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MSB Technology DISCRETE
Refined sound. Elegant design.
As an introduction into the MSB ecosystem, the Discrete DAC offers the best starting point to experience our unique technology and performance. With its minimalist design and California crafted quality, it seamlessly elevates any system.
The Prime DAC Module.
With two prime DACs, we yield an unprecedented level of detail, reproducing the musicality, soundstage, and texture of an original performance, bringing the artist to you. A fully balanced, ultra-high precision, discrete ladder DAC architecture ensures each note tells a story. Additionally, MSB’s robust in-house design enables the finest quality playback of PCM and native DSD, while our low impedance circuitry drives your amplification directly without adding coloration or buffering noise. The end result is a digital experience defying expectations.
A display for the listening chair
Equipped with high-visibility and a wide viewing angle, the display is both stunning and easy-to-read. This attention to detail demonstrates our love for functional and intuitive features. The LED display, which is slaved to the audio clock, is refreshed using the Femto Clock as the time reference, ensuring that your analog system is not polluted with any harmful digital noise created by the display. The in-house discrete design is then enclosed into its own shielded CNC pocket for optimal EMI isolation. Sit back and be immersed.
Integrated clock. Flexible Configurations.
A modular I/O card keeps even the discrete DAC flexible, repairable, and upgradeable. Along with an integrated clock, changing this card allows switching between single-ended and balanced outputs.
Engaging with the future.
MSB thrives off the innovation required to meet consumer demands. We’re constantly improving digital input modules to stay at the forefront of the high-end audio industry, ensuring you’re always equipped with the most current digital file formats and interfaces. Focusing on our network renderer and USB input, your audio tech will be on the cutting edge. Put simply, your DAC is ready for the future.
A better USB solution
The Pro USB was developed to offer a multi-part USB solution that features complete electrical isolation and all the performance of MSB’s proprietary Pro ISL input. The Pro USB is offered as a stand alone module for users who already have an MSB DAC that is equipped with a Pro ISL input as well as a starter kit with a Pro ISL input, plus everything you need to get up and running.
– Complete electrical isolation
– Up to 24 bit – 768kHz
– MQA decoding
– Up to 8X DSD
– Up to 1km lossless transmission
Superior streaming
The MSB Renderer was developed using an in-house hardware design running an ultra-low noise A5 processor for optimal audio playback performance. Over the air updates will ensure that your renderer always has the latest capabilities and ultimate convenience.
– Up to 32 bit – 768kHz
– MQA decoding
– Roon Endpoint
– Up to 4X DSD
– UPnP Protocol
– DLNA Protocol
Discrete Power Supply.
Superior conversion begins with clean and stable low-noise power. The Discrete Power Supply feeds the DAC with dual low-noise power streams that are linear and independent. That’s not all—the CNC unibody aluminum chassis provides the discrete power supply with optimal thermal performance and an elegant design aesthetic. The DAC comes equipped with a single power supply, but can be augmented with a second discrete power supply to enable optimized power isolation between all major components.
Completely modular.
Paired with performance increases, our modular design ethos increases flexibility for future updates and product support, guaranteeing a long-term product investment. As you pursue higher levels of playback, an MSB upgrade path is always available to help drive your own desire for innovation. Whether it’s a software update or a leading-edge modular component, we’re here to help the most valued aspect of MSB—our customers.
The MSB Remote
When we set out to make the MSB remote, the design was built from the ground up. An array of stainless steel buttons around an elegant volume wheel yields an optimized performance and response. Crafted in-house, in California, from an aluminum billet, the enclosure feels solid yet refined. Tailored for both the transport and the DAC’s daily use, our remote brings you closer to the music you love.
Trade in program
While we’re committed to long lasting products that hold their value, we realize audio systems are always evolving. That’s why we’re thrilled to offer high trade-in values for existing MSB products when upgrading to a higher performing series. If you currently have an MSB DAC or amplifier that you love, but are looking to experience more from your system, please reach out to your local dealer. We’ll build a personalized offer for your existing MSB products that count towards a new DAC or amplifier. Let us do the work of refurbishing and finding your current electronics a new home–they’ll continue to be enjoyed for years to come.
Anodized finishes.
Elegant yet commanding, our finishes are available in a matte silver or matte black anodize. Our products include our in-house designed viton feet, but any audiophile M6X1 foot can be installed to personalize your system.
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Professional Reviews 91/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
91/100
Build Quality
93/100
Features Connectivity
91/100
Value for Money
89/100
The MSB Discrete DAC delivers a calm, naturally musical presentation, marrying subtle low-level detail with pinpoint imaging and richly dimensional space. HiFi News admired its effortless separation and unforced dynamics, while The Ear praised its revealing neutrality, superb build and modular input platform. A refined, future-ready digital front end for systems that value coherence over glare.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Effortlessly separates complex mixes while preserving musical cohesion, with subtle but revealing low-level detail.
Spacious, precise imaging and convincing depth create an exceptionally three-dimensional soundstage.
Superbly finished solid-aluminium construction, plus modular USB, network and I2S expansion options, support long-term system flexibility.
&
Cons
Its restrained, even-handed character does not emphasise rhythmic drive or explosive dynamics, so listeners seeking instant drama may find it less immediately exciting.
Balanced XLR-only analogue outputs can be inconvenient for systems without a balanced preamplifier.
The supplied external power supply has a short connecting cable, requiring careful shelf placement.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 91/100
The Discrete is presented as a highly musical, composed and revealing converter rather than one that chases immediate hi-fi spectacle. Reviewers particularly admired its effortless separation, spacious imaging and natural freedom from an overtly processed digital character, although one found its presentation comparatively restrained dynamically.
Tonal Balance and Musicality
91/100
HiFi News found its inherently musical, subtly beguiling presentation hard to leave behind, saying it avoids the shiny, processed quality heard from many converters. The Ear similarly heard an exceptionally revealing, calm and controlled sound with notable neutrality and coherence, though it also described the presentation as restrained rather than rhythmically emphatic.
Resolution and Detail
93/100
Complex recordings were said to be resolved with disarming subtlety: individual instruments remained distinct without undermining the musical interplay. The Ear praised its low-level detail, texture and transparency to recording immediacy, while also reporting phenomenal separation and a dramatic resolution gain with higher-rate DSD material.
Digital Performance
88/100
Reviewers heard a clean, coherent and unforced conversion character, with hi-res PCM laid out beautifully and without an artificially glossy or processed edge. Timing and musical interplay were conveyed well, but the most pronounced gains in fine detail and timing reported by The Ear came when a dedicated streamer was added upstream.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
93/100
Both reviews are emphatic about the construction. The solid-aluminium chassis is described as lovely, sleek but substantial, superbly finished, and notably rigid; The Ear also felt its solidity helped resist vibration. The readable display and well-executed remote add to the sense of a carefully finished premium component.
Features Connectivity
91/100
The Discrete combines coaxial, dual optical, AES/EBU and word-sync connections with two modular input slots, allowing USB, Ethernet streaming and dual-I2S configurations. It supports PCM to 32-bit/768kHz and DSD512, while the optional Renderer provides network playback, Roon endpoint operation and MQA decoding; variable output, display and remote control further broaden its system flexibility.
Value for Money
89/100
At £9,950, HiFi News called it attractive at the price and felt it brought more than a flavour of MSB's far costlier £19,500 Premier DAC, alongside excellent sound, upgradeability and beautiful build. The Ear considered the combination of genuine high-fidelity performance, excellent construction and modular future-proofing a pretty stunning package, though the price remains firmly high-end.
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Authorized dealers for MSB Technology DISCRETE
- Alma Music & Audio — online and in-store — San Diego, California, United States (website)
- Audio Advisors — in-store — West Palm Beach, Florida, United States (website)
- Audio Concept - Luxembourg — in-store — Gare, Luxembourg, Luxembourg (website)
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- Audio Excellence (CA) — online and in-store — Markham, Ontario, Canada (website)
- Audio Excellence (CH) — Switzerland (website)
- Audio Video Feel — online and in-store — Charenton-le-Pont, Île-de-France, France (website)
- Audio Video Integration — in-store — San Rafael, California, United States (website)
- Audio88 — in-store — Singapore, Singapore (website)
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