MSB The Discrete DAC User manual

The Discrete DAC
User Guide
Check our website for the most recent user guides,
rmware and drivers at:
www.msbtechnology.com
Technical support email is:
[email protected]
04.12.2023

Discrete DAC Support Page
All Discrete DAC support topics, as well as a full PDF version of this
user guide, can be found online by visiting the URL listed below or by
scanning the following QR Code.
https://www.msbtechnology.com/dacs/discrete-dac-support/
Discrete Series Youtube Playlist
Any Discrete DAC support videos, as well as other related product
videos, can be found online by visiting the URL listed below or by
scanning the following QR Code.
https://www.youtube.com/
playlist?list=PLA1wHoJozHNdTxauWdAcp1Uam61eN0ERz
This user guide is modeled after the following rmware revisions:
The Discrete DAC: 22.14
The Premier Digital Director: 11.11

Setup and Quick Start
The interface is simple with few user controls. Input source defaults
to auto switching. The display will let you know if you have an active
input. Make the necessary connections, power on your system and
turn the volume knob up until you hear music.
Step 1.
Unbox the unit(s) and place the unit(s) into their desired locations in
your audio system.
Step 2.
If using the Discrete Supply, you’ll have one Dual-link cable and
one Dual-link power adapter. Plug the adapter into the back of the
Discrete DAC and then connect the Dual-link power cable into both
the DAC and Discrete Supply.
Premier Powerbase Connections (Upgrade)
If using a Premier Powerbase, you’ll have two Dual-link cables. Use
both cables to connect each of the power connectors located on the
Premier Powerbase to both of the power connectors located on the
back of the Discrete DAC.
How to Disconnect Dual-link Cables
To disconnect a Dual-link cable, simply pinch the portion of the cable
where the at portion and arrow symbol are located and pull the
shoulder of the cable directly back from the jackpanel. No twisting or
rotating is required to disconnect the cable.

Step 4.
Connect all of your desired digital audio sources to the matching
digital inputs on your Discrete DAC. The DAC will automatically switch
to any active digital input source. The Frequency of the incoming
digital source will be displayed on the unit when a source has been
switched to.
Step 3.
Connect the Analog outputs of your Discrete DAC to the power
amplier(s) in your audio system.
Step 5.
Ensure that the correct mains voltage for your country is selected on
the back of the Discrete Supply and then connect the power supply
using the supplied IEC cable. If using the Premier Powerbase, the unit
will automatically switch to the required mains voltage.
Step 6.
Turn on your DAC using the switch on the back of your Discrete
Supply, play a digital audio le, and slowly turn up the volume on
your Discrete DAC until you can hear music. If using the Premier
Powerbase, the power button is located on the front of the unit.

Menu
Button
The Menu button is single purpose. It will enter the
setup menu at the top of the menu tree. If in the setup
menu (it doesn’t matter where) this button will exit the
setup menu and return to the normal audio listening
function.
Arrow
Buttons
The right and left arrows switch inputs. The ‘Auto’
mode will be in the list of inputs. The right and left
arrows switch inputs. If ‘Auto’ is selected, the unit will
automatically switch inputs based on priority (Input
slot B is higher than Input slot A). When a source
with a higher priority becomes active, the unit will
automatically switch to the new higher priority input.
Toggling through the inputs manually will defeat any
auto switching. When in the setup menu, the arrows
move right and left through the menu structure.
Volume
Knob
This knob adjusts the volume between 0 and 106.
Display The display shows the Input, bit-depth, sample rate, or
volume.
DAC User Interface
Discrete Supply (Standard)
The Discrete DAC comes standard with an easy-to-use dedicated
power supply. There is a voltage switch located on the back of the
unit to select between 120V and 220V mains voltage. There is also
a power switch located next to the IEC connector for turning on or
shutting o your unit. One fuse can be found on the back of the unit.
- 2.5A 250V Slow blow fuse.

Premier Powerbase (Upgrade)
The powerbase contains isolation technology. The powerbase
detects the input voltage and switches to 120 volt or 240 volt
operation. It’s also available in a xed 100 volt conguration. This
powerbase has over-voltage protection.
Two fuses are provided:
- 5A 250V Slow blow - 5 mm x 20 mm miniature fuse
- 100mA 250V Slow blow - 5 mm x 20 mm miniature fuse (Internal
standby supply only).
Premier Powerbase User Interface
There is one button on the front of the powerbase— as well as
two control features just under the front of the powerbase, on the
bottom.
LED
indications
White - Power On
Red - Power o
White/Red - Unit is in “Normal” mode but the 12v
trigger has turned it o.
Display
brightness
This is a rolling wheel to control the brightness for
the power indicator light
Power control Normal - This sets the powerbase as the 12 volt
trigger master.
Linked - This sets the powerbase as the 12 volt
trigger slave. The ‘master’ powerbase will control
this unit.

1Power On/O Powerbase on and o. When the
powerbase is linked to an amplier or MSB
product, this button will turn o the entire
system (Premier Powerbase Only)
2Indicator LED While in use:
White - Command Sent
Red and White - Command Sent
and Low Battery
Red Flashing - Needs Charging
While charging:
Red - Charging
White - Fully Charged
3Input Toggles directly through DAC inputs
4Phase Invert Toggles phase invert (I - on display)
5 Video Mode Toggles video mode (V - on display)
6 Display On/O Toggles Display On/O
7Volume/Scroll The center scroll wheel controls DAC
volume and scrolls when in the menu.
8Mute/Select DAC mute and select when in the menu.
9Track Backward Skip backward
(Renderer only)
10 Play/Pause Play and pause
(Renderer only)
11 Track Forward Skip forward
(Renderer only)
12 DAC Menu Enter DAC menu
While in menu:
Up - Volume Up
Down - Volume Down
Enter - Mute
Return - DAC Menu
13 Stop Stop media
(Renderer only)
14 Track Repeat Track or playlist repeat
(Renderer only)
15 Charging Port Micro-USB to charge the remote battery
The MSB Remote

Saving Menu and Startup Settings
When changing settings in the menu, use the enter button in the
center of your volume wheel on the remote, or the right arrow on the
DAC faceplate to conrm settings in the DAC menu. After you have
made your changes in the DAC menu, use the menu button to exit
the DAC menu completely to save the changes you have made while
in the DAC menu.
The DAC will not save any of your settings until you exit the menu.
The “Action Buttons” on your remote change certain settings on
your DAC without navigating the DAC menu (Phase Invert and Video
Mode). However, these settings reset every time the DAC is reset or
powered o. If you would like these settings to persist through resets
or power os, you simply have to choose the action button setting
that you wish to be default and then enter and exit the DAC menu by
double clicking the Menu button on your remote or DAC faceplate.
If at any point the DAC seems to be improperly setup or you want to
start fresh with your settings and functions, there is a “Reset” option
near the end of the DAC menu. Simply select this and conrm “YES”
before closing the DAC menu and restarting the unit.
Phase Invert
Phase invert is a button located on the remote to allow the user an easy
way to invert the audio phase. This is a situational based feature that is
not always needed, but can be used to x certain recording or system
setup requirements.
Video Mode
Video mode is a button located on the remote to reduce signal latency
and compensate for lip-sync delays when using your DAC for audio and
video simultaneously. It is best to only use this feature when needed
because the reduced latency causes reduced jitter rejection.