MSB DAC IV or dCS Paganini

Jacksonkuo - which MSB transport did you get - the Data CD IV or the UMT? Also, did you get the optional clock module for the Diamond Dac?

Thanks

Babybear - I am using the DATA CD IV , and honestly it sounds just amazing, I tried oppo 93 as transport on it and even EmmLabs as transport on it , and the difference was day & night,,, DATA CD IV was holographic and airy ,, the other transport for some reason , the image is flat... they still sound great , but just very very different from DATA CD IV. I would highly recommend the DATA IV.

Also I did get to try to Volume Control Board on my MSB DIAMOND DAC, I have to say ,,, it will outperform almost any PREAMP out there unless you are using FM Acoustics ,,, The volume control gave a super clean , detailed sound,, the best way to describe is like as if you were having shower with a small shower head & low water pressure in MOTEL6 , with the MSB Volume Control Board , it is like have a shower a presidential suite , where the water flow is strong ! the music just floats ! ,,,

By the way I also got the FEMTO Clock.. and I hate to say it,, but don't listen to it unless you have the intention to buy it ... it is a BAD ASS TOY ! ,,, its amazing! simply amazing... ! !

Jackson

Hi Jackson,

Thanks for the detailed answers.

I agree with you in that I have since purchased the Data CD IV and have it paired with the new Signature Transport power base and also have the Diamond DAC IV with the optional clock module and Diamond power base. I am also using the Pro I2s interface to connect them together.

I also tried the Diamond Dac with its optional volume control and again I would agree with you that unless you have a very top end preamp, the volume control on the Diamond Dac is really, really good and hard to beat. For me it was a very pure sound without any colorations from a preamp.

Arnie

Hi Babybear,

I was curious how much more of a difference it made going from the Diamond base powering the Data CD IV to using the Signature Transport power supply. Night and day or just a little improvement. If anyone else has an opinion I'm all ears.

Hi John,

The Diamond base powering the CD IV uses a switching power supply for the transport (however the Diamond base uses a linear power supply for the DAC). The Signature Transport power supply is a linear power supply dedicated to the transport. Only you can decide if it is "night and day" but based on what I heard when I did the comparison in my system it was definitely a pretty significant improvement in sound quality.

Hope that helps.