MSB Platinum DAC III	MSB Platinum Reference CD Station III
MSB Power DAC Gold 4	iLink
Platinum Signature DAC Upgrade	MSB XPORT Upgrade

MSB Platinum DAC III with volume control MSB list price is $6,995, plus shipping Glacier Audio price is $6,495, delivered MSB Platinum DAC III without volume control MSB list price is $5,995, plus shipping Glacier Audio price is $5,495, delivered MSB Power DAC ultra performance MSB list price is $3,995, plus shipping Glacier Audio price is $3,595, delivered MSB Platinum Reference CD Station III with volume control MSB list price is $10,995, plus shipping Glacier Audio price is $9,995, delivered MSB Platinum Reference CD Station III without volume control MSB list price is $9,995, plus shipping Glacier Audio price is $8,995, delivered MSB Signature Upgrade to DACS for either unit MSB list price is $4,995, plus shipping Glacier Audio price is $3,995, delivered MSB iLink music system MSB list prices DO NOT include shipping Glacier Audio price is the same, but INCLUDES delivery iLink with RF link and iPod Upgrade - $1995 iLink with RF link and 30MB upgraded iPod Video - $2249. (white or black) iLink with RF link and 80MB upgraded iPod Video - $2349. (white or black) additional iPod upgrades - $99 MSB XPORT Upgrade MSB list price is $799, plus shipping Glacier Audio price is $699, delivered You will find our prices are considerably below MSB suggested retail .... MSB Platinum DAC III "The Platinum lacks the standard digital by-products that have become a staple of  "digital sound" and by disposing of those artifacts has ended up sounding more analog-like than many turntables people listen to" Martin G. DeWulf, Bound for Sound issue #147 (the Platinum Reference CD Player from MSB) Simplicity The Platinum DAC III was designed in a way that it can be used as the last component in your system before the amplifiers. With the added convenience of having multiple digital inputs and one Analog input you can easily connect additional sources such as an SACD/DVD player that only output the SACD through the analog outputs.  The PCM outputs from the DVD Player would connect to one of the digital inputs of the Platinum DAC III and the analog input would connect through the Analog input of the DAC III. The Analog Input is volume controlled (if the optional Volume Control is installed). TOP OF PAGE About the DAC The Second Generation Platinum DAC modules are of our own design, hand made, discretely built R2R Ladder DACs. The Platinum DACs draw from the older ladder technology but with incredible improvements that allow them to operate up to 3 MHz. The Platinum DAC III contains four of these 24 bit MSB DAC Modules configured in a true balanced architecture for optimum balanced or single-ended operation.  About the Digital Filter For the first time ever, we have created our own Custom Digital Filter for the Platinum DACs. Previous versions of the Platinum DAC used the Burr-Brown DF1704, which at the time was the best Digital Filter on the market. Our new Digital Filter is built to our specifications and standards, and is designed to get the most out of the Platinum DAC modules.    The performance of this new Digital Filter is amazing. Immediately you'll notice the lack of fuzziness around voices and instruments of all frequencies. This new filter also dramatically increases the resolution and dynamics of the machine.  This filter is also completely customizable; By playing a special .wav file on a CD new filter coefficients, either temporary or permanent, can be loaded into our DSP. The Digital Filter is a 16x oversampling, single stage filter with 32 bit input resolution, 80 bit computation, and 36 bit coefficients. More information on this custom MSB Digital Filter can be found here. TOP OF PAGE About the Clock / Jitter Control Jitter control devices (and inputs on most DACs) normally re-clock the input signal in attempt to lessen the jitter of that incoming signal. The Platinum DAC III does no such re-clocking. We actually pay no attention to the clock on the input signal. All internal clocks are generated by an extremely accurate +/- 2.5ppm temperature compensated clock. Since the input clock is no longer related to the clock of the Platinum, an intelligent 1&Mac218;2 second buffer is used to maintain data synchronization.  About The Optional Attenuator 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 Platinum DAC III, to achieve the simplest, shortest possible signal path with the least possible degradation of the true music. The Volume is controlled in 2 dB steps from 0 to -62 dB. The Volume Control is completely bypassed when at 0 dB.   This attenuator section is also designed to serve as a way to match the naturally high output level of the Platinum DACs to any desired outboard preamp. This has proven to be extremely useful for many of our customers that are happy with the Preamp they have known and used for years. It allows the two devices to be correctly matched with each other. TOP OF PAGE MSB Platinum DAC III Specifications Inputs: Coaxial, Toslink, Balanced AES/EBU, 2MSB Network (192k) and 1 Balanced Analog input (<600 ohms) RCA Outputs: 3.6V RMS (10V pp) Balanced Outputs: 7.5V RMS (20V pp) Output Impedance: 50 ohms at 0 dB Volume Control: 2dB Stepped Attenuator (32 steps) Sampling Frequency: 1.5 MHz up to 3 MHz Digital Filter: 16x Digital Filter by MSB Technology Slew Rate: >1000 V/Microsecond Settling Time: <90 Nanoseconds Dynamic Range: 136 dB A Measured Noise Floor: <-145 dB THD+N: .002 Signal to Noise Ratio: 140 dB Channel Separation: >130 dB Features Remote Display Dim Mode Phase Invert Upsampling (4x) Volume Control Input Selection Filter Selection TOP OF PAGE The Power DAC MSB GOLD 4 Ultra performance in a simple package, the GOLD 4 is a Platinum in design and performance, without the many features, but with battery operation. It contains single ended Platinum DACs, MSB DSP Digital Filter and integrated battery power supplies. 17"x 14"x 1.75" 20 lbs. 120V or 240V charger. This is a new product and is currently in production. It is a very high performance DAC with sound quality similar to the Platinum DACs but with no user features. It runs for many hours on internal batteries with an external charger. It has no front panel controls, and no remote. A single digital input of each type is available with auto switching. The DACs are not modular so it does not accept Signature DACs. So what does it do? It gives you great sound at a great price with all the performance you expect from an MSB product. Its what's inside that counts Specifications Inputs: Coaxial, Toslink, Balanced AES/EBU, MSB Network (192k) RA Outputs: 3.6V RMS (10V pp) Balanced Outputs: 7.5V RMS (20V pp) Output Impedance: 50 ohms at 0 dB Sampling Frequency: 1.5 MHz up to 3 MHz Digital Filter: 16x Digital Filter by MSB Technology Slew Rate: >2500 V/Microsecond Settling Time: <90 Nanoseconds Dynamic Range: 136 dB A Measured Noise Floor: <-145 dB THD+N: .002 Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 140 dB Channel Separation: >130 dB Master Clock: +/- 2.5 ppm jitter Control Features: Option toggle on back Software Updates TOP OF PAGE MSB Platinum Reference CD Station III For the first time ever, MSB Technology produced a completely custom designed CD Player, that doesn't use another manufacture's digital filter or DACs.   The Reference CD Station III is a unique combination of a very high performance Reference CD Player, a Platinum quality DAC, and the ultimate passive stepped attenuator. With its multiple digital inputs and single analog input it is extremely versatile.   TOP OF PAGE Simplicity The Reference CD Station III was designed in a way that it can be used as the last component in your system before the amplifiers. It may well be the only component in your system before the amplifiers! With the added convenience of having multiple digital inputs and one Analog input you can easily connect additional sources such as an SACD/DVD player that only output the SACD through the analog outputs. The PCM outputs from the DVD Player would connect to one of the digital inputs of the CD Station III and the analog input would connect through the Analog input of the CD Station. The Analog Input is volume controlled.   About the Drive The industry standard tray loading Philips drive mechanism has been highly modified to compliment the performance of our Platinum DAC technology.  * The Caddy mechanism used in the CD II is no longer available.  About the DAC The Second Generation Platinum DAC modules are of our own design, hand made, discretely built R2R Ladder DACs. The Platinum DACs draw from the older ladder technology but with incredible improvements that allow them to operate up to 3 MHz. The Reference CD Station III contains four of these 24 bit MSB DAC Modules configured in a true balanced architecture for optimum balanced or single-ended operation.    TOP OF PAGE About the Digital Filter For the first time ever, we have created our own Custom Digital Filter for the Platinum DACs. Previous versions of the Platinum DAC used the Burr-Brown DF1704, which at the time was the best Digital Filter on the market. Our new Digital Filter is built to our specifications and standards, and is designed to get the most out of the Platinum DAC modules.    The performance of this new Digital Filter is amazing. Immediately you'll notice the lack of fuzziness around voices and instruments of all frequencies. This new filter also dramatically increases the resolution and dynamics of the machine.  This filter is also completely customizable. By playing a special .wav file on a CD new filter coefficients, either temporary or permanent, can be loaded into our DSP.    The Digital Filter is a 16x oversampling, single stage filter with 32 bit input resolution, 80 bit computation, and 36 bit coefficients. More information on this custom MSB Digital Filter can be found here. TOP OF PAGE About the Clock / Jitter Control Jitter control devices (and inputs on most DACs) normally re-clock the input signal in attempt to lessen the jitter of that incoming signal. The Platinum CD III does no such re-clocking. We actually pay no attention to the clock on the input signal (or the input from the internal drive). All internal clocks are generated by an extremely accurate +/- 2.5ppm temperature compensated clock. Since the input clock is no longer related to the clock of the Platinum, an intelligent 1/2 second buffer is used to maintain data synchronization.  About the Attenuator 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 CD Station III, to achieve the simplest, shortest possible signal path with the least possible degradation of the true music. The Volume is controlled in 2 dB steps from 0 to -62 dB.  The Volume Control is completely bypassed when at 0 dB.   This attenuator section is also designed to serve as a way to match the naturally high output level of the Platinum DACs to any desired outboard preamp. This has proven to be extremely useful for many of our customers that are happy with the Preamp they have known and used for years. It allows the two devices to be correctly matched with each other. TOP OF PAGE MSB Platinum Reference CD Station III Specifications Supported Formats: (internal CD Drive) CD, CDR Inputs: Coaxial, Toslink, Balanced AES/EBU, 1MSB Network (192k) and 1 Balanced Analog input (<600 ohms) RCA Outputs: 3.6V RMS (10V pp) Balanced Outputs: 7.5V RMS (20V pp) Output Impedance: 50 ohms at 0 dB Volume Control: 2 dB Stepped Attenuator (32 steps) Sampling Frequency: 1.5 MHz up to 3 MHz Digital Filter: 16x Digital Filter by MSB Technology Slew Rate: >1000 V/Microsecond Settling Time: <90 Nanoseconds Dynamic Range: 136 dB A Measured Noise Floor: <-145 dB THD+N: .002 Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 140 dB Channel Separation: >130 dB Control Features Remote Display Dim Mode Phase Invert Upsampling (4x) Volume Control Input Selection Filter Selection TOP OF PAGE More Information One of our primary goals at MSB is to provide the music lover with the most accurate musical experience possible. During years of careful design and improvement of our custom discrete DACs, which form the heart of your Platinum DAC, we realized that the Platinums sound quality was no longer limited by them. We soon narrowed the problem to the Digital Filter which was feeding our DACs. While the excellent Burr-Brown (Now owned by Texas Instruments) DF1704 Digital Filter had served us well in the past, it had became the bottleneck once we started using our new Second Generation DAC modules. After a thorough search of all the available off the shelf and custom DSP based Digital Filters we realized that little improvement could be had from any of them. With no other option in sight we decided to build our own solution. Converting the ones and zeros of Digital Audio into music is an enormously delicate and critical process. Each individual sample that makes up the audio stream must be converted into the high resolution, continuous analog voltage that can be transformed into the sound that you hear. Any misstep can corrupt the final result ending with audio that does not sound anything like the original recording. Errors in translation can make a harsh, veiled, muddy, and/or tonally colored result. Minimizing each potential problem allows the original recording to shine through. TOP OF PAGE Audio reproduction starts when the DAC receives the binary coded information from the source. The first step requires recovering the audio samples, which represent the final output voltages, and the timing, which tells the DAC when to output those voltages. Next, the sample rate is raised and the data is digitally filtered. While it is possible to feed the DAC with the original audio samples thereby avoiding the use of a digital filter skipping this step has many unintended consequences. After being digitally filtered the digital stream is feed to the DAC. The DAC receives the digital audio samples and converts them into a continuous analog voltage. The best DACs, such as our Second Generation DAC Modules or Signature DAC Modules, instantly convert the data into a precise continuous voltage waveform with timing determined by the DACs conversion clock. The digital filter is necessary because mirrored image frequencies created during the conversion process must be removed. If the DAC did not have a digital filter, an analog filter with an aggressive response must remove these image frequencies. These brick wall analog filters seriously damage the signal by corrupting the original phase of the sound and cannot fully remove the high frequency images. This results in harsh or rolled off high frequencies and poor soundstage focus. TOP OF PAGE Traditional digital filter designs consist of cascaded FIR (Finite Impulse Response) filters, each of which raise the sample rate by two. The intermediate data between the filters is usually stored at less than 40 bit resolution. Since the next filter works with previously computed data the resolution decreases with each filter pass. This limits higher quality digital filters to a low oversampling rate (usually 8x) before the output starts to deteriorate. The loss in resolution is typically not apparent when using the best conventional digital filters with standard DAC chips, but in combination with our high resolution 24 bit Second Generation, or Signature DACs the problem is very apparent. The sound becomes muddy, veiled and un-involving when using any off the shelf digital filter. To counter this problem the MSB 16x Digital Filter does it's filtering in one filter stage that raises the sampling rate by 16. FIR filters operate by multiplying each sample in the data by a set of filter coefficients and then summing the result. Most digital filters round the result of each addition before the adding next sample. This repeated roundoff results in a similar problem to the cascaded 2x filter approach, muddy sound. MSBs digital filter uses bit perfect accumulation in an 80bit accumulator completely eliminating these debilitating round-off errors. TOP OF PAGE Only as the last step do we carefully convert the audio to the 24bits our DACs require. The high sampling rate of the output allows us to include advanced ultrasonic dither and noise shaping techniques in this step to achieve greater than 24bit effective resolution. Through extensive listening tests we have found that the choice of filter coefficients has a great impact on the tone of the music. We have found that steep, phase perfect "Brick Wall" filters tend to sound the most neutral but are also the most difficult to implement without problems. Improvements we have made in our digital filter, with its single stage design and 80bit computation, allow us to use very steep filters with no compromises. We recognize however that different people often have very different taste in their music. For those who do not like the standard choice of filter, or require a different filter response, we have provided a very easy method for customizing your MSB 16x Digital Filter. By playing a standard CD containing a custom filter algorithm you can temporarily change the filter inside your 16x Digital Filter. This CD filter loading allows you to load almost any FIR filter quickly and easily. You may also upgrade your MSB 16x Digital Filter with the latest custom software just by playing a special Firmware Upgrade CD. TOP OF PAGE The timing of the DACs conversion clock also has a large impact on sound quality. Any periodic frequency change or "jitter" causes a loss of focus in the reproduced audio. The high power and large memory space of the SHARC DSP we use allows us to offer a unique Ultra Clock upgrade to your MSB 16x Digital Filter. The Ultra Clock upgrade adds two ultra precision, ultra low jitter TCXO oscillators and custom clock handling circuitry to your board. This custom circuitry allows us to do much more than simply reclock the data, as other jitter reduction boxes do, but completely replace the incoming clock! Most jitter reduction schemes rely on Phase Locked Loops or Asynchronous Sample Rate Converters. The Phase Locked Loop is able to reduce jitter to a significant degree but not eliminate it because the output clock must be related to the input clock. The Asynchronous Sample Rate Converter, which completely replaces the data and clock, seems ideal until you realize that the complex computation involved harms the data by permanently imbedding a portion of the clock jitter into the data. Sample Rate conversion is also detrimental to the sound due to the complex and sub optimal digital filters involved, which must change their filter response to track minute changes in the input to output clock ratio. TOP OF PAGE The Ultra Clock upgrade sidesteps both of these problems by storing the incoming data in an extremely large buffer (1/2 second of audio.) The onboard clock then reads out the data without jitter. The onboard clocks are totally independent from the input clock so that no jitter is transferred to the output. True absolute digital silences such as a track skips are selectively shortened or lengthened by the DSP to keep the buffer synchronized. This process is carried out seamlessly by the DSP to assure that all compatible sample rates have their clocks properly replaced. Compatible sample rates are 44.1Khz, 96Khz, 176.4Khz, 192Khz, and 384Khz. Other sample rates automatically use the recovered clock from the transport without user intervention. The 48Khz sample rate does not support clock replacement due to the large latency incurred by the buffer, which would cause audio from a DVD movie to be unsynchronized. Custom Software and Temporary Filters A custom digital filter will allow you to tailor the sound of your Platinum. Any form of custom FIR filter may be loaded into the MSB 16x Digital Filter. You may select a custom filter from our library, you may have MSB design a filter to your specifications or you may send MSB a list of Fir Filter coefficients that we can format into a CD Loadable file for you. You cannot permanently damage your 16x Digital Filter Board by loading a Temporary Custom Filter, it is only active until you toggle the Filter Option Button, Power down the Platinum or play an audio track containing the Special Cancellation Code. Contact us for details on custom filters. TOP OF PAGE

....... The Platinum Signature DAC Upgrade MP-ACD311 • Custom Precision Bulk Metal Foil Resistors • Lower output impedance • Less noise • Differential Clock • Supports sampling rates up to 3MHz  • User installable • Installs in all MSB Platinum DACs and CD Players.   TOP OF PAGE The Signature DAC Upgrade allows the Platinum DAC to resolve with greater accuracy, low-level signals with very low distortion. The MSB Signature DACs are designed specifically for ultra high resolution Audio Performance. Varying slightly in design and using tighter tolerance / lower noise components has allowed us to come up with a very precise Platinum Signature DAC that accurately reproduces Audio.  The Platinum Signature DACs use custom made, laser trimmed bulk metal foil resistors that are made specifically for use in the Signature DAC Module. These custom resistors allow the DAC to convert more accurately with less distortion and lower noise. These resistors are not easy to come by; as such the Platinum Signature DACs are limited in production numbers, and are basically made to order on a prepaid basis. TOP OF PAGE The Sound The Signature modules take the MSB Platinum DACs to a new high. The lower noise and less distortion allow the dynamics to come to life. More “room” for the music to fill. The top end is much more open than with the original DAC modules, and the bass response is more musical and more resolving. It may be hard for owners of the Platinum DACs to believe that their Platinum can get much better, but it can.  For me, one of the best improvements are found in the “little” things, the ring of the cymbal that regardless of how many different instruments are playing, still rings out audibly until it is finished moving, and remains perfectly stable in the soundstage while doing so. DACs that don’t have as much resolution in the “low level” signals will start to replace a ringing cymbal (or any other low volume audio) with distortion, which quickly starts to sound like white noise within our hearing range.     Reading the Graph Just one of the reasons the MSB Signature DACs sound so good! The graph below demonstrates the percentage of the Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) in reference to the volume level of a recorded signal.  There are three DACs on this chart, the MP-ACD311 Platinum Signature Ladder DAC, The Burr-Brown PCM 1738  (a high performance delta-sigma DAC), and another ladder DAC by Burr-Brown, the PCM 1704. The Delta-Sigma DACs do spec very well but they do not tend to sound as good as the Ladder DACs.  TOP OF PAGE Take a look at the horizontal 0.1% THD line of the graph. This line is the general rule of thumb for the maximum amount of distortion in a signal that is undetectable. If you follow the red line straight down from where each of these DACs cross the 0.1% THD line you can see the signal level at which the respective DACs output will have audible distortion. Playing a 1kHz signal at ~ 48dB below 0dB (0dB being the loudest reference volume on a CD), the PCM 1704 DACs output signal has an audible 0.1% distortion. At -57 dB the PCM 1738 will output 0.1% of the signal distorted. The MSB Signature DAC (MP-ACD311) is rated at more than 78dB below 0dB for the same signal,  more than 20dB quieter than the competition!  What does this all mean? In short, it means more music! With the MSB Signature DAC, signals that are lower in volume will still have much more resolution than with any other DAC available today.  This is very important because there are many low-level signals recorded in music, and where the other DACs will start to distort these signals the Signature Platinum DACs will retain the signal integrity with out the added distortion. TOP OF PAGE The MSB Signature DAC upgrade is available to all users of all Platinum DACs from the first "Wood Front" Platinum to the Platinum Plus as well as the latest DAC II. The Signature DACs can also be installed in the Reference CD Player and the new Reference CD Station II.   As mentioned previously these Platinum Signature DAC modules are special order, made to order. This upgrade also requires the return of the old modules to MSB Technology. The DACs will arrive with a return shipping label for the older DAC modules. TOP OF PAGE

iLink iPod Convenience with CD Quality .......Yes! An iPod for Audiophiles. Get bit-perfect CD quality playback on your own DAC or Processor with all the advantages of the world’s most successful audio product, finally! The iPod is a wonderful product hindered by one basic flaw – analog outputs. The digital format of its audio files are converted within the iPod, which negates any attempt to create true-to-CD audio. This means that no matter how much money an audiophile spends on iPod docking stations that boast great sound, the quality will not come close to a CD played on a high-end system. MSB Technology’s new iLink, is the world’s only iPod docking station that offers a true digital audio output. This is done by modifing the iPod to allow digital audio to be sent to the iLink and output via toslink optical, coaxial or balanced AES/EBU format. With this output, audiophiles can transform their iPods into a high-end source and achieve sound reproduction on a par with a good CD transport. The iLink comes with an RF transmitter that allows the iPod to be moved around the listening room while still maintaining the best audio quality available. The iLink also charges the iPod. MSB can upgrade iPods sent to them, or new units are available with the upgrade installed already. iLink Specifications Inputs: Digital audio from Docked iPod; Digital audio via RF link Digital Outputs: Toslink Optical; RCA Coaxial; XLR Balanced AES/EBU Jitter Reduction: Complete re-clocking with 1/2 second buffer Clock Stability: +/- 2.5ppm temperature compensated clock Control Features: iPod interface; Signal Lock LED iPod Capacity (lossless): 30 GB iPod: 90 hours, 1300 songs, 75 CDs 80 GB iPod: 240 hours, 3600 songs, 200 CDs TOP OF PAGE Convert Your Player Into a High-End Transport The quality of a tranport is very much dependant on the processing and clocking of the output audio data. MSB has perfected our player upgrade to include all audio formats. This amazing upgrade includes custom digital processing and outputs each format in the highest resolution, including SACD and DVD-Audio, as a proprietary stream on the MSB Network to any MSB DAC. The upgrade replaces all the audio processing in the player and completely replaces the clocks and clocking of data. Unlike most systems that reduce jitter by reclocking, we create a new data stream using an ultra stable clock. It is amazing to find little difference in audio quality between low cost players and high-end players when the upgrade is installed. TOP OF PAGE This XPORT upgrade is now shipping! It is compatible with all MSB DACs that have an MSB Network input. I cannot put into words the difference this upgrade makes with SACD, CD and DVD Audio. The SACD difference is quite unbelievable. The upgrade does not make any changes to the base unit or its output. The XPORT upgrade is 2 channel right now. The analog outputs can be used for the surround channels if desired. We will be able to add a second upgrade for the rear channel some time in the future. Pick a player with features you like and send it in. It can be any kind of player, CD and SACD or DVD-AUDIO or a universal. Having the features and access time you like and a comfortable remote are more important considerations than the perceieved audio quality. We bypass the audio part of the player. TOP OF PAGE

TOP OF PAGE

 < back to products and pricing