"If there is a digital converter that can convince a die hard vinylphile that digital has at last arrived, this is the machine "
Martin G. DeWulf, Bound for Sound issue #147
(the Platinum Reference CD Player from MSB)

Simplicity

The Platinum DAC III was designed in a way that it can be used as the last component in your system before the amplifiers. With the added convenience of having multiple digital inputs and one Analog input you can easily connect additional sources such as an SACD/DVD player that only output the SACD through the analog outputs. The PCM outputs from the DVD Player would connect to one of the digital inputs of the Platinum DAC III and the analog input would connect through the Analog input of the DAC III. The Analog Input is volume controlled (if the optional Volume Control is installed).

About the DAC

The Second Generation Platinum DAC modules are of our own design, hand made, discretely built R2R Ladder DACs. How DACs Work! A simple but accurate explaination.The Platinum DACs draw from the older ladder technology but with incredible improvements that allow them to operate up to 3 MHz. The Platinum DAC III contains four of these 24 bit MSB DAC Modules configured in a true balanced architecture for optimum balanced or single-ended operation..

About the Digital Filter

For the first time ever, we have created our own Custom Digital Filter for the Platinum DACs. Previous versions of the Platinum DAC used the Burr-Brown DF1704, which at the time was the best Digital Filter on the market. Our new Digital Filter is built to our specifications and standards, and is designed to get the most out of the Platinum DAC modules.

The performance of this new Digital Filter is amazing. Immediately you'll notice the lack of fuzziness around voices and instruments of all frequencies. This new filter also dramatically increases the resolution and dynamics of the machine. This filter is also completely customizable; By playing a special .wav file on a CD new filter coefficients, either temporary or permanent, can be loaded into our DSP.

The Digital Filter is a 16x oversampling, single stage filter with 32bit input resolution, 80bit computation, and 36bit coefficients. More information on this custom MSB Digital Filter can be found here.

About the Clock / Jitter Control

Jitter control devices (and inputs on most DACs) normally re-clock the input signal in attempt to lessen the jitter of that incoming signal. The Platinum DAC III does no such re-clocking. We actually pay no attention to the clock on the input signal. All internal clocks are generated by an extremely accurate +/- 2.5ppm temperature compensated clock. Since the input clock is no longer related to the clock of the Platinum, an intelligent ½ second buffer is used to maintain data synchronization.

About the Optional Attenuator

Our Preamp philosophy is based on the belief that from the moment analog audio is created, every transition that is made degrades the quality. This is why we have used a passive attenuator within the Platinum DAC III, to achieve the simplest, shortest possible signal path with the least possible degradation of the true music. The Volume is controlled in 2 dB steps from 0 to -62 dB. The Volume Control is completely bypassed when at 0 dB.

This attenuator section is also designed to serve as a way to match the naturally high output level of the Platinum DACs to any desired outboard preamp. This has proven to be extremely useful for many of our customers that are happy with the Preamp they have known and used for years. It allows the two devices to be correctly matched with each other.