7
The MSB Network
One of the most powerful feature of the Platinum is the MSB
network. This network plugs into the MSB input of the Platinum and
is automatically detected and activated. The MSB network has the
following capability:
• Unidirectional communications over any twisted pair
• Simultaneous transmission of 8 audio channels with 32 bit
resolution at 384 kHz sampling rate
• MSB CAN Interbox communication Bus (for volume and trim
data)
• A single serial channel of 384 kbits/sec for control and system
data.
This network is our answer to 384 kHz audio transmission and
multichannel transmission in the same package. We provide network
outputs to our own transport and offer a source upgrade to your
transport as well. In our surround processor upgrade, up to 8 channels
of decoded data can be sent through one wire to separate DACs. The
twisted pair format is very convenient as it has become the standard
for all computer networks. Ethernet networks use CAT6 wire which
contains 4 twisted pairs. This one cable could be used to send 32
channels of 32 bit, 384 kHz audio data! Several cables are available
for connecting MSB transports to the Platinum including CAT6 cable
at any length up to 80 feet.
DE2750 video processor.
• Analog – Use component video as the primary video output port.
This setting will ensure that the component output is always
available and displays proper video signals. The video decoder
in the player performs any necessary format conversion, and the
DE2750 video processor is completely bypassed.
NOTE: Copyright control mechanisms encoded on the disc may limit
the output resolution of the component video output. For DVD, if
CSS encryption is in use the output resolution is limited to no more
than 480p/576p; for Blu-ray Discs, the output resolution is limited
to no more than 1080i, and could be lower if the disc contains the
Image Constraint Token.
Audio Connection
Audio on HDMI
Although the UMT will output audio over HDMI, this audio will not
benet from the MSB processing and its use is not recommended. Set
the HDMI Audio output to “OFF”. Even if the audio is not used, the
audio limitations of a display which contains audio can over-ride the
high resolution capability of the UMT so please be alert to this issue.
The easiest way to check for this problem is to play an SACD. The
output should be 32 bit, 176.4 kHz with the upsampling turned off.
Audio Ground Noise
Today we are on a new frontier of performance with new multi-
media sources loaded with electrical noise unlike anything we
ever experienced in the past. At the same time we have made great
improvements in jitter the enemy of the last decade, making ground
noise which used to be lost in the jitter, the dominant problem. And
again, grounding issues are back, making a huge difference, but now
in harshness, focus, detail and air, instead of hum.
There is no intuition, right or wrong with high frequency ground noise.
When all we had to deal with was 60 Hz AC hum, the concept was
easy to visualize. Get rid of ground loops. But now we are ghting
a new animal. We have had some idea about ground noise, but our
experience has shown just how tricky it is. It all started for me with
the question of why the sound changed when I changed my digital
cable? The DAC reclocks and all the bits arrive correctly in memory.
What is different? Ground noise. Now as we do network streaming
and have a Blu-ray player hooked up to an LCD monitor as a source,
the matrix becomes impossible to deal with anyway but the old way.
Try making changes and listen.
The Ground Lift feature of the DAC IV
This feature is the most powerful tool available for UMT setup and makes a huge difference in sound!
So we have given you all the tools to get it right. The most important is a ground lift in the DAC IV menus that disconnects the analog
part of the DAC output stage from the chassis and digital ground. The idea is to avoid ground loops and if your Amps are grounded this
connection SHOULD be lifted. If your AMPs oat, lifting this ground connection could result in the destruction of your DAC should you
accidentally discharge a lot of static to the AMP. So make sure the Amplier case is grounded before doing the ground lift.
The PRO I2S Input Board
The next tool is the interconnect. The job of the interconnect is to get the digital bits from the transport to the DAC. We want all the bits
sent without errors. All the interconnect types will do this. The standard connections are limited to 24 bits and the MSB network is 32
bits. Otherwise they all do the same job, EXCEPT were it relates to ground noise. Here we have big differences. Optical has no ground
and the balanced almost no ground. Coax has a transformer coupled ground and the MSB Network a solid ground. The network provides
the best connection in a perfect system, but rarely are systems perfect. The new PRO I2S input provides a ground isolated MSB Network
input. This is the best of all worlds and is the preferred input for the UMT. If you do not have the PRO input and you are hooked up to
video, you may well nd the optical connection best sounding. There is no ground connection at all. There is no rule. Any could sound
best in your system. You just have to try them.
