Finally! A reviewer with enough experience to describe the different nuances between dacs and different components that listens through a stereo setup. I love listening through headphones, but a good stereo valve rig is hard to beat. Great work dave! Loved this review. Subscribed

Your review is much appreciated and well explained. I bought the D400ex and love it.

@davelistenstohifi

Ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

Great video Dave !

@davelistenstohifi

Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

Thanks for the video. Describing sound in words is difficult and you did a great job. I just picked up a msb link 3 today and am excited to see how I like it. Great timing for the video 👍

@davelistenstohifi

Жыл бұрын

Thanks JD, I put the link back in my system last night and it was very relaxing to listen to, let me know how you like the Link 3!

@jdbeverage8281

Жыл бұрын

@@davelistenstohifi Hi, Dave. I've been really enjoying the Link dac in my system the last few days. I was previously using a Topping d30 which is an entry level dac but has always been my favorite compared to the few I've tested, that is until the Link. I was pleasantly surprised by the sound. I thought it may be a little less detailed and slower compared to the Topping given it's a very neutral dac but that's not the case at all. The Link retained the same level of detail but feels a little less pronounced at the freq. extremes. The sound is a little fuller and more spacious with noticeably stronger lower frequencies, like it adds a little smoothness to notes that make it very enjoyable to listen to. I see it staying in my system for a while. Thanks again for your review and I'm excited to see your channel grow. This is the first video of yours I've seen and really enjoyed it.

@davelistenstohifi

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching JD. I am curious to know how the Link 3 compares to the original link, I'm sure it's better in the ways you describe. Enjoy!

@twochaudiomg2578

Жыл бұрын

Good choice

Truly good and informative review

@davelistenstohifi

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Gregory, glad you enjoyed it!

The scale is hilarious. Great video

@davelistenstohifi

Жыл бұрын

Easy to look up the actual weight online, I built something that is more...visual?

Thank you for your effort, I was wondering for a long time if the old DAC's sound the same as new, modern ones. The fact that you called the Link warmer sounding a couple of times made me wonder if that might be a bunch of 25 year old caps on their way out... these caps would allmost certainly have sounded differently when new!

@davelistenstohifi

10 ай бұрын

Yes, certainly a very good point! I'm interested now in checking out some period reviews of the Link DAC and see what the general impression was of it when new.

I am listening to the MSB Link Dac with the Full Nelson Upgrade (and the large power base). I I also have the MSB output fed into the Music Fidelity x 10 v 3 tube "filter" (the box shaped one) with a custome power supply "warming" the sound a bit --- I have done tests and there is an improvement for the classical music I like to listen to. I am using very high end cables I have collected over the years and it sounds amazing.

@davelistenstohifi

3 ай бұрын

That's awesome! Did you try the DAC before and after the power base? Just wondering if I should search out one. I am looking at upgraded op amps inside, looks like an easy plug and play upgrade.

@eddihaskell

3 ай бұрын

@@davelistenstohifi Yes. The power base was a purchase after the initial purchase and the improvement was noticeable but marginal, as was the full nelson upgrade. But to be honest, if you EXPECT to hear an improvement you will hear one. I do think the powerbase is worth it however, and if you can find one, I would purchase it. They are not going to be obsolete.

@crazyprayingmantis5596

3 ай бұрын

It must be your very high end copper

@eddihaskell

3 ай бұрын

@@crazyprayingmantis5596 It could be! LOL.

I had this DAC with the powerbase - IMO its still a fair sounding DAC even though its very VERY old.

@davelistenstohifi

Жыл бұрын

Yes, I was impressed with the mark 1 version with the standard power supply, I can imagine that the Powerbase improved things. New DACs in the sub $2k range may sound different, but hard to say that they are a lot better. Thanks for watching!

hi...please help me out...I purchased a top of the line Denon DCD-SX1 limited...thinking it would be a final...it is a SACD/CD/DAC...but after owning it for about 6 months, I'm not pleased with the plain,boring sound...not dynamic...said to use Quad-DAC configuration. Two stereo DACs (PCM1795)...would i be better to get a new CD player and an external dac...I want more dynamics... thinking of getting either Aqua la scala mkll or MSB Discrete...i also hook up my tv to my system with tv opical out...what do you suggest❓

@davelistenstohifi

3 ай бұрын

Hey Brian Campbell, thanks for watching my videos. I cannot say I know anything about the Denon DCD-SX1, but It looks gorgeous! I see that it has been designed to sound "Vivid & Spacious", I guess you want something with more fireworks. I'm guessing that the Aqua la scala may not bring the most excitement compared to the Denon, MSB are pretty accomplished though but I haven't heard the Discrete. As a last resort, have you tried some different cables with the Denon, or possibly some physical supports like Isoacoustics or Audwave? As for the tv integration, I have no experience with this at all, sorry!

Thanks. This is just the review I was looking for. I own MSB Digital Link III. Also Benchmark DAC 1, PS Audio Digital Link III, Micromega MyDac, Cal Audio Sigma II (Tube) and a Museatex Bidat (Needs repair). They're all in different systems and I've been curious about the various newer budget DACS from companies like SMSL, Schiit, Topping, etc. Digital technology has supposedly come a long way since most of the DACS I use (except Micromega MyDac) and I am curious as to how much information I'm missing. I've just ordered an SMSL C200 which is not at the level or price of what you reviewed but fits my budget and should give me an idea about new vs old. I do like a lot of detail and unfortunately my age and being a drummer (thanks for the Art Blakey) , I've lost a bit of my high frequency hearing. I've actually gotten 2 Schiit Lokis and a Lokius , equalizers to help in that area. Still curious though about detail retrieval capabilities that a modern DAC will have. The DACS I have have certainly served me well and really sound great but an comparison will be interesting. Also I know that the digital cable, power cord, used has an effect somewhat on what you get sound wise, although Benchmark for example says it doesn't matter. I think it does, if you find the right combination that you prefer. Thanks again for the review. I'm looking forward to hearing the differences myself

@davelistenstohifi

Жыл бұрын

Hey Billy, thanks for watching and your comments! Yes, the newest digital does some great stuff in terms of detail retrieval, the analog sections of the DACs can help as well. You have quite a collection of DACs there, impressive! Yes, I have heard some small changes with power cords, mostly the sound signature and not increased detail. I have used some different cables for the digital signal, hard to pinpoint the differences (except for when it just doesn't work!). Let us know how the new SMSL works out.

@BillyDrummondDrums

Жыл бұрын

@@davelistenstohifi Yes I certainly will. Thanks for your reply.

I agree with you. AB comparisons in audio are of little use in discerning slight differences.

@davelistenstohifi

Жыл бұрын

Hey Scott, yes, extended listening and your emotional connection is unscientific but a real way to identify components that you will be happy with in the long term

@scottbennett3119

Жыл бұрын

@@davelistenstohifi It is scientific enough for you and me.

just ordered D400EX with 2xAKM4499 to compare it with buildin AKM4458 in 8012 Marantz.... let's see

@davelistenstohifi

3 ай бұрын

Awesome, that's really cool! Let me know how the comparison goes! I've been comparing my MSB dac with a Ladder dac and the latter Ladder does most things better, I can update the op amps in my MSB and I'm really curious.

never go back to old girlfriends or do comparisons....always go forward and preserve sanity or insanity.../ but I did have the MSB Link DAC II ( I believe) which I donated to Goodwill when I left Pasadena and the Cal Audio Labs tubed DAC which I sold... they are just stair steps in my journey

@davelistenstohifi

10 ай бұрын

Love it! The journey isnt always linear or even increasing, but inevitably interesting. Thanks for sharing and watching !

pop some OPA1656's in the MSB

@davelistenstohifi

Жыл бұрын

Yes, I was looking at the socketed op amps and wondering what I could swap in. I was thinking about something from Burson or Sparkos, I'll look into the OPA1656, seems like a cost-effective upgrade!

Very nice and interesting Comparison. But U can get this old MSB DAC for already 250 Bucks...(": 😆

@davelistenstohifi

Жыл бұрын

Yes, I know! I bought this MSB for under $250, and I think that it is still a nice DAC to use, even today.

@user-rp6kt1fr6p

Жыл бұрын

@@davelistenstohifi Realy good thing, is actual for a long years. Thank you for this nice comparision.

You are a big-time Red China Guy. Canada, can I call you a guy? Keep supporting Red China. I'll take the 20 year old DAC

@davelistenstohifi

Жыл бұрын

Hey Twoch, I am calling it like I hear it, the politics of the country of origin is another thing. One thing can be said though, the manufacturing prowess found in China is among the best anywhere! But yeah, the Link dac is still in my system...

I owned the MSB link II Dac (bought new at Codell), musical fidelity A3/24, moon 300D, Meitner ma1v2, Denafrips Terminator II …and several cd/dvd/sacd Rotel, sony, marantz dv8400, shanling, ayre C5xemp, oppo 83se, and I did enjoy every one, every one has it’s sound and spacial definition. I can see that technical expertise, is independent from political system, on all the equipment that I owned, almost all design, produce and service by proud people that deliver the best they can for the budget they charge. I am an early adaptor, all early new products have had some issues, All compagnies have been helpfull, within hours except costly US products that would not return calls/emails.

@davelistenstohifi

Жыл бұрын

Hi Michel, nice to know that you are enjoying some great equipment! Too bad that the final part of a component that is customer service is sometimes absent in the high end. Thanks for watching!