MSB DAC

docsavage · « **on:** 26 Sep 2005, 07:36 pm »

Any opinions on MSB CD players DAC's. Platinum series??
Issues on reliability, Company support, performance,etc.
Is there a "house sound" associated with their products?
Thanks for any input.

Kim S. · « **Reply #1 on:** 27 Sep 2005, 11:00 am »

I use an MSB gold dac with additional power base which I am very happy with. Have had it for about 7 years with constant use and no problems what so ever. I hear that they do have a "house" sound but I have not heard anyone except my own so don't know. The "house" sound is that they are know for well defined bass, which is a positive in my book. I had mine upgraded by Steve Nugent at Empirical audio and that took an already good dac to a whole different level.

When I bought the dac, the reviews of all the MSB product were very positive but I have not read much about them lately. Martin Dewulf of Bound for Sound uses the MSB Platinum and he has said very positive things.

docsavage · « **Reply #2 on:** 27 Sep 2005, 01:21 pm »

Thanks Kim, Very helpful.

rbrb · « **Reply #3 on:** 27 Sep 2005, 05:13 pm »

Does anyone know which DAC chip the MSB DAC's use? Since it's a older design the Burr Brown PCM 63 perhaps??

Tbadder1 · « **Reply #4 on:** 27 Sep 2005, 05:15 pm »

Marty Dewulf is someone I trust implicitly. Whenever I buy something he recommends I'm very very happy. Bound For Sound is one of the truly great publications, better than Stereophile or Absolute Sound because he isn't afraid to call a bad product bad. He's using a Platinum DAC and I can't wait to get enoguh scratch to purchase one myself.

Tbadder1 · « **Reply #5 on:** 27 Sep 2005, 05:15 pm »

Marty Dewulf is someone I trust implicitly. Whenever I buy something he recommends I'm very very happy. Bound For Sound is one of the truly great publications, better than Stereophile or Absolute Sound because he isn't afraid to call a bad product bad. He's using a Platinum DAC and I can't wait to get enoguh scratch to purchase one myself.

Tbadder1 · « **Reply #6 on:** 27 Sep 2005, 05:15 pm »

Marty Dewulf is someone I trust implicitly. Whenever I buy something he recommends I'm very very happy. Bound For Sound is one of the truly great publications, better than Stereophile or Absolute Sound because he isn't afraid to call a bad product bad. He's using a Platinum DAC and I can't wait to get enoguh scratch to purchase one myself.

Tbadder1 · « **Reply #7 on:** 27 Sep 2005, 05:15 pm »

Marty Dewulf is someone I trust implicitly. Whenever I buy something he recommends I'm very very happy. Bound For Sound is one of the truly great publications, better than Stereophile or Absolute Sound because he isn't afraid to call a bad product bad. He's using a Platinum DAC and I can't wait to get enoguh scratch to purchase one myself.

docsavage · « **Reply #8 on:** 27 Sep 2005, 07:35 pm »

MSB now uses their own custom digital filter in their platinum series and in all their platinum upgrades.

drphoto · « **Reply #9 on:** 27 Sep 2005, 08:48 pm »

Doc, interesting you listed Rachel Yamagata. I saw her when she opened for for Ryan Adams. I liked her sound, and she's a real cutie too.

I have an MSB paired w/ an Aiwa changer both modded by Stan Warren. I compared it to Marbles' set up which consisted of a Sony transport and a Perpetual DAC heavily modded by Emperical. I thought my setup held it's own in terms of smoothness and listenability, though Marbles rig had better resolution. However mine cost about a third as much. I don't know how stock MSB compares.