MSB Technology
Reference DAC
The MSB Reference DAC is a modular, two-box (DAC plus outboard Powerbase) digital-to-analog converter built around MSB's proprietary discrete "Hybrid" ladder DAC modules, which the company says process PCM and native DSD in fully balanced mode with no format compromises (The Absolute Sound). It uses a user-upgradable clock architecture (Femto 140 through Femto 33) and a lever-based module-slot system that lets owners configure inputs, outputs, and an optional passive preamp stage (EliteAudioUK).
MSRP
$39,500
Used market · Good
$32,500
MSRP to used market
From $39,500 at launch to $32,500 today.
Specifications
- Clock
- Femto 140 standard at launch; current units ship standard with Femto 33 oven-controlled dual-crystal clock
- Weight
- DAC chassis approx. 8.2–11kg (25lbs); paired Dual Powerbase approx. 20kg (45lbs)
- Max DSD
- 1x/2x/4x/8x DSD, plus DSD via DoP on all inputs
- Dimensions
- 444mm (17.5") W x 444mm (17.5") D x 79mm (2.2") H, without feet
- Current price
- £52,000–£60,000 (UK) / around €45,000–€72,000 depending on configuration (Germany); roughly $54,500 in some US dealer listings
- Dynamic range
- 143dBFS / 145dBAFS (20Hz–20kHz)
- Analog outputs
- XLR balanced output, 3.57Vrms max (digital input) / 12Vrms max (analog input), 150Ω balanced, galvanically isolated; optional preamp output module
- Digital inputs
- 4x advanced isolated input module slots (SPDIF/optical/coax standard; optional USB, I²S, Pro ISL, MQA USB, Network Renderer modules)
- DAC architecture
- 4x proprietary "Hybrid" discrete ladder DAC modules, fully balanced, true multibit for PCM and native single-bit processing for DSD
- Launch base price
- $39,500 (SPDIF module, base output module, Femto 140 clock, Dual Reference Powerbase)
- Max PCM resolution
- Up to 3,072kHz / 32-bit (input dependent)
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