The Discrete DAC by MSB Technology - Implementation Done Right

For as far as I can recall, the digital domain in HiFi seems like a continuously fluid search for an end-state. If it’s not the digital format, it’s the streaming format. On top of that is the reproduction of the music via coding and decoding.  I have always had a central DAC unit for my various digital sources but in the past few years, I’ve  settled on an all-in-one solution with the HiFi ROSE RS150, McIntosh MCD350 and SONY HAP Z1ES. Maybe because I have too many boxes on the rack :). I have been content with this new way of listening..... until....

Having the The Discrete DAC by MSB Technology for about a month reminded me on how having a separate DAC can make a whole lot of difference. 

Introduction

The unit is built around MSB Technology Prime DAC modules which provide flexibility towards future formats and upgrades. This module is unique to MSB as they are custom, in-house made modules that can take on various formats in a fully balanced design. It goes up to 6 MHz for PCM and 50 MHz for DSD.

Quoted from their website, the key highlights of the Prime DAC modules are:

● Fully Balanced design down to the conversion point.

●   No buffers, IV converter, or transistors in the signal path. No active devices after conversion at all.

●   Dynamically configurable between a discrete native DSD, or discrete native PCM DAC. The DAC has two modes:a multibit PCM mode and a massive parallel single-bit discrete DSD mode.

● Based off a discrete ladder DAC design far beyond the performance of a basic R2R architecture.

●Each DAC module is individually shielded and thermally bonded for stringent temperature control.

●Multiple DACs per channel for increased performance and lower output impedance.

●    Each DAC module is individually tested and then hand-matched with our rigorous automated measurement system.

The Built and Specifications

The Discrete DAC is sturdy, and beautifully designed. Don't be fooled by its slim chassis. It weighs about 8 kg excluding the power supply. The power supply is another 3.7 kg. Oh yes, it is a 2-box set up. 

The front fascia includes a screen with bright white LED to display information of the source (viewable from far and from an angle), a volume dial and 3 buttons for input selections and menu. Customers have a choice of a silver or black anodised finishing of the chassis.

On the back, the unit comes with a plethora of inputs. The model that was loaned to me was an upgraded unit that comes with a USB to fibre converter and input. The basic Discrete DAC unit however already comes with:

Inputs

• 1 x RCA coaxial
• 1 XLR
• 1 x World Sync
• 2 x Toslink
• 2 x Advanced Isolated input module slots (for this loan unit, the Pro USB module was installed and a Pro ISL brick was also provided)

A little bit on the Pro USB unit. It acts as a converter from a USB cable to fibre optic. The advantage of this approach:

● Complete electrical isolation

● Up to 31 bit - 768 kHz

● MQA decoding

● Up to 8X DS

● Up to 1km lossles transmission

Output

1. 1 x balanced XLR (sorry no RCA single ended as this unit is fully balanced)

I will not dwell too much on this as more information can be obtained here.

The Set Up

I focused mainly on streaming with different sources - The HiFi ROSE RS150 and the Roon Nucleus. Both units were connected to The Discrete DAC using AA Audio USB cables.

All MQA decoding is done by The Discrete DAC as I disabled on both streaming sources.

The rest of the set up includes the McIntosh MA9000 integrated amp, PMC Twenty5.26i speakers, Ansuz power switch and speaker cables.

The Music

1. The Sound of Silence - QOBUZ
2. Always Remember Us This Way - TIDAL MQA
3. Take Five by Kenichi Tsunoda Big Band  - TIDAL MQA
4. Japanese Roots by Takadake - TIDAL 44.1 KHz
5. Dosa by Slumber Sonic - TIDAL 44.1 KHz

 The Session

For this review, it will be based on using Roon Nucleus as the source. I did find that the source itself also plays a big role on how the MSB performs. Using the Roon Nucleus as the source provided a livelier and overall wholesome experience.

I started off with The Sound of Silence, a track that pushes the limit on the listener's engagement as this track is a simple track with very little instruments. The vocal sounded really deep but at the same time fills up my living room and envelops my overall listening experience. With The Discrete DAC, the little details of the guitar still shines as each note came out with much clarity. Simple song it is but the Discrete DAC still managed to deliver a very engaging performance.

The Sound of Silence

Remember Us This Way

The second track is by Lady Gaga - Always Remember Us This Way on TIDAL MQA with The DIscrete DAC doing the unfolding. This track was recorded with a 'live' atmosphere, and is a highly charged emotional experience. A good system needs to be able to convey this intimacy. The Discrete DAC managed to retain the live experience while still showcasing Lady Gaga's powerful and unique vocals. Again, a high level of clarity is one of the key strengths here. The different tones to the vocals were clear and at the same time the drums, piano and guitar were not drowned by her vocals.

Take Five by Kenichi Tsunoda Big Band

The 3rd track is the uptempo version of Take Five by Kenichi Tsunoda Big Band. To me this track is more complex than the original version by Dave Brubeck with respect to the musical instruments used in this composition. The bass on this track is not as deep as Dave Brubeck so this listening session focused more on the highs and mids. With The Discrete DAC, the highs and mids from the instruments sounded sweet and luscious enough to draw the attention of the listeners. On a wrong set up, the mixture of saxaphone, ride cymbals, snare drum can be ear-pinching for some. Not with the Discrete though. It delivered this song with airy, luscious highs and mids. It’s no slouch in the bass department as well. With all that’s going on with the instruments, the bass drum and double were still evident enough to be heard and gave even more wholesome experience. But not quite there yet.

Japanese Roots

I still needed to experience a good bass reproduction. While Take Five by Dave Brubeck will usually do the trick for me, I opted for this track as I enjoy the highs and mids coming from The Discrete DAC. With all the wind instruments on this track, again it could have leaned towards bright and sharp but no. It retains its airiness, liveliness and sweet, luscious mids and highs. The bass was more revealing compared to Take Five. The Discrete DAC gave that extra punch to this track. Hard hitting, punchy and solid bass.

Dosa

Ok ok...so all my listening sessions revolve around well recorded tracks, hi-res or MQA streaming, in addition to jazz or ballads. Now this last track is Dosa by my own band Slumber Sonic. Recorded, mixed and mastered at home during the lockdown. This track is our 3rd single but the only one that was not mastered in the USA. So, how did The Discrete DAC treat this track? The overall listening experience was still leaning towards a huge soundstage, airy with high clarity. The highs and mids remains to sound luscious and sweet. Even the guitar solo sounded engaging for a drummer :). I could use with a little bit more slam on the bass, especially the intro where I played a lot of toms and bass drum. The snare drum sounded dispersed as intended and so does the sound of cymbals; crisp but tight.

The Conclusion

Investing into a dedicated DAC is no doubt will bring a different listening experience. However, I have a number of DACs that have gone through my system that I found to make my system sounded harsh. With The Discrete DAC, I did find a new level of excitement and listening experience in my own set up.  To me, this boils down to the proper topography and implementation of the whole circuitry in The Discrete DAC. Its not just about the Prime DAC but the whole design.

The idea of converting USB to fibre optic also somehow makes a different to me. In my main profession in oil and gas industry, I use a lot of fibre optics as well for a better downhole to surface communication and data transmission and somehow, similar to this converter, it 'improves' the data transmission from my Roon Nucleus and HiFiROSE RS150.

Whatever it is MSB Technology have done and put into this unit, the sound it produces is just musical and overall wholesome covering across different spectrum. Really love this highs and mids. The airiness is so refreshing and I just more engaged to music. On the lows, it might still be heavily dependent on the track and also the system.

For a demo or further enquiry, you can contact Statement Systems Sdn Bhd in PJ. Please call +60124733005 for demos and enquiries