I’d forgotten about the MSB Discrete. I will check it out. The dealer near me where I will go to audition the Aurender also carries MSB. Will give it a listen.
Aurender Model Choices
Before I ask my question let me provide some context.
My system includes the following:
New MacBook Air Running itunes/Music serving hundreds of stored CDs
Macbook connected to my Benchmark DAC3 via Audioquest Coffee USB Cable
DAC balanced connection to Benchmark HPA4 PreAmp
PreAmp balanced connection to Benchmark ABH2 Amp
Benchmark Amp connected to Harbeth C7es-XD Speakers
This configuration has provided a neutral clean, and balanced sound. Really no complaints. However I wanted to add Streaming. So I Signed up for Qobuz and downloaded the App to my MacBook. Using WiFi I found that the Qobuz stream offered superior sound quality to my local CD library. Even Redbook CD quality was better plus the HiRes albums were really good
So now I need to get a dedicated Streamer. Using the MacBook is not convenient and from what I’ve read a Streamer should offer additional SQ enhancement. I’ve done a lot of research and really like the Aurender products plus when I recently purchased my speakers I auditioned them with an Aurender Model 100. The sound was excellent. I plan to go back in a few weeks to audition the $6k N200 model. I’m sure it will sound very good but I will be left wondering what does the N20 sound like? How much better can it be for another $6K? Unfortunately my dealer doesn’t have one to audition and neither does any other dealer near me. I’ve read comments on several forums that the N20 is twice as good as the N200 or that the N200 is nipping at the heals of the N20 or that the N20 just offers a 20% increase in SQ or the N20 blows the N200 out of the water. Without a side by side audition I’m struggling with paying twice the price without a demonstrable and significant SQ improvement. I would expect a SQ that once heard I could never settle for the less expensive model. In my recent experience a more expensive model does’t always win. When buying my speakers I auditioned the Harbeth C7es-XD and the more expensive 30.2 XD model. After almost an hour of back and forth I preferred the lower priced model.
So to conclude has anyone had the opportunity to audition the N20 and N200 together?
If so please Specifically what if any SQ differences did you hear and were they worth an additional $6k?
As I listen to my system streaming from my MacBook with wonderfully smooth, clean HiRes sound I wonder can I actually get significantly more improvement for $6k or $12K?
Thanks for any info and experiences you can provide.
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@audphile1 Bingo! 😆 This hifi game is serious business when it should be a simple hoppy for fun! @jfrmusic Keep in mind the MSB DACs do not come equipped with a USB input. MSB is a modular DAC and they chose not to include the USB module as many MSB owners prefer the AES input. I bought the MSB Quadrate USB module directly from MSB to demo and the AES outperformed the USB module, given the (3) different USB cables I tried with it. It’s hard to try all the different variations of cables and options unless you have a dealer that’s going to let you borrow it, you own it or you’re willing to buy it with an option to return. They do offer an MSB ProISL interface which works in conjunction with their MSB Pro USB input. That’s supposed to be superior to the standard Quadrate USB input that I ended up returning to MSB. I listen to 90% traditional jazz and the AES input, plus the Acoustic Zen Absolute AES cable, was simply dead silent and produced the most realistic bass and acoustic instrument presentation I have heard in my system. I spent days and hours critically listening to the same tunes while switching back in forth inputs and cables. I conducted blind tests with my brother who could care less about all this hifi stuff and he clearly heard the difference. He was surprised how a single cable was producing a different sound. The dealer will explain the MSB DAC features and options to you. Lastly, I paid way less than what the Discrete DAC costs brand new. Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t have bought it when I did. |
@audphile1 Thanks for the warning @dbt Thanks for all the MSB info. MSB may be too much for me at this point.
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@jfrmusic, Please remember that The next MSB Premier DAC upgrade requires a $14,500 expenditure, another box, more cables, etc. Of course, I understand that technology dictates the upgrade requirements to achieve the next level of sound quality and the associated price. My Bricasti M21 DAC upgrade was for a new board. My Cost was $1,000 and the sound quality was ‘substantially’ improved. This upgrade makes sense and is an example of Bricasti supporting its customers purchase and investment. I know MSB Technology is about innovation, advanced design, state of the art products, etc. The Director upgrade price for their more expensive MSB DAC models are around $24,500. |
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