Reference

About the Reference

The Reference DAC is MSB Technology's discontinued flagship DAC below the Select, built around four of MSB's Hybrid DAC modules in a fully balanced discrete architecture for extremely low noise and high resolution playback. It supports high-rate PCM up to 3,072 kHz (input-dependent) and DSD up to 8x, with DSD via DoP on all inputs when the appropriate modules are installed. The design is modular, allowing user-selectable input, clock, and output modules such as Pro ISL, USB, and various Femto clock options, and is fully compatible with Select-series modules. Base configuration includes dual Reference Powerbase supplies and a Femto clock (upgradeable up to Femto 33), with very low output impedance so it can drive power amplifiers or preamps directly through balanced or single-ended analog outputs. A high-visibility front display provides clear status indication and configuration information.