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MSB Select Dac vs Vinyl


http://glv.co.kr/data/editor/201810/15395687063080.png
(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 $.


http://glv.co.kr/products/MSB/images/top_image_06.jpg


http://www.kronosaudio.com/images/kronos%20pro%20big-crop-u963_2x.jpg?crc=3796245212




At the end of show, we decided to do interesting comparison between MSB Select Dac II (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.


https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51hvAKhEyIL.jpg
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.
128x128shkong78

Showing 6 responses by shkong78

shkong78's avatar
shkong78 OP
1,463 posts
 
The Select DAC II: MSB Technology's $90,000 D/A converter | Darko.Audio

I am not ready to break my Piggy Bank to buy it.

 But it sounded good enough to justify its price to people who can afford it.
shkong78's avatar
shkong78 OP
1,463 posts
 
Somehow no response from Audiogon members.

But I got more response from other forum.

https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/msb-select-dac-vs-vinyl.792315/

I am having lot of fun in Korea listening to several high end and vintage systems not available in Seattle area.
shkong78's avatar
shkong78 OP
1,463 posts
 

@ melbguy_one

MSB Reference Dac is no slouch with the price tag of 45k$.

I wish to have a chance to compare it with Select II Dac but I could not.

Overall I felt my system more musical than the system using MSB Select Dac in the show.

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/the-most-musical-sound-in-my-40-year-s-audio-history
shkong78's avatar
shkong78 OP
1,463 posts
 
@ mahler123

Kronus turntable also cost 40K$.

I never felt it lacked dynamic range compared to MSB Select II.

I would not spend more than 10K on front end right now.

Somehow I felt my current system is much more musical than this 200k$ system.
shkong78's avatar
shkong78 OP
1,463 posts
 
@ melbguy_one 

I agree with your opinion that system synergy is more important.

I had got the impression that 90K$ MSB dac did not fulfill its full potential in the system.

Thomas
shkong78's avatar
shkong78 OP
1,463 posts
 
@mahler123



Somehow vinyl appeard to be as dynamic as MSB select II at the show

But it need to be noted that  YG Acoustics Hailey 1.2 speaker used in the show is not top notch dynamic speaker.

With my speaker Lansche 4.1, it could make much more difference
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