Musical Paradise MP-D2 AK4490 XMOS Balanced DAC DSD DOP 384Khz

JackD · « **Reply #220 on:** 30 Mar 2020, 08:01 pm »

This should be it.

https://www.evatco.com.au/socket-saver-octal

Tubeburner · « **Reply #221 on:** 30 Mar 2020, 09:08 pm »

You need nine pin and a octal pin saver. It is best to email them as the first set I got the pins were too small. They had them listed as ones that would work. They took them back with no issues. I double stacked the 9 pin sockets for height, so I had 8 of the 9 pin savers.

Rectifiers I liked: Mullard GZ37, USAF 596, Philips 5R4GYS....

deuter · « **Reply #222 on:** 30 Mar 2020, 10:14 pm »

Quote from: JackD on 30 Mar 2020, 08:01 pm

This should be it.

https://www.evatco.com.au/socket-saver-octal

This for the rectifier, what about the output tubes socket saver.

deuter · « **Reply #223 on:** 30 Mar 2020, 10:32 pm »

Quote from: Tubeburner on 30 Mar 2020, 09:08 pm

You need nine pin and a octal pin saver. It is best to email them as the first set I got the pins were too small. They had them listed as ones that would work. They took them back with no issues. I double stacked the 9 pin sockets for height, so I had 8 of the 9 pin savers.

Rectifiers I liked: Mullard GZ37, USAF 596, Philips 5R4GYS....

Have you tried EM Labs 5u4g, I used to use it with my Lampizator Level 7

rodge827 · « **Reply #224 on:** 30 Mar 2020, 11:26 pm »

I used a cryo Philips 5r4gys from Upscale with my MP D2 when I had it. If anyone is interested in it PM me to discuss the details. Went to a one box set up I’m very happy with.

Chris

deuter · « **Reply #225 on:** 31 Mar 2020, 09:43 am »

Quote from: deuter on 30 Mar 2020, 01:55 am

noticed the output via balanced is lower than my previous audio gd dac.
Will changing the output tubes increase the output level?
Not that its a big issue, I'd rather get the sound signature right than have it play louder.

The issue seemed to be a faulty xlr cable that I had received for free with my headphone amp.
I just swapped it with one from my stereo system and that fixed the gain.

deuter · « **Reply #226 on:** 31 Mar 2020, 10:13 am »

Very weird and confusing , the gain went back to low.
I turned a few things off and on including the UltraRendu and the gain is high again.
Not sure what the issue is.

deuter · « **Reply #227 on:** 6 Apr 2020, 10:42 am »

Quote from: deuter on 31 Mar 2020, 10:13 am

Very weird and confusing , the gain went back to low.
I turned a few things off and on including the UltraRendu and the gain is high again.
Not sure what the issue is.

Apparently it’s the microprocessor that seems to be faulty.

JackD · « **Reply #228 on:** 6 Apr 2020, 01:59 pm »

Did you try exercising the gain switches on the back of the a couple of times to make sure they are seated in the correct position?

deuter · « **Reply #229 on:** 6 Apr 2020, 08:36 pm »

Quote from: JackD on 6 Apr 2020, 01:59 pm

Did you try exercising the gain switches on the back of the a couple of times to make sure they are seated in the correct position?

I have, it’s not just the gain, the imaging and soundstage also gets impacted when not operating I. The right mode.
I believe for the microprocessor to operate in the right model the variable led needs to light up 3 times.

JackD · « **Reply #230 on:** 6 Apr 2020, 10:41 pm »

Try taking the top of and checking that all the cable connectors are fully seated.

deuter · « **Reply #231 on:** 11 Apr 2020, 06:53 am »

What tubes are you all settled on and why.
I have ordered the Gold Lion 6922 Quad.
Reluctant to change the stock tubes as I really enjoy the stock ones.

JackD · « **Reply #232 on:** 11 Apr 2020, 02:14 pm »

After testing almost two dozen combos of tubes I went back to the supplied ones.

deuter · « **Reply #233 on:** 11 Apr 2020, 08:27 pm »

Quote from: JackD on 11 Apr 2020, 02:14 pm

After testing almost two dozen combos of tubes I went back to the supplied ones.

Did you try the gold lion 6922’s what was your feedback about them.

JackD · « **Reply #234 on:** 11 Apr 2020, 10:15 pm »

I only had the single new pair that came with the BHK amp so I could only test the SE. They are not bad and are the best of the current production 6 volt tubes. Most of the NOS tubes were better but I still preferred the original tubes.

deuter · « **Reply #235 on:** 11 Apr 2020, 11:51 pm »

Quote from: JackD on 11 Apr 2020, 10:15 pm

I only had the single new pair that came with the BHK amp so I could only test the SE. They are not bad and are the best of the current production 6 volt tubes. Most of the NOS tubes were better but I still preferred the original tubes.

I Cannot imagine much sonic improvement compared to what Iam currently hearing from the DAC with stock tubes.

JackD · « **Reply #236 on:** 12 Apr 2020, 12:20 am »

I think that sometimes what people claim to hear with some of the high dollar NOS tubes is expectations of more money meaning better sound. I haven't found that to be true with this DAC in particular. The best other tubes I found in my search were late 60's to early 70's 6n23's that I bought many years ago.

deuter · « **Reply #237 on:** 12 Apr 2020, 12:25 am »

Quote from: JackD on 12 Apr 2020, 12:20 am

I think that sometimes what people claim to hear with some of the high dollar NOS tubes is expectations of more money meaning better sound. I haven't found that to be true with this DAC in particular. The best other tubes I found in my search were late 60's to early 70's 6n23's that I bought many years ago.

I have ordered 2 reflector 6n23’s for my headphone amp, if I like the sound I might buy 2 more so I c an use them in the dac.
Do you need adapters to use them ?

JackD · « **Reply #238 on:** 12 Apr 2020, 01:27 am »

No, direct 6 volt drop in. Not sure where other than Eastern European Ebay sellers you can still get the older ones.

rajacat · « **Reply #239 on:** 12 Apr 2020, 09:58 pm »

I've settled on the Brimar 5r4gy as my main rectifier. I love the sweet mid range and the revealing texture. I'll probably continue to occasionally rotate in the others for variety. It's kind of like wine in that the flavors vary and variety is the spice of life.

I bi amp my mains and have three subs. I can tweak the woofers and tweeters to somewhat account for the various perceived weaknesses in the tubes. I tried to like the stock tube but in my system it came across as a little too bright, busy and metallic. Maybe I didn't give it long enough break in but I doubt that I would still like it even after 200 hrs.