Not to be pedantic but the Palisade is more like 60% of the Cascade.
Since we’re being pedantic, 62.6%… 
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Yep! Even further from half…
I’ll raise the pedantic scale and say the “nearly” qualifier counts as a +/- 12.6% 
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My name is on a Black Palisade! Woohoo!
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I saw that this morning! Congrats. We’ve never seen a reception like this before, a very exciting DAC indeed. I can’t wait for you to hear it!
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Great addition to MSB line of excellent DACs 
I note it is not intended to operate as a full “pre-amp” … but how does its volume control compare to the Cascade? Fully analog?
The main thing that holds me back from MSB DACs is that they are XLR / balanced output ONLY. I know you sell XLR to RCA adaptors … but that adds: extra connection; extra (presumably short) XLR cable; extra costs. My existing DAC - Pilium Elektra (MY24) - has both XLR and RCA outputs … which are separately configured. NB this is NOT a balanced unit .
Why do MSB not have both basic outputs?
NB over the years I have occasionally forced myself to try XLR cables … but I always prefer the sound of RCA (single ended). Somehow XLR sort of muffles the musical signal. Just my view.
Anyway … intrigued and interested in hearing the new Palisade. Having an alternative output option would be nice 
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The Premier DAC has the option, when ordered, to choose RCA output instead of XLR. I’m not sure about the other DACs.
I don’t know if this is a module that can be changed out by the user though. There will be trade ins coming in though, you might could snag one of those, and have the output module changed out.
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Yes! Fully analog volume control and the same performance as Cascade.
In the pursuit of performance, we do not have both. One compromises the other. For certain products, we have had methods to switch from XLR to single ended design with a purpose built output card. That being said, the external converters we make are similar to what those dedicated outputs were… but being external have better crosstalk performance. These external modules are still our preference.
Mixing balanced and single ended products is a disaster for performance and I am sure it would not sound good. I agree, It would have to be a fully balanced system through and through. Many amplifiers are single ended yet still have XLR inputs.
From a technical and performance point of view, if implemented correctly, balanced design will perform at the highest possible level.
We hear you! Sorry!
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Thanks Daniel
I appreciate you taking the time to respond.
My existing equipment - both integrated amp and DAC - are dual mono, but not balanced. I agree that in a fully balanced “end to end” system then XLR would probably be essential. For my current set-up RCA sounds better.
NB Although I am happy to upgrade & improve my DAC … I rather love my integrated amp …
When the Palisade is available in the UK I will be speaking to Dave & Luigi … maybe I need to try these adapters. Would be interesting to see/hear how they work practically.
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Thanks for chipping in Bones13
Yes, I was offered this option on the Premier back in the day. However, I preferred my existing DAC at the time. I was going to try the Reference … but alas it was just discontinued.
I think Daniel has made it clear that MSB is not offering this (alternative output) option on their “higher tier” DACs.
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Any chance this new firmware can be written to be shared to lower tier models Discrete and Premier Dac?
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