Much to be said in favor of the Link. First, for $350.00 it is built like a tank, massive solid case, with extremely hefty gold-plated terminals 'round back. Compared to some flimsy sub-K equipment circulating today, the MSB does not cheap out in terms of the build quality and design. As for the sound? Staggering. I'm running an Arcam Alpha 7 as a transport, with Kimber Silver Streak, through some Sonic Frontiers gear to a pair of PSB Stratus Gold is. The difference over the Arcam DAC is truly night and day. First, the sound has a palpability with the Link that I've never experienced before in my system. In fact, I did careful level matching because I thought the MSB was simply louder. NOT! It is richer, especially in the fundamentals; there is a three- dimensionality to the sound that is both pleasing to the ear and musically satisfying. With the Link, I was put in mind of a pair of the new Maggie 3.6s I'd heard; you get a sense of instrumentalists in the room, and flesh and blood images that you could walk around and shake hands with. There is more "there" there through this DAC. I'm a huge afficianado of jazz, and am hearing the old saws--Bill Evans, 'Trane, Monk-- in ways I have, quite frankly, never experienced before. Music through the Link is simply more involving; you sit up and take notice in a way that defies your mind to wander. Across the bandwith: more bass with more impact; mids stand out as far more pronounced (I could not for the life of me make out Cassandra Wilson without the lyrics until I put this unit in the loop; I notice the least difference in the treble, but I have a fairly "dead" room to begin with. Since I'm currently without a DVD player, I've yet to hear the Link with 24/96, but if it can better current CD sound, then it will be close to heaven. Apparently, these things are selling like mad. I waited a month plus for my unit; but in the cottage industry of the high- end that's not atypical. Hey, for the price-performance ratio, there's no reason NOT to own one of these. Recommended without reservations.

Takes the edge off high frequency sounds

Takes the edge off high frequency sounds

I bought and returned the MSB Link DAC III with audio advisors 30 day trial, (are they great people!). In contrast to what everyone else is saying, I felt the DAC was nothing more than a high frequency filter. I did burn in for more than 100 hours and used with pretty good associated equipment: Outlaw audio pre direct, C-J Sonographe SA-250 amp, Meadowlark Kestrel speakers, AQ Turqoise IC's and DH cable. The only difference I heard from my Parasound CDP-1000 was a loss of high frequency detail which in some systems may be an improvement. Soundstage was the same, bass ditto (the Kestrels are world class in the bass). Maybe the full boat version: Nelson, upsampling and P-1000 make a difference, but the basic DAC III didn't do it for me.

Similar Products Used:

none

If you want to get the most out of your msb dac have Ric at evs modify it. Ric's modified msb produces some of the best digital sound I have ever heard. Less digititis means more muisicality, space around the instruments with a palpable sense of the room. I also have Ric's modified pioneer 414 dvd player as my transport. The combination is a killer. Reach him at tweakaudio.com or 408-399-9708, you will be a happy camper.other equip. i use-
maggie 1.6qr's- completly upgraded and rewired cross over's
rauland borg tube mono blocks- from the 60's in process of very serious mods
all harmonic tech wires,interconnectsand power cords-also modified
chang 9800 power conditioner
assorted isolation devices, air bladders and sand boxes
enjoy,
Joshua Schor

Five stars. I concur with the enthusiastic reviews. But one word of advice. If you are running a less than perfect transport, add a Monarchy DIP to kick out the upstream jitter. Give the LINK A HIGHER-QUALITY SIGNAL AND IT WILL REPAY THE MODEST INVESTMENT IN SPADES.

This puppy is WAY overrated -- fine for impressionable newbies on a budget, but anyone exposed to the good stuff will tire of this one quickly.

I am using this DAC (for the past month) in my livingroom system... I wanted to keep my 'changer' (Yamaha CD655), because I use it for parties or for gatherings where I don't want to constantly have to change cd's. I am running Merlin TSM's for speakers... and a variety of integrated AMPS; Bryton... Krell... yada yada.... the point is, the MSB DAC LINK has enabled me to upgrade the sound from my Yamaha and not have to spend 1500.00 on a high quality changer... The sound I get from it is worth every penny (and Then some)... I won't get all gaga over it.... but I AM!!!! Try this unit out before you plop down your hard earned dollar on some over hyped new cd player..... I am considering buying another for the big rig....

This DAC sounds very rough. It is worst than my Harman Kardon FL8300 CD Changer. The bass is blurry. Midrange is hard. Treble is depressed.Yet it has a very good review in Stereophile magazine. I do not
recommend this unit at all. There is the old saying: you pay what you get.

This puppy makes music just jump out and BITE at you. Heavily recommended.

True to the music

I'm working on upgrading my mid-fi system piece by piece -- at a reasonable price. I'm using my Sony 650 DVD player as a transport. I tried the now-dirt-cheap CAL Gamma. There was a difference between the Gamma and the Sony's own DAC. But, I won't say that it was necessarily better, except that it took the edge off of the top-end (though this seemed artificial). Ordered the Link III from AudioAdvisor (BTW: they are great at customer service!).

Initially, I could barely tell a difference between the Link and the Sony. After about 2 weeks, the music really started coming through. As most others have noted, take the break-in seriously (I don't understand why this happens or works, but it does). I put several CD's on repeat for 24-hours a day for about a week. After break-in, the Link is much more musical than the Sony (or Gamma). The sound is less harsh, but no less detailed. The biggest thing I notice is that the instruments sound natural, real, and consistent. Acoustic guitars and basses sound like notes played on an instrument rather than just tones. The pluck and plunk of the strings come through now. I've also noticed that I just enjoy listening to music more -- no digital fatigue.

I did A/B comparisons to make sure that my impressions were right. I was surprised that I could actually discern a difference. I was even more surprised when my wife picked out the same differences between the Sony and the Link. She also thought that the sound was more open, yet detailed.

I know that I'm not really saying much new here. Many have said similar things about the Link. What convinced me to post was that my system is not as nice (yet) compared to the systems of most who have posted previously. So, I would have appreciated knowing how this piece performed in a mid-fi system. I wondered if the same benefits would be realized. Bottom line: it performs and I don't regret taking the risk on it.

My system:
Sony 650 DVD (5-disc changer)
BetterCables digital coax cable
MSB Link III DAC (non-upgraded)
MIT Terminator 2 interconnects
Sony STR DE-935 receiver*
MIT Terminator 4 speaker cables
NHT SuperTwo speakers

*Receiver used in 2CH STEREO mode for "analog direct"

Similar Products Used:

CAL Gamma

Sorry Guys,But I've been living w/the link for about 2 months now and am only mildly impressed w/ the performance of this puppy.I find the bass descent but far from killer(it is deep but it lacks impact!)
My real complaint is in the high frequency exstension or really the lack of exstension. I've tried the link w/ a Cal Delta and a Panasonic A-110. The link is much prefered to the DACs in the Panasonic, which probaly makes this an excellent product for someone who's music system is based on a DVD player.
Sure the build quality is phenominal at this price point, but lets be honest, it's the sound that counts and this unit comes up a little short.
To be honest I'm kicking myself in the Ass for selling my Cal Alpha.

Anyway the Rest of System

Preamp - Melos SHA Gold Ref.
AMP - MacCormick DNA-1
Speakers - NHT 2.9
Wires - Kimber -Hero , 8TC