MSB Technology - Universal Media Transport (UMT) Lettore CD

MSB Technology UMT (Universal Media Transport)

I'm selling the ultra rare MSB Universal Media Transport (UMT) due to an upgrade. I am the only one selling it at this moment ! It's based on the Oppo transport, but completely redesigned and re-engineered by MSB Technology. If you have an MSB Platinum DAC IV, it can play SACDs directly! So it's a must to have. MSB has taken the versatility of the Oppo (it plays CDs, SACDs, DVD-A, Blu-ray, and network files) and transformed it into an extreme high-end device, isolating the circuitry and optimizing the digital output for reference-level audio quality.

Operation: perfect. Disc reading and network streaming are flawless. It supports PCM files up to 192kHz, both from a USB hard drive and from a network/NAS via DLNA.

The MSB Network (a proprietary connection) uses a normal RJ45 Ethernet CAT5 cable, is designed to be used with the MSB Platinum DAC IV and DAC III, supports up to 32 bit and 384 Khz data stream, so it's the best possible connection if you have an MSB DAC.
The bottom outside of the case has been treated with a sheet of Dynamat Extreme adhesive (see photo): this is a famous tweak to increase vibration dampening. Since it's an adhesive sheet, it's removable if desired, but I suggest to keep it because it could increase the sound quality even more.

Digital Audio Outputs: MSB Network, Coaxial, Optical, BNC, XLR AES/EBU, and HDMI.
Analog Audio Outputs: none
Video Outputs: 2 HDMI, analog coaxial, analog composite
Bitstream Surround Outputs: optical and coaxial
Media connections: 2 USB inputs, eSata, computer network
File types: WAV, FLAC, MP3, Dolby Digital HD, DTS HD.
Disc Types: CD, SACD, BLU RAY, HRx, DVD, DVD AUDIO

Since it can also play Blu-ray discs, it allows you to watch concerts available in this format with superior audio quality to standard Blu-ray players.

If you don't have an MSB Platinum DAC III or IV, it's still interesting to know that this player, when playing an SACD, outputs 172 kHz/24-bit from the S/PDIF digital outputs, and if your DAC supports it, it outputs DSD64 format from the XLR digital output. You need to set the SACD Output = DSD settings, as well explained in the included instruction manual, which should be read very carefully.

Important Note: for the sake of completeness, I point out that the front display doesn't light up. This is a purely cosmetic defect that doesn't affect sound quality or functionality in any way. Being a complex device, control is still via the HDMI connection to a TV or monitor (see photos as examples), a much more convenient method for navigating menus and folders. The display is actually of little use, it just shows Stop or Play. On the monitor connected via HDMI, however, you see much more information about what is playing (see photo taken as an example).

I should also point out that the four original feets are unusable; they become too soft over time. This is a common defect with the IV series, so they were eliminated. However, simply adding 4 feets directly under the case, as shown in the photo, it allows for greater customization and experimentation of different solutions, finding the best solution for your installation and system (for example, soft supports, or spheres, or tips, or damping materials, or magnetic levitation supports, or graphite, etc...). The lower price reflects these 2 small defects: the list price in fact was €4,590.

The original remote control, wireless USB adaptor (WiFi dongle), original instruction manual , original box, and desktop power supply are included, as shown in the photos.

Available for any testing at my home in Genova, Italy. I prefer in-person exchange due to the value and fragility of the item, but I can ship it with suitable packaging.