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  1. Motoman

    MSB Discrete to Premier

    I mentioned another "must try" tweak that I put into my system that brought things to a new level -- two Puron power conditioners. I wrote about these on another thread. These $400 plug-in devices really made a startling improvement in soundstage and instrument placement. I think that my...
  2. Motoman

    MSB Discrete DAC

    https://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-IS500HG-Isolation-Transformer/dp/B00007KQKJ I have my Premier Power Base and ARC REF 6 plugged into it, with one of my two Puron’s.
  3. Motoman

    MSB Discrete DAC

    This is not a direct answer, but I will share with you a recent experience. I installed two Puron power filters ($400), one in the duplex outlet into which my Pass X250.8 is plugged and one into a Tripp-lite isolation transformer recommended by Vince Galbo, the NSM for MSB. After about 100...
  4. Motoman

    MSB Discrete to Premier

    I would highly recommend the Revelation Audio umbilicals for the MSB DAC. I put them in between my Discrete and Premier Power Base and there was a substantive, audible improvement in the sound over the stock ones, at least to my ears. And for $895 for the pair. A very reasonable and...
  5. Motoman

    MSB Discrete to Premier

    Thanks for that! I think that you have cured me of my subtle obsession about upgrading to the Premier (for now). Doesn't sound like $9K worth of benefits!
  6. Motoman

    MSB Discrete to Premier

    I have a Shunyata Alpha V2 PC plugged into the Premier Power Base. But it replaced and Audience PowerChord, which is a good PC, and I didn't really hear much of a difference between them, but I had a complete Shunyata loom. But the Revelation Audio umblicals really made a difference. I would...
  7. Motoman

    MSB Discrete to Premier

    I have Wilson Sabrina X's. When I got my Discrete and was waiting for the Premier Power Base, I used one power supply on the Discrete and it was frankly, somewhat anemic. Two supplies was a definite improvement. Then the Power Base came and that was definitely the ticket. Everything was...
  8. Motoman

    VAC Master preamp vs ARC Ref 6SE

    I have an ARC REF6 (stock tubes) which replaced a VAC Renaissance Mk V. I know that is much farther down the totem pole than the Master, but to me, and for what it's worth, the REF6 was definitely better sounding to me than the VAC at that level.
  9. Motoman

    Why no love for Focal?

    Yes, I remember the thread. Really messed up. I had a pair of Focal Diablo Utopia III's and remember thinking that if that is the way that they stand behind their products, screw them. But the issue was not just complaining . . . the dealer sold him a pair as new that arrived damaged and...
  10. Motoman

    CE Generators

    The bong . . . one of the best tweaks for improving the soundstage of your system! I have found that with the right hybrid, the soundstage becomes truly 3D. Much more fun than the CE Generator. I wonder what would happen if you put the $6000 Shun Mook record clamp ("This extra heavy century...
  11. Motoman

    CE Generators

    LOL! I just watched that episode of Star Trek TNG. I thought calling it a "tox uthat" might be a little obscure!
  12. Motoman

    CE Generators

    Disclaimer: I have never tried these nor do I know anyone that has. However, although there is some legitimate argument that you can't knock something until you've tried it, there is a threshold below which I think it is safe to say that it must be complete BS because there is no possible...
  13. Motoman

    MSB DAC Preamp Volume Levels

    @Easy Gliders, I have the Discrete DAC with Premier Power Supply, so well below your Reference DAC. I was going direct to my Pass Labs 250.8 (powering Wilson Sabrina X's) and my local dealer urged me to try an ARC pre, and lent me an LS28SE. I found that it was marginally better than using the...
  14. Motoman

    Allnic L-7000 vs VAC Renaissance Mark V vs. MSB Discrete DAC Direct

    I ended up with an ARC REF 6. Here is my journey. I started with the MSB Discrete and Premier Power Base direct to the Pass Labs. I was dubious that adding a preamp into the mix could improve the sound. After my local Wilson dealer lent me an ARC LS28SE, it improved the sound somewhat but...
  15. Motoman

    Which cables and power cords ?

    In a word, yes. ARC is no slouch in the engineering dept., and I found that using a Shunyata Alpha v1 PC instead of the stock cord made a startling improvement in the sound. On my Pass 250.8, I was already using an Audience pc , and although I liked the Shunyata alpha v2 that I replaced it...
  16. Motoman

    Which cables and power cords ?

    Its not that the stock cords compromise and diminish the sound of the amplifiers, so much as an aftermarket cord can improve the sound.
  17. Motoman

    Which cables and power cords ?

    I use a Shunyata Alpha V2 on my Pass 250.8. A very nice PC, and replaced an Audience PowerChord. Honestly, there was an improvement but not nearly the difference between the Alpha V1 and stock on my ARC REF6, which was a substantial improvement. I think it really depends on your system
  18. Motoman

    Speakers for Pass Labs Electronics ?

    A few major updates to this post. Since then, I have gotten a pair of Wilson Audio Sabrina X’s that have replaced the Focal’s and the Joseph Audio’s. The Sabrina’s do a great job on both well recorded music and bootlegs And the Pass 250.8 really makes them sing. I also put in an ARC REF6...
  19. Motoman

    MSB Discrete DAC

    I have a Discrete with the Premier Power Base. It is a great combo, but then the only thing that I have compared it to was the MSB Analog DAC and power supply that I had before. There is obviously a path of diminishing returns. As you get higher up the ladder, the amount of improvement is...
  20. Motoman

    MSB Discrete to Premier

    Keep in mind that the Premier goes with the Premier Power Base, which is a significant upgrade from the Discrete's single power supply. I run my Discrete with the Premier Power base, which was a marked improvement and provided more "oomph" to the music. So make sure that you compare both DAC's...
  21. Motoman

    I bought Focal Stella Utopia Evo, but...

    And that is one of the reasons that I would have named Focal . . they are the ones who can make a phone call and have a blue pair at your door, or at least stand behind their product. Good luck, and keep us posted here.
  22. Motoman

    PreAmp: The Standalone Component Vs DAC Built in Module

    I have an MSB Discrete DAC w. Premier Power Supply, running direct to my Pass Labs 250.8, powering Wilson Sabrina X's. I have been curious about whether a preamp would be a decent improvement. My dealer was kind enough to lend me an ARC LS28SE (list, $10K) to test. The end result is that the...
  23. Motoman

    I bought Focal Stella Utopia Evo, but...

    I am also a trial lawyer (CA and MA), and the way you were treated is complete BS, especially for such an expensive speaker by a well-established manufacturer. I think that you made a tactical error by not naming Focal as a defendant, because that puts them in the spotlight, not just the...
  24. Motoman

    Allnic L-7000 vs VAC Renaissance Mark V vs. MSB Discrete DAC Direct

    Thanks so much for the response. Re the Sabrina X's, they work very well in my room. Nice bass, but not the deepest. I have a REL Strata sub that I have also dialed in to supplement the bass, but very lightly. I think that the Sabrinas are good with or without the sub, which I often do...
  25. Motoman

    Allnic L-7000 vs VAC Renaissance Mark V vs. MSB Discrete DAC Direct

    I need some advice. I have a small dedicated music room, 11x11x11. I use an MSB Discrete DAC with Premier Power Base direct to my Pass Labs 250.8, which powers Wilson Audio Sabrina X's. I have heard a lot of people say that adding a preamp really improves the soundstage and sound over a DAC...
  26. Motoman

    MSB Discrete to Premier

    Since I use the Renderer v2, I can't opine on the GigaFoil when used with the ProISL. However, I can say that at least with the Renderer v2, there was an audible improvement for $500. The GigaFoil was recommended to me by the MSB National Sales Manager. Was it a "blow me away . . . did I come...
  27. Motoman

    Trying the ZR Acoustics Panels

    I did, but I'll never understand whether there is some scientific reason for it to work. But my point is vastly different. I don't care whether there is a sound scientific foundation for the ZR panels . . . I am satisfied that they work, regardless of why they work. I couldn't explain how one...
  28. Motoman

    Trying the ZR Acoustics Panels

    I have a small dedicated room, 11x11x11, with a 3x3 window on one of the side walls. I have no treatment now, but have been looking, and I am going to try the ZR panels. I wonder how many I will need . . . two big ones, four 24x24 . . .? The explanation of how they work strikes me as plain...
  29. Motoman

    MSB Discrete to Premier

    You don’t mention what you are using for the power supply for the Discrete. I went from the Analog with power base to the Discrete with the Premier Power Base. If you are using just one power supply for the Discrete, you will notice a significant difference by moving up to at least two power...
  30. Motoman

    Anyone try Isoacoustics Gaia’s and Townshend Seismic Podiums?

    Thanks so much for taking the time to spell it out I clear and plain language. I was thinking of using Townshend Podiums under my Pass Labs amp and really was wondering if I am going off the deep end. As far as resolving, I have Focal Diablo Utopia III's and a pair of Joseph Audio Pulsars that...

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