MSB Technology -- the "best" digital can get?
I don’t go to hifi shows or high end salons, and have never personally heard very high-end DACs (or CD players).
But the MSB Technology Sentinel DAC, at $375K USD, might be worth a listen.
There is a 2025 factory tour video of MSB on YouTube. They spend a lot of time on milling and using space-age machines for pick-and-place, etc. But there is absolutely no mention of the discrete DAC models MSB has been "perfecting" since the early 90s.
I have no idea whom the Sentinel is intended for other than top CEOs, billionaires, et. al.
And does it really, sonically approach, say, a $10K vinyl or open-reel system?
$10k vinyl was not a typo. Yes I am aware that Cascade is just under $100k. I’ll wait for Fremer, TAS, or AV Show Reports for additional analysis. If MSB, or whomever , at even $1M , can push 16/44.1 Red Book to compete with,say, a $10k table/ arm with another 5k on cart and 3k on phono preamp… … that would be important if I could personally attend such a comparison listening room. In the factory tour video, the MSB listening room was shown. But I saw no analog source gear in the rack. |
I would spend a lot more time making friends and listening to great systems having both format front ends…, vs just reading about it or worse watching utube.,,, @verdantaudio has it correct and there are those of us who… actually many who purposefully seek out the level of discomfort Scott speaks of because it causes us to push whichever format HIGHER….. enjoy the music and the journey…. |
Not a believer in ABX or double blind tests. But they do have some uses for picking out MACRO details. So related MSB tests would be ideal. It’s good that ANYONE is pushing the envelope of digital, regardless of cost. Taxpayers often blindly pay for technologies (DARPA) that will drive economies of scale. So. in the here and now, let the billionaires finance MSB, and in ten years, maybe Topping or SMSL will make the same tech more affordable. |
