The Analog DAC - Support
The Analog DAC - Firmware
Current Version 2.7 released 9/26/21
How Do I know if my firmware is up to date?
When you power up the Analog DAC “MSB” should fade on. If you press and hold the Input button for 5 Seconds, the unit will display “RST” followed the firmware version, serial number, and distributor. The revision number should be “M27” and “D22”.
What to expect when doing the firmware update
This update includes two upgrades within the same file, the input DSP and micro 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 two 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 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 this upgrade, you need to use whichever interface is installed in port 1 (closest to the power connector).
Version 2.7
Please download and play the file.
This is the update file for the Analog DAC and will update it to M27 D22. This firmware adds support for the Renderer Version 2 and corrects a issue with DSD playback.
The Analog DAC - Available Upgrades
Digital Input Modules
While the Analog DAC may be discontinued, Digital Input Modules are generally available. Contact your local dealer for availability.
Compatible Input Modules:
Optical/Coaxial (S/Pdif)
Balanced XLR (AES/EBU)
MQA/Quadrate USB
Network Renderer
MSB Pro I2S
MSB Network
The Analog DAC - Features
Invisible LED Display
Machined right through the aluminum, more than 1000 small holes reveal a discrete LED display.
Modular inputs
In our numerous years of experience building DACs, we noticed the feature that changed most was the input formats. The Analog DAC has adapted a revolutionary concept. We’ve equipped it with three high resolution I2S input bays. Input modules such as USB, MSB ProI2S, Network Renderer, standard AES/EBU, and S/PDIF inputs can be selected by you and plugged in as needed. You can mix and match, and change inputs as new formats are developed.
Analog I/O
The Analog DAC comes standard with an Analog pass through. If the volume control option is purchased, this can be used to replace a preamp from the system.The Analog volume control is a stepped attenuation design.The DAC has two output options, Single-Ended RCA or XLR outputs.
Unibody chassis design
American manufacturing. In house CNC chassis. Beautiful anodized finishes.
Individual pockets are milled from a solid aluminum plate and the DAC components are encapsulated into the plate for perfect temperature uniformity and long life, as well as unprecedented isolation between digital noise and analog music.
The desktop supply
The Analog DAC requires an outboard power supply. Available with two power supply options, it’s housed in a sturdy aluminum enclosure equipped with a fully linear supply and two independent transformers; one for digital processing, the other for the critical analog circuits.
A powerful upgrade
A no-compromise power base is a dynamic upgrade for your Analog DAC. This thin but solid base contains five independent transformers for maximum isolation of digital processing, clocks, and analog DAC modules. Machined out of a solid aluminum plate to acutely match your Analog DAC, as well as provide effective shielding and vibration control. A soft power switch, 12V trigger, and mains voltage switch allows seamless integration into any system.
