MSB Power DAC (56k warning)

[some1x]

Recently upgraded my DAC from Stello to MSB Power DAC (no USB, but with remote volume control). Some basic ergonomic gaffes:

- No volume indicator

- Volume setting isn't saved after unplugging the DAC, and the default seems to be minimum volume

- No mute button

- Remote control's power button doesn't do anything (the DAC's power button switches between pure battery to battery + charger)

Also, the volume control is digital, so I have it at max whenever possible.

Tested using either HP-2 + ECSS or Tetra 120U + Gainclone. As of now, I only have my integrated sound card's digital out (waiting for a decently implemented and priced USB->SPDIF converter).

Sound-wise, the MSB is a bit better than the Stello that I've owned for a while. MSB's bass has more finese but less impact. With my 120u especially, timpanies sound more defined and doesn't drown out the rest of the spectrum. Stello's seems to boost mid bass a bit, and this generally sounds good with my headphones.

The other big difference I hear so far is in the treble. Stello's treble can be airy but somewhat rough (bypass mode), or smooth but less transparent (upsample mode). MSB's treble is very smooth, and doesn't have Stello's glossiness in upsample mode.

I don't find any area of the MSB that draws attention to itself; it may even be too polite sounding in my system. However, it is should be a good platform for the tube amps that I'm planning to get.

I have no idea how to stitch photos