Guys look , what I’ve got to test with ds 
msb discrete with dual psus,
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Curious! Let’s have it for your review!
So, why criticize reviewers like the folks at Audio Excellence for providing their subjective opinion about the MSB and PSA DACs…?
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My Hifi buddies are rich 
I’m used to listen gryphon pantheon , trident x , Wilson sasha 2 and max 3. Also some high end tannoys. All I can say fr30 can destroy a 50k usd speaker if properly built with cables and gears . Cheers! ALHAMDULILLAH I’m overly satisfied and waiting for next ps flagship .
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Congrats!!
I am overachieving with my current speakers/system (or have convinced myself of that, lol) but am contemplating moving up to the FR20
Which cables u are using to compare them ? And what’s your impression at least initially?
I tend to think the opposite. I have a huge investment in the rest of my system. An upgraded Dac benefits that entire investment. The $3500 cost to upgrade to the MKII (plus another $700 for the transformers upgrade when available) take the $100K downstream to a new level. Let’s say a 30% improvement in a Dac adds a $30K improvement in the rest of my system.
Adding to that, free or cheap tweeks that add even 5% improvement means thousands of $$$ in sound quality.
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As you said Al, there are several downsides of USB, many manufacturers tried to solve their way with better or worse results.
Do you see any downsides of I2S in comparison except for the fact that few DAC’s use it?
If not, I think a preference for I2S would be a no brainer if connectable… if yes, it would be interesting why USB could be even on par logically.
And you say many now prefer the USB interface….against what? and you mean sound wise or for other reasons?
I never read about anyone preferring USB to I2S when he had both options so far… would be interesting.
Hi,
I’m using a USB Pink Faun cable from the Statement, via the ProUSB module for streaming. And a AES/EBU XLR Argento Audio cable from the PST.
I consider the MK II an incredible DAC with a wonderful wide soundstage, detailed and focused image. I’m liking the MSB DAC for the accuracy, realism and tonality that long story short, brings to you a pleasant feeling with music, it flows so liquid and engaging that I’m enjoying listening at a higher volume with no brightness, edginess or fatigue. Richness and fullness are impressive, but naturalness and delicacy are equally superb. I’m simply loving what I hear, especially vocal jazz. Last Ricky Lee Jones album, for instance, is a magical experience right now (edit: yesterday to be honest), in my room.
I don’t want to make comparisons, I simply encourage people to experiment with these DACs, give them a try and as usual, let your ears judge.
Next week I have to take my final decision. Time will tell.
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Hahah your decision is your comparison result
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Luca, I have not seen your post in two days, and I wonder if you were enjoying your system too much! How did you like the powerbase vs two smaller PS? Is there any difference?
With the 3rd Dragon PC my system never sounded better. The bass is the best I have ever heard (I sold my Stealth V10 in one day! It turns out it was lacking bass and I knew it). It could be the combination of Dragons and the new CC Magnum Opus II PC too. The Ricky Lee Jones latest sounded great in mine too!
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Hi Donald, in effect I’m traveling through Umbria and Tuscany regions during the weekend (I recommend Volterra village if you ever plan a trip here!), and as for red wine you love, take duly note:
Yes the Powerbase compared to 2 Discrete power supplies is a step up, an even better level of all the qualities I already described above. Worth the money? It’s not cheap, I need a few days to decide but the difference is audible, it’s just a question of money.
Happy to know you are liking your PCs added, I agree with you, it’s always a question of synergy and Dragons have a sort of cumulative effect in general.
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Though some of us as far back as the MK2 Beta stated there’s no difference between the two.
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It is a tough one for you to make the final decision. MK2 is sounding much better than DS, and for the price including trade-in is hard to beat (in US anyway)!
Thanks for the wine recommendation. It is one of the more popular Italian red wines here. I may have had one from the vineyard some time ago. I can find a few here on the site I usually buy from. It will save me a trip to Tuscan 
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Just go with the better sounding one, whichever it is. When you agreed to the demo you already pretty much made the internal decision that you could afford it ; )
You’ll never be able to unhear the sound quality differences once you’ve heard them, and who wants to live with that (“in the stillness of remembering, what you haaaddd”)?
But like Vince, you’re doing it the right way. Head to head to reveal all the strengths and flaws. Good luck
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Btw guys I will reveal my evaluation for msb discrete and ds mk2 later 
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That’s why I suggest it’s no difference in the best case, depending on the setup. I remember Paul writing meaningfully, that the galvanic isolation catches „most“ of the noise and that USB probably sounds on par with the Mk II in „most“ setups.
But aside of the PSA scenario I focused more on the general logic. For USB, serious measures are necessay to make it sound good…for I2S not. So what’s the better sounding technology in case of doubt seems quite clear imo.
Thanks, I’m afraid you are right! I’m trying a Premier at home, an ex demo unit in black that the importer is offering to me at a significant discount (same net price as the Discrete, this is the reason why I’m so tempted) and with a generous trade in value for my MK II. It means at the end of the day that “the train is passing… now or never”.
I’m not in a hurry, almost for a week.
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It comes from Umbria exactly, between Perugia and Assisi. Assisi was the village of San Francesco, as you know a few friars from there went to CA, long long time ago. The name of your beautiful San Francisco comes from people born in Assisi, Umbria. Is this the reason why you like that wine so much?!?!
From Tuscany you may like more Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, Sassicaia. Believe me, a totally different taste when you drink those wines here, where they belong and with the food of their territory.
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Thanks for the correction! I do like Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino! I will get a couple bottles of Arnaldo Caprai. It has been many years since I had it.
If you do not play SACD, then MSB may make more sense. I found my MK2 sounds way better than a month ago, and it had a few hundred hours one month ago already.
But I made so many changes since a month ago I really do not know which helped more. 
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