MSB Diamond DAC V

Ouch, totally not what I was looking for. I listen to a broad range of music minus Classical, Country, and Rap. All else is fair game and my next Dac must play well in that arena as well as coexisting wit either solid state our tube.

Thank you for your input.

@tomic601 

Yes, I did. 

@gregm 

Thank you for that input. Totally not what I would want to be surprised with hence the question to you guys for real answers before I waste time and money. 

Thanks again. 

Spoke to Fred at Lampizator and he says that the Big 7 is the way to go. Ballanced, volume control direct to the amp and call it a day. Its a tempting proposition but afraid it won’t be the Pacific and the other drawback is i love ethernet.

@tomic601

Please describe your experience as i am shocked that a piece that cost that kind of money would have holes in the upper and lower octaves. Its not easy grabbing a used piece like this demoing it so that mention definitely raises a flag.

@gregm 

Thank you for your input on the select Dac and as we all know not all things play equal together no matter how much money they cost. Not to get off topic on system matching a whole other world of issues of course and a subject that can go on forever and ever with so many variables involved.
Again thank you for your input and my next question is what Dac is that you now have on loan and what is it doing differently in your system?
Lastly my original curiosity was about the MSB Diamond V Dac with Diamond Power Base and renderer. My goal was to eliminate the preamp in the chain and get as much tube like sweetness as I can yet retaining the dynamic swings, bass punch and slam that solid state delivers "Best of Both Worlds" so to speak. 

Thanks again for your input.

@georgehifi
Thank you for getting back to me. I guess its best to zero in a bit. My current system amp is the just Released Plinius A-150 150 wpc class A switchable to A/B and Speakers are Focal Sopra #2. My room size for this setup is 12 wide by 10 deep. My music varies from Acoustic Vocals, Blues, Jaz, Rock, to Contemporary to Electronic Techno. I currently have a NAS ethernet setup playing through P.S Audio Perfectwave Directstream FPGA Dac connected to a P.S. Audio BHK Preamp . My goal was to maximize on the Dac and get rid of the preamp in the chain.
Must admit not too bad all things considered just trying to up the anti since the source is is where it all begins the rest can evolve as it constantly does from time to time. Little stuck as I really want to to do Dac direct to amp and yet have that preaml magic.

My other options where MSB Discrete, DCS Bartok or Lumin X1 as a downstream to the MSB Diamond Dac V solution.

Thanks for you help.

@kalali

Ok, so to your point on the DSD Streamer/Player Network Dac out there which one will best fit my criteria. I am looking for a Preamp Dac that will maximize my current 12 wide by 10 deep room . My music varies from Acoustic Vocals, Blues, Jaz, Rock, to Contemporary to Electronic Techno.  I am using an Ethernet Nas great for noise reduction for my ripped SACD/DSD Collection and also playing Tidal and or Quobuz, Spotify Connect would be nice as a last resort.

Thanks!

A question to the Dac Community:

Some have argued to put my money into a better speaker vs a Dac some say that the source is where it all begins and the speakers where they end. On my end considering my room size 12 W x 10 D all around sound and room placement went to Focal Sopra #2 however I do Love Dynaudio Confidence Speakers and may give them a shot in the near future. As for the amplifier I am set With the Plinius A150 Refrence Class A150 WPC Switchable to Class A/B.

Now for my Dac consideration:
Direct to Amp no preamp! streaming needs Sound Quality is #1 for the type of music that I listen to Acoustic Vocals, Blues, Jaz, Rock, to Contemporary to Electronic Techno, Alternative. I do use Tidal, Quobuz, Spotify if available and Media Server Ethernet / NAS Capable a major plus.

My Ultimate Goal is to Best by a noticeable margin my current below setup.

My Current setup:
PS Audio BHK Signature Preamp.
PS Audio Directsteram With Bridge ll

My Choices:
MSB Diamond Dac V
Lampizator Big 7 MKll
DCS Bartok
Lumin X1

Thanks for helping me zero this in :)

@georgehifi 

What are you recommending?

Excellent, thanks for the Nod.

P.S. The MSB Diamond Dac V was the most expensive of the group.

So you believe that MSB Diamond Dac V  is the pick of the litter over all the others . It was my gut feeling also after everything  read and heard from others.

So tough spending that kind of money 💰 and not having the opportunity to hear it 1st. hand. Oh well, guess I will have to go with my gut and advise from all here in the community.

Now its a matter finding a deal on a Dac V with Diamond Power Base and Render. Keep me posted if anyone out there knows where I can grab one ;)

Thanks!

All well taken. I’ve heard the Bartok is a must listen to and very interesting that no one mentioned Lumin X1? I am trying to best my ps audio perfectwave with bridge 2 and drop the preamp. Hate to do a lateral. I’m also circling the Gryphon Diablo 300 to mate the dac with and call it a day.

Thoughts

@gregm  

Ideon Audio Absolute Dac definitely has my attention How much is it?
P.S. They are not easy to find info on other than there website. I also circling the Lampinzator they left a unforgettable impression  with there Pacific Dac.

@gregm 

looks amazing on paper, but as an exotic and unknown here in the U.S. it’s a bit risky interims of resell ability and depreciation. DACs have always been a fear of mine due to the Dac a Day concept. Everyone comes out with a new and improved best thing since slice bread every year while the buyers take a major loss when trying to upgrade to the next greatest Dac. I am going to look for either a Lampi Pacific or a MSB Diamond Dac V with all the goodies on the secondary market. 

Thanks for your help, it certainly has massive technical appeal. Keep us posted:)