The MSB Premier review I didn't write

[Billt1]

I had never written a review before but felt my experience was so compelling it was time to. I was to include my experiences and references as a longtime Audiophile. Listing some of the many Audio shows I have attend in this country and abroad as to use as a reference to build and verify my own systems. I would list some of my equipment current and past to show the journey. I would talk about some the great dealers and distributors I am proud to call my friends . Alas time does not seem to allow so I will summarize in the last paragraph with a note I sent to Vince Galbo MSB National sales manager . This part of the journey began when I sold my Esoteric K-01x SACD player in order to replace it with the Esoteric N-01 network player. I no longer spin disc as all my files are on a ROON Nucleolus + server . Having sold my Esoteric I called the dealer to order the N-01 and discovered there were none in the USA. He suggested , actually pleaded with me , to try one of the new MSB DACs just being released . I was completely sure this was a waste of time as I knew the Esoteric was an amazing piece and really wanted the N-01. I obliged because now I didn't have a DAC in the main system and could kill some time waiting for the Esoteric to become available. Just in case though I had him send me one like I would want just in the very off chance I would want to keep it. So I received a black Premier with 2nd power supply , Renderer V2 and XLR out. The following is only one of the many accolades I had sent Vince in the last month " I continue to believe that if anyone were to A/B to any other DAC anywhere near similar price point they could only reach the same conclusion I have. Until now I have never noticed or thought out my listening habits. In my highly resolving Analog set up I keep saying “ Just one more side” and never feel I want to move away. In my digital system although I have had very highly resolving digital frontends that sounded very, very good I tended to listen for about a half an hour before I felt it was time to go do something else. I never questioned that until now. The MSB Premier DAC has been in my system for about a month and it has revolutionized my listening habits. Frankly I never want to move away. I get up early ( often now late for work because I was listening too long) and stay up late just to listen a little longer. In the 40 years I have been in this hobby, reflecting back I can only remember that happening previously when a turntable was the source."

 

[Mike]

Bill - this is an excellent write up and encapsulates how we all feel about the MSB DAC's. Your Premier is outstanding and as you say, addictive.

 

[sakso136]

I had never written a review before but felt my experience was so compelling it was time to. I was to include my experiences and references as a longtime Audiophile. Listing some of the many Audio shows I have attend in this country and abroad as to use as a reference to build and verify my own systems. I would list some of my equipment current and past to show the journey. I would talk about some the great dealers and distributors I am proud to call my friends . Alas time does not seem to allow so I will summarize in the last paragraph with a note I sent to Vince Galbo MSB National sales manager . This part of the journey began when I sold my Esoteric K-01x SACD player in order to replace it with the Esoteric N-01 network player. I no longer spin disc as all my files are on a ROON Nucleolus + server . Having sold my Esoteric I called the dealer to order the N-01 and discovered there were none in the USA. He suggested , actually pleaded with me , to try one of the new MSB DACs just being released . I was completely sure this was a waste of time as I knew the Esoteric was an amazing piece and really wanted the N-01. I obliged because now I didn't have a DAC in the main system and could kill some time waiting for the Esoteric to become available. Just in case though I had him send me one like I would want just in the very off chance I would want to keep it. So I received a black Premier with 2nd power supply , Renderer V2 and XLR out. The following is only one of the many accolades I had sent Vince in the last month " I continue to believe that if anyone were to A/B to any other DAC anywhere near similar price point they could only reach the same conclusion I have. Until now I have never noticed or thought out my listening habits. In my highly resolving Analog set up I keep saying “ Just one more side” and never feel I want to move away. In my digital system although I have had very highly resolving digital frontends that sounded very, very good I tended to listen for about a half an hour before I felt it was time to go do something else. I never questioned that until now. The MSB Premier DAC has been in my system for about a month and it has revolutionized my listening habits. Frankly I never want to move away. I get up early ( often now late for work because I was listening too long) and stay up late just to listen a little longer. In the 40 years I have been in this hobby, reflecting back I can only remember that happening previously when a turntable was the source."

Very nice review bill.
Can you please elaborate in wich mode are you using it: dac only or dac and preamp?
To wich amplification?
More specific about sound type: warm, bright..... etc
How transparent,.......
Thks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[joeinid]

Congratulations Bill! Great news.

 

[Ritmo]

Congratulations Bill! I had the Premier in my system for a weekend (courtesy of Mike) and I enjoyed it very much.

 

[Billt1]

Very nice review bill.
Can you please elaborate in wich mode are you using it: dac only or dac and preamp?
To wich amplification?
More specific about sound type: warm, bright..... etc
How transparent,.......
Thks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Used as a DAC only, Volume off DSD Optimized ,low output . Plays to VAC Signature MkII Preamp to Aesthetic Atlas Signature amp to Wilson Sasha II , Transparent Cable Reference gen 5 , many tweeks. If someone tells me how to do it I will list the system in my tag line. How does it sound? Real. I find myself listening at much higher levels because those "ice pick in the ear" high transients are gone

 

[KeithR]

Bill, as you probably have read I am in 100% agreement. I actually spent Saturday doing swaps against my Brinkmann rig - its a really tough decision and the only dac i've heard that is even competitive. The rest of the dacs (including my former Analog, Formula, Vega, etc.) just sound like "good digital." MSB has blurred the line between digital and analog that honestly creates a new class of sound.

What analog setup do you have?

 

[Billt1]

Bill, as you probably have read I am in 100% agreement. I actually spent Saturday doing swaps against my Brinkmann rig - its a really tough decision and the only dac i've heard that is even competitive. The rest of the dacs (including my former Analog, Formula, Vega, etc.) just sound like "good digital." MSB has blurred the line between digital and analog that honestly creates a new class of sound.

What analog setup do you have?

In a separate room:

SME 20/3 with SME V tonearm, Dynavector te kaitora rua , Sutherland prototype current gain ( now called phonoloco) phono stage, T+A HV3000PA integrated , Vienna Acoustic List speakers , Audience SX cabling and conditioning , many tweeks

 

[KeithR]

That's a beautiful looking system - i'd love to have that big, symmetric room!

I should also add that an analog friend who can't listen to digital for more than 5 minutes was very, very impressed with the MSB Premier and Reference dacs at our local dealer.

 

[Cincy2]

Count me in the group that can't live without an MSB DAC. Just beyond comparisons.

Cincy

 

[Al M.]

The following is only one of the many accolades I had sent Vince in the last month " I continue to believe that if anyone were to A/B to any other DAC anywhere near similar price point they could only reach the same conclusion I have. Until now I have never noticed or thought out my listening habits. In my highly resolving Analog set up I keep saying “ Just one more side” and never feel I want to move away. In my digital system although I have had very highly resolving digital frontends that sounded very, very good I tended to listen for about a half an hour before I felt it was time to go do something else. I never questioned that until now. The MSB Premier DAC has been in my system for about a month and it has revolutionized my listening habits. Frankly I never want to move away. I get up early ( often now late for work because I was listening too long) and stay up late just to listen a little longer. In the 40 years I have been in this hobby, reflecting back I can only remember that happening previously when a turntable was the source."

Fortunately I can say the same thing about my current DAC, I am addicted to listening to it for hours on end. What you say does not make me understand the sound of the MSB any better. Could you please be more specific? Thanks.

 

[apdoc2004]

Can anyone comment on the sound quality of the MSB Premier vs the Discrete DACs? I wonder how the Discrete DAC with the optional Premier powerbase would compare to the Premier DAC (without the powerbase).
Thanks,
Anshul

 

[KeithR]

Fortunately I can say the same thing about my current DAC, I am addicted to listening to it for hours on end. What you say does not make me understand the sound of the MSB any better. Could you please be more specific? Thanks.

We've answered this line of questioning multiples times, Al. Why don't you simply call Vince or Goodwins and inquire about a demo instead. Bring your Yggy along...the differences with be *very* significant.

 

[Al M.]

We've answered this line of questioning multiples times, Al. Why don't you simply call Vince or Goodwins and inquire about a demo instead. Bring your Yggy along...the differences with be *very* significant.

Keith, I am interested in Billt1's view.

 

[mintakax]

I'm sure your system sounds wonderful, but its that clock that really ties the room together

Seriously though, I've been auditioning an MSB Discrete DAC in my house for the last 5 days and it is really growing on me. I will soon have the second power supply and I hope that adds to the sweetness. Your review has really caused me to wonder about the Premier. Maybe next years birthday present ?

 

[Mike Lavigne]

last night I was listening to a 30ips 1/2" 1st gen master dub of solo piano on my big Studer A-820, and also listening to a native quad dsd version from the same mic feed (same piano solo recording) with the MSB Select II.

there is nothing like 30ips 1/2" tape. but the digital did not suck. not heard any other digital do that. MSB is special. not heard the Premier or Discrete versions, but hope to this weekend at RMAF.

 

[Billt1]

Keith, I am interested in Billt1's view.

What I hear is subjective, room and system dependent. I could use the typical " Great sound stage , imaging , depth , ease of delivery" .All would be true to me in my system. What I tried to convey is something happened when installing the MSB Premier that was so dramatic it changed my 30 year digital listening habit. It's the highest endorsement I can give. I gave some insight into my journey of many decades and many systems for reference so one could judge the potential level of my understanding. As stated earlier in this thread, working with a dealer is imperative. It was not until I was allowed to home demo did I understand the level of what The Premier offered. Traveling the globe to visit high end shows I have heard some of the finest and most expense equipment in the world. That's nice , fun but not the tell all.Having a relationship with a local dealer is the key to building the best system through home demo. If you live near southern NH I can offer an endorsement.

 

[Al M.]

What I hear is subjective, room and system dependent. I could use the typical " Great sound stage , imaging , depth , ease of delivery" .All would be true to me in my system. What I tried to convey is something happened when installing the MSB Premier that was so dramatic it changed my 30 year digital listening habit. It's the highest endorsement I can give. I gave some insight into my journey of many decades and many systems for reference so one could judge the potential level of my understanding. As stated earlier in this thread, working with a dealer is imperative. It was not until I was allowed to home demo did I understand the level of what The Premier offered. Traveling the globe to visit high end shows I have heard some of the finest and most expense equipment in the world. That's nice , fun but not the tell all.Having a relationship with a local dealer is the key to building the best system through home demo. If you live near southern NH I can offer an endorsement.

Thanks. Unfortunately, this does not bring me closer to an answer. In any case, yes, I know about Fidelis in NH, and I already talked with a sales person who switched over there recently.

 

[Billt1]

I had never written a review before but felt my experience was so compelling it was time to. I was to include my experiences and references as a longtime Audiophile. Listing some of the many Audio shows I have attend in this country and abroad as to use as a reference to build and verify my own systems. I would list some of my equipment current and past to show the journey. I would talk about some the great dealers and distributors I am proud to call my friends . Alas time does not seem to allow so I will summarize in the last paragraph with a note I sent to Vince Galbo MSB National sales manager . This part of the journey began when I sold my Esoteric K-01x SACD player in order to replace it with the Esoteric N-01 network player. I no longer spin disc as all my files are on a ROON Nucleolus + server . Having sold my Esoteric I called the dealer to order the N-01 and discovered there were none in the USA. He suggested , actually pleaded with me , to try one of the new MSB DACs just being released . I was completely sure this was a waste of time as I knew the Esoteric was an amazing piece and really wanted the N-01. I obliged because now I didn't have a DAC in the main system and could kill some time waiting for the Esoteric to become available. Just in case though I had him send me one like I would want just in the very off chance I would want to keep it. So I received a black Premier with 2nd power supply , Renderer V2 and XLR out. The following is only one of the many accolades I had sent Vince in the last month " I continue to believe that if anyone were to A/B to any other DAC anywhere near similar price point they could only reach the same conclusion I have. Until now I have never noticed or thought out my listening habits. In my highly resolving Analog set up I keep saying “ Just one more side” and never feel I want to move away. In my digital system although I have had very highly resolving digital frontends that sounded very, very good I tended to listen for about a half an hour before I felt it was time to go do something else. I never questioned that until now. The MSB Premier DAC has been in my system for about a month and it has revolutionized my listening habits. Frankly I never want to move away. I get up early ( often now late for work because I was listening too long) and stay up late just to listen a little longer. In the 40 years I have been in this hobby, reflecting back I can only remember that happening previously when a turntable was the source."

When I acquired the MSB Premier with second power supply and renderer V2 it was at the top of my comfort level for expense. One of the things that really appealed to me besides it's amazing sound was the opportunity for easy upgrade. I figured over the next year or so I would invest in those upgrades. Well the cost /benefit of those upgrades as well as working with my dealer for home demo has really accelerated the acquisition . I have been asked to provide A vs B vs B Vs C vs A on Femto 93 clock / Powerbase impressions for those who want to know what to upgrade first . I will follow up with that at a later date but for now I will leave a brief description of my experience as I installed first the clock then added the powerbase a few days later.
Buying the MSB Premier was like acquiring a thoroughbred race horse . Changing the clock was like adding a golden saddle. Adding the powerbase was like putting firecrackers in its ass.
To slightly expand, the clock added smoothness ( hard to believe it was going to get much better than the stock clock) and the the powerbase provided incredible attack and speed. Yes I will at a later date satisfy those wanting to know the A's vs the B's but for the next week I am only going to enjoy what I am hearing.

 

[Golum]

In a separate room:
SME 20/3 with SME V tonearm, Dynavector te kaitora rua , Sutherland prototype current gain ( now called phonoloco) phono stage, T+A HV3000PA integrated , Vienna Acoustic List speakers , Audience SX cabling and conditioning , many tweeks

Love your speakers as they remind me of mine . A bit of off topic from MSB