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New MSB Palisade DAC

MSB just introduced a new DAC-the Palisade. Video on MSB website. Its a two box solution available later this year. Fills a price gap in MSB's lineup between the Premier and the $95k Cascade. The bad news is that it will still be very expensive at MSRP of $59.5. The good news is that no one is required to buy it, so no reason to be upset by the price.

Interesting that MSB says the Palisade is sonically superior to the more expensive Cascade due to new technology which will be trickled up to the Cascade and the even more expensive Sentinel. 

Wadax is introducing a new DAC at the Vienna show as well. Interesting times.

kerrybh
frank009's avatar
frank009
296 posts
 

@kerrybh

Well I was thinking about it, and did some research. 

Given what I’ve read about it - 

downsides are related to Linear-Phase Artifacts (which is a real thing). 

And can manifest as pre-ringing and a different transient character than what we’re accustomed to hearing from analog-sounding digital front ends.

In other words, a very "clean and polished sound" but not a "I’m there in real life" sound.

That specific sound is much easier to receive on analog set ups with high end turntables... where the sound manifests in a more realistic manner. 

I have NOT heard this device yet but may get a chance soon now that you peaked my interest. I won’t make any determinations about it yet.

kerrybh OP
680 posts
 

I think when the reference model was retired MSB had a big price gap between the premier and the Cascade and the Palisade is meant to fill that gap

996turbo911
209 posts
 

Totally makes sense. Someone wanting to upgrade from the Premier, but not able to nearly quadruple that price, would start looking at other brands. So it's reasonable for MSB to offer something in that range. 

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