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Music Streamer II+ makes the music coming out of your computer sound exceptional. Technically, the MS II+ an audiophile quality external sound card for computers. The MS II+ takes over the job of processing the digital music stream from the computer that is critical to producing high quality sound. As a Big Brother to the MS II, the HRT Music Streamer II+ does exactly the same job as its less expensive sibling, but is outfitted with a higher quality Digital-to-Analog converter (DAC) and a much more sophisticated analog output stage.

Like other HRT products, set up and operation is super-easy: just take a good quality USB cable and hook the USB input of the MS II+ into any available USB port on the host computer. The MS II+ automatically performs an "electronic handshake" with the computer and tells it that the MS II+ is here, that it is to get all audio signals sent to it instead of the Digital-to-Analog converter (DAC) that is built into the computer, and that it, the MS II+, is in charge of all data-transfer timing instructions. Then just use a good quality set of RCA interconnects to attach the output side of the MS II+ to any available line-level analog input on your integrated amplifier, preamp, receiver, or powered loudspeakers, which gives you a volume control. The MS II+ connected to a computer is the equivalent of a very high quality CD player with a fixed 2.25V output that connects into a music system just like a CD player would through the right and left analog output jacks.

Powered by and connected to a host computer's USB bus, the MS II+ 's circuit design, like that of other HRT Music Streamers, boasts a unique topology that, in totally isolating their power supplies from those of the host computers, allows an unprecedented degree of electronic isolation and quieting from these machines, so that having to listen to your computer's nasty background noise and other sonic grunge along with your music is now a thing of the past. Digital-to-Analog processing inside the MS II+ is enhanced by HRT's proprietary asynchronous-mode data transfer software, which allows the MS II+ to take control of the transfer of digital information away from the computer and onto itself, effectively eliminating jitter in the digital data stream, further enhancing the MS II+ 's sonic performance; all of the subtle timing cues that help to get the music's timbres and colors correct are preserved without degradation or distortion.

Now you are ready to stream some music, either by playing a disc directly through the computers optical drive, or read as a digital file from your computer's hard drive. Having the MS II+ in your system means never needing a stand-alone CD player again to enjoy all the music in your CD collection in high quality sound. If you happen to have higher-resolution files (up to 24/96k) stored on your HD, you can also play them in their full native resolution (no up-sampling).

The MS II+ provides full support for playback applications such as iTunes and Windows Media Player, as well as numerous others, allowing a direct, great-sounding connection between your computer and your entertainment system. You can also listen to streaming Internet radio stations or music subscription services through the MS II+ in much better sound quality than from your computer's built-in DAC.

Utilizing native Audio Class 1.0 drivers (present in all modern PC, Mac, and Linux computers) there are no extra drivers or software to install. Simply connect it to your computer via a USB cable (not included), confirm that the MS II+ the chosen device in the computer's preferences area, and you are ready to go. LED indicators show the current sample rate (32k, 44k1, 48k, 88k2 & 96k), as well as the state of the MS II+ 's mute circuit; you will always know at a glance your system's operating mode.

As with other HRT products, as firmware improvements become available, HRT's UpStream utility allows the Music Streamer II+ to be updated right from the computer's desktop in a matter of seconds.
USB Powered.

Asynchronous Mode Operation eliminates timing errors (jitter).

Galvanic isolation of digital and analog stages.

Line-Level analog output.

Plug and play using standard audio class 1.0 drivers.

24 Bit operation.

Supports 32k, 44.1k, 48k, 88.2k & 96k sample rates.

Endplate LED lights identify sample rate.

Upstream Utility for fast firmware upgrades.

Designed and manufactured in Southern California.
Full Scale Output2.25 Volts RMS
Output Impedance100 Ohm
Frequency Response (20 Hz/20 kHz)+0db / -.4dB
Noise Floor (DC to 30 kHz)4 uV RMS
S/N Ratio (DC to 30 kHz)115 dB
S/N Ratio (A-weighted)120 dB
THD+N (1 kHz Full Scale).002%
THD+N (1 kHz -20dB).0001%
Jitter Contribution (DC to 30 kHz)135 dB below full scale
USB to Audio output isolation200M Ohm
Sample Rateup to 96 kHz
Bit Depthup to 24 bit
USB Transfer Protocolasynchronous
Power Requirements (USB Buss)400 mA
Dimensions5.6" x 2.3" x .875"
This things is hands down the best dac out there for the money, I purchased it for my Audioengine A5's because i felt like the built in soundcard on my laptop wasn't producing the sound that these speakers are capable of putting out. Once I got this all hooked up, I was blow away by the quality of sound.
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K. Sampson, CO Amazon Review
The HRT Music Streamer II converts simple music into a great listening experience. The 25 db conversion allows you to hear intricacies you have long forgotten.
Kathleen Maier,
Amazon Review
The sound from the computer is natural and life-like. It's got depth and resonance. Voices during movies on the computer sound real, as if the people are in the room with you. Music projects from the computer as if it's a soundstage. I love it.
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Bogart the Consumer, WA
Amazon Review
Was a Little skeptical but soon as I heard the sound I was so happy ! allot of people listen to compressed music all day so their ears don't know what the music should really sound like, this little sucker makes everything sound better even streaming music Pandora etc I also DJ so I will also use with my laptop love that it's USB powered and box is metal not plastic.
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B. Gilling, Germany
Amazon Review
Even songs with the most cluttered production through the entire frequency range still sounded very well separated and balanced between the different instruments, sound effects, and vocals. I feel like what my amp had doubled, this doubled again. There was just... more of everything, and all working together in order rather than in chaos. The music is so alive and dynamic, and yet what truly struck me was the balance. Before I used this DAC, some of the upper mid sounds or highs could occasionally spike and hurt my ears, but with this, everything remains in a good balance without anything being recessed or losing dynamics. Vocals and some instruments that I thought were shrill before are sweet now. Bass is far more extended and remains very clean, strong but never drowning out other things. Even some things that were awful before like autotuned vocals in a dance track suddenly make sense within their overall production instead of sticking out poorly. Because everything is so much cleaner, it makes the human touch in the music to come out more.
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D the I, IL
Amazon Review
I absolutely love this product. I've had one at home since I had my new HiFi installed & my digital sound coming from my laptop really is a million times better than just coming from the headphone socket. Anyone who wants to vastly improve their digital sound for their home & office use should invest the tiny sum in getting one of these bad boys. WOW.
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The Shamen, Sycophant Slags, Superfreq Records, Pokerflat, Wagon Repair
All in all, the HRT Music Streamer II+ offers a fine means for the emerging audiophile to make a smooth entrance into the world of high resolution, without having to take a community college course in computers or worry about the next upgrade in digital playback. Recommended.
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