Fellas how was the DAC comparisson?

sturgus · « **on:** 13 Nov 2006, 05:04 am »

So whats the verdict on the session? Would have loved to been there but couldn't get away from work in time.
Sturgus

bpape · « **Reply #1 on:** 13 Nov 2006, 12:35 pm »

Well, there really wasn't a clear winner. Both had their strengths. Some things were more personal preference and/or system interaction specific. Throw in the fact that we were also playing with Chris' new preamp and swapping boards out and the number of variables was a bit high!

We did take some short sessions and then just quickly swap DAC cabling and replay. I'll let the other guys chime in with their thoughts.

Suffice it to say I could live with either of them - especially at the price points we're talking about here for the MHDT and the Kit DAC.

Might have to have something else soon - the shipment from Korato is supposed to be in today or tomorrow.

Bryan

MerRev · « **Reply #2 on:** 13 Nov 2006, 03:36 pm »

I think we all could make a case for either dac. We listened to both the Paradisea and the Peter Daniels dac with a Squeezebox and beefed up power supply. The Dyn 3.4's were driven by a Sunfire amp and Musical Design pre with 6H30 board for the majority of our listening.

The Nils Lofgren cut 'Keith Don't Go' really highlighted the biggest differences. Nils acoustic guitar and vocals was fuller sounding through the Paradisea whereas the Peter Daniels dac brought about the almost angry steely speed of the guitar & vocal performance. Both sounded fantastic.

alana106 · « **Reply #3 on:** 13 Nov 2006, 04:49 pm »

Sturgus:

Wish you could have joined. We could have used another pair of ears to help with the evaluation.
I agree...It would be easy to reccommend the Peter Daniels or the Paradisea to anyone. I wouldn't be surprised that if 10 people were given the chance to audition the pair, 5 would end up with each Dac. I personally thought that the Peter Daniels had a slight edge on voice detail, and I seemed to like the acoustic guitar a bit better with the Paradisea. I suspect on another system this might not be the case. As already stated, both sound fantastic.

Bryan,

Great news on the Korato's. aa I'm getting anxious to try them out. We also need to get together about Caps and Tubes at some point.

Alan

mark@marktwain · « **Reply #4 on:** 13 Nov 2006, 06:37 pm »

So who's PD dac was in the shootout? This is one of the new ones (Chris's or Steve's) I assume. It's gonna get a whole lot better after about 500 hours are on it, believe me.

Wish I could have been there for the comparison. Who's rig was it in?

Mark

bpape · « **Reply #5 on:** 13 Nov 2006, 06:50 pm »

It was in part of my rig with Chris' new pre from John Hillig.

Chris' new AS DAC and Alan's MHDT.

Bryan

GHM · « **Reply #6 on:** 13 Nov 2006, 06:51 pm »

I use the Peter Daniel's Dac also. I was hoping to get a listen at the Paradesia this week..thanks to a nice AC member. I wanted to also hear how they compare in my system and if it would be worth buying the Paradesia or just be happy with what I have. I can sink that extra money into some tube monoblocks. Congrats on the Dacs!

The AS Dac must be run in for several 100 hrs and stay powered up for several days before it peaks.

bpape · « **Reply #7 on:** 13 Nov 2006, 06:54 pm »

Yes. This was a VERY new piece. Chris said it probably had less than 50 hours on it. We'll have to revisit this sometime in the future. For completeness of those who are interested, the Paradesia was running a WE 396a tube.

Bryan