MSB select II vs all dacs ?

Latik-The Aurenders are great, especially the N10.  If you are enjoying music via streaming then why opt to spend more $$$ on something new.

in_shore  Yep, the source as very important back to the Linn proclamation in the 80s still holds true.

I personally was very surprised in the streaming/digital world how drastically in my room/systems the server and connections from modem to the server and the server connection to the DAC made more of a difference than when I switched DACs.

Anything that I have ever said about this to anyone was always in the context of my system and what I had experienced and really has nothing to do with what others might experience in their systems.

I've NEVER done any direct comparisons between any of the DACs mentioned in this thread.

It is also noted in this thread that Rhapsody.Audio is a dealer for the distributor, WorldWideWholesale.

To clarify Rhapsody.Audio  WAS a dealer for Rockna and In-Akustik but as of a few days we are no longer a dealer for either brand and we have no affiliation whatsoever with WorldWideWholeSales.

i wanted to add my perspective on the Taiko Audio Extreme server, to what Bob from Rhapsody posted above. the Extreme server is a game changer.

and also agree with Bob that the MSB Select II is also the best digital i have heard.

the combination of the Extreme and the MSB Select II in my system makes for remarkable digital performance. and i would add that the Extreme server is better than other servers by a larger, more obvious margin, than the Select II is better than other dacs.....if that makes sense. the Extreme is like a punch in the nose obvious.

the musical advantage of the Select II is more subtle.....and is more apparent over time as everything is just more real, flowing and nuanced.

of course, i’ve not heard everything out there....and especially not heard everything in the context of my system. YMMV.

Just revisiting this thread. It seems pretty much everyone loves the rockna wavedream, esp sig balanced. So for under $20k has anyone heard a dac they enjoyed more?

The Rockna is a very good sounding dac.  I now use the Aqua Formula xHD at $17K and love it. SO many good DAC's now. I actually never hear about a "bad" sounding dac.

Over the last year I personally have come to the conclusion in my system(s) that the server, the network prior to the server AND vibration control all are more important to me vs. what DAC is used.

Again, just my opinion from my experiences, doesn't mean anything to someone else in their rooms, systems, ears etc.