Accurate, price, build quality

No warmth of presentation, rather harsh

Bought this DAC as both it and the Sigma are/were in Class C per Stereophile and I like the Sigma a lot (9 years old). It is very harsh and cold compared to the Sigma, even with the addition of the Monolithic Hc-2 power supply. For people who like a warm tubey sound, 1 star. For people who like solid state in your face sound, 4 stars.
It's going into the video system where I believe it will do a good job. If you have a warm sounding system, it may bring you closer to neutral. It depends on YOUR system and taste, not mine. Associated equipment: CAL Delta transport, ARC LS-3 pre-amp, Electrocompaniet AW-65 amp, Monitor Audio Monitor 2.5 Gold speakers on Target stands filled with sand, Audio Prism Foundation III power conditioner, Kimber PBJ cable, various Cardas power cords, BBright Star Little Rock on top of everything, Versalab Duplex for each pair of power cords.

Similar Products Used:

Cal Audio Sigma

Resolution, musicality.

Sometimes to much reverberation (in some recordings only!)

I bought it to improve the sound of my Harman Kardon HD 740 CD player. The burn-in period is long: 100hrs approx., so do not judge this DAC before that! And wow!, it was really the best upgrade I have ever made! All that matters to me is there: excellent low end control, clear mids and never grainy highs. I disagree with the last reviewer about its warmth: it all depends on the aplification and speakers, but generally, it has a fluid and warm character.The only thing I can complain is a slightly (very slightly!)pronounced reverberation in some recordings.
Of course, there are better DACs, but not for that money!

The rest of the system:
Audio Analogue Puccini integrated amp.
Harman Kardon HD 740 CD player - as a transport
Mission 773e speakers
WireWorld Starlight III and QED Digiflex coaxial interconnect (transport>DAC)
Van den Hul DB 102 III interconnect (DAC>amp)
FFRC (DIY from TNT-Audio.com), Nordost SuperFlatline Gold speaker cables.

I had bought the MSB about 3-4 months back. I started warming it up for about 100++ hrs before having any serious listening. During the initial 100++ hrs, the MSB improved quite a significance amount. The sound became more detail, rounded, smoother and the soundstage also improved as well. It is certainly a very good product.

In Singapore, the MSB DAC cost about SDG$800 after taxes. However a good digital cable is also needed to connect the DAC to the transport. As the result, a total amount of about SDG$1000 is needed for upgrade.

There are however some problem with this upgrade. Firstly, an extra level of audio rack is needed to place the DAC. The DAC, pre-amp and transport should be place as far as possible from the amp and power supplies. Secondly, a good transport is also needed as well. Thirdly, jitter problem may set in. Fourthly, paying SDG$1000 for the upgrade may not be the best "value added" upgrade around. One can consider selling the transport away for SDG$500, then get a second hand CD player (like Naim CD3.5) for about SDG$1500 or less in Singapore.

I sold my MSB DAC about 1 month ago and bought a brand new Naim CD3.5 (cost SDG$2400). The Naim CD3.5 is much better than the Rega Planet(the CD transport that i was using)-MSB DAC combination. The soundstage and bass of Naim CD3.5 is weaker then the Rega Planet/MSB, however it really produces MUSIC. Please try auditioning the Naim CD3.5 espeacially with a Naim Flatcap power supply.

As a conclusion, MSB DAC is certainly a very good product. However there maybe other better options around.

A one cent worth of my opinion.

Note: I believe the fourth point is not true in US as a brand new Naim CD3.5 cost about US$2400 there compared to SDG $2400 in Singapore (US$1.00 = SDG$1.70).

Natural sound, smooth, detailed.

None

I have an almost $20K system (Sim Moon w-5 power amp, Moon P-5 pre-amp, System Audio 3070 speaker and a Pioneer Elite DV-09 as transport). The Elite has impressive sound right out of the box with dual 24/96 DACs, but a friend convinced me that I could get even better sound with an outboard DAC. After extensive listening we found a winner at under $1K. I never expected this to be possible, but what a joy it is!

We both purchased the LINK DAC modified by Channel Islands Audio with the Monolithic HC-2 power supply. My blues collection blasts on the Dusty DAC. And jazz just jingles.

I was gonna try his class A mono power amps, but was told that their not out yet. I'm waiting. Perhaps I'll bi-amp.

Similar Products Used:

Tried: Levinson 360S; Wadia 27ix

Earlier this year I sold my Audio Alchemy DDE 3.0 a with a DTI PRO and Power Supply Two and replaced all with an MSB LINK DAC (list: $399). There was a huge sonic improvement. A very impressive dac and definately a terrific value. Now I am using a Dusty Vatwer modified (mods list for $199) LINK DAC with the standard wall-wart power supply replaced by his Monolithic Sound HC-2 power supply (list: $249). Again I experienced a similar improvement. This combination (list price: $847) is twice as good as the standard LINK DAC. I'm not sure where it would stand against the GOLD LINK DAC (list: $1,295) with either the Monolithic HC-2 or the MSB Multiple Power Supply (list: $599). That might be close, but it is certainly better than the GOLD with the wall-wart. I had that one also and it was nice, but just not this good! It is getting very close to analog, but no DAC working from Red Book CDs can be quite as close to analog as either Sony's SACDs or 24/192 Audio DVDs.

All LINK DACs, modified or not, require a minimum of three days to break-in. They will sound brittle and harsh before that. The improvements will continue to a lesser degree for three or four weeks. Some of the other reviewers have noted this, but the lack of break-in may be a reason for the few naysayers.

My system:
Infinity RS 2.5 speakers driven by a Kinergetics KBA-75 pure class A amp. I am using a Pioneer CLD-52 with an AudioWorks digital cable going to the modified LINK DAC. The pre-amp is an Audio research SP3-A+++ that I have modified to be passive (except for the phono section of course).

So how can a $350 DAC sound? Well, for one thing it has a new 24 bit Burr-Brown chip. The built quality is superb. Connectors are well spaced from each other to prevent friction and damage to the "fat" wires we like to use. It is also upgradable with 3D SRS feature for surround effect. To be brief, the sound of this super low cost DAC is superior to competitors below $1500. In comparison to Camelot Arthur, the Link beats it outright in terms of liquidity and detail. Everything sounds much more defined without being harsh or bright. Also, while the Arthur can sound boomy at times, the Link sounds just right. Instruments separation is better as well. Still, I have to admit that the sound characteristic is a bit too analog-like for my taste but if you're looking for the most balanced sounding budget DAC in the market, stop looking and grab a Link. Perhaps the only major downside of this DAC is the absence of HDCD. While HDCD may not be around after the new DAD or DSD standard becomes dominant, the increasing releases recorded in HDCD makes it worth while to own a HDCD capable DAC. Perhaps MSB would offer an upgrade in the future. 4 stars for sound, 5 stars for value.

Associated components:
Bryston B-60
Dynaudio Contour 1.3 mkII
Parasound CDC-1500
AA DTiPro32 (24 bit dither on)
Nordost Blue Heaven wires
Lat Int D-20 + Tributaries digital coaxes

General resolution. Soundstage.

None yet

I bought this based on reviews and recommendations and I am not dissapointed. I did a listening test at the store using various sources through Dynaudio Contour speakers and was continually impressed with the open, rythmic and detailed sound. The step up from my old Pioneer CD player is amazing!

As everyone else has stated there is absolutely no listening fatigue. It does not have the last bit of detail necessary for huge orchestral movements, such as the twin Apogees used in the studio where my brother in law directs recording sessions, but it certainly does a remarkable job.

For a lovely budget system I use it with a Panasonic RV31 as tranport.

Very important however to use the right interconnects! I was using Cardas Crosslink II but they totally eliminated the high frequencies! I now use a pair of Siltech based custom made cables that a local audio shop/studio producer sold me. These are truly fabulous. The sound is open, bass is extended and tight and soundstage is large, high and deep.

For those interessted my system is:
Panasonic RV31 as transport
Classe CAP 150 integrated amp
MSB Link III (base version)
JMLab Megane Carat speakers
Van Den Hull C122 speaker cable
Siltech based custom interconnects
UltraLink optical cable

Clean, upper-end open, lower-end solid. Tweakable.

See Below

First of all, I enjoy my Link III (Full Nelson) and it was a noticible improvement on my system. The improvement was not as significant as other component changes I have made in the past but I think you must accept the fact that the better your system gets, the harder (and usually more costly) it is to make it better.

The main reason I am writing this review is not to praise the Link III (I think it is obvious that owners of this product like it a lot) but rather to address several reviewers' complaints that the MSB Link 3 somehow eliminates or "filters" high frequencies. I think I know what they are referring and it should be addressed:

I have noticed the problem when the MSB automatically switches between digital inputs. I have my DVD player run through a digital coaxial cable and my CD player run through an optical(toslink) cable. When I turn the DVD player on, the MSB automatically takes the signal from the DVD player and not the CD player. Occasionally, when I turn off the DVD player and resume listening to music through my CD player, many of the high frequencies are gone. I believe the MSB Link 3 has not fully switched from one digital input to the other. This problem was also mentioned in a Stereophile review when the reviewer discusses one the inputs not working and then suddenly "snapping" into place. I believe this is a weakness of this product. I solve the problem by unplugging the DVD player and then turning off the CD player and then turning everything back on (it as not as painful as it sounds and the problem rarely occurs).

Similar Products Used:

The DAC in my Sony ES changer.

Superb low-level resolution (definite Class B), Fully upgradeable, Simple clean design, Very low cost

Ugly faceplate (like something out of the 1800s)

First of all, this is a MSB LINK III DAC ($359), not the original Link. Second, I bought mine with the 96kHz upsampling upgrade installed (add $179). The upsampling upgrade not only upsamples to 96kHz but also 132kHz (with a jumper switch) and also has built-in anti-jitter circuitry. I strongly recommend anyone looking into this DAC to purchase this upgrade. Thirdly, I have decided to report to you on this DAC after only one (1) day since purchase. In other words, its NOT fully broken in yet.

Compared to my CD player, the Rotel RCD-971 (which now acts as the transport), which is a Class C Stereophile 2000 recommended component, the MSB Link III adds remarkably to the combination by adding even more resolution, clarity and most importantly "musicality". I say this because this is what most CD players I have listened to seemed to have lacked. They had always sounded artifial and fake sounding to me, with no sense of realism that "music" was actually being played. I should know I'm a musician. Not so with this Link DAC; so far it has turned out to be everything that I had hoped for.

The Link definitely moves my Class C sound system into borderline Class B territory. I am extremely happy that I have bought the Link III. (I will try to follow-up if I can with a good review after a couple months. I may include an additional upgrade and a few comments about HDCD and the MSB company.)


My system now consists of:
*KEF Q55s
*Adcom GFA-5400 amp
*Adcom GFP-565 preamp
*Rotel RCD-971 (HDCD) player (transport)
*MSB Link III DAC
*Audioquest Crystal
*Audioquest Forest +
*Kimber Kable AGDL coax
*Kimber Kable Silver Streaks (X2) RCA
*Adcom ACE-515 AC line conditioner

P.S. Cables DO make a difference!

Similar Products Used:

This is my first separates DAC.

Incredibly believable sound

none

Even though the seller said he absolutely hated the thing (he already had his cash in hand), I wasn't swayed (mostly because of the great reviews here). He told me that the LINK DAC made his system sound like it was never loud enough, and like the treble had been turned off. The problem with most of the posters here that have been unhappy with the link dac (IMHO) is that they are so used to hearing the garbage that most cheap internal dacs produce. They are used to hearing loud, twangy, strident, popping treble from their low-fi systems, and REALLY MISS all the GARBAGE SOUND they have become so accustomed to hearing. I replaced an eight-year old dac-in-the-box (which, in it's time, was one of the best for the price). The link dac produced tons of detail I had been missing, without the usual associated grunge. Compared to my player's internal dac (Sony dvp360 dvd), the first words that come to mind are "night and day". I think I have a pretty good set of ears, but the best subjective test of this unit (or any hi-fi piece, or system)is this: how long am I able to enjoy an extended music listening session? And I'm not talking about throwing on a CD, then listen while I run around the house doing chores. "Listening" means sitting down, front and center, in my favorite chair, with my favarite import beer or double-scotch, then just sit back and enjoy. That is the real test. How long can I stand to listen to digital (never asked that question when I listened to LP's exclusively)??? The answer with the link dac is: I never encountered one bit of listening fatigue during my initial three months of use (the unit was already broken in when I bought it), and have always thoroughly enjoyed the link's perfectly natural presentation. I can't even say that about my dac-in-the-box. Some of these mega-buck, hi-fi junkies that refuse to believe this DAC can outperform some of their multi-thousand-dollar boxes, need to get a clue, because this unit is a GIANT KILLER!!!

System:

*Denon AVR3000
*Paradigm mini-monitors - mains (also use a mini for center)
*Paradigm titans - rear duty
*Pioneer CLD-S901 laserdisc
*M&K MX80 Subwoofers (two)
*Sony dvp360 DVD (doubles as CD player)
*Custom-made interconnects and speaker cables - all multiple strand, individually coated, solid 24-gauge copper (NO STRANDED or BRAIDED Montster JUNK), shielded and earth grounded.

Similar Products Used:

dac-in-a-box