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Bidat vs. Perfecwave MSB Playback Design

Ok, so here goes. I love my Museatex Bidat. It is not going ANYWHERE. The rub comes in that I want to be able to access high res files. All my files are on HDD in AIFF format. I am torn between the Playback Design dac, the Perfect Wave and the MSB Platinum Dac 3. The problem is I have never had a chance to hear, let alone compare any of the 3 high res capable dacs mentioned. I can not afford to purchase all 3 simultaneously to do a head to head comparison. I wanted to know if anyone has compared any of these dacs to a Bidat. The Bidat (currently and for the last 10 years) has been my reference digital source. I have noticed that when most people compare new dacs they will say things like "the bottom was so much tighter" or "everything is so trasnparent". The Bidat is just "Right"; anyone who has heard the unit will immediately know to what I am referring.
That certain unmistakable ineffiable quality which sounds like ral music; it makes you believe (even if temporarily) that Jane Monheit is in your living room singing directly to you. I have had Wadia and a slew of others and they are all fine machines, but I need the unit I am looking for to have that certain 'life' quality which makes you forget about all the reviews, what other people think and just reside in that special place in yourself where all is right.

Ok, now that I've waxed poetic, any opinions would be greatly apprecited :)

Thanks,

Don
PS>the Dynavox Dynastation II was the ONLY other digital source that I have owned or heard to compete with the Bidat bu alas it was a CD player only thus I got rid of it.
audiofun
njedi
10 posts
 
I thought I would chime in on the preamp debate. I can understand how Vhiner might experience better sound using a tube preamp with the Biddat if in fact the volume control is flawed on the Biddat. On the other hand, a preamp in the playback chain is inefficient (all things being equal). Since most DACs produce line output (if they have no volume control). The preamp is then only responsible for volume attentuation and passing the signal to the amplifier. IF. and this is a big if... A Dac was produced with a "high" quality volume attenuator similar to those in the best preamps, then and only then I suspect having a preamp in the chain would degrade the sound. Any other explanation, is that the tube preamp adds a little "color" to the line out signal with which you might prefer. I myself, strive for neutrality and only hope the playback is honest to the recording. Not adding or subtracting anything from it. I think alot of people prefer preamps in the playback chain, simply as a result of their music tastes and what color the preamp is adding to the music. If that works for you, great. It's all about musical enjoyment in the end, regardless of how you got there.

My understanding of the MSB DAC III is that alot of engineering effort was put into it's volume control. My hope is that it rivals the volume control found in the best preamps. If it does. I am sold. Looking forward to your review Audiofun.
audiofun OP
669 posts
 
I will keep everyone posted. I have a lot of audio related testing planned for 2010.
vhiner
533 posts
 
Njedi,

I think your analysis of the preamp issue is dead on and makes perfect sense. There's no doubt that tubes are a "flavor" and the key is HOW a volume output control on DACs is designed. I've heard that using MSB's proprietary digital interface helps get the best sound out of their gear. Audiofun's testing this year should be very interesting!
audiofun OP
669 posts
 
Ok, this has been a long time coming. I have settled in MSB. As you may know, I sold the Bidat some time ago and while i will always have fond memories of that unit, I am in love with my PowerDac and hi res files.

I now own the MFA classic copper and the MFA reference preamplifier and they are simply fantastic pieces of audio gear and worth every penny.

I have decided to go with the MSB platinum Dac diamond a little later this year.

The MSB gear in my opinion is simply some of the finest digital that can be owned and the powerdac is a ridiculous value that will simply embarrass most digital out there... But be warned..., it takes a very long time to fully burn in :)

Will keep you posted.
vhiner
533 posts
 
I'd like to weigh in here that I replaced my beloved Bidat with the Perfect Wave transport and DAC. If anyone is considering this combo, which I heartily endorse, you should be sure to do several things, otherwise your experience may not be positive. You should use Harmonic Technology's audio only HDMI cable to connect the transport...the difference it makes is critical (as is always the case with things digital) You should also use a high end power cord ( I recommend Shunyata's CX line) All of these factors were equally critical to the Bidat's legendary performance and appears to hold true of all dacs and transports, IMHO.

Finally, as Audiofun points out, burn in is often lengthy and critical. I'm convinced one reason so many DACs are flipped is that people don't break them in properly and then fail to leave them on when not in use. After nearly 20 years of experimenting with dacs and transports, i've concluded that cables, power cords, and break-in are the " holy trinity."
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