The Platinum DAC IV, MSB’s flagship digital product, combines superior performance and ergonomic simplicity with cutting edge completely modular technology for maximum immunity from obsolescence. It was designed from the ground up to be the very last component prior to the amplification stage in a high end audio system.

The Platinum DAC IV is a true balanced design using four of MSB’s 2nd generation 24-bit 100 Mbit/sec discrete sign magnitude R2R ladder DAC modules which drive the balanced or single ended output connections directly, eliminating the usual analogue output stage and its potentially degrading capacitors. MSB’s discrete DAC architecture ensures maximum resolution of very low level signals, an area where most chip-based DACs typically display poor performance. The Platinum DAC IV’s very low output impedance makes it possible to drive long interconnect cables without loss.

In addition to their discrete architecture ladder DAC modules, MSB also employ the proprietary MSB Signature digital filter. This is a 32x oversampling, single stage design with 32 bit input resolution, 80 bit computation and 36 bit coefficients and contains an amazing 6000 taps. MuMetal shielded clocks allow for quiet performance and jitter is reduced to an unbelievably low level. New or customised software filter coefficients can be loaded into the DSP engine by simply playing a downloaded .wav file from a standard CD player connected to the Platinum DAC IV.

Several input and output options are provided at the rear of the Platinum DAC IV. The proprietary MSB network interface can accommodate sample rates up to 384 kHz with 32 bit resolution. This type of connection, which keeps the clock data completely separate from the signal data for the lowest possible jitter, can be used between the Platinum DAC IV and MSB’s own Data/CD IV transport or alternatively your existing digital source component (e.g. SACD, DVD or universal player) can be easily modified to accommodate this interface. In future computer music servers and computer soundcards will also be able to take advantage of this superior method of connection to any MSB DAC.

In addition to the proprietary MSB network interface are balanced AES/EBU (up to 384 kHz/24bit), coaxial (ground isolated up to 384 kHz/24bit) and Toslink optical connections (192 kHz/24bit). A single balanced XLR analogue input is also provided and this is routed directly to either the balanced XLR or single ended RCA output connectors with only the optional relay switched resistor-based attenuator in the signal path.

In systems with a analogue source (e.g. phono preamplifier) and one or more digital sources the Platinum DAC IV can replace your existing preamplifier, creating the shortest possible signal path and thus the lowest possible sonic degradation. The optional volume control makes it the ultimate single box solution to combine the best of both worlds.

A clock connection port permits the use of an external master clock or the ability to slave other digital sources to the clock inside the Platinum DAC IV. This is particularly advantageous in multi-channel installations or professional studios where several DACs may typically be employed. The Platinum DAC IV uses no re-clocking on the input signal for jitter control but rather buffers the incoming data and synchronises it to the onboard temperature compensated 5 ppm reference clock.

The Platinum DAC IV is equipped with an external power supply. Called the Power Base, it employs split bobbin transformers for each voltage rail for superior magnetic radiation properties compared to torroidal transformers. A positive and negative analog supply is included in addition to a digital supply to run all of the digital processors in the DAC. The sensitive digital clocking circuits on the DAC modules themselves receive an entirely seperate extra clean digital supply. Each of these supplies is regulated and filtered in the box, so no noise is introduced into the DAC chassis.

The DAC IV features MSB's proprietary damping and isolation system allowing you to stack any number of MSB current generation Platinum products on top of each other in any order without the need for special racks and shelves.

A remote control is provided and from the DAC IV or it’s remote you can control attenuation level, input selection, muting, filter selection (if filter option is installed), phase invert, display dimming and iPod playback (if iLink II option is installed).

Several upgrade options are available for the Platinum DAC IV and these can be installed by the end user or Audiomarketplace as desired and/or as finances permit. You can select the Upsampler option to upsample 44.1, 88.2 and 176.4 kHz digital sources to 352.8 kHz and 48, 96 and 192 kHz digital sources to 384 kHz for a further reduction of the typical digital artifacts. Optional USB input connections provide bit-perfect input from a Mac or PC with complete isolation of the noise and jitter typically associated with the computer environment. Also, either one of the RCA analog outputs can be reconfigured or a new set of XLR inputs can be added to create a second analog input. It is also possible to program either the standard balanced or optional single ended analog inputs to bypass the optional volume control modules thus providing the perfect HT processor pass through. 

Specifications:

Inputs:

Outputs:

Specification:

Control Features:

• Remote
• Display dim mode
• Level Trims
• Balance Trims
• Phase Invert
• Input Selection
• Filter Selection
• Clock Selection
• Upsampling on/off
• Dither on/off
• Reclocking on/off
• Input Mode select/auto

Future Upgrades and Expansion Capabilites:

• Unused DSP Headers for digital cross overs.
• Clock Upgrade Headers for future low jitter clocks.
• Input Headers for new input types.

Optional Upgrades:

Volume Control

• Passive attenuator for shortest possible signal path with least possible degradation.
• 2dB steps from 8dB to -68dB.
• Completely bypassed when set to 0dB.

Analog Input and HT Bypass

• Convert one set of the RCA analog output to an RCA analog input or convert the spare 2 auxillary ports to XLR analog inputs.
• Any of these inputs can be set to bypass the output stage known as HT Bypass, perfect for combining HT and 2 channel setups using a single box solution.

USB Inputs

• Add one or two USB inputs.
• Buffered and optically coupled isolating computer noise and jitter.
• Simply plug in and play with Windows or Apple computers.
• Unbelievably low noise.
• Resolution up to 96 kHz with 24bit.

iLink II iPod Interface

• Works with any Generation 6 iPod or greater, iPod Videos, iPod Touch, iPod Nano's greater than 1Gb, and iPhone.
• Requires no iPod or iPhone modifications, just plug in and play.
• Charges iPod/iPhone while plugged in.
• Uses the iPods/iPhone digital output as a bit perfect digital transport. 
• Integrated iPod/iPhone control built into the DAC IV and it's remote. Play, pause and skip tracks back and forth.
• If optional Upsampler is choosen, upsamples up to 384kHz and 32 bits.

Filter Suite

• MSB Filter Suite allowing you to toggle through a range of different filters.
• Provides a filter for every taste and music type.

RS232 Interface

• Control the DAC IV or even the volume from a remote system.

Power Supply

• Select from a number of combinations for the MSB Power Base.
• The MSB Power Base must be selected if you do not already own one.

Upsampler

• Further improves clarity and reduces harshness. 
• Upsamples 44.1, 88.2 and 176.4 to 352.8 kHz with 32 bit resolution.
• Upsamples 48, 96 and 192 to 384 kHz with 32 bit resolution.
• Upgrades S/PDIF inputs from 192 kHZ to 384 kHz.
• Can be toggled on and off.

Signature DACs

• See here for more details on this upgrade option

Diamond DACs

• See here for more details on this upgrade option