This all-American theme is continued in the companys PCB Shop where they use circuit boards produced for them in Silicon Valley, which are then made ready for the automated adding of the smaller components and hand-fitting bulkier components before washing and inspection. What I do know is that the MSB brings an excellent level of performance by way of neutrality to a system that allows other parts of the system to do their thing its sort of the digital equivalent of a very (very) good cartridge. Australian Business Number 38 650 151 296, Digital Sources, DACs, and Computer Audio, Chord Dave vs Mola Mola Makua/Tambaqui vs Emm Labs Dac2x vs Rockna Wavedream. I havent heard the Rockna. MSB Technology's Discrete DAC was the best DAC I'd heard in my systemuntil the MSB Premier showed up. Chord Dave vs Mola Mola Makua/Tambaqui vs Emm Labs Dac2x vs Rockna Wavedream IGNORED Chord Dave vs Mola Mola Makua/Tambaqui vs Emm Labs Dac2x vs Rockna Wavedream . Sound Media Group Pty Ltd Less experience with Dave on DSD, plus Rob claims to no longer decimate. Almost all gear I hear is pretty good and some are great but the most expensive ones are not universally the best to my ears. The sonic signature is detailed and yet easy to listen to, with the Discrete bringing a sense of the recordings scale (big or small) to the listening experience. Founded in 2010 Whats Best Forum invites intelligent and courteous people of all interests and backgrounds to describe and discuss the best of everything. I have enjoyed my time with the MSB Discrete DAC a great deal. If you take a look at their website you will see that the machining shop is a fully equipped facility designed to meet the needs of a company producing high-quality cases in which the electronics will be fitted no off the shelf or cheap bent metal cases here! Btw, my MSB friend and I used the internal analog preamp for MSB and built-in digital preamp for DAVE. Mola Mola is another well built great sounding I say take what everyone post when a grain of salt, because an individual's preference may be different than yours. comes down to knowing what you are actually trying to achieve in a high end And this is what separates the very good from the excellent piece of audio equipment. Our publication is supported by its audience. dacs and server competed against much more expensive dacs and servers sound wise The world's largest high-end audio community. So take it for what it is. and this is borne out in the sound that this DAC brings to the party. I expected a lot better. Focusing on our network renderer and USB input, your audio tech will be on the cutting edge. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Sent from my iPhone using Computer Audiophile. And this is where I had a problem with this DAC, though mostly the problem was of my own making. How hot does the Chord DAC get? lastly; what I compare my MSB Select II to every day is my top level vinyl and top level reel to reel tape. You could try some of the newer dacs that has gotten good reviews. Didn't like it at all. They both use FPGA for their decoding. There is no such thing as a "FPGA DAC"! Of the ones you mentioned I'd be most tempted by the Emm Labs DAC 2x though if you can get a used higher-end Esoteric, you should jump on it. However, to get this level of separation and detail within the soundscape the DAC is clearly having a very important role to play. The SQ from DAC headphone output is lower than the best headphone amplifier but that kind of amplifier costs close to DAVE itself. And now that my system is much more resolving, it's possible that the differences could be larger and my preferences could change. Sources: Hiby R6, Fiio x3II, Fiio x5II DACs: Dave, Yggdrasil, Hugo, Hugo TT, U12. Like x 5 List Cheers @Stereophilus But then we have to apply the law of diminishing returns. As you mentioned imaging better, incredible PRaT with MSB. As it stands, the Discrete offers a very good solution should you be a music lover that plays only digital files and you can go straight into a power amp. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Congratulations on the upgrade and enjoy it in good health. I have heard a lot of top DACs at shows or other systems but not in my own. Also, it is worth noting I heard the v1 DAC 2X, not the v2. And what streamer are you using to feed the DAC? Look, says I theres obviously a fault with this unit as its lighting up, I can see it on the network and I can send tunes to it via the Stack streamer and Roon! We went through everything and I was getting ready to pack it up and send it back when I reached around the back of one of the PSUs and switched it on MUSIC!!! A modular I/O card keeps even the discrete DAC flexible, repairable, and upgradeable. Click to expand. I don't understand why Chord DACs have to be so damn ugly! My first serious audio system was Garrard turntable, Fisher Int(SS), ADS bookspeaker bought on 1978. Nice. Also; recently MSB introduced a new interface that optimizes USB and adds fibre to reduce noise, the MSB Pro USB. One of the things I jotted down in my notes during this time was the sense of scale the Discrete brought to the music I was listening to big music sounded BIG and more intimate recordings had their own scale too. @smodtactical I would not take price as any arbitrator of quality, especially nowadays. It may not display this or other websites correctly. I'm super happy with my Esoteric N-01, which is a noticeable step up in quality/musicality from the DAVE - as yes the DAVE sounds a bit "thin" (though extraordinarily detailed). The headamp is powerful but not involving. There seemed to be a little more separation of instruments in the mix of whatever I was listening to than with the LAB12 DAC and Pre in the signal path and a slightly leaner edge to the music more clearly etched, perhaps? Thanks for the suggestion ecwl. As a matter of fact, I'd appreciate getting your impressions. California crafted in-house from an aluminum billet, the enclosure feels solid yet refined. I cant help with comparisons of two of these DACs, but I did hear the Tambaqui up against the dCS Bartok and it was a pretty close call, but ultimately the dCS sounded more analogue and more immersive, I have heard the Dave and EMM Labs DAC2x up against aMakua that I subsequently purchased. For some folk, a highly resolving and accurate system may well be described as being over-analytical, and on the other side of the audio fence, some will suggest that some systems sound nice but flawed. Elegant design. Oppo Modwright BDP-205 full mod. You must log in or register to reply here. The PSUs are available to match. It would be absolute suicide for an audio distributor to When you get the chance to hear Chord DAVE, try playing files bit perfect instead of upsampling them to DSD256 with HQPlayer. Too many DACs> Too many amps> Too many headphones. CHORD Dave could be the most expensive deeply design DAC in the world and if you find it not your taste there is the best off the shelf DACs like akm4499 in Topping D90 for 699$ that could be even better than Dave. You'd expect Audiosanctuary to understand what a gutless amp sounds like, and at least put a headphone amp in front of that DAVE, if they wanted to sell people either the DAVE or the headphones. What did you think with the Chord Dave vs Emm Labs Dac2x? I can leave my hand on it as long as I want to. I believe it comes down to Right now my favorite music player is from the same manufacturer of the Phasure NOS1a DAC: Stealth LPS running XXHighEnd software; again with the same caveat that I haven't heard a lot of the other highly regarded music players in my system. I don't think any of us have heard the Dave, and we don't have any interest. There is the option to add a streaming module to the Discrete and if I was in the market for a digital streaming solution, then this is where I would be going. Its a clever thing meaning that their products are repairable and upgradeable for example, you can have a card that is set up for single-ended outputs or balanced XLR outputs (for review we have the balanced version). I called the distributor and we went through everything again. Wavedream only has a couple hours on it, but from the first note it I cant help with comparisons of two of these DACs, but I did hear the Tambaqui up against the dCS Bartok and it was a pretty close call, but ultimately the dCS sounded more analogue and more immersive.However, this was at a time when both units were a similar price. The output modules are where the converted digital signals are output to analogue signals that our amplifiers can make use of and MSB make two flavours of the output module. However, the extra PSU does add to the cost considerably! In that time, weve pushed the industry forward with each product weve built, redefining whats possible. It is bested easily by DACs at $150. JavaScript is disabled. Regular readers will appreciate all that is taken from the MSB website and I make no apologies for not really understanding the electronics. There's 340 pages packed with HiFi Reviews, Industry Interviews and much more. Over the air updates will ensure that your renderer always has the latest capabilities and ultimate convenience. Hope to try different formats on both DACs to see what works best in my system. Like the rest of the DACs in the MSB range, the Select DAC is modular in its architecture with each of the modules being produced in house, as outlined above. Given your appreciation of the Pacific Microsonics DAC, I hope you'll get a chance to hear the Berkeley in your system as well. Price 9k in the U.K. The only other items in the chain were the Stack streamer and a pretty well-sorted network setup. An FPGA does not have analog output, in the Chord DACs, VLC | M-Audio FastTrack Pro | Mac Opt | Panasonic SA-HE100 | Logitech Z623, : SET Tube Amp | Low-Noise Linear Regulated Power Supply | USB, Power, Speaker Cables | Speaker Stands | Acoustic Panels, http://igg.me/at/geekpulseaudio/x/5216671. At this kind of price, it puts Chord DAVE as being direct competition and I said that DAVE was the best DAC Id heard back in 2018. HiFiMan Ananda, SR Orange fuses, Taiko Audio Daiza platforms, Startech FMC optical network link, Oyaide EE f/s2.0 V2 mains spurs, Akiko Audio tuning sticks, GIK Acoustic TriTraps/panels. It's UPDATE VIDEO THREE for the Chord Electronics DAVE DAC REVIEW I have spent a lot more time with the DAVE Dac, still using. The AC modules are fully balanced at every stage, have no buffers, IV converters, or transistors in the signal path, and have no active devices used in the conversion process at all. I'm looking for suggestions on DACs I should listen to as possible replacement of my Chord Dave. This is disabled if you are outputting to a preamplifier. The DAVE DAC does not perform anywhere near where it should. Up to 4X DSD Both DACs connected directly to power amp using each DACs volume controle. While it's an easy setup to wrangle at a show, it does seem like it wasn't doing either component any favours! As you pursue higher levels of playback, an MSB upgrade path is always available to help drive your own desire for innovation. When connecting to the MScaler, Dual-BNC was used on the chord dacs with shawline digital BNC cables. Main Menu It's my understanding that the Wavedream only My wife said it You could spend less and get close to the sound of this DAC, for sure. I still did not found better audio source. How r they comparing to the MSB Select 2 and Trinity? a year ago I got the new Renderer V2 which was a step up over USB. Since opening our doors in 1986, weve been driven by one goal: to craft an unrivaled listening experience for music lovers across the globe. Bespoke Audio Ultimate Silver TVC passive preamp, Totaldac xlr version D1-Drivers x2, Eisteddfod 340 & 840 amps, Magico S5 speaker, MSB Select DAC, MSB Select Transport, Nakamichi 700 XLE cassette deck, Taiko Audio Extreme Server, Tripoint Troy Signature NG groundbox, PLiXiR Elite 1500 isolation transformers. A fully balanced, ultra-high precision, discrete ladder DAC architecture ensures each note tells a story. The end result is a digital experience defying expectations. I can see the problem with this unit. Dealer's should be required to state they're a dealer every time they post or have a disclaimer in their username. Im outputting directly to the LAB12 (and later a Krell KST100) power amp and so a digital volume algorithm is used where the digital volume control is left at a relatively high output so as not to encounter loss at lower volume levels. it just complimented my system better than those other two. There hasn't been any direct comparison of them with Select II, Trinity DAC, CH D1/C1, Totaldac D12 etc in Hong Kong yet. @shkong78 how good is the dave + mscaler vs msb? The end users ears are the only ears that count. The best upgrade for Dave easy. Equipment used: - Roon - 3-in 1-out XLR switchbox - Goldpoint SA2X Attenuator - Benchmark AHB2 Amplifier - Hifiman Susvara headphones (Also used Arya and HD800S but for the most part susvara) Video review of DAVE + Mscaler here: An FPGA does not have analog output, in the Chord DACs, the FPGA handles digital processing only, not conversion from digital to analog. And in the case of a great DAC with great amps in a system with very low noise, going direct to the amps can be magical. I'll take a look, however I've heard they're on the warm side? It's easy! Different songs will sound better with different sources - Different horses for different courses. I do however like the i2S connection better than any other - Meat Loaf. To cut a long story short: A burnt in MSB Analog DAC with Power Base demoed side to side to a burnt in DAVE was no challenge for the MSB. Does anyone have formula for that? Now to include the HMS. Ps Audio Directstream Dac Vs Auralic Vega Founded in 2004, Games for Change is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that empowers game creators and social innovators to drive real-world impact through games and immersive media Here is the list : Trinity Designs [Trinity DAC] TotalDAC [d1-Six] Aqua Acoustic Quality [Formula xHD] MSB Technology [Select DAC II Full Option . Sonically it is very much as its name suggests and converts files faithfully and without loss or (importantly) embellishment. This is a review, detailed measurements and listening tests of CHORD DAVE combination DAC and headphone amplifier. Whether its a software update or a leading-edge modular component, were here to help the most valued aspect of MSBour customers. I auditioned a DAVE (not deconstructed) and TT2 and found all Chord products lacked the musicality of MSB. Good points by all. The Chord DAVE was also on my list, but I decided to pass (my Chord retailer was very 'pushy' and not helpful).
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