DAC

Charles Calkins · « **on:** 26 Oct 2006, 11:13 pm »

Hi Guys:
Anybody know of a DAC like the Benchmark DAC1 except with a tube output stage.

Cheers
Charlie

miklorsmith · « **Reply #1 on:** 26 Oct 2006, 11:26 pm »

Try a NOS DAC, they have that tubey yummyness without the tubes.

arthurs · « **Reply #2 on:** 27 Oct 2006, 01:11 am »

Charlie, look into the Audio Logic 24MXL used.....I think it is what you are describing....

zybar · « **Reply #3 on:** 27 Oct 2006, 01:17 am »

Quote from: arthurs on 27 Oct 2006, 01:11 am

Charlie, look into the Audio Logic 24MXL used.....I think it is what you are describing....

I owned the Audio Logic DAC and it was my favorite stand alone DAC. I only sold it when I went to the TacT with its internal modified DAC.

I can highly recommend the Audio Logic if you are looking for a musical DAC that you can listen to hour after hour and just sit back and enjoy.

Used prices are usually pretty good on Audiogon.

George

JoshK · « **Reply #4 on:** 27 Oct 2006, 01:27 am »

What price range and do you adhere to any dogma (non-OS, uber-OS, multibit, Delta-sigma, etc)?

Charles Calkins · « **Reply #5 on:** 27 Oct 2006, 01:34 am »

joshk:
Something under a $1,000,000 bucks.

Cheers
Charlie

JoshK · « **Reply #6 on:** 27 Oct 2006, 01:40 am »

Quote from: tvad4 on 27 Oct 2006, 01:37 am

How about a brand new Monarchy M24 6922-based DAC/Preamp? $980 direct from Monarchy. Do an Audiogon search.

That's where my money would go. They adhere to my design philosophy. I studied their design a bit and it commits the fewest sins of any commercial offering I know. And it isn't uber expensive. I am not saying it will beat up the $pendy dacs, but it might have more potential being that the design is super clever.

Marbles · « **Reply #7 on:** 27 Oct 2006, 01:41 am »

Quote from: Charles Calkins on 26 Oct 2006, 11:13 pm

Hi Guys:
Anybody know of a DAC like the Benchmark DAC1 except with a tube output stage.

Cheers
Charlie

Try Steve Nugent of Empirical Audio...pricey, but worth it.

BradJudy · « **Reply #8 on:** 27 Oct 2006, 02:01 am »

Quote from: tvad4 on 27 Oct 2006, 01:37 am

How about a brand new Monarchy M24 6922-based DAC/Preamp? $980 direct from Monarchy. Do an Audiogon search.

Interesting...looks like a Lite DAC-60 except with a PCM-63K instead of the PCM1704 and with a pre-amp extension to the board. Toroids instead of R-core transformers too. The Positive Feedback review notes the connection to Lite as well.

Depending on your take on the differences, paying less than $500 for a new DAC-60 from an AC company (GR Research) seems like a good option. It seemed to do a good job in the GR room at the RMAF, although I expect it was the version with Sonicraft upgrades (another $290). (BTW: the Monarchy website says the M24 price is $1490)

toobluvr · « **Reply #9 on:** 27 Oct 2006, 02:43 am »

TDA1545A Non-OS TUBE DAC -- Paradisea

Apart from the positives I've read, I don't know much about it, so i'm not vouching for it.
Tremendous value if it really performs. So I just put it out there for consideration.

They regularly go for about 500 bucks on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/TDA1545-TDA1545A-Non-OS-TUBE-DAC-Paradisea_W0QQitemZ120045526996QQihZ002QQcategoryZ14978QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Marbles · « **Reply #10 on:** 27 Oct 2006, 02:57 am »

Quote from: tvad4 on 27 Oct 2006, 01:49 am

Quote from: Marbles on 27 Oct 2006, 01:41 am
Quote from: Charles Calkins on 26 Oct 2006, 11:13 pm
Hi Guys:
Anybody know of a DAC like the Benchmark DAC1 except with a tube output stage.

Cheers
Charlie

Try Steve Nugent of Empirical Audio...pricey, but worth it.

Steve does a tube output DAC?

See this thread:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=31266.0

bpape · « **Reply #11 on:** 27 Oct 2006, 03:38 am »

The Paradesia absolutely performs. Will it compete with a $4k DAC? Can't say - haven't heard them side by side. But, a Boulder modded SB (digital) and the Paradesia basically was a draw against a $9k Wadia combo with the Paradesia having better imaging and smoother mids/highs IMO.

I've spent too much on my system lately and the Paradesia will absolutely be my DAC within a couple of months. The only other option I'm even considering at this point is having Wayne do the full Digital/Analog mods with Bybees on my SB.

Bryan

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #12 on:** 27 Oct 2006, 05:53 am »

Quote from: bpape on 27 Oct 2006, 03:38 am

The Paradesia absolutely performs. Will it compete with a $4k DAC? Can't say - haven't heard them side by side. But, a Boulder modded SB (digital) and the Paradesia basically was a draw against a $9k Wadia combo with the Paradesia having better imaging and smoother mids/highs IMO.

I've spent too much on my system lately and the Paradesia will absolutely be my DAC within a couple of months. The only other option I'm even considering at this point is having Wayne do the full Digital/Analog mods with Bybees on my SB.

Bryan

Bryan....You might check with Duke.......he was using a Paradesia in one of his system rooms at RMAF. The system sounded good...

Chris

rajacat · « **Reply #13 on:** 27 Oct 2006, 09:41 am »

Quote from: bpape on 27 Oct 2006, 03:38 am

The Paradesia absolutely performs. Will it compete with a $4k DAC? Can't say - haven't heard them side by side. But, a Boulder modded SB (digital) and the Paradesia basically was a draw against a $9k Wadia combo with the Paradesia having better imaging and smoother mids/highs IMO.

I've spent too much on my system lately and the Paradesia will absolutely be my DAC within a couple of months. The only other option I'm even considering at this point is having Wayne do the full Digital/Analog mods with Bybees on my SB.

Bryan

The MHDT "Constantine" performs well too. aa The Constantine is the Paradesia minus the tube stage. It made a substantial improvement in SQ of my system which uses the stock SB3. The gain in sound quality was not subtle but instantly discernible with improved bass output and articulation, 3D sound stage, and separation of instruments. Tremendous bang for the buck.

Raja

SB3 w/ Bolder modded Power One PS >MHDT "Constantine" DAC> Mapletree Line 3SE pre> DIY gainclone> Omega Super 3 Bipoles.

bpape · « **Reply #14 on:** 27 Oct 2006, 11:29 am »

Yeah - I saw/heard it in his room. There was one other room I saw it in but don't remember now which one it was. I've already got one of Wayne's power supplies for the SB and the difference was worth every penny. I borrowed the Paradesia from ScottF and the fit in my system was excellent. Talk about a major change over the out of the box SB performance and I haven't even done the digital mods yet!

To me, for less than $600 shipped - including the price of an NOS WE tube, it's a bargain.

Bryan

denjo · « **Reply #15 on:** 27 Oct 2006, 12:25 pm »

I wanted to chime in as well to say that the Paradisea is one heck of a DAC! It is an overachiever and would compete with standalone CDPs and DACs costing much more! It is euphonious and musical and thoroughly enjoyable! I think Scott F was spot on when he gave this DAC the thumbs up. Having lived with the Altmann Attraction DAC, but without any serious A/Bing between the two, I can say that the Paradisea is not embarrassed and can hold its head up in the company of the Altmann Attraction! What's more, it allows for tube rolling for those looking for a more customised flavour and the relatively affordable price tag makes it an audiophile bargain!

Dennis

Charles Calkins · « **Reply #16 on:** 27 Oct 2006, 12:27 pm »

Bryan:

Got a website for the paradesia DAC?

Cheers
Charlie

denjo · « **Reply #17 on:** 27 Oct 2006, 01:22 pm »

Charlie
The Mhdt Paradisea is only sold on eBay! When you are in eBay's home page, do a search for "Paradisea" or "Mhdt" and you should see the DACs on auction. It seems the DACs are produced in limited quantities - no "Ford" production line here - and placed on eBay usually one model at a time. Once in the auction page, you should be able to see Mhdt's internet link. Prices usually close at about USD 500 +/- a few greenbacks.

Hope this helps!

Best Regards
Dennis

Charles Calkins · « **Reply #18 on:** 27 Oct 2006, 01:58 pm »

Dennis:
Took me a little while but I finally found it on ebay. Looks good but it doesn't have a volume control. I'd like to go from CD player-to DAC-to amp. I think the Benchmark has what I'm looking for except no tubes.

Cheers
Charlie

trianglezerius · « **Reply #19 on:** 27 Oct 2006, 03:56 pm »

Here you go. http://www.geocities.com/mhdtlab/ They also have a review of it at enjoy the music.