2. digital
  3. 149728-117859

MSB select II vs all dacs ?

Wherever I read I see unanimous praise for the MSB Select II. Of course this DAC is super pricey and out of the reach of many (including me). I wanted to know for anyone who has heard it have you also heard a DAC that approached it in sonic performance? One name that was thrown around by a few people I know is the  Rockna Wavedream. Anyone make that comparison?
smodtactical
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
@mikelavigne   Can you share the list price for your current DAC 'system' with powerbases, modules, etc. included? 

Realizing there isn't a comparison (you personally found) that could go head to head with your current setup, which other DACs would you say are worth considering, even if second tier, per your experience?

Thank you.
mikelavigne
2,199 posts
 

hello David,

as my Select II sits it would list for $116,450.

other dacs I have enjoyed......in no particular order;

I would not call this second tier; but I prefer what hear from my Select II to what I’ve heard from these. so these are ’less preferred’. I could easily live with any of these.

CH Precision mono dac with clock and 3 power supplies (7 boxes)----it’s more spendy---$150k

Merging Technologies NADAC w/power supply and clock---much better now with the clock and power supply upgrades than my previous experience.----around $60k

there are others I know about but I’ve not heard them recently. I'm doing this off the top of my head. more might come to mind and I will add them.

david_ten
5,480 posts
 
Thank you, Mike. Looking forward to the your additions to the list.

For a trip down memory lane, I have the Found-Music 2A3 amps in my system. I believe you had the same around 8 or so years ago. : )
mikelavigne
2,199 posts
 
David,

oh yes, loved those Found Music 2a3 amps. too bad i did not have the right speakers for them. still on my short list of favorite amps. congrats on owning those. a local friend, member jazdoc, has a 40+ watt set of Found Music mono block amps i do get to hear on a regular basis, and they always sound superb.

i’ll see Scott Sheaffer (Found Music builder/designer) next week. he is almost done with a new DIN cable for my new Durand Tosca tone arm. can’t wait to hear it in the system......and see Scott.
yyzsantabarbara
4,825 posts
 
This is a dealers email comment to me about comparisons he did. So take it for what it is. He liked the Mola Mola Tambaqui over these others listed below.

$90K+ MSB, dCS Vivaldi, Playback Design, Lampizator, D1 Esoteric, Mytek, Berkeley, Aqua , Weiss and a few more I am sure I am forgetting of course PS AUDIO and Auralic Vega

More to discover