USB Input Module

The USB Input is the most advanced MSB produces. The hardware is able to handle audio data and DSD up to 32 bit, 384 kHz.

Apple MAC OS

On the MAC the USB is plug and play. The MAC will recognize the USB DAC and its capabilities and will allow the output to be set to any sample rate desired. The bad news is, with certain programs such as iTunes, the output sample rate has to be set manually

when the file sample rate changes. So if you set the output for 192kHz, and played a 192 kHz file, it would play perfectly, but if you then played a 44.1 kHz CD, the MAC OS would upsample that file to 192 kHz. Computer upsampling is not too bad, but does not compare at all with

the quality of the upsampling done by MSB. Better to change the output to 44.1 kHz and play the file bit-perfect. Fortunately there are apps and programs that will automatically change iTunes to always play files at the native resolution. Then the MAC running iTunes with the MSB USB 2 is perfection

itself. The world of applications is always changing. Check the MSB web site for more up-to-date information.

The Apple Audio MIDI Setup screen is shown above. Notice that the presence of the MSB USB Signature DAC has allowed 352.8 and 384 kHz sample rates to show up on the menu. Normally they are not present. iTunes will play at whatever sample rate you select in this setup.

Windows OS

The amazing thing about the MSB USB 2 input with Windows is that once you get it set up it works completely and absolutely perfectly, with every file playing bit-perfect at its native sample rate up to 384 kHz with no user intervention. Just pick the song and play. The rest is automatic and works perfectly. This is a first for any Windows machine I have seen and a dream come true. The bad is that MSB drivers will have to be installed, and your music must be played with a properly set up player program like Foobar. Its a small price to pay for perfection, and MSB will help walk you through the process.

First, install the supplied MSB drivers from the included USB 2 drivers CD or from our website (not necessary for USB 1 operation). So with a PC, there are two possible play modes. The “advanced speaker properties” window lets you set up Windows output sample rates up to 192k as shown to the right. Any audio played by an audio program would be output at this sample rate. Specialty programs like Foobar can be modified with a plug-in, like ASIO (http://www. foobar2000.org/components/view/foo_out_asio) which allows Foobar to interact directly with the MSB DAC to play every music file at its native sample rate

bit-perfect. Foobar over-rides all windows settings and is quite amazing.

There are many other players that will also work perfectly with the MSB input. See the MSB web site for the latest details.

BALANCED DIGITAL INPUT MODULE

This input module contains an XLR balanced input. It is limited to 24 bit x 384 kHz.

S/PDIF INPUT MODULE

This input module contains both an RCA and Optical input. Both are limited to 24 bit x 384 kHz. Even though both share a module, each can be selected individually.