MSB Select II arrival

[wisnon]

sorry. the credibility of a source, quoted on the product website no less, has been called into question. serious stuff. first astro points the finger, then Luke denies it, then you ???? not sure what you were saying. and if there is some smoking gun out there about Simon/iSquirrel being a shill then let's either be out with it or let's remove the doubt.

I've not spent time on Headfi since 2012 when I was into it. if there is something there to this then let's see it.

if you are saying that Simon is an enthusiast and not in the employ of MSB then lets just say it.

Huh?

I know nothing of who is a MSB dealer. I merely mentioned that I know the fellow online (also from Stereonet) and last I recall he had a Dave and apparently now he has a Select 2. Nothing more nothing less. I fail to see how you gathered anything more than that. Please reread my original post.

 

[DMSB]

Disclaimer: I am an employee of MSB Technology

I happened across this thread a few days ago, I like to see what our customers like or dislike about our products so sometimes I browse the forums. I hate to post however because I can't stand the politics involved. I do want to clear up this bit of misinformation however...

Simon Kern (isquirrel) is an MSB customer from Australia, no more no less. He purchased a Select DAC II a while ago after he was loaned a demo unit to evaluate by our Australian Distributor. He also has our Electrostatic headphone amp which we sent to him to get his feedback because, 1. MSB is not a headphone company and we have very little experience in that field 2. Simon primarily listens to headphones and has enormous experience in that sphere 3. He already had a Select II and that amp was designed specifically for the Select II. He liked it enough to purchase it but as far as I know it is not his reference which are his custom built Woo Audio WA234 MONOs because so far he mostly prefers dynamic headphones over electrostats.

As far as I know he also recently became a reviewer for Mono and Stereo here is the link: http://www.monoandstereo.com/2017/02/simon-kern-joins-mono-and-stereo.html

 

[Mike Lavigne]

Disclaimer: I am an employee of MSB Technology

I happened across this thread a few days ago, I like to see what our customers like or dislike about our products so sometimes I browse the forums. I hate to post however because I can't stand the politics involved. I do want to clear up this bit of misinformation however...

Simon Kern (isquirrel) is an MSB customer from Australia, no more no less. He purchased a Select DAC II a while ago after he was loaned a demo unit to evaluate by our Australian Distributor. He also has our Electrostatic headphone amp which we sent to him to get his feedback because, 1. MSB is not a headphone company and we have very little experience in that field 2. Simon primarily listens to headphones and has enormous experience in that sphere 3. He already had a Select II and that amp was designed specifically for the Select II. He liked it enough to purchase it but as far as I know it is not his reference which are his custom built Woo Audio WA234 MONOs because so far he mostly prefers dynamic headphones over electrostats.

As far as I know he also recently became a reviewer for Mono and Stereo here is the link: http://www.monoandstereo.com/2017/02/simon-kern-joins-mono-and-stereo.html

hi DMSB,

welcome to What's Best Forum, and as one of your customers.....thanks for the great product.

appreciate you clearing up that about Simon. I read his bio on Mono & Stereo and he was in the high end audio business at a time in the past although never associated with MSB; maybe that clouded the issue for Astro.

 

[awsmone]

Disclaimer: I am an employee of MSB Technology

I happened across this thread a few days ago, I like to see what our customers like or dislike about our products so sometimes I browse the forums. I hate to post however because I can't stand the politics involved. I do want to clear up this bit of misinformation however...

Simon Kern (isquirrel) is an MSB customer from Australia, no more no less. He purchased a Select DAC II a while ago after he was loaned a demo unit to evaluate by our Australian Distributor. He also has our Electrostatic headphone amp which we sent to him to get his feedback because, 1. MSB is not a headphone company and we have very little experience in that field 2. Simon primarily listens to headphones and has enormous experience in that sphere 3. He already had a Select II and that amp was designed specifically for the Select II. He liked it enough to purchase it but as far as I know it is not his reference which are his custom built Woo Audio WA234 MONOs because so far he mostly prefers dynamic headphones over electrostats.

As far as I know he also recently became a reviewer for Mono and Stereo here is the link: http://www.monoandstereo.com/2017/02/simon-kern-joins-mono-and-stereo.html

There was a Simon Kern in Australia ....who at one stage distributed Wilson Audio in Australia....could it be the same person ?

 

[Legolas]

hi DMSB,

welcome to What's Best Forum, and as one of your customers.....thanks for the great product.

appreciate you clearing up that about Simon. I read his bio on Mono & Stereo and he was in the high end audio business at a time in the past although never associated with MSB; maybe that clouded the issue for Astro.

Thanks Mike. Yes, that may be it then. Sorry if I have caused some confusion. Simon is a great bloke, I have had some PMs in the recent past on his gear. He used to have a huge Wilson system. it is here:

http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?17933-New-Wilson-Alexia-system-underway

Anyway, his advice to me was sound regardless if he distributes or not. he writes for Mono Stereo so wether that affects anything here as regards disclaimer, no idea. So all cool guys, no problem here, move along.....

 

[BruceD]

There was a Simon Kern in Australia ....who at one stage distributed Wilson Audio in Australia....could it be the same person ?

Simon's company was Hemisferick( Spell?) that imported DCS Digital products into Australia plus became friends with Dave Wilson acquired the Agency and featured the Big Wilsons( as Pictured in an earlier thread here) with Watt Pups for theatre use.

Gryphon Amps and the Big Rockport TT was evident in the earlier system.

Simon struck hard times and his fortunes changed sadly. Interesting to see/hear he has obviously bounced back--can't keep a hard nose Audiophile down-ha!

BruceD

 

[Mike Lavigne]

thanks Guys for all the feedback on Simon.

my only concern was that my reference to Simon's letter on Mono & Stereo was taken at face value and not a negative or ethically tainted. in any case, as I said originally, it was just a data point for me in finding feedback on the Select II, especially since I had gone down the headphone road myself quite a ways and could relate.

i apologize to Wisnon and Astro for my degree of reaction. i could have handled it better.

 

[Legolas]

thanks Guys for all the feedback on Simon.

my only concern was that my reference to Simon's letter on Mono & Stereo was taken at face value and not a negative or ethically tainted. in any case, as I said originally, it was just a data point for me in finding feedback on the Select II, especially since I had gone down the headphone road myself quite a ways and could relate.

and Simon has not posted here (that I'm aware of) so has no obligation to WBF for disclosure.

i apologize to Wisnon and Astro for my degree of reaction. i could have handled it better.

No problem here Mike. All good.

BTW I read with interest you posted you had the Stax 009s. I run a Stax 009 and 007 setup. I would add the 009 and 007s do need a non Stax amp IMO. I found huge leaps in performance going to a Kevin Gilmour amp design which has to be built as DIY. It ls pretty close to my HT system, and does offer some things I find hard to get from any speakers I have heard so far, as in micro detail and clues to the base layer of the recordings. What amp did you use Mike on the 009s? On my previous Stax amps it sounded thin and anaemic / compressed.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

No problem here Mike. All good.

BTW I read with interest you posted you had the Stax 009s. I run a Stax 009 and 007 setup. I would add the 009 and 007s do need a non Stax amp IMO. I found huge leaps in performance going to a Kevin Gilmour amp design which has to be built as DIY. It ls pretty close to my HT system, and does offer some things I find hard to get from any speakers I have heard so far, as in micro detail and clues to the base layer of the recordings. What amp did you use Mike on the 009s? On my previous Stax amps it sounded thin and anaemic / compressed.

short answer; I ordered a BHSE back in late 2010, but it took 14 months to finally receive it in spring 2012, and the first Stax 009's were not released until late 2011. so just as I got my BHSE, and had it for about a month, I decided to switch my 2 channel system to MM7's and dart 458's. so all my headphone gear (along with anything else not nailed down) had to be sold to help fund my mega purchase.

but that BHSE <-> 009 combo was heavenly. I also owned the older Stax solid state amp that was well regarded and in demand. I just spent 20 minutes trying to find the details on all the headphone gear I acquired investigating that.

I also ordered the Headamp Aristeaus amp for my Senn HD-800's. which was also not a bad combo.

those amps and cans sold very easily.

my moniker on Headfi is 'Mossback'. you can see my posts there from that 2 year period of my can efforts.

 

[Jones99]

Anyone compare a Vivaldi stack vs MSB Select II ?

Yes I have compared my dCS Vivaldi 2.0 Stack to the MSB Select II. Apologies I am a new member but can offer some thoughts of how the two performed in my system if interested

 

[Steve Williams]

Yes I have compared my dCS Vivaldi 2.0 Stack to the MSB Select II. Apologies I am a new member but can offer some thoughts of how the two performed in my system if interested

View attachment 34864

Hello and welcome to WBF Jones99

I am betting all of us here are most anxious to hear about your direct comparison of the two

 

[Legolas]

Yes I have compared my dCS Vivaldi 2.0 Stack to the MSB Select II. Apologies I am a new member but can offer some thoughts of how the two performed in my system if interested

View attachment 34864

Err, not half! Can you expand then?

 

[Legolas]

short answer; I ordered a BHSE back in late 2010, but it took 14 months to finally receive it in spring 2012, and the first Stax 009's were not released until late 2011. so just as I got my BHSE, and had it for about a month, I decided to switch my 2 channel system to MM7's and dart 458's. so all my headphone gear (along with anything else not nailed down) had to be sold to help fund my mega purchase.

but that BHSE <-> 009 combo was heavenly. I also owned the older Stax solid state amp that was well regarded and in demand. I just spent 20 minutes trying to find the details on all the headphone gear I acquired investigating that.

I also ordered the Headamp Aristeaus amp for my HE-800's. which was also not a bad combo.

those amps and cans sold very easily.

my moniker on Headfi is 'Mossback'. you can see my posts there from that 2 year period of my can efforts.

Interesting Mike. I to ordered the BHSE twice but cancelled as it was too long to wait. I have a DIY Carbon KGSShv now which in my listening tests is the equal of the BHSE which I have heard on 3 long day demos and 2 weeks ago at the Can-Ham in London, all on the 009s. I need high quality cans as I live in an apartment and have noise issues after 6pm. Anyway, headphones at this level offer something quite unique. I would not say they 'replace' speakers, but provide a very interesting musical experience. I note Steve has gone with the Abyss and LCD4 now, not sure if he still has the MSB headphone amp? I also heard the LCD4 out of the Chord DAVE direct, and the Halo Spring DAC via Head-amp GSX MK2. Not heard the Abyss yet.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

Hello and welcome to WBF Jones99

I am betting all of us here are most anxious to hear about your direct comparison of the two

I did find Jones99's brief comparative comments related to this question on another forum. but i'll allow him to tell us when he gets around to it.

he does have an impressive system that Ron, especially, should like.

 

[microstrip]

thanks Guys for all the feedback on Simon. (...)

Sorry for my confusion, but Simon is WBF member isquirrel?

 

[wisnon]

thanks Guys for all the feedback on Simon.

my only concern was that my reference to Simon's letter on Mono & Stereo was taken at face value and not a negative or ethically tainted. in any case, as I said originally, it was just a data point for me in finding feedback on the Select II, especially since I had gone down the headphone road myself quite a ways and could relate.

i apologize to Wisnon and Astro for my degree of reaction. i could have handled it better.

NO WORRIES. STORM IN A TEACUP.
I am just glad everyone agrees Simon (isquirrel) is a cool guy, cause he IS.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

Sorry for my confusion, but Simon is WBF member isquirrel?

yes.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

Interesting Mike. I to ordered the BHSE twice but cancelled as it was too long to wait. I have a DIY Carbon KGSShv now which in my listening tests is the equal of the BHSE which I have heard on 3 long day demos and 2 weeks ago at the Can-Ham in London, all on the 009s. I need high quality cans as I live in an apartment and have noise issues after 6pm. Anyway, headphones at this level offer something quite unique. I would not say they 'replace' speakers, but provide a very interesting musical experience. I note Steve has gone with the Abyss and LCD4 now, not sure if he still has the MSB headphone amp? I also heard the LCD4 out of the Chord DAVE direct, and the Halo Spring DAC via Head-amp GSX MK2. Not heard the Abyss yet.

thanks.

at my next Audio Show I will go to the Headphone section and try to hear the Carbon KGSShv (if it's there as a finished product). if it's in the BHSE league then it's fine indeed.

lot's of excellent headphone gear out there now. I wish I could justify going down that road again as it's fun and the headphone forums and people have some great ideas and gear, but with a dedicated room it is not in the equation for me. at some point maybe i'll be able to hear the new MSB headphone amp with the 009's. I know that the Select II can directly drive certain types of headphones without an amp (with the balanced output module), it's dac has such high output natively (and has no gain stage at all).

 

[microstrip]

(...) I am betting all of us here are most anxious to hear about your direct comparison of the two

No, some of us are not ... You know my opinion on direct comparisons, we are mostly reading about synergies in a system we do not have experience with. Besides, when people describe single components, they refer to the music they have listened, they finely describe the way they were listening and what they feel, how they tuned the system. In direct comparisons they mostly say that their preferred "kills" the opponent and prefer to imagine flaws in it than describing the positives of their choice. It is so evident that one "kills" the other, why loosing time?

I also can not understand the anxiety of knowing if a DAC sounds better than LPs in other people systems ...

Surely, as always on these matters, YMMV.

 

[bonzo75]

No, some of us are not ... You know my opinion on direct comparisons, we are mostly reading about synergies in a system we do not have experience with. Besides, when people describe single components, they refer to the music they have listened, they finely describe the way they were listening and what they feel, how they tuned the system. In direct comparisons they mostly say that their preferred "kills" the opponent and prefer to imagine flaws in it than describing the positives of their choice. It is so evident that one "kills" the other, why loosing time?

I also can not understand the anxiety of knowing if a DAC sounds better than LPs in other people systems ...

Surely, as always on these matters, YMMV.

No this is not correct. This happens only if the preferred is Lampi . And yes, there is something like consistency in comparison across systems. Also, CD cannot beat vinyl (properly set up, lower cost), so why bother? No disrespect, your arguments are straw man. With digital the comparison is too easy and especially when repeated across systems is a no brainer.