May I ask in which way you found the MSB Reference different? Thanks.
MSB Select II
- Thread starter Mike
- Start date
May I ask in which way you found the MSB Reference different? Thanks.
Kingrex
Active member
Just get the best Schiit DAC and it crushes all others. Everyone knows that.
Not really. I have the Schiit Yggdrasil DAC, and it is an extraordinary DAC with a natural sound and enormous resolution -- both timbral micro-detail and separation of instruments -- that you can hear if your system and acoustics allow (my new ceiling diffusers have unlocked even more of the Yggdrasil's uncanny prowess in that respect). Yet I cannot imagine that it is the end all be all. I would be extremely surprised if a top MSB DAC would not beat it.
Having said that, a friend and I compared the Yggdrasil multiple times in his system with dCS Vivaldi and Upsampler (no Vivaldi clock) and consistently preferred the Yggdrasil to the Vivaldi combo ($ 2,300 vs $ 55,000 MSRP w/o cables). My friend ended up selling the Vivaldi in favor of the Yggdrasil.
still-one
Active member
You are so far out of touch it is unbelievable. You just assume that the Meridian was long in tooth but forget that it went from v3 to v4 v5 and v6. Get it through your head I don’t purchase anything that doesn’t get A/B’d in my system. I actually had the Rossini, meridian and MSB DAC IV or V(?) to compare at one time. The MSB was great on standard CD, the upsampling was what put the Rossini ahead and the Meridian lack of DXD capabilies started to show. Unti The changes in the Vivaldi to v2 were enough in my book to bring it in for a listen and when they indicated that MQA was imminent I liked the additional filter and mapping options it offered.
It’s funny I am not the one trashing other products here or on the other sites. People buy products for a variety of reasons. You seem to think there is actually a “best” for everyone. There are many dealers where the owners can’t even agree which of their products is best in any category. But then you do.
KeithR
Active member
'm not going to step into the dCS vs MSB sonic fight (I am biased and obviously prefer one to the other)
But Jim, the pricing is misleading - the Ref Dac is $41.5k with a single, *massive* powerbase and renderer. If you add the passive preamp, it costs more but then you sell your preamp to do so. The separate mono power supplies and clock are optional and upgradeable over time. The clock doesn't require a new box, either.
If you fully trick out a Reference dac, better off buying a bone stock Select2 from most reports.
Kingrex
Active member
How do you play your records or tape if you sell your preamp. Is the select an analog preamp also. Is it a digital preamp ? Digital pre would be a non starter for analog enthusiast.
- Thread Author
- #87
It has analog inputs and it is not a digital preamp.
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With the high-output power provided by the Hybrid DAC modules, the need for amplification is eliminated. The signal is attenuated with new technology that provides a constant low impedance output without any active circuitry (no transistors, buffers or op-amps). This allows the Select or Reference DAC’s remarkable audio quality to be truly independent of volume setting. It’s a remarkable feat of electrical design that sets a new benchmark in the industry. The output modules are individually tuned for maximum quality balance or single-ended audio.
With sideways expansion, the preamp has the ability for additional analog inputs, isolated sub outputs, and extra analog outputs.
Kingrex
Active member
So the Ref or Select are full on preamps. I could run my tape deck and TT pre right into it. It won't do any analog to digital conversion. Do either by any chance have a phone pre module.
- Thread Author
- #90
No digital conversion.
Run your Phono pre into the inputs.
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- Thread Author
- #92
UltraFast69
New member
With the optional PreAmp module, thinking somewhere around $8K - it’s listed on their site for certainty.
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I own the Select II DAC with Renderer V2 Digital Input Module and Roon Nucleus Plus, and I absolutely do not miss having a preamp or a streamer. I had owned the ARC REF10 Preamp, which was a tremendous sounding component, but didn’t sound nearly as pure as running directly from the Select II’s preamp module to my mono amps.
I have also found the Roon Nucleus Plus, used in conjunction with the Renderer V2 Module, to be the nearly ideal solution in terms of sound quality and functionality. Over two years of operation with zero glitches. I love the Roon interface’s intuitiveness and ease of operation and have no desire to try anything else.
Some have moved to the Pro USB Module, mainly because they are utilizing the Taiko SGM Extreme or Aurender W20SE as a server, and USB is their best connection. While the Pro USB Module has more ease due to the removal of line noise through its optical Pro ISL connection, I still prefer the level of detail and amount of bass I receive through the Renderer V2 Module. In addition, as I am one that has the habit of constantly riding the volume control, I prefer the Renderer V2 Module because I can adjust the Select II’s analog volume through the Roon interface on my IPad, whereas this function does not work on the Pro USB Module, so you have to use the Select II’s remote control.
Best,
Ken
Kingsrule
Member
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- May 11, 2014
- Messages
- 646
Ken, I didn't know you actually tried the PRO USB Module.
I have both the V2 Renderer and PRO USB Module for use on the S II Dac.
The PRO USB Module is far superior sonically. Clearer, more detail, subterranean bass, quieter, better dimension and layering. Not to mention it plays all resolutions....
I thought I'd miss the volume control function of the V2, but quickly didn't care as the sonic improvement of the PRO USB is overwhelming
I have both the V2 Renderer and PRO USB Module for use on the S II Dac.
The PRO USB Module is far superior sonically. Clearer, more detail, subterranean bass, quieter, better dimension and layering. Not to mention it plays all resolutions....
I thought I'd miss the volume control function of the V2, but quickly didn't care as the sonic improvement of the PRO USB is overwhelming
GiorgioNuvolari
Member
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2018
- Messages
- 54
For what it is worth, I have both the Renderer and ProISL input modules in Select II, being fed from a Nucleus+, playing through a Naim Statement, so with a preamp.
I have not been able to come up with a definitive view on which input is better. It seems to me that there is a difference, and a repeatable one, depending on the source material, which for me are various locally stored CD recordings and Tidal streaming across all quality levels.
Best, GN
I have not been able to come up with a definitive view on which input is better. It seems to me that there is a difference, and a repeatable one, depending on the source material, which for me are various locally stored CD recordings and Tidal streaming across all quality levels.
Best, GN
Hi King,
I listened to the Pro USB since the last time we talked. To my ears, the Pro USB is smoother and the Renderer V2 is more detailed. It’s hard to do a good A/B comparison because most servers sound better through one connection or another.
Ken
A question to MSB owners. How do you like the DSD performance compared to redbook ?
I have the Select at home right now. With all my lampi DACs, I much prefere the DSD. There is substantial difference when going from Red Book to DSD editions, as expected.
With the Select .... hmm, I'm not sure. I think I actually prefer the PCM - at least after just two days of listening.
I have the Select at home right now. With all my lampi DACs, I much prefere the DSD. There is substantial difference when going from Red Book to DSD editions, as expected.
With the Select .... hmm, I'm not sure. I think I actually prefer the PCM - at least after just two days of listening.
- Thread Author
- #100
A question to MSB owners. How do you like the DSD performance compared to redbook ?
I have the Select at home right now. With all my lampi DACs, I much prefere the DSD. There is substantial difference when going from Red Book to DSD editions, as expected.
With the Select .... hmm, I'm not sure. I think I actually prefer the PCM - at least after just two days of listening.
Are you running DSD mode in Native or Enhanced? It makes a difference.
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