Modded MSB Link III vs Modded Art DI/O?

Rob Babcock · « **on:** 20 Jan 2003, 11:52 pm »

I'm just curious, to those that have used them, how do these two units stack up against each other, both in stock form and with the most common mods? I know the Link is a little spendier, but the Art is a very highly regarded product in its own right. I was thinking of comparisons of the two with the common mods, but excluding the upsampling option (as only the MSB has that option, that would skew the results.)

Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #1 on:** 20 Jul 2003, 09:42 pm »

Checking past threads I came across your message.I have the Mensa audition pack for my last day today.I also have a stock MSB Data link and P1000 pwer base and a Stock ART DIO. I'm comparing them all to one another.Stock MSB/P1000 does not have the fine details and bass impact of the stock ART DIO. The Mensa sounds SO much better than both of them.My Review of pack will post soon.(Taking lots of notes this week.)

JackStraw · « **Reply #2 on:** 21 Jul 2003, 02:32 am »

Quote from: Rob Babcock

I'm just curious, to those that have used them, how do these two units stack up against each other, both in stock form and with the most common mods? I know the Link is a little spendier, but the Art is a very highly regarded product in its own right. I was thinking of comparisons of the two with the common mods, but excluding the upsampling option (as only the MSB has that option, that would skew the results.)

Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

I have an MSB with mods by Stan Warren that I picked up via Audiogon. I'm happy with it, but I'll have to admit that I haven't "shot it out" against anything. I'm hoping to file on to nature boy's MENSA DI/O trial in early August... if that works out I'll post a link to our notes here.

grub · « **Reply #3 on:** 23 Jul 2003, 11:25 pm »

Man, where's the photo doc when you need him.....I know he's heard the MSB Aiwa combo, and he's heard the DIO over at Marblefest.
-->grub

randytsuch · « **Reply #4 on:** 24 Jul 2003, 12:40 am »

Quote from: grub

Man, where's the photo doc when you need him.....I know he's heard the MSB Aiwa combo, and he's heard the DIO over at Marblefest.
-->grub

He actually owns the Stan modded MSB combo, but unless you hear them in the same system, it's pretty hard to really compare.

Randy

drphoto · « **Reply #5 on:** 31 Jul 2003, 09:28 pm »

Hey guys.

Yes I have the Stan Warren aiwa changer/MSB combo. But Randy is correct to say that I can't make a comparison based on hearing the DIO in various itterations in other systems. I hope to tote it to Jman's house sometime....as I think he has a DIO of some type, or to Marbles'.

What I can say, that in my own system...it dust the AH!4000 (w/Siemens tubes and upgraded op-amps, but no oversample) And by dust....I mean more detail, air, palpability, ease of listening....everything. I also like it better than the norh CD1....though I have very high regards for that player.

One thing interesting....the magic really happens only with the combo....that is using the cheap-ass Aiwa. When used with coax input from other transports....its not quite the same. Ole Stan must have worked some mojo w/ that odd optical interface.

Marbles · « **Reply #6 on:** 31 Jul 2003, 09:35 pm »

Quote from: grub

Man, where's the photo doc when you need him.....I know he's heard the MSB Aiwa combo, and he's heard the DIO over at Marblefest.
-->grub

My DI/O has come a long way in the last year. It was cryo'd, tubalated and Mensa'd..........
That Bybee in line thingie also really helped.

The addition of a better transport helped a lot too.

I'm not sure it gets any better, but just to be sure, I'm going to be testing out an Empirical modded Perp Tech P3a in the next month or so.

drphoto · « **Reply #7 on:** 31 Jul 2003, 09:44 pm »

Marbles,

LMK when you get that P3, maybe we can do a mini shoot-out.

jackman · « **Reply #8 on:** 31 Jul 2003, 10:18 pm »

Very cool stuff. I have a non-Mensa with Bybee PS, Smart Dio, but I understand (from people like Tyson) the Mensa is a major step up. I can say the Modwright P3A from Audiojerry, with upgraded PS sounded much better than my Smart Dio. The difference was much bigger and dramatic than I thought it would be. I have to say, the Modwright level 2 P3A is the best sounding DAC that I have ever tried. The Smart Dio sounds much better than the stock P3A but the modded one is a different animal. Also, although I have never listened to the Steve Nugent (Deadly Tedly's brother?) version of the P3A, a friend of mine (Blizzard from Joisey) has it and is in love with the sound. I'm pretty sure he's the guy who has it. He seemed to have disappeared from these internet boards soon after getting the modded P3A...probably wasting his time listening to his sweet system.

I hope to have an opportunity to do the comparison but my system is back to AVA for upgrading. Couldn't resist the summer sale.

The Fetvalve pre and amp are getting Transcendence level upgrades (which includes a new headphone amp and complete phono preamp), new transformer in the pre and new tubes all around. Hopefully, the stuff will be completed shortly and returned to my system. In the meantime, I'm roughing it with an old Marantz receiver

Not as bad as I thought it would be but no match for the AVA stuff...

See ya,

J

PS-I'm going to see Dylan Saturday and Amy Mann next week!

Jay S · « **Reply #9 on:** 1 Aug 2003, 01:26 am »

I think the Mensa is a major upgrade over the smART. The smART was dynamic, had great bass, good detail, etc. But, I thought the top end could use a bit more smoothness and refinement. The Mensa addressed all these remaining concerns.

I had a stock P3a before and I liked it enough to sell it. I would be quite curious to read about a comparison between the Empirical Audio-modded P3a and the Mensa Plus.

jackman · « **Reply #10 on:** 1 Aug 2003, 01:55 am »

I'm hoping to get a Mensa to compare with Jerry's Modwright Level 2 P3A. The difference between the P3a and the Smart (on Jerry's system, as I recall) was more than just smoothness in the higher frequencies and bass. Jerry's Modwright sounded so real and much more depth and absolutely none of the negatives associated with digital playback. My Smart sounds very good and at about a third or a fourth the price of the level two P3A (when you factor in the cost of the Bybee PS, and Mother PC Jerry uses) is a great value. However, Jerry's modded P3a is the best digital I have ever experienced. It was nothing short of amazing.

I'll probably get my Smart boosted up to Mensa and be happy. If it can get within 90% of the modded P3a performance I'll be happy. If it surpasses or equals it I'll be estatic because it costs so much less. All I know is that it has a long way to go to meet the standard established by Jerry's P3a, IMO. For the money though, the Smart is tough to beat.

Jman