Hi Fellow MSB Select Owners,
I'm likely the newest member of the MSB Select Club and had a few questions for those who are already members of the MSB Select family. I'm in the process of being rebuilding my system, and while my system is coming together over the next several months, I'd deeply value your feedback with regard to the questions I pose below. As you've already encountered these decisions yourselves, your input will undoubtedly save me some time (Mike L. you've been very gracious in sharing your personal POV's with me so no need to expend any more energy weighing in!)!
First off, as it stands now, my "pro forma" system is as follows:
MSB Select w/ dual power bases and Femto 33 (using Select as a pre)
MSB S202 200 watt stereo amplifier (arriving soon)
Spiral Groove SG1.1 TT with SG Tone Arm with Ortofon Anna
ARC Reference Phono 10 phonostage
Goebel Divin Marquis (arriving early spring)
Goebel Statement ICs and speaker cable (arriving soon)
Combination of Nordost Odin, Goebel and Sainline system power cables
Torus 12KVA Home Power Conditioner w/ Shunyata Denali 6000v2 at rack
HRS Platform and Racks w/ Voodoo Audio ISO-Pads
Etherregen, w/ external clock and PSU
Here are my questions I'd welcome feedback on:
1. Have any Select owners done extensive comparisons between reference ethernet cables used between the network switch and Select's Rendererv2? I understand that the Dalby and Goebel cables are amazing...for those who've tried both, which one is best, and by how wide of a margin? I see that Shunyata recently announced an OPUS version of their ethernet cable...I wonder if it's in the same league?
2. How sensitive is the Select to power cable brand / quality? I have quite a few Reference Sainline System power cables which were highly recommended for my former Audio Research equipment. However, I don not know how they'll sound on the Select. Would certainly prefer not to spend more $s swapping to a different brand if I can avoid it!
3. I'm at a crossroads with regard to whether I keep my vinyl front end vs. using the Select as my only source. I'd love to simplify my life by going 100% digital if the Select's sonic performance will be very close to the caliber of my analog front end (i.e. a $75K vs. an uber expensive analog system). That said, for those Select owners who also own a vinyl reference analog front end, how has the Select affected your listening time split between digital and analog? Moreover, when you are listening to vinyl, is because of it sonic superiority over the Select, or just to occasionally switch things up? Lastly, has the sonic quality and convenience of the Select resulted in any owners abandoning their vinyl systems altogether?
4. How sensitive is the Select to the power conditioner it's plugged into? I have the new Shunyata Denali 6000v2 on order - it fits my space constraints vs. other brands/models - however, if others have not had good results using Shunyata with the Select, please let me know.
5. I've heard from MSB that that the gauge of power cable used between one's breaker panel and power receptacles can have a dramatic impact on the performance of the Select. Currently, I have cryo'd 10 gauge romex in 100ft lengths feeding dedicated outlets from my Torus 12KVA wall mounted PC/breaker panel. I've been told that replacing the 10 gauge romex for 6 gauge romex would make a big sonic difference. However, replacing this would be a big undertaking! Anyone have an opinion on this?
Thanks so much,
Blake