Considering Nagra Tube Dac with Power Supply or MSB Reference ?

IMHO expensive DACS are a supreme waste of money. Look at commercial studio units. Their performance is just as good and the prices far more reasonable. They may not look as flashy but it is not about looks. A combination ADC/DAC is extremely advantageous as you can record albums to your hard drive like a friend's rare 45 RPM Led Zeppelin set.  

not true milo there is a world of difference 

I'd suggest posting this over on What's Best Forum you'll get some real responses.

Appreciate that feedback jond.

@jond 

+1 

He will get more helpful feedback and insightful owner/user feedback.

Charles

He will be advised about the 20 other brands that are "better" per people

who own them.

Get them both in your house with your system and then decide.

Get them both in your house with your system and then decide.

If this can be arranged, then unquestionably it’s the best evaluation method. With regard to WBF , he’s more likely to get replies from those familiar with the components of interest. They are pretty good at staying on point in my experience on that site.

Certainly there will be respect for his decision as an adult to spend his money as he sees fit. Rather than the tired and stale references to the cost of a given audio product and questioning one’s judgment for expenditure. 

Charles

In home demo's the only way to tell. 

Thanks for the feedback.  Appreciate your time.

Woots

@woots 

I have the Nagra tube dac, with external power supply, in the context of a Nagra separates system. Despite (or maybe because of) the price, it's not a flashy dac -- no audiophile fireworks, no jazz-hands "look at me" kind of presentation. Natural, fluid sound, dynamically engaging, sounds like music to me -- I can listen spellbound for hours. 

Is the MSB Reference DAC better, for your system and taste? I can't answer that. If you can home demo the Nagra tube dac, great -- if not, go with the MSB, which you've already tried and loved -- don't worry about comparisons you can't make!

Not only that, but this is an analog forum.  There is a separate forum for this question, or maybe the OP has already been there.  I am not trying to be a twit, (It requires no effort for me to be a twit.)  But more response is likely to be gotten from guys that are thinking about DACs all day long. FWIW, I just spent two days at Capital Audiofest, and in one room I was impressed by a Denafrips DAC which was directly compared to a vinyl source.  This is not what you asked about, of course.

@metaldetektor 

thanks for the feedback. Will let you know after Friday how the comparison goes. 
 

@woots 

I am looking forward to your listening impressions.

Charles