MSB Select Dac vs Vinyl

(This the same room with slightly different setup)


On Dec 6th, 2018 I had attended Launching event of YG Acoustics Hailey 1.2 speakers in Seoul, Korea.

MSB Select II Dac and Pre was connected to Viola Legacy Mono Amplifier to drive the speakers.

Nordost Valhalla cables were used.

The system gave wide and deep soundstage with tight and tuneful bass.

There is no doubt it was top notch system in every way with the total cost of component over 200K $.







At the end of show, we decided to do interesting comparison between MSB Select II Dac(85K$) and vinyl system using Kronus turntable.

Kronus turntable was fed to Octave phono amp and Viola Pre amp,

MSB Select was used as Pre and Dac.



We selected above Vinyl and 24/96 network media.


I got surprised to find that MSB and Kronus gave very similar sound.

MSB Select provided slightly more dense sound with little bit more details.

Kronus gave slightly more relaxed sound.


If I had to choose one, I would take Kronus over MSB on this music since I like relaxed sound as I get older.


But it could change with different music.

Unfortunately we could test only one music.

Other people may have different opinion.



Despite this conclusion, MSB Select II gave one of the best sound from any DAC that I had ever heard.

 

Dick Hyman? Really? Could go by Richard?

 

We had no other choice. That was the only vinyl that was also available in his network media as 24/96.

But the music was enjoyable with excellent sound.

 

The sound of this Dick Hyman recording is incredible, the music is not that interesting.

 

All the care and effort is put into the gear, the music is secondary.

 

I agree that its sound is incredible, but it does not lack musicality to my ears.

 

For those tempted to bust open that piggy bank .......

The Select DAC II: MSB Technology's $90,000 D/A converter | Darko.Audio

 

Jeez, DICK...HYMAN. Just makin’ fun of the guy’s name. So uptight and serious. His name sounds like genital parts. It’s funny, laugh.

 

I am not ready to break my Piggy Bank yet. But it sounded good enough to justify its price to people who can afford it.

 

Let me get this straight, you had over $200K in audio gear but only one vinyl record to compare with a digitally sourced version of the same material?

 

Come on it was not my system, but I was just guest.

The owner must have had more vinyls but not inside the showroom.

 

Your statement make some sense. My system with tube amplifier sound more musical than this 200K $ system.

So I asked shop owner about availability of tube power amplifier. He replied back some of his customer use VTL tube amplifier to drive AG acoustics speaker with good result.

 

They were concentrating on the sound of the equipment, not the music. It's an audiophile thing.

 

Even with funny name, Dick Hyman is an excellent Jazz musician.

 

Well its obvious the show was the equipment, not the music...but I am only giving you a hard time. Sounds like a fun time!

 

It was fine.

There was room for your misunderstanding.

I had fun time over there.

I found 35K$ Total DAC made in France over there.

The shop owner mentioned to me that some one traded 35K$ Dac for MSB Select II.

 

I believe that 35K$ Total Dac is going to be enough for enjoying music.

But the person who upgrade it to 90K$ MSB Select Dac pay too much attention to the sound, not music.

 

I've been enjoying my music immensely with this DAC: Apple Lightning to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter

A real "giant killer". Very detailed, yet relaxed. I highly recommend it.

 

That is funny ! And, a good point.

pj