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USB Input Module
The USB Input is the most advanced MSB produces.
The hardware is able to handle audio data and DSD
up to 32 bit, 384 kHz.
Apple MAC OS
On the MAC the USB is plug and play. The MAC
will recognize the USB DAC and its capabilities
and will allow the output to be set to any sample rate
desired. The bad news is, with certain programs such
as iTunes, the output sample rate has to be set manually
when the le sample
rate changes. So if
you set the output for
192kHz, and played a
192 kHz le, it would
play perfectly, but
if you then played
a 44.1 kHz CD, the
MAC OS would
upsample that le to
192 kHz. Computer
upsampling is not
too bad, but does not
compare at all with
the quality of the upsampling done by MSB. Better to change the output to 44.1 kHz and play the le
bit-perfect. Fortunately there are apps and programs that will automatically change iTunes to always
play les at the native resolution. Then the MAC running iTunes with the MSB USB 2 is perfection
itself. The world of applications is always changing. Check the MSB web site for more up-to-date information.
The Apple Audio MIDI Setup screen is shown above. Notice that the presence of the MSB USB Signature DAC has allowed 352.8 and
384 kHz sample rates to show up on the menu. Normally they are not present. iTunes will play at whatever sample rate you select in
this setup.
Windows OS
The amazing thing about the MSB USB 2 input with Windows is that once you
get it set up it works completely and absolutely perfectly, with every le playing
bit-perfect at its native sample rate up to 384 kHz with no user intervention. Just
pick the song and play. The rest is automatic and works perfectly. This is a rst
for any Windows machine I have seen and a dream come true. The bad is that
MSB drivers will have to be installed, and your music must be played with a
properly set up player program like Foobar. Its a small price to pay for perfection,
and MSB will help walk you through the process.
First, install the supplied MSB drivers from the included USB 2 drivers CD
or from our website (not necessary for USB 1 operation). So with a PC, there
are two possible play modes. The “advanced speaker properties” window lets
you set up Windows output sample rates up to 192k as shown to the right. Any
audio played by an audio program would be output at this sample rate. Specialty
programs like Foobar can be modied with a plug-in, like ASIO (http://www.
foobar2000.org/components/view/foo_out_asio) which allows Foobar to interact
directly with the MSB DAC to play every music le at its native sample rate
bit-perfect. Foobar over-rides all windows settings
and is quite amazing.
There are many other players that will also work
perfectly with the MSB input. See the MSB web
site for the latest details.
Balanced Digital input Module
This input module contains an XLR balanced input. It is limited to 24 bit x 384 kHz.
S/PDIF input Module
This input module contains both an RCA and Optical input. Both are limited to 24 bit x 384 kHz. Even
though both share a module, each can be selected individually.