MSB Technology Rev 1 (10 2012) Unique Product a Preamp or a DAC?, Volume Control Upgrade, Burn-In

ANALOG DAC USERS MANUAL

UNIQUE PRODUCT - A PREAMP OR A DAC?

This product has the option to be a unique combination of a very high performance DAC and the ultimate passive preamp. It is intended to be used as both for the best possible sound in your system. Our preamp philosophy is based on the belief that from the moment analog audio is created, every transition that is made degrades the quality. That means that an active preamp with many stages if perfect would have no effect and any imperfection would result in degradation of the music. That is why we offer a passive preamp within the Analog DAC, to achieve the simplest, shortest possible signal path, with the least possible degradation of the true music.

THE VOLUME CONTROL UPGRADE

The Analog DAC has one analog input and many digital inputs. It is designed to be the last component in your system before the amplifiers. With its incredibly low impedance, especially for a passive preamp, it can drive long interconnects and handle any type of amplifier input stage design with optimum performance.

Depending on how many analog sources you have in your system, you may be able to eliminate your current preamp. If you currently have only CD and vinyl in your system, you would attach your CD players digital output to the Analog DAC and the output of your phono preamp to the analog input. Your system is now complete, with the shortest possible signal path and the best sound you can achieve. The same idea applies to use with an SACD or Universal player. The MSB Universal Player provides the highest quality SACD playback via the MSB Network.

If you have a complex system with a preamp with many analog inputs, attach the outputs of your preamp to the input on the Analog DAC. Shift any digital sources over to digital inputs on the Analog DAC and again, you will achieve optimum results. Set your preamp to a volume that matches the Analog DAC output and use nothing but the Analog DAC volume control in your system.

The volume control cannot be added once the DAC is built.

SETUP AND QUICK START

The front panel is quite simple with few user controls. Input source select defaults to auto. On power up, the volume is reset to -30 dB. Turn the volume wheel up until you hear music. Press the button to change inputs.

Power - The Platinum comes with a range of outboard power supplies. This is not a switching supply that works at any voltage, but a linear supply with manual switching of the transformer leads. Always allow three to five hours for the DAC to warm up and reach thermal equilibrium.

Inputs - The DAC comes with up to three inputs as ordered. They can be changed at any time.

Outputs

Connect the balanced or single-ended analog outputs to any amplifier and audio should be present. The output level is controlled with the knob or remote. For best sound quality use the single-ended outputs.

BURN-IN

The concept of burn-in is little understood. Does it take your ears some time to get used to the incredibly detailed and life-like sound of an MSB product or is something actually changing? The feedback we receive leads us to recommend at least 100 hours of burn-in on this DAC. Customers generally recommend one month.

Warning: Please verify that the Analog DAC you just purchased is covered under warranty. This DAC was sold to the Distributor named on your box label. The display will flash the country code of your DAC when powered up. If the country does not match your purchase location, your warranty may be invalid. Check with MSB.

CD, DVD-A	Phono
Transport
	Preamp

Digital	Analog
	R/L

Analog DAC

Analog

R/L

AMPs

Computer

USB

Analog DAC

Analog

R/L

AMPs

Universal Media

Transport UMT

MSB PRO I2S

Analog DAC

Analog

R/L

AMPs

2