The Platinum DAC - Support 

DAC IV, DAC IV+ and DAC V Series

User Manuals:

System Setup:

Network Renderer:

USB Inputs:

DAC IV Firmware

When do I need a Firmware update?

DAC firmware updates offer both corrections of problems we found and performance improvements. We recommend keeping your DAC Firmware up to date. Note: If your version is REV 1.x you must send your DAC back to MSB for updating. You can check the current version of Firmware installed by following these steps:

  • Press the menu button on the front panel (left button with square on it)
  • Turn the volume knob until ABOUT is displayed
  • Click the select button (right button with *)
  • You will see CODE REV #
  • Then you will see INPUT DSP REV # and FILTER DSP REV #
  • The current version should be 4.10, 4.1 and 4.1.

These are the three different upgrade methods possible.

 

What to expect when doing the firmware update

This update includes three upgrades within the same file, the input DSP, digital filter DSP, and micro all together. The file is several minutes long. Please do not interrupt the process and let the file finish to the end. When you play the file you will hear some instructions, and three upgrade tones. Following each tone you will either hear silence for about 30 seconds (this varies) or you will hear the message ‘upgrade failed’. If all the upgrades fail, it is because you did not play the file bit-perfect. You may have computer upsampling on or digital volume control somewhere in your playback system. Contact MSB if you need help.

For the DAC IV and DAC IV Plus series products

(Do not use this file for the DAC V series)

Rev. 4.10 Released 10/9/19

This new release adds support and improvements for the Renderer V2. The DAC IV and DAC IV Plus do not support Quad Rate DSD via any interface. Play this file ONLY if you currently have 4.0 or above firmware

right click and save
Platinum_rev4_10_Firmware.wav

DAC V Firmware

When do I need a Firmware update?

DAC firmware updates offer both corrections of problems we found and performance improvements. We recommend keeping your DAC Firmware up to date. You can check the current version of Firmware installed by following these steps:

  • Press the menu button on the front panel (left button with square on it)
  • Turn the volume knob until ABOUT is displayed
  • Click the select button (right button with *)
  • You will see CODE REV #
  • Then you will see INPUT DSP REV # and FILTER DSP REV #
  • The current version is 1.4, 1.1 and 1.1.

What to expect when doing the firmware update

This update includes one update file. Please do not interrupt the process and let the file finish to the end. When you play the file you will hear some instructions, and the upgrade tone. Following the tone you will either hear silence for about 30 seconds (this varies) or you will hear the message ‘upgrade failed’. If the upgrades fail, it is because you did not play the file bit-perfect. You may have computer upsampling on or digital volume control somewhere in your playback system. Contact MSB if you need help.

For DAC V Only

(Do not use this file for the DAC IV series)

Adds support for the Renderer V2

Rev. 1.4 Released 10/9/19

right click and save
DAC_V_Firmware_v1.4.wav

The Platinum DAC - Available Upgrades

Femto 140

The Femto 140 is standard with all DAC V’s. Older versions of the DAC IV and DAC IV+ shipped with a lower performance on-board base clock and did not come standard with the femto 140.

Femto 77 (Galaxy Clock)

This is original Femtosecond clock with less than 77fs of jitter. It has been compared and reviewed all over the world with amazingly consistent results. This clock sets a golden standard from measurement and performance.

Femto 33

This is the newest and record breaking clock with less than 33 fs of jitter. So far we have never heard it better than this. This clock has improvements in every area including clock precision, thermal management and a new effort in vibration control. Imagine, half the jitter of the well known Galaxy Femto 77 clock.

Signature Volume Control

Our Preamp philosophy is based on the belief that from the moment analog audio is created, every transition that is made degrades the quality. This is why we have used a passive attenuator within the Signature DAC V and a single OpAmp, to achieve the simplest, shortest possible signal path with the least possible degradation of the true music.  The Signature Volume is controlled in 1 dB steps from +9 to -69 dB.  Half or quarter db steps can be selected as a menu option. The Volume Control is completely bypassed when at 0 dB.

Diamond Volume Control

This upgrade over the signature volume control includes hand crafted shielding with lower noise measurements.

Input Expansion Card (Pro I2S)

This input board provides a ground isolated MSB Network input ideal for connection to the Universal Media Transport and Data CD IV transport as well as a second PRO I2S input.

*Uses 1 of 2 AUX ports

DAC V Renderer

This input board provides a network renderer and pro I2S input for the DAC V.  With this option you can stream music directly to the DAC V without a computer – always bit-perfect.

Replaces Pro I2S Input board and supports the Quad Rate USB Input.

*Uses 1 of 2 AUX ports

Quad Rate USB Input

The USB2 Quad Rate DSD upgrade will play all files up to 384 kHz with even better, exceptional quality, and play DSD up to 256x.

*Uses 1 of 2 AUX ports

**Input expansion card (Pro I2S or Renderer) required

USB II – Signature 384kHz Input

The USB2 Signature 384 upgrade will play all files up to 384 kHz with excellent quality, and play DSD up to 128x.

*Uses 1 of 2 AUX ports

Clock Output Adapter

This adapter plugs into a PRO I2S input or the older MSB Network (either the one found on the DAC or one created with the PRO I2S input card below). It provides a master clock output suitable to slave a transport or server.

The clock output is a 512x master clock at LVDS level. It is approved for use with the Aurender Server. (It can also be used as a clock input.)

The DAC V - Features

The DAC V is the heart of a simple reference-level audio system. It has a full array of digital inputs—up to two analog inputs and an integrated analog volume control, easily outperforming most preamps on the market. The DAC V’s numerous inputs and options allow you to perfectly tailor it to your needs. The result is an easy-to-use system that will captivate your aural senses.

Discrete Ladder DAC Modules

MSB’s signature sound is based off our custom designed in-house produced discrete ladder DACs. The Signature DAC V includes 4 ladder modules, while the Diamond DAC V has eight, resulting in neutral, clean, and fatigue-free music.

Signature Preamp

Our preamp philosophy arises from one belief: the moment analog audio is created, every amplifier stage degrades the sound quality. This is why we’ve used passive attenuation and a single buffer stage within the DAC V to achieve the simplest, shortest possible signal path with the least possible degradation of the music. The volume is controlled in 1 dB steps from +9 to -69 dB. The Volume Control is completely bypassed at 0 dB.

Diamond Preamp

For those looking for additional dynamism out of the integrated preamp, the Diamond version is individually tweaked and shielded to provide the lowest noise floor possible, clocking in 5 dB lower than the Signature Volume Module.

The Signature DAC V Inside

The Signature DAC V contains our Signature DAC modules, Femto140, and optional Signature DAC volume controls.

The Diamond DAC V Inside

The Diamond DAC V contains our Diamond DAC modules and cutting-edge technology we learned developing the Select DAC. Expect to hear a level of detail and realism not possible from digital.

The Signature Power Base

The Signature Power Base includes 7 independent transformers and ultra-low noise linear regulators. An isolated independent 12 V DC supply is included for powering a transport.

The Diamond Power Base

The Diamond Power Base extracts the ultimate performance from your DAC V Signature or DAC V Diamond. Each Diamond power supplies is tightly regulated, filtered and shielded, so minimum noise is coupled into the DAC chassis. The Diamond power base uses rapid Silicon Carbide Schottky Diodes that turn on and off instantly with zero reverse recovery current. Like the Signature Power Base, a 12V transport power supply is included.