Well dropped the Bartok back off this morning and had a nice chat to a few guys about it all.
Well the Bartok is booked back out once again this week, for another home demo
It sounds like the Bartok is getting quite a bit of demo action. I wish we in the States could get home demos like in the UK. It really does not happen here.
I felt comfortable enough ordering my Bartok based on two listening sessions. Since it will not be replacing my KDS in the Naim system but rather used exclusively with headphones both of my sessions were with my Utopias and Kimber Axios cable - in other words no variables such as room etc.
I dont think you will be disappointed
I hope you will just compare both on your 500 system. A lot here would be curious to know as Bartok can compare vs KDSM.
Then tell DCS to hurry up and build it
I think a fairer comparison would be a Rossini vs. my KDS
My 3 years old young daughter with a friend, while dad sent a 7c.
Couldn’t resist
(yes, it is Anna from Frozen she’s trying to grab )
Sorry for the digression
glevethan
The 252 was my least favorite Naim black box of all the ones I have owned.
Question: why?
It lacked excitement
I obviously like my 552 the best
For vfm and performance I still love and miss my 282
Some of the SuperNaits (including the new SN3) might beat the 282 now however I have never heard them so cannot comment
Best
Gregg
That is disappointing to hear as I am just about to upgrade my SN3 to a 252, doh!! I did not want to the expense of a 552 as my room just does not justify the cost I’m afraid. You know having recently heard the DCS Bartok yesterday I may not have gone down this upgrade route but too late now. Oh well. Thanks for your response
Do keep in mind that it is only one persons opinion (me ). There are many fans of the 252 on the forum.
How did you find it compared to your SN3 (which I have not heard). You obviously must have preferred it.
Did you like the Bartok?
To my ears a 282 with a 200 or 250 blows any Supernait out of the water.
The SN3 is great but the 252 pulls out more detail and just sounds better.
Re the Bartok it sounded pretty damn good from the short listen I had but I have asked the retailer for a loan for home demo which will take place probable next week and who knows I might have the 252 by then as well.
On the positive side the SN3 does have a phono stage input and a headphone jack output which can be useful at times plus it also has a dedicated Streamer identified button on it which the 252 does not, it really needs to be updated now I think.
Anyone here familiar with MSB audio products ?
I am getting more and more interested in the MSB Premier DAC the more I research it. Do MSB replay rock/pop music well ? For example the level of PRAT and music flow that Naim is so very good at ?
Also the way they can drive amps. direct is by all accounts second to none. That is a very attractive feature for me as I’ll be driving ATC Active speakers. I can source MSB at a very, very attractive price right now.
I found the MSB Premier with Powerbase to be very, very musical indeed.
Best regards, BF
A review on Ear audio pointed that the Msb ( the first level, premier?), was less involving vs the ndx2. The reviewer has Naim equipment.
But other may find it involving. Each ears are different.
Yes I did read that. It was the MSB Discrete (base model) and the take away point was it didn’t really show all it could without a Streamer in the chain from a Server. The reviewer said it was better (PRAT wise) with a Streamer & it was not similar at all to the NDX2.
The one I am looking at is the next model up, the MSB Premier DAC.
I found the MSB Discrete with twin power supplies to be broadly comparable to a Chord M Scaler + DAVE or an ND555/555PS. Each has their respective pros and cons; they do not sound the same.
The MAB Premier + Powerbase sounded more musically engaging and delightful than any of them. It is comparable to the DCS Rossini + Clock. I preferred it to the excellent DCS pairing, but that may be a matter of personal taste rather than outright ability.
Best regards, BF
Thank you for your take on the MSB, most helpful BF.
It’s frustrating where I live as I can (and did) home demo the dCS Bartok, but it’s simply not possible to do that with MSB. Hence the very attractive price I can get one for. I guess that’s just the way it is in some markets, home demo. and dealer support with a little discount. Or no local dealer support but a very attractive price (because one less link - cost involved) if purchased blind. Not unhappy either way in the end. Just have to weigh up the pros and cons of each option.
One more (and my last one to shortlist) is the Merging Audio Player + Power. It’s a 2 box DAC/Streamer/preamp with a seperate power supply.
Thomas alluded to this Swiss brand earlier & I had to email them direct to see if I could source one (no local importer). Not a lot out there IRT user feedback, but quit a lot of very favourable reviews.
Anyone got an opinion on this ?
@Seadog I’ve arranged a home demo with my dealer of active ATC 40s to go with my 552. What is it about the DIN to XLR connection you have doubts about with your 252/SCDR?