The strongest feature of this motherboard is its audio system. MSI decided not to use the standard on-board audio function provided by nForce 4 on their Diamond series – which is software-based mid-range quality solution –, choosing a hardware-based solution using Creative SoundBlaster Live CAO106 DSP (Digital Signal Processor), the same one that is used by Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE sound boards.

K8N Diamond Plus uses a 8-channel audio system (7.1 format) supporting Dolby Digital Surround EX and uses Wolfson WM8775 ADC (Analog/Digital Converter), which has a 24-bit resolution, a 96 kHz sampling rate and an excellent 100 dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and Cirrus Logic CS4382 DAC (Digital/Analog Converter), which is also used by Marantz on their hi-fi sound systems. If you are a gamer, the EAX 3.0 support will bring more reality to your playing sessions.

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Figure 10: MSI K8N Diamond Plus on-board audio detail.

Another exclusive feature of this motherboard is its vacuum tube-based pre-amplifier. MSI wasn’t the first company to use a vacuum tube pre-amplifier, but other manufacturers installed the tube on the motherboard, which brought several disadvantages like overheating, low quality on-board audio and the use of lots of physical space.

Aware of these disadvantages MSI opted to use Cooler Master Musketeer 3. Musketeer 3 is a hybrid pre-amplifier, i.e., it uses transistors and a vacuum tube (12AU7). This vacuum tube, however, is used only by two of the eight available channels.

Its light yellow look similar to vintage amplifiers gives a very nice touch to your case.

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Figure 11: Musketeer 3 panel.

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Figure 12: Musketeer 3 details.

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Figure 13: Cables for connecting the audio system.

As for the sound difference introduced by the vacuum tube, experts claim that vacuum tubes produce a better and more realistic sound. In tests we conducted the sound was really different and more ”comfortable“, but this perception will vary according to the sensibility and taste of each user.

As you can see in Figure 14, this motherboard provides coaxial and optical SPDIF outputs and also individual outputs for side, rear, center and subwoofer channels soldered on the motherboard.

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Figure 14: K8N Diamond Plus back connectors.