear a big difference in configuration #1/#2, but not once we introduced the ProUSB (which converts USB to Fiber Optic - ProISL).

- However, it was unanimous that the #5 configuration sounded best overall, but finished second due to the reasons noted below. The Innous Statement had meat on the bones, without any noticeable loss in transparency, and sounded very analog. HOWEVER, two notes:

- The Roon Nucleus Plus in the #7 configuration was incredibly close to the Innous Statement - as in 99 vs 100. The Roon Nucleus Plus allows full NATIVE DSD and DSD512. This gave it the edge for our winner in the shootout.

- the Innous Statement is NOT capable of NATIVE DSD on any MSB DAC (via the ProUSB) and it DOES NOT play DSD256 or above on any DAC (limited to DSD128). This may not matter to some, but the NATIVE vs DoP was a big deciding factor, plus we couldn’t play our DSD512 files. If these things aren’t important to you, than the Innous is a worth considering. But in our configuration, it was so close to the $2498 Roon Nucleus Plus, that it was literally indistinguishable when paired with the ProUSB. I have no doubt it is superior on other DAC’s feeding them straight via USB, but for our tests - going into the great equalizer - the ProUSB, it was too close to call.

Therefore, for all the reasons mentioned above, the #7 configuration (MSB ProUSB (from wall w/AQ Diamond Ethernet to Roon Nucleus Plus with Keces P8, AQ Diamond USB to ProUSB, ProUSB via ProISL to ProISL module in the DAC) was the overall winner.

NOTE: My Lumin U1 was not available for this test. I will be bringing it in and testing against the Roon Nucleus + shortly.
Click to expand...

Mike,

Thanks for a comprehensive review. I did not know about that limitation of the Innuos Statement Server. They went to such pains to tweak it (even I understand a customized motherboard), so this player/software limitation is a shame. I'm going to build my own new server with a high-end, 6-rail LPS, a faster processor (I think they use a Pentium), and whatever software I want.
 
Mike said:
I’ve had the MSB ProUSB in the store for over a week now. This one was not a prototype, but rather a completed version and one which I purchased.
Click to expand...

That’s a lot of work all the way around, thanks!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
question on the msb pro ISL input module:

is this module compatible with standard fiber networks? ...or, is there something proprietary which requires a special transceiver at the sending end?

couldn't find any further info on the msb website.
 
aKnyght said:
question on the msb pro ISL input module:

is this module compatible with standard fiber networks? ...or, is there something proprietary which requires a special transceiver at the sending end?

couldn't find any further info on the msb website.
Click to expand...

Good question! I wondered the same thing and asked them. It is indeed proprietary.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Mike said:
Good question! I wondered the same thing and asked them. It is indeed proprietary.
Click to expand...

thanks!!...

just going to assume then it is not possible to generate the pro ISL optical signal with any hardware other than another msb pro ISL module or an msb pro adapter
 
Hello Pro USB users. I own the Select DAC and use the Renderer Version 2 with the Roon Nucleus Plus. Please convince me why I should invest in the Pro USB module, especially when the Roon volume control (On the IPad) doesn’t work with it.
 
Alpinist said:
Hello Pro USB users. I own the Select DAC and use the Renderer Version 2 with the Roon Nucleus Plus. Please convince me why I should invest in the Pro USB module, especially when the Roon volume control (On the IPad) doesn’t work with it.
Click to expand...

If the Roon volume control (which you enjoy now with the Renderer) is important to you, than bypass the PROUSB. If you don't mind using the S2's remote, than the ProUSB (after 5 days of break in), has a fuller, smoother sound than the Roon Renderer module. HOWEVER, if you are after ultimate transparency, the Renderer, IMO, still wins. The ProUSB sounds like someone put one single 12AX7 tube in the mix. It has that kind of affect on the sound. Subtle, but noticeable.

I have to say, by playing around with the new Shunyata Sigma Ethernet cable, you can also change the sound of the Roon Renderer too to more closely match the ProUSB.

Again, we are talking about VERY subtle differences here.
 
Mike said:
If the Roon volume control (which you enjoy now with the Renderer) is important to you, than bypass the PROUSB. If you don't mind using the S2's remote, than the ProUSB (after 5 days of break in), has a fuller, smoother sound than the Roon Renderer module. HOWEVER, if you are after ultimate transparency, the Renderer, IMO, still wins. The ProUSB sounds like someone put one single 12AX7 tube in the mix. It has that kind of affect on the sound. Subtle, but noticeable.

I have to say, by playing around with the new Shunyata Sigma Ethernet cable, you can also change the sound of the Roon Renderer too to more closely match the ProUSB.

Again, we are talking about VERY subtle differences here.
Click to expand...

Renderer with or without Gigafoil?
 
OK I just changed from PRO USB back to renderer w/Gigafoil....I'll let things settle/warm up for awhile before listening
 
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