Hi Slhijb
I've had a few DACs in the past, and still have a couple now: an EAD and an MSB DAC III Full Nelson w/Power Base. I somewhat agree and disagree with Socrates. I wouldn't characterize the technology as being dated. As far as the performance goes, it is excellent, and can be had in this configuration for around $600-$700 on A'gon. It may not have the build quality as say an EAD, but it's still great, none the less. And, MSB stands behind their product 100%.
I, too, have a Monster 5100, and though I plan to upgrade it, it still serves its purpose. Regardless, YES, you will still reap great benefit from having a Power Base, even with a 5100.
As far as the benefits for MP3's... Night and Day! I currently use an Audiotron to play my MP3 library (ripped using Music Match). The Audiotron grabs the MP3s, which reside on my PC, over an Ethernet network, and plays it on my system. I take the optical out on the Audiotron and run it into the MSB. The DAC makes the MP3 sound pretty damn decent. Of course, you can't compare it to uncompressed music coming from a transport through the DAC, but that's not a fair comparison. But unless you're sitting down in front of your system for serious, critical, music listening, it certainly does the trick.
Bear in mind that the DAC isn't going to be of much help for SACD.
Hope this helps.
H
I've had a few DACs in the past, and still have a couple now: an EAD and an MSB DAC III Full Nelson w/Power Base. I somewhat agree and disagree with Socrates. I wouldn't characterize the technology as being dated. As far as the performance goes, it is excellent, and can be had in this configuration for around $600-$700 on A'gon. It may not have the build quality as say an EAD, but it's still great, none the less. And, MSB stands behind their product 100%.
I, too, have a Monster 5100, and though I plan to upgrade it, it still serves its purpose. Regardless, YES, you will still reap great benefit from having a Power Base, even with a 5100.
As far as the benefits for MP3's... Night and Day! I currently use an Audiotron to play my MP3 library (ripped using Music Match). The Audiotron grabs the MP3s, which reside on my PC, over an Ethernet network, and plays it on my system. I take the optical out on the Audiotron and run it into the MSB. The DAC makes the MP3 sound pretty damn decent. Of course, you can't compare it to uncompressed music coming from a transport through the DAC, but that's not a fair comparison. But unless you're sitting down in front of your system for serious, critical, music listening, it certainly does the trick.
Bear in mind that the DAC isn't going to be of much help for SACD.
Hope this helps.
H