But a question specifically for current or past owners of the MSB Reference DAC and the Digital Director. How much of an improvement would the pairing of the Digital Director bring to the table?
And if anyone has had the Reference+DD in the past but has now moved to the Cascade (which I did have the pleasure to demo in my system for about 10 days back in the summer so I know what it can do), how far would the Reference+DD still be (in your opinion) compared to the Cascade?
Should I expect a similar improvement to the one I have experienced when adding the PRO USB ISL module and fibre cable to the DAC or considerably more?
Ah, well, my thoughts then! Unlike many improvements in a system, adding a DD is a bigger shift then most incremental upgrades. Instead of just better performance through quality, you are adding new features and technology. Better digital filters which are more advanced then what is in your Reference DAC. Another stage of isolation for the DAC’s performance, like the Pro USB but on steroids. The difference is much greater than say that of the Pro USB, because you are fundamentally changing the entire product layout. When I first heard our prototype DD, the amount of new information I was able to hear was astounding and made going back without it was very difficult. If your system can reveal it, its a wonderful next step! Food for thought.
I was thinking that in future we’re probably going to double the ProISL fiber connections in one way or another. Let me explain.
Adding a DD or (the lucky ones) a Cascade, there is a first ProISL path between two MSB chassis, this is the most crucial part I suppose.
But Taiko, Innuos, Pink Faun, Antipodes and hopefully many other server manufacturers are working hard to realize new output modules on their devices able to provide a second ProISL path between them and the MSB DD.
This is the future. Does this double isolation make a really significant difference?
In my case, for instance, I’m going to experience soon that kind of double ProISL connection, because once my DD arrives I’ll have to keep it connected via USB Pro to the Innuos Statement, having the latter 7 mt far away in a different rack on the side wall.
If I remember well you said, it’s like putting a hat on the hat!
I suppose it can be a bit like a hat on a hat, except that with high end audio… everything matters. At every stage of the system there are interactions that have to be managed. By adding a second layer of Pro ISL you are eliminating those interactions and reducing the amount of variables you will need to control. Please keep us posted with your new DD!
