The Digital Director - A new MSB product improving everything from the source to the output

[bryans]

The MSB website is still not very clear on which combination of connectors are best for USB-connection source material

Why does one need to be told what is best? Why not listen to whatever combination one likes and choose what sounds best? If MSB says the best option is with the ProUSB dongle but you like the sound better without the ProUSB dongle. Which way would you choose?

 

[QuadDiffuser]

Sure, that’s exactly what I would do myself - audition the different combos! Admittedly my question is “theoretical”, but also grounded in reality, and not trivial. So before reflexively chastisizing, please consider the following.

Instead of FOUR conversions [source USB electrical to ISL optical, ISL optical to electrical (DD), electrical (DD) to ISL optical, and optical to electrical (DAC)], I was merely questioning whether cutting out the first of the four conversions to just THREE may have resulted in a more optimal sonic result.

 

[bryans]

Sorry you view my response as chastising. It was not written that way. I was simply saying only you and your ears can tell you the best option.

 

[godofwealth]

How long before we will see a DAC that costs $1 million? TAS reviewed the Wadax combo that’s around a quarter of a million. I’m guessing in 1-2 years, we will see million dollar DACs….

 

[bryans]

How long before we will see a DAC that costs $1 million? TAS reviewed the Wadax combo that’s around a quarter of a million. I’m guessing in 1-2 years, we will see million dollar DACs….

Field of dreams I guess. Build it and they will come.

 

[MarkusBarkus]

...the Million Dollar DAC baby will include dealer delivery and optimization, and a home visit from a prominent violinist for A/B testing and tuning.

 

[Jeffy]

Why not put in amps, preamps, turntables, and speakers into this group as well. I remember seeing the million dollar system at CES many years ago and I thought that was a lot. The sound was terrible.

 

[bryans]

Why not put in amps, preamps, turntables, and speakers into this group as well. I remember seeing the million dollar system at CES many years ago and I thought that was a lot. The sound was terrible.

You are correct. If a DAC gets to the 1M price tag, it will not be alone.

 

[matthias]

Instead of FOUR conversions [source USB electrical to ISL optical, ISL optical to electrical (DD), electrical (DD) to ISL optical, and optical to electrical (DAC)], I was merely questioning whether cutting out the first of the four conversions to just THREE may have resulted in a more optimal sonic result.

Interesting that Taiko recommend now in their chain with router > switch > Extreme to go for all electrical (copper) without any conversion to optical

Matt

 

[MarkusBarkus]

... I converted to fiber a few years ago, including adding fiber to the home for ISP services. Then about a year ago, Emile suggested they preferred copper into the Extreme, so I reverted and tested copper. I'm not 100% sure if there is a substantive difference: they both sound excellent. But I left it on the copper.

It makes sense that each conversion would be a potential source for *noise* but there are probably many links in the chain that determine the final signal quality in each network.

I live in a US city in the NE, condo, lots of RF and EMI nearby, so fiber seemed a logical choice. It was great, but perhaps not definitive as an improvement. I pulled fiber and copper at time of install, so switching was/is easy for testing. I certainly don't mind not needing the FMCs, SFPs and power gear!

 

[bryans]

I'm not 100% sure if there is a substantive difference: they both sound excellent.

I personally believe this is the case most of the time. Sure it may sound different but is it really better?

 

[matthias]

It makes sense that each conversion would be a potential source for *noise*...

Agree,
conversion to fiber needs much more power and generates much more noise than sticking to copper so I do not understand the approach of multiple conversions.

Matt

 

[Germanboxers]

Any user reviews on the Digital Director? I’m expecting mine sometime in Feb. Looking forward to others‘ impressions.

 

[Germanboxers]

Does anyone know if the Digital Director will allow you to select different filters? I haven’t seen this question answered yet. I think it would a great feature to be able to select from a few different filters. Looking forward to getting my DD in February.

 

[Young Skywalker]

Does anyone know if the Digital Director will allow you to select different filters? I haven’t seen this question answered yet. I think it would a great feature to be able to select from a few different filters. Looking forward to getting my DD in February.

Just the one filter at present. Perhaps there is room for the most "accurate" filter and one that knocks off some of the rough edges for really poor recordings, i.e., those that are recorded way too hot.

 

[Germanboxers]

Just the one filter at present. Perhaps there is room for the most "accurate" filter and one that knocks off some of the rough edges for really poor recordings, i.e., those that are recorded way too hot.

Agreed...a "warmer" filter would be useful for software matching as you said, or even for system matching in some cases.

 

[DMSB]

Agree,
conversion to fiber needs much more power and generates much more noise than sticking to copper so I do not understand the approach of multiple conversions.

Matt

Conversion to fiber uses more power, but done with the correct data pattern generates less noise than copper cable drivers (because the cable drivers must deal with the reflections of imperfect cables). Copper carries a large amount of conducted noise (not generated by the driver itself, but by the circuits connected to the driver), even with transformer isolation. An optical connection has zero conducted noise. Noise generated by the data patterns of Ethernet are particularly bad because of the asynchronous packet based data channel. So Ethernet is not optimal in either copper or optical form. USB has the same problem, but worse, because it is also packet based and is not transformer isolated.

 

[Armsan]

Finally here. Burning some time. One thing is certain: it works faultlessly with any module, as one can expect from MSB.

 

[Germanboxers]

Finally here. Burning some time. One thing is certain: it works faultlessly with any module, as one can expect from MSB.

I'm expecting mine on Tuesday. What's your initial take on what the Digital Director does for the sound, Armsan?

 

[Armsan]

Sure, that’s exactly what I would do myself - audition the different combos! Admittedly my question is “theoretical”, but also grounded in reality, and not trivial. So before reflexively chastisizing, please consider the following.

Instead of FOUR conversions [source USB electrical to ISL optical, ISL optical to electrical (DD), electrical (DD) to ISL optical, and optical to electrical (DAC)], I was merely questioning whether cutting out the first of the four conversions to just THREE may have resulted in a more optimal sonic result.

Well, that’s exactly what I’m trying to find out myself. Extreme USB out to Quadrate USB module on Digital Director, or Extreme USB out to Pro USB to Pro ISL module on Digital Director. Right now I can tell you that it’s being a hard choice and that both provide a better SQ experience than without the Digital Director.
Does any of you guys, whom already have the DD, have both the Quadrate USB module and the the Pro USB?
In this case which do you prefer, and why? Thanks.