MSB's new Sentinel DAC

[Daniel Francis]

From an industry professional's perspective, I consider MSB to be an exceptional company with a dedicated, relatively young ownership team and a highly competent staff.

Thanks for the kind words! I fear "relatively young" may not apply to us anymore though

 

[Lee]

Looks amazing Daniel. Look forward to hearing it…

 

[pk_LA]

What does it do best compared to the Select or Cascade?

 

[Daniel Francis]

What does it do best compared to the Select or Cascade?

I think the most standout is in classical music (or anything very complex) you can listen in on any one instrument and hear an incredible performance. As if that one instrument was recorded independently just for this recording. The separation is unlike anything anyone has been able to produce in the digital to analog space. So much so, that we came back to the Cascade and pushed it further with the BDT update. Otherwise it became unlistenable to us. It was a shock to hear SO MUCH more information, detail, and subtlety in the same old recordings.

 

[AudioLibertarian]

I think the most standout is in classical music (or anything very complex) you can listen in on any one instrument and hear an incredible performance. As if that one instrument was recorded independently just for this recording. The separation is unlike anything anyone has been able to produce in the digital to analog space. So much so, that we came back to the Cascade and pushed it further with the BDT update. Otherwise it became unlistenable to us. It was a shock to hear SO MUCH more information, detail, and subtlety in the same old recordings.

Price in the US? Thanks

 

[bonzo75]

but EVERYONE is an expert on digital and the value proposition of digital hardware. just ask them.

Because that’s easy. There is no value to digital (transport plus dac) over 10k if you have analog, and over 30k if you do not have analog

 

[matthias]

Price in the US? Thanks

"The US retail price for the Sentinel DAC will be 375K USD. There will be trade in options for the Select DAC on a case by case basis with our dealers. You can be assured we are very aware that this is a staggering cost, but we do want to be very clear that the Sentinel System is not for everyone. In the development of the Sentinel we have turned away from the term “customer” and now use “patron” to describe MSB buyers. Performance at this level is an art form and we feel very privileged there are those passionate enough to share that vision. The benefit to community is the trickle down technologies that produce products like the Cascade DAC. A product that out performed our flagship for much less cost. It is all part of the journey and we are ecstatic with where the Sentinel DAC is taking us."

 

[Mike Lavigne]

Because that’s easy. There is no value to digital (transport plus dac) over 10k if you have analog, and over 30k if you do not have analog

which proves my point that EVERYONE is an expert. even a guy who does not have a personal system is an expert on what dac value proposition to live with.

 

[bonzo75]

which proves my point that EVERYONE is an expert. even a guy who does not have a personal system is an expert on what dac value proposition to live with.

Yes because it is easy. You don’t have to visit the Sahara to know it is hot. Does not make one an expert in weather

 

[bonzo75]

Another way to think about it is, no matter which Indian restaurant you visit in London, and no matter how much you pay, it is still not the same as eating in India (or eating Indian in Dubai, maybe some other Asian countries might qualify)

 

[Mike Lavigne]

Yes because it is easy. You don’t have to visit the Sahara to know it is hot. Does not make one an expert in weather

Another way to think about it is, no matter which Indian restaurant you visit in London, and no matter how much you pay, it is still not the same as eating in India (or eating Indian in Dubai, maybe some other Asian countries might qualify)

you can make all the analogies you want, but hard to judge digital front ends unless you live with one hours every day. then it's particular qualities can matter much more. quick hits on digital is a different animal than hours and hours a day. the beauty of streaming files takes much time to appreciate.

in any case i respect where you are coming from and would agree that super spendy digital is not an ROI champion. but the value is there for some where it rings their bell. with your perspectives on great pressings/recordings for vinyl and system building your perspective adds up. but it's just your opinion.

i'd be the first to say that very good digital can be found at modest prices and your $30k number is hard to argue with in that regard. but some want better or much much better. some of your perspective involves tubes and digital where 'i' perceive a high floor and low ceiling. to me that is a separate question and those who don't go down that road or like mixing tubes + digital in a dac are thinking differently.

 

[Elliot G.]

Doesn't anyone ever get tired of the one man surveys and the dogma of singular opinions?
We get it you don't like digital WOO FREEKING WHO.
Some people just can't stop and have to win no matter what the subject is.
To me its incredibly boring.
I don't like Indian food either

 

[matthias]

So the clash of the digital titans will be:

Wadax Reference Server/Reference PS/Reference DAC
vs
Taiko Olympus/Olympus IO/XDMI/MSB Sentinel DAC

 

[Mike Lavigne]

So the clash of the digital titans will be:

Wadax Reference Server/Reference PS/Reference DAC
vs
Taiko Olympus/Olympus IO/XDMI/MSB Sentinel DAC

to be fair need to add the dCS Varese + server (if it needs it...don't know?).

 

[Mike Lavigne]

I don't like Indian food either

i like the Indian food i've had at Indian Restaurants, but realize that i really don't know what 'real' Indian food is.

 

[Elliot G.]

to be fair need to add the dCS Varese + server (if it needs it...don't know?).

and if this happened do any of you believe that there would be consensus?

 

[Elliot G.]

i like the Indian food i've had at Indian Restaurants, but realize that i really don't know what 'real' Indian food is.

well there is ONLY one expert here on everything so perhaps he can tell you what and where to go, I know I would love to tell him where to go LMAO

 

[Mike Lavigne]

and if this happened do any of you believe that there would be consensus?

no. and it will never happen unless a dealer somewhere goes crazy and does it. so it's an academic question that shall remain unanswered.

maybe someone somewhere will buy all three dac's just for sh*ts and giggles and do it. i would enjoy seeing a picture of proper racks filled with all the boxes. but fear the compare might not tell us much.....unless there is a good analog reference involved.

 

[Elliot G.]

no. and it will never happen unless a dealer somewhere goes crazy and does it. so it's an academic question that shall remain unanswered.

maybe someone somewhere will buy all three dac's just for sh*ts and giggles and do it. i would enjoy seeing a picture of proper racks filled with all the boxes. but fear the compare might not tell us much.....unless there is a good analog reference involved.

I could make that happen however what is it worth? Would people pay for this? I doubt it lol

 

[Kingrex]

well there is ONLY one expert here on everything so perhaps he can tell you what and where to go, I know I would love to tell him where to go LMAO

What? I didn't say anything!!!!!!