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    What is the benefit of very expensive DACs?

    Yes, there are considerable distinctions between DAC's including the ones/models mentioned. And you'd be right: If a $10K DAC doesn't blow away a $5K one, what's the point ? But this talk of "you'll get 90-99% performance/SQ from a $2K -or$5K DAC than a waaay more expensive one makes no sense...
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    What is the benefit of very expensive DACs?

    RE: Sep 13, 2013 #2 The conventional wisdom is they sound better (no big surprises here). The question is how much better and at what price difference, and how fast is price performance improving. I was slightly disheartened to read the Stereophile review of the new $3500 Marantz NA11-S1...
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    How good is MSB Discrete Dac?

    Hmmm ... in which case brings us full circle: " ...I don't care if a DAC sounds "analog" or not. I take unamplified live music as reference, and that is what a DAC should sound like, as much as possible. And that's what an analog set-up should sound like, too." (???) So, you don't care if a...
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    How good is MSB Discrete Dac?

    I'm reminded of a photography analogy: " ..A photograph does not (cannot) replicate the real thing ".. yet we can certainly appreciate the attempt and judge its authenticity based on other interpretations -and ultimately what it captures or how it resonates with our senses. In other words, it...
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    How good is MSB Discrete Dac?

    That makes no sense: " ...I don't care if a DAC sounds "analog" or not. I take unamplified live music as reference, and that is what a DAC should sound like, as much as possible. And that's what an analog set-up should sound like, too." How can that possibly make sense ? Your "reference" (for...
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    How good is MSB Discrete Dac?

    Oh my .... such humble beginnings ....and how times/perceptions have changed (within a single generation): https://www.stereophile.com/content/msb-link-dac-iii-da-converter-page-3 EXCERPT: Encore " ...I thought the original MSB Link was an unbeatable value. I was wrong. The Link III is...
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    How good is MSB Discrete Dac?

    It appears universally agreed upon that MSB DAC's are 'Primo' (top-notch) .... and priced accordingly. However, if a/the second power-supply contributes that significantly to performance -and by all accounts it does- then MSB should see to it to include "the second P/S" within the same chassis...
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    What is the benefit of very expensive DACs?

    ... And the same goes for the comparively tiny circuits/DAC of some highly regarded units, such as Chord (Electronics) and HRT models. Looking back (from 1982), it ihas become increasingly apparent that 'digital' signal processing benefits greatly by very-smalll signal paths, and naturally...
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    Pass Labs XP-32

    RE: 'BREAK-IN' (Initial; first week-or-so): Power 'ON'; warm up/run for several hours. Power OFF (for 15-20 minutes), Power back ON/few hours, OFF, REPEAT. This I've found accelerates Break-in considerably; gear, cables, etc. pj
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    Antipodes CX+EX

    RE: " ....given how fast digital moves, probably in the next 2-3 years there will be a new server that will be better than both CX+EX and would rather not have spent large amounts on more than one box. " No kidding. Nicely articulated. pj
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    Charles' Little 2-ch Hi-Fi System...

    LOL. Yes ! ...actually, 4-years is rather good/recent for me ! Even so, the same would apply today -firm concrete/marble/slate foundation. Be well peter
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    Charles' Little 2-ch Hi-Fi System...

    Looks great ! Thanks for sharing. A few Rec's": 1) Give your 'sub-woofers' the same platform as the main speakers -and add some 'footer;s. 2) Consider VTL 300/400 series modular racks (304 =Tripod style/404 = four pillar/posts -more stable). These are modular, (stack-able) economical...
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    BACCH-SP: The future of high-end audio? Yes.

    Then it was. And here we are. Great stuff. Interestingly, there was earlier mention of 'Carver's Sonic Holocaust', and lest we forget the forgettable (regrettable) attempts by the 'Polk' group back in the 90's (-80's?). These attempts and controlling inter-channel acoustic cross-talk -via...
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    MSB S202 stereo poweramp

    Hi Ken: Thanks for the reply. Yes, I read that too -here on WBF. That was my point (to MSB). Might be a good idea to say as much on their (MSB) website -as opposed to learning of it here/ hi-fi forums. pj '
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    MSB S202 stereo poweramp

    Wonderful ! ......A quick MSB website peruse, and it's noted: * Shipping DimensionsWidth:in ( mm)Depth:in ( mm)Height:in ( mm)Weight:lbs ( kg)Included AccessoriesUser Manual * Power Cord * 4X Rubber Feet I'm hoping/expecting the included four (4) rubber feet have some science/engineering...
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    MSB S202 stereo poweramp

    What a helluvah price ! When will we get back to pre-2005 (i.e.sane) pricing -on hi-fi in general ? pj
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    MSB S202 stereo poweramp

    A little something alright -as our bank balance depletes large -big ? lol Looks great. I'll guess that its minimal/short signal paths contributes significantly to its performance. Speaking of which, may I ask is bi-polar transistors grace the OUTPUT stage ? (Transformer size, filter...
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    MSB S202 stereo poweramp

    Hi MSB: You may wish to give the dtails/description (as offeredhere on this site) on your actual website -that I just left, wondering whether your S202 was a A/A/B, or (god-forbid) 'D' type circuit architecture. peter jasz
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    Alpha and Delta NR VS Zitron and Older Line

    McBrion: Some fine insight offered/shared; particularly concerning 'Cable Etiquette' -as I refer to it. (i.e. "don't let cables touch") That, and the mysterious yet revelatory (and punishing) -Burn-in-Blues'. Very real, very important to consider. pj
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    Mark Levinson 536

    ML 534, 536 no doubt superb -as most Levinson gear. Recently, I found a No. 53 ML power amp brochure and wondered deeply about ML's claim that their then new flagship outperformed competitor's amps and even all previously manufactured ML (A/B) amps ! Telling us/the reader they pursued...
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    Audioquest (USB cable) 'DBS' positioning changes sound ?

    No, but I can see you are (laughing YAO all the way to ..... your Fisher Price hi-fi, I suspect.) !
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    Audioquest (USB cable) 'DBS' positioning changes sound ?

    Hey 'twitchy': Since I haven't gotten to the '168' hour mark, I can't say. Yet, this morning, the USB 'Diamond' was sounding flat/ uninspiring, so (as normal when 'breaking-in'), I disconnected, then will re-insert. I, unlike some, have been doing this a long time, and hope to offer some rare...
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    Audioquest (USB cable) 'DBS' positioning changes sound ?

    Thanks Folsom. I thought everyone would "get it": DBS module's physical positioning/orientation as it relates to perceived SQ -specifically low/mid-frequency 'clarity'. pj
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    Audioquest (USB cable) 'DBS' positioning changes sound ?

    I agree; although I only have experience with AQ digital (specifically USB), the ones I've had/have include Carbon, Coffee and for the last 150 hours, Diamond USB (1.5m). And, an appropriate segue thus follows; the time required for 'Break-in/Settling' of DBS module cables: My experience with...
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    Audioquest (USB cable) 'DBS' positioning changes sound ?

    What sounds faulty ?
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    Audioquest (USB cable) 'DBS' positioning changes sound ?

    Hey ayreman: I should have started another paragraph when speaking of cable length choice -nothing at all to do with DBS module positioning, that of course extends only a few inches. The 1.5m simply enables greater component positioning. pj
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    New MSB DACs

    Wow. Amazing. And sensible design. I'd choose 'Hi-Fi Stay' racks over 'Stillpoints' simply because I strongly believe in the design architecture of HFS stands. I did not know of HFS racks previously -thanks kindly for the link. S. Korea make some absolutely fantastic product ! peter jasz
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    Charles' Little 2-ch Hi-Fi System...

    Nice ! ... nothing like experiencing new musical interpretations/perspectives of new gear. YET, I remain impressed by your photography skill ! Enjoy, Oh, and don't forget to elevate SQ several notches up with the inclusion of: http://www.vtimanufacturing.com/vti_product/bl404-audio-rack/...
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    Pass Labs XP-22

    Once at the Xs price-point, the ML No.52 (preamp) may be a better (and cheaper -though not by much -lol) alternative? pj
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    Pass Labs XP-22

    Good call on UPS (Unscrupulous Pathetic Shippers -lol), FedEx is Definitely much, much better. pj

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