Enjoy the Music got it exactly right ;)

tdangelo · « **on:** 30 Sep 2006, 09:54 pm »

I'm talking about the review of the MHDT Paradisea DAC. Its a non oversampling DAC. My ears are sensitive to oversampling - I just kinda get a burning in my ears after just a few minutes of listening to my system. I've ignored it for years and get it even at low volume. I then read oversampling DAC's sometime cause this to certain peoples ears. I am one of them

In the process of downsizing my system $$ wise I found this DAC. Its outstanding IMO. I've had several oversampling DAC's - most recently in my TAcT. I've also had Wadia, Unison, Cal Alpha/Delta 24/192, etc... If your looking for an inexpensive NOS DAC I recommend this one. I'm using an old 2c51 tube thats excellent - the WE 396A are very good too - very musical DAC thats easy to listen to for hrs.

Best budget DAC for 2006 - review towards the bottom of the page:

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/1006/bestof2006.htm

Bwanagreg · « **Reply #1 on:** 30 Sep 2006, 10:51 pm »

I agree. I've been enjoying mine for a couple of months now. It really does more to eliminate digital nastiness than any other DAC I've tried. I'm running a WE 396A but the stock tubes ( I was sent three of them

) are quite good, too. It can drive my new Promitheus TVC preamp with great authority. The bass control and power of this DAC is oustanding I think, not that any other part of the range seems lacking.

Jim N. · « **Reply #2 on:** 30 Sep 2006, 11:13 pm »

It is a great DAC. I picked up a Bendix Red Bank 6385 for it and it's so smooth and detailed.

tdangelo · « **Reply #3 on:** 30 Sep 2006, 11:17 pm »

Quote from: Jim N. on 30 Sep 2006, 11:13 pm

It is a great DAC. I picked up a Bendix Red Bank 6385 for it and it's so smooth and detailed.

where did you get them Jim?

Thanks

Tony

GHM · « **Reply #4 on:** 30 Sep 2006, 11:21 pm »

Ah Man ..you guys got me lusting after this Dac now.

Looks like another new toy on the horizon!! aa

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #5 on:** 30 Sep 2006, 11:51 pm »

Quote from: GHM on 30 Sep 2006, 11:21 pm

Ah Man ..you guys got me lusting after this Dac now.
Looks like another new toy on the horizon!! aa

Gymane....You were gonna buy one....I was waiting to try it....now you have to buy one.

Chris

Scott F. · « **Reply #6 on:** 1 Oct 2006, 12:13 am »

Thanks for the kind words about the article guys

I absolutely love mine.

Its made its way around to a few of the guys systems here locally. One of the guys (Albert) just raved about it too. He's been going threw DAC after DAC (and some really expensive ones too) trying to find something that sounded 'natural' without making the bass flabby. From what he said, when he put it in his system everything immediately improved. Tone, bass, detail, naturalness, everything. He loved it and from what I understand he ordered one too. I think Bryan (bpape) is going to order one too from the way he's been talking.

It's kinda funny, I actually made a mistake reviewing the MHDT DAC. I say it was a mistake because when I called Geoff (my old writing partner at TNT-Audio) he actually directed me to a different manufacturer. Neither one of us realized it until I had the MHDT in my hands and I sent Geoff a link to pics of the DAC. He looked it up and told me that it wasn't the one he was talking about. I guess it was my karma to write about the MHDT, which is absolutely cool. I love finding great sounding, affordable gear.

I found a Bendix too. It's just as good as the Western Electric.

maxwalrath · « **Reply #7 on:** 1 Oct 2006, 01:14 am »

For Scott, and any others using it with a modded SB, was there a chance to compare the digital out of the SB into the DAC vs the SB as a standalone?

GHM · « **Reply #8 on:** 1 Oct 2006, 01:39 am »

Quote from: lonewolfny42 on 30 Sep 2006, 11:51 pm

Quote from: GHM on 30 Sep 2006, 11:21 pm
Ah Man ..you guys got me lusting after this Dac now.
Looks like another new toy on the horizon!! aa
Gymane....You were gonna buy one....I was waiting to try it....now you have to buy one.
Chris

Chris..it looks like you've got me over a barrel on this one!

I might just order one in the coming weeks..if funds allow. I'll make sure you get to hear it..that's for sure.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #9 on:** 1 Oct 2006, 01:41 am »

Quote from: GHM on 1 Oct 2006, 01:39 am

Quote from: lonewolfny42 on 30 Sep 2006, 11:51 pm
Quote from: GHM on 30 Sep 2006, 11:21 pm
Ah Man ..you guys got me lusting after this Dac now.
Looks like another new toy on the horizon!! aa
Gymane....You were gonna buy one....I was waiting to try it....now you have to buy one.
Chris

Chris..it looks like you've got me over a barrel on this one!

I might just order one in the coming weeks..if funds allow. I'll make sure you get to hear it..that's for sure.

Thank you Gymane.....

tdangelo · « **Reply #10 on:** 1 Oct 2006, 02:41 am »

hehe, I didn't realize you were a member here

I'm wondering - what power cable are you guys using??

Thanks

Tony

Quote from: Scott F. on 1 Oct 2006, 12:13 am

Thanks for the kind words about the article guys I absolutely love mine.

Scott F. · « **Reply #11 on:** 1 Oct 2006, 03:05 am »

I'm just using a decent 12/3 Beldon.

I know, I'm such a bad audiophile

Quote

For Scott, and any others using it with a modded SB, was there a chance to compare the digital out of the SB into the DAC vs the SB as a standalone?

Well, I've tried it and the SB a few different ways. On my main system (horn loaded Lowthers and 15" subs) I like the MHDT behind the modded SB. The Lowther PM2As seem to like a tubed DAC. In a second system I have set up at the moment (Lowther based Teresonic Ingenium TQWP's) I really like the Bolder modded SB analog outputs. In this system, the Lowther DX4's are perfectly happy with the more substantial bass of Waynes mods.

Now if you are talking about the stock analog SB outputs, I'd take the MHDT over the stock outputs in any system. The MHDT is just so much more clean, dynamic and well defined, that the stock SB isn't in the same league.

Jim N. · « **Reply #12 on:** 1 Oct 2006, 04:22 am »

Quote from: tdangelo on 30 Sep 2006, 11:17 pm

Quote from: Jim N. on 30 Sep 2006, 11:13 pm
It is a great DAC. I picked up a Bendix Red Bank 6385 for it and it's so smooth and detailed.

where did you get them Jim?

Thanks

Tony

Took a chance on E-Bay. It was part of a Shanling upgrade kit (two 6385 and 4 opamps). A friend used the opamps and I kept the second 6385 as a spare. I can't compare it with the WE 396 as I've not tried one. Tube World has cryoed 396 every now and then.

Jim

Bwanagreg · « **Reply #13 on:** 1 Oct 2006, 04:24 am »

I'm using an Asylum poer cord from DIYCable. It causes all of the lights to light up

One thing I noticed is that the power transformer throws out a fair bit of EMI. The main problem I was having was with the TVC picking up the stray noise. I used a bit of Stilpoints ERS around it and that helps quite a bit.

Jim N. · « **Reply #14 on:** 1 Oct 2006, 04:32 am »

There are a couple of Paradisea's on E-Bay right now.

I run a Black Sand Arctic Blue PC to mine. I picked up several of them on Audiogon auctions. IC's are VH Pulsars w/WBT Next Gens. I have small pieces of Stillpoints ERS cloth on the top and underneath. Vibration control is 3 Unhappy Balls (from Edmonds Scientific) underneath and a Herbie's stabilizer disk atop.

JLM · « **Reply #15 on:** 1 Oct 2006, 09:53 am »

Scott,

How do these DAC's compare to the Ah! Njoe Tjoeb? (And is the Njoe Tjoeb mentioned in your review the 4000?)

Thanks

tdangelo · « **Reply #16 on:** 1 Oct 2006, 12:01 pm »

Thanks. These tubes seems VERY hard to find, guess I'll just have to wait and keep looking. I do have 2 WE 396A's if anyone is interested.

Tony D.

Quote from: Jim N. on 1 Oct 2006, 04:22 am

Quote from: tdangelo on 30 Sep 2006, 11:17 pm
Quote from: Jim N. on 30 Sep 2006, 11:13 pm
It is a great DAC. I picked up a Bendix Red Bank 6385 for it and it's so smooth and detailed.

where did you get them Jim?

Thanks

Tony

Took a chance on E-Bay. It was part of a Shanling upgrade kit (two 6385 and 4 opamps). A friend used the opamps and I kept the second 6385 as a spare. I can't compare it with the WE 396 as I've not tried one. Tube World has cryoed 396 every now and then.

Jim

tdangelo · « **Reply #17 on:** 1 Oct 2006, 12:04 pm »

I'm using 3 Finite Elemente Ceraballs under mine - which sits on the top rack of my Ultrasonic rack. Gonna have to get some ERS - when I turn the DAC on I can hear a little buzz/hum from my right speaker

I'm using a Mauimods digital cable with silver Nextgens and a PS Audio Xtreame plus power cable. Seems a good combo so far

Quote from: Jim N. on 1 Oct 2006, 04:32 am

There are a couple of Paradisea's on E-Bay right now.

I run a Black Sand Arctic Blue PC to mine. I picked up several of them on Audiogon auctions. IC's are VH Pulsars w/WBT Next Gens. I have small pieces of Stillpoints ERS cloth on the top and underneath. Vibration control is 3 Unhappy Balls (from Edmonds Scientific) underneath and a Herbie's stabilizer disk atop.

Scott F. · « **Reply #18 on:** 1 Oct 2006, 12:19 pm »

Well,

The AH! and the Paradesia are fairly similar in sound (assuming you are not using the upsampler for the AH!). The resolution is very comparable though I'd say the Paradisea is a bit fuller in the midrange. Where the real gains are made is when you plug the Paradisea in behind the modified SB. There is a pretty significant difference because of the reduction in jitter coupled with the complete extraction of all the '1's and 0's' on the CD.

Using the old Darryl Scale for comparisons

AH! vs Paradisea - resolution - 4 going to the Paradisea
AH! vs Paradisea - midrange - 6 going to the Paradisea
Bolder SB with the Paradisea vs AH! - 8 or 9 going to the SB/Paradisea

bpape · « **Reply #19 on:** 1 Oct 2006, 01:20 pm »

Yeah. I'm definitely getting one and probably going to have Wayne do the digital mods my SB2. Albert is a bit tight on cash right now but when that clears up, I'm sure he'll be getting one also.

The difference in his system was not at all subtle - and that wasn't even with a SB.

Bryan