MSB Premier or Lampi Pacific

Steve Williams

Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
There are other decisions points in a purchase like this. I choose to buy the Msb Reference because I felt more comfortable with a local company and my perceived level of corporate stability. Plus my dealer has a direct line for any support issues. No I did not demo as I am building a system en-mass. I am kinda a fire and forget person. However I don’t think I will be dissatisfied in the decision.

Hugh
you'll absolutely love tHe MSB. It’s mesmerizing.
 

wil

Well-Known Member
Jul 22, 2015
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We are thrilled to keep you on team Lampi, Wil.

Like Kedar, Steve Williams and Al, I am a huge fan of the KR 242s in the Pacific, for example. As long as the system is in balance and the next component in the chain isn't overloaded by the high gain tube, the transparency and dynamics they bring to the equation are exceptional.
Fred

Is the 242 higher gain than the Tak 300b and PX 25?

I know the only way is by listening, but...
based on your experience-- or just specs-- is there any reason to believe my system would not be a good match?

Pac SE w/vol. control attenuated to (-14) >>>
Bakoon 13r Integrated Amp (current circuit) -- 25 watts (8ohms). 10k input impedance >>>
A.Garde Speakers -- 107 db sensitive, 18 ohm.

With the Tak 300b's my system doesn't sound laking in transparency or dynamics. (well, maybe you can always use more dynamics).
 

Steve Williams

Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
Is the 242 higher gain than the Tak 300b and PX 25?

I know the only way is by listening, but...
based on your experience-- or just specs-- is there any reason to believe my system would not be a good match?

Pac SE w/vol. control attenuated to (-14) >>>
Bakoon 13r Integrated Amp (current circuit) -- 25 watts (8ohms). 10k input impedance >>>
A.Garde Speakers -- 107 db sensitive, 18 ohm.

With the Tak 300b's my system doesn't sound laking in transparency or dynamics. (well, maybe you can always use more dynamics).
My amp is only 32wpc so I see no issues with your amp. I do admit that the stock KR242 is simply amazing
 

bonzo75

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Feb 26, 2014
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It's not so much as amp alone, it is mainly the preamp synergy. Technically why it happens is tough to say so one has to try
 
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Alrainbow

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Dec 11, 2013
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no offense, but the MSB stack you owned was 10 years old. MSB got way, way better.

I don't care if you prefer a Pacific or not, but to say that MSB got worse is 100% wrong.
Where did I say that ? In fact I said there could be places his msb dac would excel. And I did not imply my stack is better then a new msb. And lastly what dac dis you think i owned ?
 

sbnx

Well-Known Member
Mar 28, 2017
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Like Kedar, Steve Williams and Al, I am a huge fan of the KR 242s in the Pacific, for example. As long as the system is in balance and the next component in the chain isn't overloaded by the high gain tube, the transparency and dynamics they bring to the equation are exceptional.
Fred

Fred, can you explain that the sysrem is balanced to use the 242? How could you know if the preamp will be overloaded?
 

Alpinist

Well-Known Member
Jun 17, 2014
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I was able to compare the 2. The MSB Select ll is a beautiful and seductive DAC. I loved it and had every intention to buy one. My world changed however when I purchased the Taiko Extreme and it became immediately apparent that I could build my digital side around the Extreme rather than building my digital system around the Select ll. This plus the fact that my system is all tubes helped with my decision. In my system I can say that the output stage of the Pacific easily bested that of the Select ll. The reality for me is how my Extreme/Pacific sounded so much like analog which has been my go to mode of listening. As the Pacific continues to burn in it seems to constantly improve , so much so that my listening habit has changed to almost all Taiko/Pacific as it is just so easy and so damn close to my analog rig. As Ked says you can tune the system with tube rolling. I am not a tube roller and even though I bought a second set of output tubes (RK-KR PX25) I still have yet to roll them into my system because I am so damn happy with the standard KR 242. For my ears this is the closest I have ever gotten to analog with my digital side

Hi Steve,

Did you try MSB Select II and Taiko Extreme together? How did that sound?

Ken
 

Steve Williams

Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
Hi Steve,

Did you try MSB Select II and Taiko Extreme together? How did that sound?

Ken
Hi Ken

it sounded wonderful!! However as I stated my entire system is tubes so when I put the Pacific into the system there was a huge jump in dynamics and the feeling of presence which the MSB had but not to the extent of the Pacific. I have cautiously stated that to my ears this is darn close to the sound of vinyl, so much so that my listening habits have changed over the past several months.

Sitting at home for the past 2 weeks has allowed for lengthy listening sessions which for me have swung from vinyl to mainly streaming with the Extreme/Pacific combo as for me it is mesmerizing. A tube DAC of the caliber of the Lampi allows for tuning your system to your preference. IMO it is tantamount to changing cartridges
 

KeithR

VIP/Donor
May 7, 2010
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Hi Ken

it sounded wonderful!! However as I stated my entire system is tubes so when I put the Pacific into the system there was a huge jump in dynamics and the feeling of presence which the MSB had but not to the extent of the Pacific. I have cautiously stated that to my ears this is darn close to the sound of vinyl, so much so that my listening habits have changed over the past several months.

did a forum member let you borrow the Select? what did he think?
 
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Steve Williams

Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
asked and answered Keith


you compared both A/B in your system? under what circumstances and for how long?
I was not able to test both in my system together for an A/B test. The reality however was that for my ears and my system the Pacific simply sounded better. I don't know what else to say as I had every determination to buy the Select ll as I love that DAC. What changed all that was receiving the Extreme first before making a DAC decision allowed me to hear both in my system albeit not together. In my system, the Pacific together with the Extreme sounded better.
 

DMSB

Industry Expert
Aug 9, 2017
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Hi Ken

it sounded wonderful!! However as I stated my entire system is tubes so when I put the Pacific into the system there was a huge jump in dynamics and the feeling of presence which the MSB had but not to the extent of the Pacific. I have cautiously stated that to my ears this is darn close to the sound of vinyl, so much so that my listening habits have changed over the past several months.

Sitting at home for the past 2 weeks has allowed for lengthy listening sessions which for me have swung from vinyl to mainly streaming with the Extreme/Pacific combo as for me it is mesmerizing. A tube DAC of the caliber of the Lampi allows for tuning your system to your preference. IMO it is tantamount to changing cartridges
You were able to borrow a Select in the month between your Taiko Extreme purchase and the arrival of your Lampi. Thats great! Since we didn’t have one available for demo at that time I’d love to send a thank you note to whoever it was.
 

Golum

Well-Known Member
Jun 7, 2018
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It kind of sucks to impose somebody here is a liar...can't win them all and being a sore looser ain't cool
 
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DMSB

Industry Expert
Aug 9, 2017
39
153
140
Vince had a demo Select set up for loan he was going to hand deliver, but missed the appointment because of illness. So I’m just happy that Steve was able to get a demo Select elsewhere. I know there are lots of nice audiophiles willing to help out a friend, I’d just like to send them a nice thank you.
 

Alpinist

Well-Known Member
Jun 17, 2014
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can't win them all and being a sore looser ain't cool

I don’t think it is a case of winning or losing. Steve prefers the sound of the Pacific to the Select and that is fine. Steve’s system has many tubes and he prefers the tube sound. He prefers the Lampi sound as do most of the Lampi owners on this thread. Again, this is fine.

I had the opportunity to listen to the Pacific DAC on several occasions and it is a really fine sounding DAC. But I prefer the sound of the Select DAC by a substantial margin. It just sounds more lifelike to my ears. The best way I can describe it is that it sounds like master reel to reel tape. I have not listened to another digital source that makes me feel this way. Consequently, I voted with my wallet and purchased a fully loaded Select DAC. I’m not saying the Select is better than the Pacific, only that I prefer its sound. That’s the beauty of this hobby, we get to choose the components that please our ears the most.

Ken
 

bonzo75

Member Sponsor
Feb 26, 2014
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I don’t think it is a case of winning or losing. Steve prefers the sound of the Pacific to the Select and that is fine. Steve’s system has many tubes and he prefers the tube sound. He prefers the Lampi sound as do most of the Lampi owners on this thread. Again, this is fine.

I had the opportunity to listen to the Pacific DAC on several occasions and it is a really fine sounding DAC. But I prefer the sound of the Select DAC by a substantial margin. It just sounds more lifelike to my ears. The best way I can describe it is that it sounds like master reel to reel tape. I have not listened to another digital source that makes me feel this way. Consequently, I voted with my wallet and purchased a fully loaded Select DAC. I’m not saying the Select is better than the Pacific, only that I preferred its sound. That’s the beauty of this hobby, we get to choose the components that please our ears the most.

Ken

When you say you heard the Pacific on several occasions, was it at a show or where you had control to try different tubes on it
 

Alpinist

Well-Known Member
Jun 17, 2014
530
143
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USA
When you say you heard the Pacific on several occasions, was it at a show or where you had control to try different tubes on it

Hi Bonzo,

I listened to the Pacific multiple times at several different audio shows. It sounded excellent every time I listened to it. I do not know what tube selections Lukasz made but I would assume that he would have chosen tubes that he considered optimal for such an occasion.

Ken
 

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