DAC architecture reimagined - the Cascade DAC

[Solecky]

Yes, direct to M500 from built-in pre.

Thx

 

[Solecky]

Alma Audio had a room with this DAC

My mission: Must not like DAC this expensive.
Mission status: Total fail.

Incredible. Relaxed sound yet lively, plenty of jump when appropriate. Super detailed but warm and realistic. This thing is going to be problem…..

I think I needed to hear MSB with a tube in the circuit.

Tip of the hat to Alma Audio for best sound at CAF IMO.

Tracks played:
Cracker: Kerosene Hat
The Slow Show: Low
Boy Genius: Parting Glass
Heart: Darkside
Big Thief: Change

Thx for the comments

 

[asiufy]

Alma Audio had a room with this DAC

My mission: Must not like DAC this expensive.
Mission status: Total fail.

Incredible. Relaxed sound yet lively, plenty of jump when appropriate. Super detailed but warm and realistic. This thing is going to be problem…..

I think I needed to hear MSB with a tube in the circuit.

Tip of the hat to Alma Audio for best sound at CAF IMO.

Tracks played:
Cracker: Kerosene Hat
The Slow Show: Low
Boy Genius: Parting Glass
Heart: Darkside
Big Thief: Change

Backpacker,

Thank you for the kind words! Funny thing is, you *did* hear the MSB with a tube in the circuit! The Vinnie Rossi Brama preamp uses a pair of 300B tubes!
Anyway, thanks also for posting the track list... Most of the songs you requested will be in heavy rotation over here. Exquisite music taste you have, sir

See ya,
Alex

 

[Cincy2]

The following is a public service announcement for Cascade owners. After a lightning strike during Hurricane Helene, a surge on my ethernet line damaged the streamer in my system. It had to be repaired. I had a surge suppressor installed on the line and thought nothing of it. Shortly after that, I began to notice a loss of soundstage depth in even my best files. I was feeding the Cascade over home internet with files stored on an iMac in my home office while I wait for my Pink Faun server. It wasn't too long before I became very worried that something was amiss. One of the first changes I made to figure out what was going on was to take the surge suppressor out of the signal path and plug the Cascade directly into the ethernet outlet. The clouds parted and angels began to sing. I don't see why this would make such a big difference, but it did. The Cascade is killing it as I expected it would!

Eric

 

[Kingsrule]

Listening to my Cascade with the BDT update.....very impressive upgrade to an already outstanding dac.
Actually it could be designated as a new model, it's that much better.....

 

[Daniel Francis]

Listening to my Cascade with the BDT update.

BDT isn't public yet, so no one will know what this means

Launching next week, glad you joined in on the early release though. We would love your initial impressions if you wanted to message directly.

Actually it could be designated as a new model, it's that much better.....

Agreed! It doesn't seem plausible that this is the same DAC.

 

[Solecky]

BDT isn't public yet, so no one will know what this means

Launching next week, glad you joined in on the early release though. We would love your initial impressions if you wanted to message directly.

Agreed! It doesn't seem plausible that this is the same DAC.

BDT update?

 

[Daniel Francis]

BDT update?

Launching Tuesday! A free hardware upgrade for the Cascade DAC that improves the overall performance more than seems possible. As @Kingsrule said, it is like a new model.

 

[Solecky]

Thx will reach out to my dealer to get it for my Cascade, exciting news thanks!!!!

 

[Kingsrule]

I've been listening to BDT for a few days...run to your dealer and schedule the update.
As much as the pre BDT Cascade was a significant upgrade over my Select, this is much, much more.....
WOW and kudos to Dustin and MSB
Cant wait to see what the Sentinel DAC brings

 

[Daniel Francis]

Started a new thread for BDT here:

*NEW* Bit Diffusion Technology from MSB

Introducing MSB’s latest innovation: Bit Diffusion Technology. This new technology was invented by MSB’s Chief Circuit Designer, Dustin Symanski, while working on the forthcoming Sentinel DAC project with astounding results. He was able to adapt this into the Cascade DAC with a minor hardware...

www.whatsbestforum.com

Thanks for the kind feedback @Kingsrule , definitely an exciting upgrade.

 

[Kingsrule]

Keep everything in the MSB forum, otherwise all over the place

 

[gds7368]

I've been listening to BDT for a few days...run to your dealer and schedule the update.
As much as the pre BDT Cascade was a significant upgrade over my Select, this is much, much more.....
WOW and kudos to Dustin and MSB
Cant wait to see what the Sentinel DAC brings

mine is at MSB getting the update right now ...

 

[rau]

Sent mine in today for update

 

[Kingsrule]

What BDT adds for me:

More information, lots of missing details
Low level listening is much better
Body, presence
Dynamics, both micro and macro. Put your fav jazz recordings on and prepare to duck, the horns sound so real
Image is more 3D
Strings just so more vibrant
Reduced noise floor/quieter background

To sum it up: Everything sounds more real.....

 

[Daniel Francis]

Keep everything in the MSB forum, otherwise all over the place

Working that direction, but still getting it off the ground. Looking forward to the simplicity some day