MSB Select II arrival

Thieliste

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Aug 31, 2014
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i can only comment about one side of your question. i have used the MSB Select II with Renderer directly into my dart mono's and it was very close to using my $40k dart preamp. it might even be a matter of preference.

not then directly compared to another dac at the same time, but within the previous 6 months i had 3 separate dacs (Lampi GG 1.5, Aqua Formula, and Nagra HD) in the system with that same preamp, and the Select II direct was better than my recollection of those fine dacs.

Hi Mike that's interesting, i'm trying to figure out if a Select ll with renderer going direct in a Mephisto stereo would outperform something like CH L1+X1 + Pink Faun server + Totaldac Twelve + Mephisto stereo.
That's a very difficult question to answer, all i know is less cables and less boxes for the Select rig.
 

Mike Lavigne

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Apr 25, 2010
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Hi Mike that's interesting, i'm trying to figure out if a Select ll with renderer going direct in a Mephisto stereo would outperform something like CH L1+X1 + Pink Faun server + Totaldac Twelve + Mephisto stereo.
That's a very difficult question to answer, all i know is less cables and less boxes for the Select rig.

my 2 cents on that is that the MSB Select II dac is one of those system anchors, like your Mephisto stereo. over time you do make sure you compliment them as best you can but they are doing the heavy lifting. and the passive pre in the MSB is up to the task of being everything you might want there. the elegance of the simplicity has it's rewards.

every piece you list there is a winner so no bad choices.
 

earlinarizona

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Jul 17, 2010
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Has anyone compared the Select DAC to any of the Audio Note DAC's yet. Two different world design and would love to hear if anyone has had these two units on one system to compare.
 

Thieliste

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Aug 31, 2014
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I was also looking at Wadax Atlantis Reference DAC but i think i doesn't have streaming option and volume control like Select ll if one doesn't want to use a linestage ?
 

MadFloyd

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May 30, 2010
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Has anyone compared the Select DAC to any of the Audio Note DAC's yet. Two different world design and would love to hear if anyone has had these two units on one system to compare.

What about the Select DAC II compared to the CH D1/T1?
 

CKKeung

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Jun 17, 2011
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CKKeung

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I will try to borrow them from the local Westminster Lab dealer to try them on my Select DAC.

IMG-20200827-WA0009.jpg
 
Last edited:

Armsan

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battles

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Dec 11, 2011
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Hi Fellow MSB Select Owners,

I'm likely the newest member of the MSB Select Club and had a few questions for those who are already members of the MSB Select family. I'm in the process of being rebuilding my system, and while my system is coming together over the next several months, I'd deeply value your feedback with regard to the questions I pose below. As you've already encountered these decisions yourselves, your input will undoubtedly save me some time (Mike L. you've been very gracious in sharing your personal POV's with me so no need to expend any more energy weighing in!)!

First off, as it stands now, my "pro forma" system is as follows:

MSB Select w/ dual power bases and Femto 33 (using Select as a pre)
MSB S202 200 watt stereo amplifier (arriving soon)
Spiral Groove SG1.1 TT with SG Tone Arm with Ortofon Anna
ARC Reference Phono 10 phonostage
Goebel Divin Marquis (arriving early spring)
Goebel Statement ICs and speaker cable (arriving soon)
Combination of Nordost Odin, Goebel and Sainline system power cables
Torus 12KVA Home Power Conditioner w/ Shunyata Denali 6000v2 at rack
HRS Platform and Racks w/ Voodoo Audio ISO-Pads
Etherregen, w/ external clock and PSU

Here are my questions I'd welcome feedback on:

1. Have any Select owners done extensive comparisons between reference ethernet cables used between the network switch and Select's Rendererv2? I understand that the Dalby and Goebel cables are amazing...for those who've tried both, which one is best, and by how wide of a margin? I see that Shunyata recently announced an OPUS version of their ethernet cable...I wonder if it's in the same league?

2. How sensitive is the Select to power cable brand / quality? I have quite a few Reference Sainline System power cables which were highly recommended for my former Audio Research equipment. However, I don not know how they'll sound on the Select. Would certainly prefer not to spend more $s swapping to a different brand if I can avoid it!

3. I'm at a crossroads with regard to whether I keep my vinyl front end vs. using the Select as my only source. I'd love to simplify my life by going 100% digital if the Select's sonic performance will be very close to the caliber of my analog front end (i.e. a $75K vs. an uber expensive analog system). That said, for those Select owners who also own a vinyl reference analog front end, how has the Select affected your listening time split between digital and analog? Moreover, when you are listening to vinyl, is because of it sonic superiority over the Select, or just to occasionally switch things up? Lastly, has the sonic quality and convenience of the Select resulted in any owners abandoning their vinyl systems altogether?

4. How sensitive is the Select to the power conditioner it's plugged into? I have the new Shunyata Denali 6000v2 on order - it fits my space constraints vs. other brands/models - however, if others have not had good results using Shunyata with the Select, please let me know.

5. I've heard from MSB that that the gauge of power cable used between one's breaker panel and power receptacles can have a dramatic impact on the performance of the Select. Currently, I have cryo'd 10 gauge romex in 100ft lengths feeding dedicated outlets from my Torus 12KVA wall mounted PC/breaker panel. I've been told that replacing the 10 gauge romex for 6 gauge romex would make a big sonic difference. However, replacing this would be a big undertaking! Anyone have an opinion on this?

Thanks so much,
Blake
 

Alpinist

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Jun 17, 2014
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Totally happy with the AudioQuest Diamond Ethernet Cables on my Select DAC’s Renderer V2 Digital Input Module. I use the AQ Diamonds everywhere in my network.

Blown away with the improvement the two AudioQuest Dragon Source Power Cords have made on my Select DAC’s Power Bases. Replaced AQ Hurricane Source and Analysis Plus Ultimate Oval Power Cords. The Dragon Source are on a different planet sonically.

Ken
 

Germanboxers

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Dec 14, 2015
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I've been told that replacing the 10 gauge romex for 6 gauge romex would make a big sonic difference.
How does one attach 6 gauge romex to an outlet? I’m trying to imagine bending 6 gauge copper around the terminals or sliding that diameter of cable into the receiving slots and I can’t. I have installed a couple of expensive outlets, but it was still a little challenging using 10 gauge romex.
 
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battles

Well-Known Member
Dec 11, 2011
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Thanks Ken. Germanboxers, this recommendation comes from MSB. They recommend running 6 gauge as close to the panel and outlet as possible and then stepping down the gauge in a junction box with short 10 gauge tails to fit inside the panel/workbox. If your romex runs are shorter, 8 or 10 gauge Romex would likely be adequate. Unfortunately my runs are very long.
 

Alpinist

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Jun 17, 2014
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Thanks Ken. Germanboxers, this recommendation comes from MSB. They recommend running 6 gauge as close to the panel and outlet as possible and then stepping down the gauge in a junction box with short 10 gauge tails to fit inside the panel/workbox. If your romex runs are shorter, 8 or 10 gauge Romex would likely be adequate. Unfortunately my runs are very long.
I would think the 10 gauge would cause a bottleneck and this wouldn’t accomplish anything.

Ken
 

Kingsrule

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Feb 3, 2011
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Many of the pc's discussed sound really bad compared to generic cords. I use CC's and they sound best to me
Also the renderer pales in comparison to the PRO USB. The renderer sounds slow, muted and digital
The Audioquest stuff, other than the Garth Powell designed power products are pretty pedestrian IMO.
I have 10ga lines (3) powering my system
As always YMMV
 

Alpinist

Well-Known Member
Jun 17, 2014
530
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Many of the pc's discussed sound really bad compared to generic cords. I use CC's and they sound best to me
Also the renderer pales in comparison to the PRO USB. The renderer sounds slow, muted and digital
The Audioquest stuff, other than the Garth Powell designed power products are pretty pedestrian IMO.
I have 10ga lines (3) powering my system
As always YMMV
Hi King,

Have you tried the AQ Dragon Power Cords in your system yet?

Ken
 

abeidrov

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Dec 17, 2015
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I know that MSB Reference / Select passive preamp module is highly regarded, and even Mike said, that it is on par with his Dartzeel preamp. I’m now in the process of selecting a preamp to match with Mephisto. Also thinking about changing my dac and that complicates things somewhat, as all of a sudden a cost of upgrading my GG to Pacific and getting Pandora or CH L1 becomes comparable to buying Reference with the preamp module:)
My only concern is using MSB preamp for the analog playback. Is it good enough? Do you use your MSB preamp module with your vinyl or R2R rigs?
Thanks in advance,
Aziz
 

LL21

Well-Known Member
Dec 26, 2010
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I know that MSB Reference / Select passive preamp module is highly regarded, and even Mike said, that it is on par with his Dartzeel preamp. I’m now in the process of selecting a preamp to match with Mephisto. Also thinking about changing my dac and that complicates things somewhat, as all of a sudden a cost of upgrading my GG to Pacific and getting Pandora or CH L1 becomes comparable to buying Reference with the preamp module:)
My only concern is using MSB preamp for the analog playback. Is it good enough? Do you use your MSB preamp module with your vinyl or R2R rigs?
Thanks in advance,
Aziz
Look forward to seeing what you end up doing. Some very difficult and high quality choices where CH, Dartzeel are joined by the big Boulder (1000, 2100 and 3000 series preamps), Audionet and Constellation Altair 2. And of course, my personal choice coming from 20 years of CJ and Zanden...the Robert Koda K15EX. You will find quite a number of Mephisto owners here.
 
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