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Authorized dealers for MSB Technology PREMIER

  • 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)
  • Audio Connection — online and in-store — Verona, New Jersey, United States (website)
  • Audio Elation — in-store — Lolo, Montana, United States (website)
  • 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)

and 32 more verified dealers

MSB Technology PREMIER #1
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MSB Technology PREMIER

United States flag

The MSB Technology PREMIER turns digital into an organic, grain-free experience, pairing exceptional micro-detail with expansive, dimensional imaging and effortless dynamics. Jeff Fritz admired its silent backdrop and musical flow, while Peter Katsoolis found its natural tonal colour and deep soundstage remarkably analogue-like. Modular inputs and a transparent volume control complete a future-ready reference DAC.

View at MSB Technology
Specifications26 reviews & sources

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93/100
Rating for PREMIER

Deliciously Crispy

Sound Quality

96/100

Build Quality

93/100

Features Connectivity

88/100

Value for Money

89/100

Pros

Exceptionally quiet, high-resolution presentation reveals inner detail, ambience, and instrumental texture without glare or grain.

Expansive, layered soundstage with precise image placement and unusually convincing depth.

Modular, firmware-upgradable architecture supports tailored inputs and helps protect against format obsolescence.

Transparent integral volume control can drive an all-digital system without a separate preamplifier.

Cons

A very expensive platform, with optional modules and the Powerbase raising the total investment substantially.

The sparse front panel and icon-heavy remote can make menu navigation unintuitive.

Compared with some rivals, bass drive and note-to-note pitch articulation may be less emphatic.

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What Reviewers Are Saying

"It just might teleport you. I can’t recommend it highly enough."

— SoundStage Solo

SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 96/100

Reviewers portray the Premier as an exceptionally natural, involving and highly resolved digital front end, combining slight warmth and tonal density with remarkable clarity. Its quiet, grain-free presentation, expansive imaging and effortless dynamic expression repeatedly bring it unusually close to the ease and immersion of fine analogue playback.

Tonal Balance and Musicality

96/100

Katsoolis found the balance slightly warm but never dark, calling it smooth, supremely natural and exceptionally pure in its harmonic portrayal. The Absolute Sound similarly praised its organic, relaxed coherence, tonal density and lack of treble overemphasis, while Fritz described a presentation that made him feel deeply connected to the music.

Resolution and Detail

96/100

The Premier is repeatedly praised for exceptional clarity, micro-resolution, instrumental separation and tonal differentiation. Fritz said MSB's DAC revealed more of the information already present in recordings than competing DACs he had heard, while The Absolute Sound highlighted realistic treble transients, decay and the natural delineation of bass-note leading edges.

Digital Performance

95/100

Reviewers consistently describe an exceptionally low-noise, unforced digital presentation: Katsoolis noted the absence of edge, grain and etch, while Fritz called it completely silent and free of harshness, glare or artificiality. Kessler found it lusciously liquid and resonant, with a striking absence of glassiness, and The Absolute Sound heard a beguilingly grainless sense of continuity.

Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.

Build Quality

93/100

Fritz describes a milled-from-solid-aluminum chassis, tasteful informative display and flawless operation, and explicitly calls the construction flawless. The plug-in input architecture, firmware upgradeability and locking-module mechanism also receive praise for making the Premier feel carefully engineered and durable in concept.

Features Connectivity

88/100

The Premier's configurable module bays can accommodate AES/EBU, optical, coaxial, USB, fibre and network-renderer options, while supporting PCM to 3.072MHz and DSD through DSD8. It also offers balanced outputs, a defeatable precision volume control, display, remote control and future-oriented modular upgrades; final input selection depends on the installed modules.

Value for Money

89/100

At roughly $27,500-$31,000, or £19,500 before optional modules in the HiFi News review, the Premier is plainly a serious investment. Kessler nevertheless felt its modular longevity and ability to replace a preamp made the price less forbidding, calling the package a triumph, while The Absolute Sound considered the optional renderer excellent value against far costlier streamers.

Reviews & Sources

Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.

Online Reviews & Mentions

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Specifications

Supported Formats (Input dependent)
44.1kHz to 3,072kHz PCM up to 32 bits 1xDSD, 2xDSD, 4xDSD, 8xDSD Supports DSD via DoP on all inputs
Digital Inputs
3x Advanced isolated input module slots
Clock Input
1x Clock module slot
XLR Analog Outputs
3.57Vrms Maximum 150µ Balanced Galvanically isolated
Volume Control
1dB steps (Range 0 - 106). Volume Control can be disabled in the menu.
Display
Discrete LED audio clock synchronous display Adjustable brightness and auto-off feature
Controls
Isolated RS-232 IR Remote Front panel interface
Power Consumption
45 Watts with fully configured Premier DAC
Chassis Dimensions
Width: 17 in (432 mm) Depth: 12 in (305 mm) Chassis Height (Without Feet): 2 in (51 mm) Unit Height (With Feet:): 2.6 in (65 mm) Weight: 18 lbs (8.2 kg)
Product Feet
M6X1 Thread
Shipping Dimensions
Width: 22 in (558.8 mm) Depth: 18 in (457.2 mm) Height: 7 in (177.8 mm) Weight: 27 lbs (12.3 kg)
Included Accessories
User Manual MSB Remote USB charging cable Dual-link power splitter
DSD Support
Balanced Output
Digital Volume Control
Display
RS-232 Control
Remote Control
Clock Input

Manufacturer's Description — MSB Technology

Exceptional sound. Unparalleled performance.

Our bestselling DAC, the Premier offers incredible value and technology in two beautiful CNC billet chassis. With twice the DAC modules over the Discrete, an improved FemtoClock, plus the addition of our ultra-low noise transformers and high-performing power architecture, the Premier represents the ideal digital system.

The Prime DAC Module

With four prime DACs, the Premier DAC produces an unmatched level of detail. It reproduces the musicality, soundstage, and texture of the original performance. This accuracy brings a maximum of the original performance to your listening room. A fully balanced, ultra-high precision, discrete ladder DAC architecture ensures that 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.

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 Pro 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

Femto 93 clock.

Our clock module architecture is built with performance in mind. Each Premier DAC comes with the Femto 93 Clock featuring a thermally-stabilized, custom, discrete crystal oscillator design.

Hybrid volume.

The Premier DAC comes equipped with a high-performance XLR or optimized RCA output module that’s fully shielded. This user-replaceable module provides a bufferless 150Ω output impedance suitable for driving any amplification. Proprietary advanced hybrid analog/digital volume technology allows for a clean and immersive listening experience you have to hear to fully believe.

Premier Powerbase

Built to accommodate modular components, the Premier Powerbase is highly adaptive, offering two dual-link power connectors, supplying four isolated power supplies. With the addition of dual low-noise shielded transformers, optimized power filtering, enhanced grounding and high-performance regulators, your DAC will be unrivaled in its performance.

The Digital Director

The Digital Director enhances essential DAC functions, externally manages digital audio sources, provides unmatched noise isolation and digital filtering. Using our proprietary ProISL laser fiber optic connection, the Digital Director eliminates noise coupling into the DAC from any digital source. This advanced isolation technology elevates the performance of all digital audio sources. Additionally, increased processing power ensures our digital filtering algorithms achieve a new level of realistic and accurate analog reproduction. Born from years of research and development, along with a keen understanding of digital filter design, the Digital Director levels up the performance of all digital audio. 

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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Verified Dealers

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Authorized dealers for MSB Technology PREMIER

  • 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)
  • Audio Connection — online and in-store — Verona, New Jersey, United States (website)
  • Audio Elation — in-store — Lolo, Montana, United States (website)
  • 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)

and 32 more verified dealers

Alma Music & Audio logo
Audio Advisors logo
Audio Concept - Luxembourg logo
Audio Connection logo
Audio Elation logo
Audio Excellence (CA) logo
Audio Excellence (CH) logo
Audio Video Feel logo
Audio Video Integration logo
Audio88 logo