Specifications

2
DAC IV Plus Users Manual
Unique Product - a Preamp or a DAC?
This product has the option to be a unique combination of a very high performance DAC and
the ultimate passive preamp. It is intended to be used as both for the best possible sound in
your system. Our preamp philosophy is based on the belief that from the moment analog
audio is created, every transition that is made degrades the quality. That means that an active
preamp with many stages if perfect would have no effect and any imperfection would result
in degradation of the music. That is why we offer a passive preamp within the DAC IV, to
achieve the simplest, shortest possible signal path, with the least possible degradation of the
true music.
The Volume Control Upgrade
The DAC IV has one analog input with the option for a second, and many digital inputs. It is
designed to be the last component in your system before the ampliers. With its incredibly
low impedance, especially for a passive preamp, it can drive long interconnects and handle
any type of amplier input stage design with optimum performance.
Depending on how many analog sources you have in your system, you may be able to eliminate
your current preamp. If you currently have only CD and vinyl in your system, you would
attach your CD players digital output to the DAC IV and the output of your phono preamp to the analog input. Your system is now
complete, with the shortest possible signal path and the best sound you can achieve. If you have a complex system with a preamp with
many analog inputs, attach the outputs of your preamp to the input on the DAC IV. Shift any digital sources over to digital inputs on the
DAC IV and again, you will achieve optimum results. Set your preamp to a volume that matches the DAC IV output and use nothing
but the DAC IV volume control in your system.
The volume control modules can be easily installed or removed by your dealer.
Setup and Quick Start
The front panel is quite simple with few user controls. Input source select defaults to auto. On power up, the volume
is reset to -30 dB. Turn the volume knob up until you hear music.
Power - The Diamond comes with a high performance outboard power supply. The supply automatically detects and
switches between 240V and 120V. This is not a switching supply that works at any voltage, but a linear supply with
automatic switching of the transformer leads. The power supply is switched on and off with a toggle switch on the
back. It can be remotely controlled when the front panel control option was purchased. Always allow three to ve
hours for the Diamond to warm up and reach thermal equilibrium.
Inputs - The Diamond comes standard with one MSB PRO I2S (CAT6), AES/EBU balanced, coaxial (RCA and BNC)
and optical digital audio inputs, as well as a balance analog input, ranked in order of performance. Connect any
digital input to any active digital audio source. The frequency and bit depth of the incoming signal will be read out on
the front panel and analog audio will be found on both balanced and single-ended analog outputs.
Outputs - Connect the balanced or single-ended analog outputs to any amplier and audio should be present. For
optimum performance set the output mode to single-ended or balanced in the menus. The output level is controlled
with the knob or remote.
Burn-In
The concept of burn-in is little understood. Does it take your ears some time to get used to the incredibly detailed and life-like sound of
an MSB product or is something actually changing? The feedback we receive leads us to recommend at least 100 hours of burn-in on
this DAC. Customers generally report improvement up to one month.
Warning: Please verify that the DAC IV you just purchased is covered under warranty. This DAC was sold to the Distributor named
on your box label and in the “about” section of your setup screen. The country and date of manufacture is also specied. If the
country and year do not match your purchase location, your warranty may be invalid. Check with MSB.
DAC IV
Phono
Preamp
CD, DVD-A
Transport
AMPs
Analog
R/L
Digital
Analog
R/L
Sign Magnitude Ladder daC SpeCifiCationS
inputS: BnC, rCa, toSLink, XLr aeS/eBu, MSB pro i2S and BaLanCed anaLog inputS
rCa outputS: 2.62 V rMS (7 Vpp)
rCa output iMpedanCe: 53 ohMS without VoLuMe ControLS, 38 ohMS with VoLuMe ControLS
BaLanCed output: 5.23 V rMS (14 Vpp)
BaLanCed output iMpedanCe: 106 ohMS without VoLuMe ControLS, 76 ohMS with VoLuMe ControLS
VoLuMe ControL (optionaL): 1/4, 1/2 or 1 dB Stepped attenuator, (78, 156 or 312 StepS)
SaMpLing frequenCy: 32 khz to 384khz
Bit depth: 32 Bit