2. digital
  3. 1007861999

What's new since the MSB Link DAC III?

I got an MSB Link DAC III and installed an upsampling chip a little over a year ago. I've been very happy with it but I am wondering what (if anything) would be a reasonable and noticeable "move up" from this unit. I have not been keeping up with new products for over a year now. If anybody out there has been keeping up and could reccommend any other DAC's I would appreciate it. Price is not a big concern but I would like to keep it under $1000.00 or so. What beats the MSB in this price range? Any thoughts?
msnloeth
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
I will ditto the Stan Warren upgrade. Very happy with what he did to my Link II.
soix
10,093 posts
 
I had a modified Link DAC and tried an Electronic Visionary Systems Millennium DAC(www.tweakaudio.com). I sold the MSB immediately and haven't looked back. Significant improvements in transparency, dynamics, and soundstage. Try the Millennium DAC II for $1050, and if it doesn't trounce the Link simply send it back, but I doubt you will. Best of luck.

Tim
fineberg
151 posts
 
I was using Dacs in this range and then got a great deal on a Muse Model 296 (they were just discontinued). It is a huge step up from any of these $1000 or so DACs (it was $3500) and uses more up to date technology than any of these others - it uses the same Burr-Brown 24 bit chip as the EVS, but 4 in a push-pull instead of just 2 and instead of the stock crystal upsampler/jitter remover it has a much better DSP section. You can find one for $1200-1500 but it is a DAC you can live with forever (or at least that's the way I feel about it).
sean
6,231 posts
 
Fineberg, there are benefits to going push-pull and there are drawbacks. While one type of distortion is reduced due to increased linearity and cancellation, another is increased due to "crossing over". One could "piggyback" two dac chips per channel ( 4 total ) and lower ALL of the distortions involved. This approach also keeps the support circuitry simpler. There are a few manufacturers using this approach with good success. I've found that using high grade parts in simple circuits with less filtering is the way to go with DAC's. This approach retains more of the natural "liquidity" of recordings while minimizing the "soul-less" / "over-processed" sound that most digital is known for. Then again, almost ANY design can work well if it is carefully planned out, uses high quality parts and is properly implemented. The Muse is probably one of those type of designs. Sean
>
More to discover