Hi Mike.
Yes, I will probably do that later on. A good idea is to send the unit back to CH when I am on holiday, I hate to be without music when I am at home
.Rgds
JP
MSB Select II arrival
- Thread starter Mike Lavigne
- Start date
Hi Mike.
Yes, I will probably do that later on. A good idea is to send the unit back to CH when I am on holiday, I hate to be without music when I am at home
.Rgds
JP
Funny how aesthetics play such an important role in our purchasing decisions. I guess one persons lump of coal is another's diamond.....
Very true, but I dont over-emphasize aesthetics in making audio purchase decisions.
SQ is more important.
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Yes, we do "listen with our eyes" first. But SQ trumps all other considerations IMO.
Congrats. Mine did as well. It comes much better packed than previous MSB DACs. Nice metal Pelican type cases securing the DAC and power supply. The DAC and power supply are both in velvet pouches for. Nice touch.
the eagle.....has landed.
at noon i'll run home, unpack it and plug it in. then the SGM team can tweak the set-ups remotely while I'm back at work.
at noon i'll run home, unpack it and plug it in. then the SGM team can tweak the set-ups remotely while I'm back at work.
for now, i'll use the 'powered' version of the Sablon Elite I used on the Aqua. I also have a Totaldac on hand to try.
not sure if the Select II needs a powered USB. I know the unpowered version is better if it works with your dac.
Steve Williams
Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
you know which USB cable you need now with the Select ll Mike
I deserve that
as it's hard to make a case for not going wacko on a USB cable after my decision on the Select II.all that said, until I choose between USB/SPDIF and Ethernet the cable choice is besides the point. and there are expensive network cables just like expensive USB cables. going nuts on one of those will be a bridge i'll cross when I get to it.
Steve Williams
Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
I deserve that
all that said, until I choose between USB/SPDIF and Ethernet the cable choice is besides the point. and there are expensive network cables just like expensive USB cables. going nuts on one of those will be a bridge i'll cross when I get to it.
I would bet you that if you were to try that USB cable you just might forget Ethernet and renderers
Can't imagine the Select needs powered USB. It is really for budget 200 USD DACs or external drives, or budget USB input boards in lower end DACs. The power is noisy and hideous, a real nasty problem in USB.
Can you feed it via Ethernet? I would also try AES as non upsampled from the SGM. I believe the Select is the first MSB DAC to not upsample and thus can have no filter.
I bought a 'budget' Audioquest Ethernet cable last week and it is great, CAT7 spec, better than the basic CAT6 I got with my Rednet. It is all about noise and RF rejection with Ethernet cables. I am not sure if it is necessary to go too crazy, I would try sub 200 USD CAT7 cables.
Steve, that would be one approach I could take, but then I would bypass what I think to be an important question of the whole digital front end design. which I want to figure out objectively.
so respectfully; upgrading those cables now is not the path I'm taking. not that I don't respect what cable performance can do. and I realize that my perception of differences will be influenced by cables. I just have to do the best I can with it.
the Select II I've purchased has XLR outputs, but they will also send me the RCA output module, so I will be able to compare them directly. once done i'll optimize that cable run.....likely with my choice of interconnects, the Tara Labs Grandmaster Evolution w/HFX grounding. I love how that cable sounds with the grounding (working with my Tripoint Troy Signature) and the air tube dialectic.
when I get the digital interface issue behind me i'll deal with the question of cable upgrades for that.
will I even think about a 5-figure list price USB cable? hard to imagine I would but time will tell.
the Select II is said to be optimal with Ethernet. i'll investigate that for myself.
I have to ask MSB about the 'powered' USB question, just have not got around to it.
MSB is about to release a new Ethernet renderer which will do Roon and MQA, maybe in 30 days or so. they will send me one to compare directly to the USB interface. so in the meantime i'll be using USB with the SGM server.
I know there are some great Ethernet cables, and that using optical cables for network cables can also be optimal.
It all depends on a particular application.
Mike: have you bought the DAC without listening it first in your system ?
Correct. Heard it three times at shows
never heard the Trinity dac, even at a show, but loved it. which does not make it the right move, or wrong move.
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I would say congrats, but you ordered yours in black when then have an iron man version that would be a perfect match to the dartzeels. You had your one chance and blew it Mike...
j/k
Congrats now we can have that showdown. Dont sell the Aqua just yet
j/k
Congrats now we can have that showdown. Dont sell the Aqua just yet
I would say congrats, but you ordered yours in black when then have an iron man version that would be a perfect match to the dartzeels. You had your one chance and blew it Mike...
j/k
Congrats now we can have that showdown. Dont sell the Aqua just yet
I've got my quota of red and gold. black is the new black.
and.....bring it on!!!
and I hope that happens.
the Aqua Formula and La Diva are now officially for sale.
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