The Digital Director - A new MSB product improving everything from the source to the output

[Bones13]

That’s what one would indeed expect if you read the marketing comms about the DD and indeed what one would conclude for the Quad USB module. One little problem though for the AES input: on the latest Premier version, the AES is fixed on the standard input/output module. So, the question is if the S/PDIF and AES inputs will be ”steered” by the DD throug the Pro-ISL link.
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I emailed MSB about this question. I’m loving my MSB Premier DAC. I use Renderer v2 for Roon, using a NUC running ROCK in the server room. (OK the upper shelf in my wife’s closet where the cable modem and router/switch are already) I also use TOSLink from my TV for video watching, and the RCA SPDIF for a Sonos Port input.

Back on track. All the fixed SPDIF inputs on the Premier DAC are disabled by the Premier Digital Director. I was told that the DD comes with the 2 optical modules that fill the slots open on the Premier DAC, and an SPDIF module to plug into the DD. When I order the DD (pending spousal approval) I’ll also get the Quad Rate USB for connection from a computer. That will leave one expansion slot open for any unexpected new modules such as an HDMI input, or the module I suggested to them: a phono input module. (RIAA circuit, then A2D to feed into the DAC)

 

[Vince Galbo]

Hello, Vince Galbo here. All input modules that were in the Premier DAC move to the Premier Director. The Premier Director will come with your choice of either an RCA coax or AES/XLR input module that gets installed in the Director. Please let me know if I have answered your question or if you have any other questions. Thanks for the copy!

 

[Brucemck2]

Nice to hear from you Vince.

What’s the approximate latency of a Reference with the Director in the chain? My reason for asking is to see if it’d work with the available distance delay in a system also used for home theater.

 

[Vince Galbo]

Thank you, and thank you for your question. Our DACs have a "video mode" button on the remote that reduces the latency for video. The video mode should be turned off again for critical listening.

 

[Emorante]

Hi Vince, speaking of video, I'm waiting for a software fix to be able to continue using the bypass function, as I did before introducing the digital director to my reference system.

 

[Bones13]

My Premier Digital Director has been shipped!

 

[Bones13]

Installed Premier DD today, absolutely worth the upgrade.

Thanks MSB!

 

[Young Skywalker]

Installed Premier DD today, absolutely worth the upgrade.

Thanks MSB!

Agree, 100%!

 

[Daniel Gullman]

Installed Premier DD today, absolutely worth the upgrade.

Thanks MSB!

Cheers! As a fellow Premier owner I concur

 

[Ron Resnick]

Installed Premier DD today, absolutely worth the upgrade.

Thanks MSB!

Congratulations! What sonic differences/improvements do you hear?

 

[Bones13]

I notice more precision, and separation. It’s not like the Premier DAC has a veil, or haze, but it does become more clear with the DD. I’m not very eloquent in this arena, but I found it impressive to improve a very good DAC.

 

[Ron Resnick]

Thank you!

 

[shawnf]

Cheers! As a fellow Premier owner I concur

Hi Dan!

I have a first generation Premier DAC and am looking to upgrade. Given my limited budget, which one of the below upgrades would give me the biggest return in sound quality.

1. Femto93 clock upgrade
2. Premier Digital Director

My source is an Antipodes CX.

Cheers
ShawnF

 

[Daniel Gullman]

Hi Dan!

I have a first generation Premier DAC and am looking to upgrade. Given my limited budget, which one of the below upgrades would give me the biggest return in sound quality.

1. Femto93 clock upgrade
2. Premier Digital Director

My source is an Antipodes CX.

Cheers
ShawnF

Hello Shawn!

Out of those two upgrades, I think the Digital director will have the most impact. Instead of improving a current components performance like the clock, it will instead add an entirely new feature set. The new DSP's in the digital director are able to use more advanced digital filters that have a dramatic impact on the sound. And of course, the isolation with the Antipodes will be invaluable.

Feel free to message me with any questions!

 

[Daniel Gullman]

I notice more precision, and separation. It’s not like the Premier DAC has a veil, or haze, but it does become more clear with the DD. I’m not very eloquent in this arena, but I found it impressive to improve a very good DAC.

That sounds spot on! It seems to me like you are more experienced in this arena than you think

With the lower noise floor from the DD isolation, more fine details are able to be experienced. With the addition of those details, and the better separation provided by the new digital filters, the soundstage and presentation really come to life.

 

[RdW]

I emailed MSB about this question. I’m loving my MSB Premier DAC. I use Renderer v2 for Roon, using a NUC running ROCK in the server room. (OK the upper shelf in my wife’s closet where the cable modem and router/switch are already) I also use TOSLink from my TV for video watching, and the RCA SPDIF for a Sonos Port input.

Back on track. All the fixed SPDIF inputs on the Premier DAC are disabled by the Premier Digital Director. I was told that the DD comes with the 2 optical modules that fill the slots open on the Premier DAC, and an SPDIF module to plug into the DD. When I order the DD (pending spousal approval) I’ll also get the Quad Rate USB for connection from a computer. That will leave one expansion slot open for any unexpected new modules such as an HDMI input, or the module I suggested to them: a phono input module. (RIAA circuit, then A2D to feed into the DAC)

A bit late but have to agree with you, I really like my Premier DAC and am sure I didn't get the most out of to yet. I recently changed my pre-amp that have showed again how sensitive MSB is for the up and down stream equipment. The better these become, the more you here of what the Premier is capable off. I'm sure the new Cascade must me proving a much more analogue like sound, but it is financially a big step. So next step for me is the DD for my premier.

I indeed understood that I need to order a new AES/EBU unit as the fixed one in the DAC itself needs to stay there. Still need to order it. But it wil happen as I learn more and more that it is worth the investment depending on how the Primer is surrounded with other high quality equipment. One of them the pre-amp. I appreciate it that MSB claims that they have a wonderfull "in-house" pre-amp, but I just love the sound of my own.

 

[RdW]

Hello, Vince Galbo here. All input modules that were in the Premier DAC move to the Premier Director. The Premier Director will come with your choice of either an RCA coax or AES/XLR input module that gets installed in the Director. Please let me know if I have answered your question or if you have any other questions. Thanks for the copy!

Yes you did Vince. Appreciated.

 

[RdW]

That sounds spot on! It seems to me like you are more experienced in this arena than you think

With the lower noise floor from the DD isolation, more fine details are able to be experienced. With the addition of those details, and the better separation provided by the new digital filters, the soundstage and presentation really come to life.

Thanks Daniel.

I'm a very happy user of the Premier DAC and the DD will come. I really am, but if I may please, the only thing I wished for, and good to see this happens with the Cascade, is that the standard power DC cables between the Powerbase and the DAC and these "Synology" connectors would have ben of better quality. Maybe already to the level of the Reference. I have after-market DC cables a the difference is clearly audible, but don't dare to change the "Synology" connectors though....

Cheers.

 

[Bones13]

@RdW - the built in digital inputs on the Premier DAC are disabled when the DD is connected and turned on. (The DAC goes into Digital Director mode)

With the DD come two modules for the fiber optic control, and data cables. These 2 modules go into the DAC. You get one SPDIF module (RCA+TOSLINK or AES) with the DD, be sure to mention your choice when you order.

 

[itay123]

The addition of the Digital Director is critical to the final results.

same as above
I added the DD to my Premier recently
And I immediately felt it
More clear, much more air, the position of the instruments is even more noticeable, higher homogeneous in the lower area
which actually affects the entire spectrum.