Which is what I've been advocating all along. Both analog and (good) digital can be satisfying in their own ways. To limit yourself to one or the other is, well, limiting
cheers,
alex
MSB Select II arrival
- Thread starter Mike Lavigne
- Start date
Which is what I've been advocating all along. Both analog and (good) digital can be satisfying in their own ways. To limit yourself to one or the other is, well, limiting
cheers,
alex
Hi Matej - have you compared the MSB Select preamplifier section to your Bespoke transformer passive?
Hi Keith,
yes, I have. It brings more fundament and transparency. In connection with my Lamm M1.2 Reference power amplifiers, The Bespoke Audio Company silver passive preamplifier adds few sonic attributes, that are not easily ignorable. I'm still waiting to try the MSB Select directly with the MSB M204 power amplifiers as they were designed to work jointly in synergy (gain wise) and they should be a perfect match.
Which is what I've been advocating all along. Both analog and (good) digital can be satisfying in their own ways. To limit yourself to one or the other is, well, limiting
If you don't have too limited resources to properly entertain both that is. Otherwise trying to stretch out over both digital and analog can be, well -- limiting
If you don't have too limited resources to properly entertain both that is. Otherwise trying to stretch out over both digital and analog can be, well -- limiting
fair enough.
I think the obvious comment/questions, and maybe the reason behind all the questions about how vinyl or tape compares to the Select II, is.......can an analog lover have an MSB Select II and find analog bliss?
and; if I did not have my current analog investment but owned the Select II, would I get into analog still?
if you ask me after a great analog session I would give you one answer. if it's been a week without much analog I would give you another one. too much emotion involved for definative clarity of thought. but that's why it's a passion. maybe if I could not afford, or rationalize, my level of analog commitment, then I'd 'just' own the Select II. where would that 'cut-off' line for being a superior performer to the Select II be? cannot say....there are infinite variables involved.
Mike, like me and others, you've been into analog a lot more time than digital, so it's an unfair dilemma.
Now, had you only ever been into digital, progressed via yr CD12 to PD to Trinity/GG/Formula to Select II, and THEN heard top vinyl, would you swap, well THAT'S a question.
Btw, I'm sorry if I'm appearing more dense than usual, but I can't quite gel with the concept of vinyl rips to digital.
Maybe because I tend to have a linear way of choosing music, a bit Spectrum OCD in terms of sequence, and my library of 2k lps and 1k cds is more manageable than yours.
But I can't get my head around playing rips rather than the lps, all the time you want to listen to those lps.
Now, had you only ever been into digital, progressed via yr CD12 to PD to Trinity/GG/Formula to Select II, and THEN heard top vinyl, would you swap, well THAT'S a question.
Btw, I'm sorry if I'm appearing more dense than usual, but I can't quite gel with the concept of vinyl rips to digital.
Maybe because I tend to have a linear way of choosing music, a bit Spectrum OCD in terms of sequence, and my library of 2k lps and 1k cds is more manageable than yours.
But I can't get my head around playing rips rather than the lps, all the time you want to listen to those lps.
if you found my posts on various forums from 6-7 years ago you would read me saying that I have no interest in any rips of vinyl or tape at all. I just want to listen to the native format. why dumb it down?
but about 4 years ago I started receiving 2xdsd vinyl and tape rips of music I had on vinyl and tape. they would appear on my server. at first I ignored them. eventually I started to listen to them. they got better and better. now they are really quite fine. and, obviously......my digital gear has gotten a lot better.
so I get where you are coming from because I was there with you. in most cases, well ripped vinyl out-performs most other digital. there is just more 'there'. and the golden age analog recordings they come from are many times iconic and spectacular.
For some it is convenience. Much easier to skip the filler tracks on the majority of all releases over the years.
For many, they are all filler. Then again I wouldn't be able to identify any of their songs if I heard them.
I looked for my post about that too, but could not find it...yet. i'll keep digging for it to supply the exact A to D processor used to you when I get it. I may need to call someone.
I can tell you about the tt-arm-cart-phono stage though, as it's close to identical to mine. it's the Wave Kinetics NVS turntable, Ortofon MC Anna cartridge, and Durand Telos 12" tone arm into the darTZeel NHB-18NS preamp with internal phono. my system is slightly different; my NVS sits on a Herzan TS-140 and my Telos is the Sapphire version. recently I acquired the Clearaudio Goldfinger Statement cartridge, and a year ago the 18NS dart pre was replaced by a better version (one reason why more recent vinyl rips are better).
I own almost 100% of the original analog sourced for my rips.
hi Matej,
welcome to the thread.
I saw the Select II on your wonderful website, but did not realize you had purchased it. so congrats yourself.....and thank you for the kind comments.
my delivery was in early June and I'm told I do have the latest software. as I recall it improves the red book quite a bit, and has the dsd 'optimized' setting. I'm very impressed with both redbook and dsd with the Select II.
http://www.msbtechnology.com/select-dac-1-5-1-5-update/
Hi Mike,
Many thanks for the welcome and nice words about the website. Yes, I went forward with purchase of the Select DAC II, but still missing the dual mono power supplies
. The latest upgrade came out few days ago: http://www.msbtech.com/updates/Select_DAC_Rev2_1_Final.wav
It's Version 2.1.2.0 and quite a step up...
Hi Mike,
Many thanks for the welcome and nice words about the website. Yes, I went forward with purchase of the Select DAC II, but still missing the dual mono power supplies
The latest upgrade came out few days ago: http://www.msbtech.com/updates/Select_DAC_Rev2_1_Final.wav
It's Version 2.1.2.0 and quite a step up...
my minds eye tells me I have that latest software. from scrolling through the menu '2.1.2.0' is what I recall seeing. tonight when I get home I will check. thanks for the tip in any case.....I hope I don't and I get a 'free'
performance upgrade.the 'dual mono power supply' is also on my radar. that's the way I heard it at the L.A. Show.
Hi Metej,
Can you tell us what speakers did you use in your review of Lamm M1.2 Reference power amplifiers? http://www.monoandstereo.com/2017/06/lamm-m12-reference-hybrid-power.html Or those you have you used since you carried it.
Earl, assume you mean 'A to D', not 'D to A'....
above a few posts here I mentioned I cannot recall which 'A to D' is used, but I will find out and post about it.....soon.
Hi, I 'm not Mike--he will answer with his recommendations--but just to let you know I digitised 141 LPs with
the HRT Linestreamers--they were superb--sadly I burnt two of them out-ha!--they did superb sonic job though.
My two TT setups used ( Kuzma 4Point +Madake MC / Full Shindo 301 +SPUa MC both into Vendetta 2T MC Phono) were not far off Mikes Reference System so I was very Quality concerned as I'm certain he is.
Anyway ML will tell you his---Good Luck,
BruceD
Add: I used VinylStudio--Cheap, Cheerful and Quirky but Pleased with the Results
Last edited:
Perhaps I can help - as far as I remember it was a Korg MK2000S in 2xDSD. I even bough one on your and Gary Koh advice!
Unfortunately ripping takes a lot of time and I only ripped a few LPs ...Similar threads
 | Steve Williams Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator |  | Ron Resnick Site Co-Owner | Administrator |  | Julian (The Fixer) Website Build | Marketing Managersing |