Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- High build quality, with the case milled from a single block of aluminum
- Modular design allows for repairability and upgradability
- Delivers a 'clean' analogue output, offering more instrument separation and a leaner edge to the music
- Excellent detail retrieval and transparency, allowing for a real insight into the makeup of a track
- Strong sense of timing, bringing a sense of 'rightness' to rhythm tracks
Product Considerations
- No analogue inputs unless going up the MSB food chain
- Cost increases significantly with optional second power supply, which is preferred by reviewers
- The display is limited and not especially informative
- The Black case finish marks easily
- One minor inconvenience with the external power supply is that it has a relatively short connecting cable
Takeaway: The MSB Discrete DAC is a well-built and modular DAC that provides detailed and transparent sound, creating a wide soundstage that is true to the original recording. It is a good option for audiophiles looking for a high-quality DAC with upgrade options.
All
The Discrete
reviews
Manufacturer details
- PCM Support: Up to 32 bit - 768kHz
- DSD Support: Up to 8X DSD
- USB Support: Up to 24 bit - 768kHz
- Network Renderer: Up to 32 bit - 768kHz, Up to 4X DSD
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- MSB employs a modular design philosophy, allowing customers to tailor products to their specific needs and facilitating future upgrades by swapping modules.
- They distinguish themselves by using discrete, in-house designed ladder DAC modules instead of off-the-shelf DAC chips, offering greater control over sound tuning.
- MSB emphasizes a "fully balanced" design throughout their products, even down to the DAC conversion point, which contributes to noise rejection and resolution.
- Their products often feature a direct-coupled output stage without op-amps, transistors or tubes, aiming for a transparent signal path with minimal coloration.
Select products
Discrete DAC
- Positioning: The entry-level model in MSB Technology's lineup.
- Description: Offers a refined sound with its ultra-high precision, discrete ladder DAC architecture. Features a modular I/O card for flexible configurations, unlike the Premier DAC which has more advanced clock technology.
Premier DAC
- Positioning: Sits in the middle of MSB Technology's lineup, offering a balance of performance and cost.
- Description: Provides exceptional sound with its four prime DAC modules, delivering more detail than the Discrete DAC. Includes the Femto 93 Clock for superior timing accuracy, which is a step up from the Discrete DAC's integrated clock.
Cascade DAC
- Positioning: The flagship model, representing the pinnacle of MSB Technology's DAC offerings.
- Description: Features a unique three-chassis design, separating digital, analog, and power components for exceptional sound purity. Uses the Cascade-Link, a noise-free optical connection, which is not available in the Discrete or Premier models.
Our take on the brand
Look inside the brand
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
Our greatest asset to innovation and quality can be summed up with in-house design and manufacturing. With a unique understanding of all of the technologies involved in designing a DAC, we are able to craft the world's most advanced ladder DAC technologies with the Cascade's MKII Hybrid DAC Modules. No part is left to external vendors or agencies who wouldn't fully grasp or value our same focus on performance.
You can take a virtual tour of our complete in-house manufacturing facility on our website, and see the care that goes it making every product we craft: https://msbtechnology.com/about-msb/
What's your approach to customer support?
Our patrons should contact their local dealer first and foremost with any needs. That being said, the MSB owners are always directly available through our website contact form or on our dedicated forum. We are a small group of designers and engineers and have decided to remain directly accessible for questions and audio discussions. Our down to earth approach means joining a community first and foremost when you become an MSB owner. For any support or service related inquiries, we have a direct form on our website: https://msbtechnology.com/support/repairs/
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
We test and listen to a very diverse set of music while developing products. These are perhaps not the best showcase, but If I had to pick three tracks that I am currently enjoying while developing the Sentinel DAC, they would be the following.
- Your Power - Billie Eilish
- The Line - Twenty One Pilots
- I See Fire - Ed Sheeran
I really do listen to what I am enjoying first and foremost and ensure the system is feeling emotional and impactful. The best music to showcase is the music you enjoy! Our products showcase it all.
What other products pair best with yours?
I always love to promote pairing our system with the most revealing loudspeakers possible. We have been having great success with the Estelon Forzas and the Magico M2's.
Used
MSB
What if you spend more?
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Our summary
Product Strengths
- The d1-triunity DAC is praised for its ability to reflect the core characteristics of music with purism and vibrancy
- The 'unity' architecture provides more presence, more contrast between the timbres and sizes of each instrument, more clarity, and at the same time more body and more dynamics—making the sound more realistic and natural
- Offers a richer, sweeter, fuller sound and a more spacious presentation compared to the d1-unity
- Achieves dynamic power, low-frequency depth, and punch with a skillfully engineered Class-A output stage providing double the voltage
- Transmits detail and nuance without sounding etched or bright, and provides great tonality, especially with acoustic instruments
Product Considerations
- The chassis is constructed from folded steel and the rear panel is of a thin gauge, which makes the external construction less substantial than some rivals
- Maximum resolution of 24-bit/192 kHz without the optional DSD module might be a limitation
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The d1-triunity brings improvements that make music sound more vibrant and alive, while offering a finer-grained view compared to the Totaldac d1-unity
- The d1-triunity provides universal compatibility in terms of voltage output, and advances the sonic performance aspect compared to the Totaldac d1-direct
Takeaway: The d1-triunity is an impressive DAC that effortlessly handles music and makes it emotion-tugging with crystallizing quality. It offers remarkable musical insight without sacrificing speed and clarity, making it a worthwhile addition to any high-end audio system.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Notable focus and density to the midrange that is unparalleled compared to other DACs
- Exceeding naturalness and deep detail
- Top end is smooth, and the low end is present and provides a substantial foundation
- More precise, revealing, and dynamic presentation
Product Considerations
- The review unit lacked a USB input, only offering AES/EBU and S/PDIF over Coax as inputs
- Might not suit audiophiles who prize dry, bright, or hard-sounding digital audio
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to solid-state DACs, the SW1X DAC IV Special has unparalleled focus and immediacy of dynamics, especially in the midrange
- Compared to the SW1X DAC V—the DAC IV has a more precise, revealing, and dynamic presentation
Takeaway: The SW1X DAC IV Special could be the answer if one wants to feel more emotionally connected to their music and escape the constant analysis of typical audiophile listening. It's designed to provide a musically engaging experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
What competes at this price?
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Known for analog-like qualities in dealing with transcoding zeros and ones
- Conveys low-level musical complexity and subtle spatial nuances that other DACs have difficulty with
- Produces voices that expand in three dimensions with a refreshing sense of presence, reminiscent of vinyl reproduction
- Returns energy to the music, instead of taking it away
- Reproduces details and anchor points with refreshing vividness, presenting the actuality with the least fragmentation of the sound image
Product Considerations
- A single-ended into a balanced pre configuration caused occasional static, making image difficult to discern during those moments
- Clarity could be improved on very complex choirs and instruments, and more separation would also be beneficial
- The attack on drums is slightly slow—perhaps medium paced—compared to some DACs
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to CH Precision C1.2 DAC, the DAC III is more emotionally involving, while the CH Precision sounds markedly cooler, flatter, and more emotionally restrained
- Compared to aqua acoustic quality Formula xHD, the Formula xHD retrieves detail, bass precision, articulation, and transparency better, while the DAC III is airier, more fluid, and more refined
- Compared to Holo Audio May, the attack on drums is slightly slow—perhaps medium paced—and behind the Holo Audio May as well
Takeaway: The SW1X Audio Design DAC III Balanced has a musicality that makes it worth considering. It expresses music in a way that is closer to analog, with a natural transparency and higher degree of contrast.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Surprisingly technical, with resolution on par or better than anything else heard at its price point
- Conveys the time of music extremely well, notably with exceptional leading-edge portrayal and high resolution/micro dynamics
- Offers excellent timbre
- The internal streamer presented better clarity in the bass
Product Considerations
- With signals above PCM 24 bits and 192 kHz, the converter down-samples the signals
- DSD signal is converted internally to a PCM signal, since the R2R resistor ladder is a 24-bit circuit
- Treble compensation may be needed for optimal sound, or to lower excessive treble energy
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Versus Totaldac d1-tube DAC/Streamer, the d1-unity offers greater clarity, voice, and impact, providing a more fully resolved picture
- Versus Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC, the d1-unity offers more body, tone, and texture, whereas the Mola Mola emphasizes upper frequencies a bit more
- Matches the resolution and dynamic presentation of the Chord Dave
- The internal streamer is marginally better than the Sonore Optical Rendu
Takeaway: The d1-unity is a good option for those seeking an engaging and high-resolution digital source. It is especially suited for listeners who appreciate a physical and vibrant presentation of music.
Video review
Our take on the brand
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