New MSB Cascade DAC

[battles]

For most preamp use I recommend setting menu setting called "startup volume" to "volume disabled". You need to scroll up to past "100" in the "startup volume" menu.
For some preamps that clip their input buffers a setting of 90-94 can help significantly with those preamps. Its a fairly easy test, if your preamp sounds better on a loud track at 90 than at 100 then you can set the "startup volume" to between 90-94 for better compatibility with that preamp.

Hi Dustin. Is it possible to set custom start up volumes for each input? Or for those inputs that are bypassed, set the Cascade volume at which they are bypassed (for example, have the ability to designate the bypassed volume for Analog XLR 1as being 93). If not, this ability would be immensely helpful.

Thanks,
Blake

 

[Dustin Symanski]

There is the ability to set analog inputs to unity gain, called "bypass", but there is no way to trim individual inputs. The use of the "bypass" is for home theater applications where an external home theater processor does multichannel volume control for all multichannel sources when enabled.

 

[battles]

Thanks, Dustin. Is there a way to set the bypass “gain” on the Cascade? So if a bypass gain setting of 92db sounds better than 98 db, that can be set in the Cascade software?

 

[Dustin Symanski]

Thanks, Dustin. Is there a way to set the bypass “gain” on the Cascade? So if a bypass gain setting of 92db sounds better than 98 db, that can be set in the Cascade software?

No, each analog input can only be either volume controlled or bypassed. But I am curious why you would be using the analog inputs if your are also using a preamp.
If the question you are asking is if you can use the internal volume control to have better performance with a preamp that clips on its input buffers, yes you can. Just set the startup volume of the DAC to your desired setting, say 93, and then don't use the volume on the DAC. When the DAC starts up it will be at 93 and stay there. Then use the volume control of your preamp. There is however no way to "lock" a volume setting other than "volume disabled".

 

[battles]

Thanks, Dustin. In my specific case, my headfi amp sounds best with the gain lower than the Cascade’s default bypass gain setting. And I don’t want to set the master start up volume for all inputs to 93 (otherwise when listening to the Cascade’s (also serves as my preamp) pro USB/ISL input, I’ll need to lower the volume to a comfortable volume level below 93. If it is an easy feature to add, it would be nice if MSB enabled custom start up or bypassed volume for each input.

 

[rau]

Received my AES/EBU module and have been comparing to Pro USB for the last week . I even had a blind test done and passed all 10 tests . In my system AES is superior. This shows everyone hears diffrent and not everyone's system is the same .

Inakustik Digital-2405 Air Pure Silver XLR/AES - N30 External clock enabled​

 

[sunnysideOC]

AES/EBU was clearly better over the USB to my ears. When the clocking cable was added to the Aurender, even better.
Then, the stock umbilicals were changed to Synergistic Research SRX MSB spec umbilicals. Amazing.

 

[sunnysideOC]

AES/EBU was clearly better over the USB to my ears. When the clocking cable was added to the Aurender, even better.
Then, the stock umbilicals were changed to Synergistic Research SRX MSB spec umbilicals. Amazing.

Umbilical upgrade was for the Select DAC not cascade.

 

[SoundsGreat]

I have the Cascade with M500 monos, Aurender N20 and Estelon Forza - all work together very well, frequently get the sensation the singer is in the room with you just 6-8 feet in front. Also amazing how some instruments or voices seem panned high or low, near or far, not only left - right - or center.

 

[mxk116]

I have the Cascade with M500 monos, Aurender N20 and Estelon Forza - all work together very well, frequently get the sensation the singer is in the room with you just 6-8 feet in front. Also amazing how some instruments or voices seem panned high or low, near or far, not only left - right - or center.

A wonderful combination you are enjoying.

I recently heard the Cascade triumvirate at the local MSB dealer. They were doing a bit of "break-in" on the Cascade before installation at it's new owner. A wonderfully refined and musical combination without a trace of artifice. I have admired MSB products but have not desired them however the Cascade is a different beast. Enjoy the music!

 

[Popspin]

I have the Cascade with M500 monos, Aurender N20 and Estelon Forza - all work together very well, frequently get the sensation the singer is in the room with you just 6-8 feet in front. Also amazing how some instruments or voices seem panned high or low, near or far, not only left - right - or center.

Hi: Forza’s here too. Love them. Currently a Ref/DD. Gryphon. Will be hearing the Cascade at FL audio show later this week. As it is, I’m already more than pleased. Still, I’m looking forward to plenty of demo time with the new DAC.

 

[gleeds]

Hi: Forza’s here too. Love them. Currently a Ref/DD. Gryphon. Will be hearing the Cascade at FL audio show later this week. As it is, I’m already more than pleased. Still, I’m looking forward to plenty of demo time with the new DAC.

Popspin, it's good to see you online here, and I'm super glad you're having so much fun with your new system. Sorry, I will miss you in Tampa; however, Dallas, then Axpona, followed immediately by Munich, meant one of the shows needed to drop off the calendar. Have fun!

 

[Popspin]

Popspin, it's good to see you online here, and I'm super glad you're having so much fun with your new system. Sorry, I will miss you in Tampa; however, Dallas, then Axpona, followed immediately by Munich, meant one of the shows needed to drop off the calendar. Have fun!

Hi Gary: good to “see” you here too!
We will find some time on one of your trips in my direction.
I expect very successful shows for you. Always look forward to what you and Damon put together.
Enjoy!

 

[Popspin]

MSB was at the FL Int’l Audio Expo. I heard the Cascade in MSB’s room with Vince’s usual attention to set up. The playlist hit some favs and some well known cuts.
I’ve never been a Magico fan but these 6 year old M2’s (S5’s on order) sounded unlike Magico’s I’ve previously experienced. I know the new S5 sounds different. But this M2 didn’t put a foot wrong. The Cascade was a big factor. Hidden in the back was a Gryphon PowerZone. I know exactly what that was contributing.
Also heard the Cascade in a couple other rooms including the big Clarisys room. Impressive there too. And , for MSB owners, Pink Faun is sending their fiber connection cars (replaces usb) to MSB for their analysis. This means the sound I heard in the Clarisys room, good as it was, should be st another level using this new connection. Yes, I know Taiko is doing the same. The PF solution is usable with their entire range of servers.
Fun stuff.

 

[gleeds]

A quick shout out to my friends and colleagues Walter Swanbon of Fidelis and Walter Schofield Nexus for their ambitious introduction of the Oneirous loudspeaker at FLAX. Good luck fellas!

 

[Popspin]

A quick shout out to my friends and colleagues Walter Swanbon of Fidelis and Walter Schofield Nexus for their ambitious introduction of the Oneirous loudspeaker at FLAX. Good luck fellas!

I saw this yesterday. Very ambitious and impressive.

 

[matthias]

The PF solution is usable with their entire range of servers.

The upcoming Scion server doesn't work with the ProISL card:

MSB DAC Owners – News on new MSB and Pink Faun Collaboration

Hi Everyone, I recently had a great conversation with Dave Weintraub, the U.S. Brand Manager for Pink Faun, and he shared some exciting news—something truly special is on the horizon for MSB DAC owners. Pink Faun is set to introduce a groundbreaking new ISL interface that connects via the MSB...

www.whatsbestforum.com

 

[Popspin]

Oh,

The upcoming Scion server doesn't work with the ProISL card:

MSB DAC Owners – News on new MSB and Pink Faun Collaboration

Hi Everyone, I recently had a great conversation with Dave Weintraub, the U.S. Brand Manager for Pink Faun, and he shared some exciting news—something truly special is on the horizon for MSB DAC owners. Pink Faun is set to introduce a groundbreaking new ISL interface that connects via the MSB...

www.whatsbestforum.com

thank you! I made a mistake. I meant to say the card would be useable with all MSB DAC’s.
Appreciate the correction.

 

[rau]

I have been comparing the MSB Cascade and Lampizator Horizon 360 for a few weeks now . They are both excellent DACS and I have nothing to say neg about either one . I could be happy with either one , but I decided to keep the Cascade . I honestly thought about just keeping both but its not in the budget at this time to many projects in the works . The Lampizator Horizon 360 or 360 upgrade is worth the cost and sounds remarkable .

 

[Narayan]

I have been comparing the MSB Cascade and Lampizator Horizon 360 for a few weeks now . They are both excellent DACS and I have nothing to say neg about either one . I could be happy with either one , but I decided to keep the Cascade . I honestly thought about just keeping both but its not in the budget at this time to many projects in the works . The Lampizator Horizon 360 or 360 upgrade is worth the cost and sounds remarkable .

Hello rau, what made you pick the Cascade over the Horizon 360?