Very, very promising. The noise level dropped significantly. Needs burn in, even if it doesn’t have huge caps like an amp. Do you have both Quadrate USB and Pro USB?
The Digital Director - A new MSB product improving everything from the source to the output
- Thread starter CKKeung
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No, I have the ProUSB, but have mostly used the RendererV2 on my Reference and now the SelectII. On my Reference DAC, ran from an Antipodes K50, the ProUSB was marginally better (in some aspects, but not all) than the RendererV2 ran from a fanless Xeon server running Windows Server2019 in core mode in another room. In the end, I preferred not having the PC in audio room and went back to the RendererV2.
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May I ask, how can you tell? Was the noise floor noticeable or obtrusive before?
What was the sound or the nature of the noise floor level that you were hearing before which has now dropped significantly?
Thank you.
As you probably know, and as you prefer the SQ of the RendererV2, if you stream you can skip the server, by installing BubbleUPnP in an Android device. I must work harder on mine. At a first glance it was the module that less progressed here, with the DD. But you will find out which one you like best, shortly. Before the arrival of the Extreme, the Renderer was also my first choice.
Hello Ron,
Before was already very good, letting me hear the details recorded in very low level amplitude signals. But now you can hear new ones, not yet discovered. The decay of the piano notes are longer, and there’s more air around the musicians. Lastly I found my self cranking up the volume, listening songs that did hurt my ears at lower level, I mean 3 db less. So far the DD has been a wonderful experienc.
How did the sound change going from Renderer without the Extreme to, I presume, the ProUSB with the Extreme? The differences I heard between the same comparison, but with using the Antipodes K50, were relatively minor, definitely not of the "wow, it's noticeably more realistic/believable/transport you to the venue or transport the musicians to your room" kind of thing.
The ProUSB had a slightly "cleaner" sound, revealing just a smidge more low-level detail, whereas the Renderer had a slightly more cohesive sound. Ultimately, both were great and would have been happy with either. The Renderer just allowed me to keep another box out of the audio room.
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I completely agree with you about the description of the characteristics of the SQ of the Renderer and the ProUSB. But the “guilty” of the change was the Extreme. Maybe I can’t explain it for you. It’s more meaty, more round and the bass is cleaner and punchier. And more even “guilty “ is XDMS. Sorry but, you must hear it for your self as I don’t know how to put that felling into words.
I think you explained it well, Amsan. Meatier, rounder, cleaner bass is easily understood, and as long as meatier doesn’t also mean muddier, then that is almost always a step toward more realism, or at a minimum, more enjoyment. Thanks for the description.
I am running ethernet to the Renderer module (in the Reference DD) but I expect that the Quadrate USB module inside the DD would sound the same, or marginally superior to, the ProUSB module (used with any USB source). Why? The latter is powered by the USB source while the former is powered by an onboard linear PS. They both (DD and ProUSB) use the same optical isolation technology. Does doubling up on this optical isolation technology (Pro USB into ProISL module inside the DD) make things better, worse, or the same sonically? I expect that one would hear no difference, in which case, the cleaner and more elegant installation would be the Quadrate USB module inside the DD. IF your USB source was located a long distance from your MSB DAC then a strong case could be made from using (or continuing to use) the ProUSB with a long optical cable.
What I can share is that here, in my room and with my gear, all the modules sound different. I was wrong when I thought that the Renderer would be the one that more would benefit from the DD in the game. It isn’t. Why? I don’t know but maybe because it still is a PC with an Atom processor, to much power hungry, and influences negatively the DD environment, like it did when in the DAC. Anyway, in my case the Renderer is only for streaming and I still like more to listen to local files. After my survey I ended up to choose the Extreme output USB direct to the Quad Rate USB module and filter ON, as my best SQ finding.
Just posting this here, stumbled upon this while researching the DD. Here is a long conversation between Vince Galbo and Mike from Suncoast Audio, a dealer of MSB based out of Florida.
Not sure if there is any new information which is not already stated here, but I thought it would fit here for anyone interested.
Not sure if there is any new information which is not already stated here, but I thought it would fit here for anyone interested.
My recent audition of the DD and the Westminster Lab dc cables :
www.whatsbestforum.com
MSB Select Digital Director and Westminster Lab upgrade dc cables : The throne of MSB Select DAC secured!
During the past 3+ years of pandemic, hi-end audio manufacturers have not stayed status quo. There are either new lines or new upgrades launched for their flagship models : CH Precision - C1.2 Upgrade. dCS - Apex Upgrade. Totaldac - the new series of Unity/Triunity/Sublime DACs. Lampizator - the...
www.whatsbestforum.com
CK, thanks for posting. What input method was he using prior to inserting the DD? What input is he using on the DD?My recent audition of the DD and the Westminster Lab dc cables :
MSB Select Digital Director and Westminster Lab upgrade dc cables : The throne of MSB Select DAC secured!
During the past 3+ years of pandemic, hi-end audio manufacturers have not stayed status quo. There are either new lines or new upgrades launched for their flagship models : CH Precision - C1.2 Upgrade. dCS - Apex Upgrade. Totaldac - the new series of Unity/Triunity/Sublime DACs. Lampizator - the...
Still the Renderer V2 module in his Select DAC.
Before getting the Extreme Server, he had Select Transport+Powerbase for silver discs and CAS with QNAP HS-453DX fanless NAS and Ubiquiti switch.
Hi:
Regular observer, not much of a poster here.
Wonderfully enjoyable thread. Very thoughtful. And informative.
My Ref DD was installed this past Monday. I’m away from it for another 8 days. So I’m counting on this thread to keep me connected to what I remember hearing for the 2 1/2 days I spent with it so far. Initial impressions made both me and the dealer literally laugh out loud. In a good way!
Armsan, please advise how much time was needed for yours to fully settle into your system?
Thanks!
Popspin
Regular observer, not much of a poster here.
Wonderfully enjoyable thread. Very thoughtful. And informative.
My Ref DD was installed this past Monday. I’m away from it for another 8 days. So I’m counting on this thread to keep me connected to what I remember hearing for the 2 1/2 days I spent with it so far. Initial impressions made both me and the dealer literally laugh out loud. In a good way!
Armsan, please advise how much time was needed for yours to fully settle into your system?
Thanks!
Popspin
Pospin, thanks for sharing. Which DAC was the Ref DD added to and can you share a description of what you heard?
Hi divertiti: DAC is a Reference.
Listening impressions, as best I can express them, are still to come. I will finally be able to listen to the DAC again starting early next week. Can’t wait!
This is a tremendously informative video. I’ve not heard a better explanation. Well done Vince Galbo and Mike Bovaird!
Ken
Ken
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