MSB Technology DAC II - Manual (Page 2)

DAC II Preamp Users Manual
Rev 1 (1/03)
Unique Product - a Preamp or a DAC?
This product is a unique combination of a very high performance DAC and the ultimate passive preamp. It is intended to be used as both
for the best possible sound in your system. Our preamp philosophy is based on the belief that from the moment analog audio is created,
every transition that is made degrades the quality. That means that an active preamp with many stages if perfect would have no effect and
any imperfection would result in degradation of the music. That is why we have used a passive preamp within the DAC II, to achieve the
simplest, shortest possible signal path, with the least possible degradation of the true music.
The Preamp Upgrade
The DAC II Preamp has just one analog input and many digital inputs. It is designed to be the last
component in your system before the amplifiers. With its incredibly low impedance, especially
for a passive preamp, it can drive long interconnects and handle any type of amplifier input stage
design with optimum performance.
Depending on how many analog sources you have in your system, you may be able to eliminate
your current preamp. If you currently have only CD and vinyl in your system, you would attach
your CD players digital output to the DAC II and the output of your phono preamp to the analog
input. Your system is now complete, with the shortest possible signal path and the best sound
you can achieve. The same idea applies to use with an SACD player. Since SACD does not come
out the digital output, the analog SACD is attached to the analog input on the DAC II and the
digital output for CD playback.
If you have a complex system with a preamp with many analog inputs, attach the outputs of your
preamp to the input on the DAC II. Shift any digital sources over to digital inputs on the DAC II
and again, you will achieve optimum results. Set your preamp to a volume that matches the DAC
II output and use nothing but the DAC II volume control in your system.
Setup and Quick Start
The front panel is quite simple with few user controls. Set the input source to auto and
start with all the other options off (No LED lit). On power up, the volume is reset to -62 dB.
Turn the volume knob up until you hear music.
Power - The Platinum comes standard with an inboard power supply. A switch on the
back allows the unit to be switched between 240V and 120V. Please check your setting
before plugging the unit in. Leave the Platinum powered on all the time.
Inputs - The Platinum comes standard with two MSB Network (CAT5), AES/EBU balanced,
coaxial and optical digital audio inputs, as well as a balanced analog input, ranked in
order of performance. Connect any digital input to any active digital audio source. The
frequency of the incoming signal will be read out on the front panel and analog audio will
be found on both balanced and single-ended analog outputs.
Outputs
Connect the balanced or single-ended analog outputs to any amplifier and audio should
be present. The output level is controlled with the knob or remote.
Burn-In
The concept of burn-in is little understood. Does it take your ears some time to get used to the incredibly detailed and life like sound of
an MSB product or is something actually changing? The feedback we receive leads us to recommend at least 100 hours of burn-in on this
DAC. Customers generally recommend one month.
DAC II Preamp
Phono
Preamp
CD or DVD-A
Transport
AMPs
Analog Digital
Analog
DAC II Preamp
SACD Player
AMPs
Analog Digital
Analog
2