[legarem]

Legarem
    You seems to have the "modding talent".. can you tell me how easy it is to convert the power input of the the Paradisea DAC from 120V/60Hz to 240V/50Hz?

   Thanks
   barry

This is really easy to do

There is little jumpers inside.   You just change them like hard disk jumpers to convert transformer primary from 120V to 220V or 220V to 120V.

Legarem

[legarem]

/Users/marclegare/Desktop/1paraweb.JPG

Trying to upload the schematic

[Scott F.]

I bought this DAC six months ago when someone came at home with his homebrew non oversampling Dac and when I read Scott Faller report. 

I really like this dac but in stock form, it lacks a little definition and soundstaging.  I replaced the tube with a 396A.  I began to draw the circuit and took some measuremnents.  V+ and V- for the OPA2604 is +17V and -17V.  This means that the op amp is feed with more voltage that specified by the company.  First, I don't like the OPA2606 very much.  It is a dark sounding chip and lacks definition.  Finally, I decided to place a 8 pin socket at the place of the SOIC chip installed in the Paradisea.  I used a socket because I wanted to try many op amps.  First with +17 and -17V, these supply voltages are too high.  The V+ and V- come from two TL431 shunt regulators that feed the tube cathode follower.  Yes, you read correctly, the cathode follower has a 100 ohm for RP and another 100 ohms for RK. only +19V feeds the 100 ohm RP and only -19V feeds 100 ohms RK.  This means that the tube operates with only 38V (I made a drawing  but can't insert it with my message).  From the +19V and -19V, there's 100 ohm resistors for decoupling and lower the voltage to the OPA 2604.  The op amp is not decoupled with any capacitors at all.  I replaced the two 100 ohms feeding the op amp with 330 ohms resistors and got _+14.5V and -14.5V.  Near the op amp, I placed from V+ and gnd and V- and gnd 10mfd tantalum caps paralled with .01 mfd  ceramic caps.  These caps are placed aside the op amps.  (I took some picts).  Here are the op amps tried:  AD826 = too much high mid, too hard.  Two OPA627 placed on a Browndog adaptor = Mellow sound, very good soundstage, too much laidback sounding for my taste but WAY better than OPA2604. The surprise came from the newcomer National LM4562 specially designed for audio.  When I got samples from National this new chip was on market since only two days.  Soundstage and image are very good.  Definition is excellent.  At first there was not too much bass but things were correct after about 100 hours of playing time. 

Placing this op amp in the paradisea with good decoupling caps across it means a new dac.  BIG LEAGUE name dacs simply can't stand with the Paradisea about sound quality when modified.  More on that later

Legarem

Legarem,

Welcome to Audio Circles

Interesting, Occam (moderator of the Lab) and I were just talking about tweaks for the Paradisea just a few days ago. In fact, it seems that you and Occam came to the same conclusion, that resolution could be improved with changing of the opamp. Unfortunately, I know zip about the sounds of the new generation opamps as I haven't played with them in a number of years.

Paul (Occam) peaked my interest in swapping the opamps. Sometime after the first of the year I plan on doing several tweaking sessions to mine. I've even given thought to replacing some of the caps and maybe a resistor or two in the unit with some cottage industry parts.

I'm glad to hear that the first step (changing the opamp) was a big step forward. If you are like a few of us around here, you'll start swapping some additional parts in it before too much longer. Be sure to post what you hear so we can keep up with your progress.

Oh, if you want to upload pics, Click on the Gallery tab at the top of the page and start your own picture repository. Then you can link your pics to posts you make with the 'img' html tags. I'd definitely like to see some pics of your work.

[Gordy]

Here they are Marc 

[legarem]

Here they are Marc 

Thanks Gordy for placing my pictures

The schematic is the stock Paradisea output stage

The picture is my modded one with socket and Browndog adaptor with two OPA627

The film cap you see goes from V+ to V-

Legarem

[bpape]

Oh good God!  I don't even have my preamp mods done yet and now you've got me thinking about this!  Ya just gotta love this hobby.

Bryan

[Occam]

Legarman,

Many thanks for your generous contribution to AC. An auspicious start!

For those seeking a simpler, inexpensive alternative to 'brown dogged' OPA627s, I'd suggest an OPA2107 (surprise, surprise!) which is a dual, available in both SOIC8 and DIP8. For those who like the Burr Brown warm sound, this chip is about as close to the OPA627 in a drop in dual as one can find. It might be a good alternative to the AD826 that comes in the Constantine. While I subjectively like the BB sound, I've always found the OPA2604 gritty, unresolving, unextended and closed in and never found a situation where the OPA2107 wasn't a substantial upgrade. (given the relative prices I'd expect nothing less)

Like the LM4562, the OPA2107 are relatively low speed, low bandwidth (in comparison to many AD chips), but nevertheless wonderful opamps, and unlikely to oscillate  or be otherwise problematic when swapped with most other opamps. The LM4562 is an appealing alternative to AD chips for those seeking less warmth than typical in BB opamps. ( I've presently one cooking in the center position of my Zhaolu 2.0)

I believe the easiest way to desolder a SOIC8 chip, lacking access to appropriate desoldering equipment, is to use a safety pin and slide the point between the body and the legs as you desolder. Slide the pin point further in as you desolder each pin. When you've lifted the pins on one side, repeat on the other side.

Regards,
Paul

[toobluvr]

Personally, I find the Paradisea's slightly soft definition charming. For me, it's a refreshing change from the uber-resolving digital I've been listening to for the last 3 years.

 

I agree 100%.
While hyper-resolution is certainly not its strong suit, the Paradisea is sufficiently detailed that music has good presence and immediacy.  It's midrange reproduction is very good indeed....sometimes scary good. 

Overall, its presentation is very organic, whole and well integrated.  Think forest more than trees as it focuses more on the whole than on the parts.  It delivers a smooth and relaxed sound that is completely devoid of etch, hardness or glare, and manages to do so without undo veiling.  It is the antithesis of analytical.

It delivers my main priorities in musical reproduction, so I too find its creamy smooth and engaging sound quite endearing!  Very easy to listen to for hours on end.  This is a DAC for music lovers, and not for those focused on laying bare every nuance with microscopic precision.  Fire it up...pop in a disk....relax into music, and forget about your gear!   

[chaz1]

Can anyone compare the Paradisea Tube and or non tube with the Benchmark Dac? This dac seems like a good bargain. I will be in the market for a good bang for the buck cant miss dac and wanted to know if anyone has any experience in comparison.

[95bcwh]

Are you after musicality, or resolution?
What other gears do you have? It's sometimes difficult for people to appreciate experiece from others because we all have different ears, different gears, and have different problems to fix in our system.

Can anyone compare the Paradisea Tube and or non tube with the Benchmark Dac? This dac seems like a good bargain. I will be in the market for a good bang for the buck cant miss dac and wanted to know if anyone has any experience in comparison.

[chaz1]

Are you after musicality, or resolution?
What other gears do you have? It's sometimes difficult for people to appreciate experience from others because we all have different ears, different gears, and have different problems to fix in our system.

Can anyone compare the Paradisea Tube and or non tube with the Benchmark Dac? This dac seems like a good bargain. I will be in the market for a good bang for the buck cant miss dac and wanted to know if anyone has any experience in comparison.

Well I'm building a new system from the bottom up. I hope to do this by Q-1 of next year. I'm just in research mode right now. I'm a solid state guy until i hear a tube unit that will make me change my mind. I'm open to looking at tube pre amps and maybe dac. As it stands right now for a system..I'm looking seriously at a used Belles 350a reference stereo amp or Odyssey Stratos extreme monos, either a good ss pre or tubed candela pre or a used modwright pre. And i like what I'm hearing from the salk ht3 or ht2/QW, loreleis and or sp timepiece, sp continum and vons jr mkIII.
I listen to Jazz fusion, old new wave and old school r & b. I will listen to more classical when i get the right set up. I want something musical and goose bump emotional, fast, precise, tight and 3d that disappears into the room. But i want the best bang for buck like most people. So I'm looking for answers. I've read and heard great things about the Benchmark and new Exemplar dac and wanted to get feedback on them compared to the Paradisea.

[95bcwh]

After reading thousands of posts across different forum, it helps me to conclude that benchmark -> more resolution, details; Paradisea -> More musical.


If I were you, I will get all the other pieces first. And then time the arrival of the Paradisea and the Benchmark together. Benchmark offers a 30-day money back guarantee if you buy from their website. Put them both in your system. Return Benchmark if it didn't fits you, or sell Paradisea at very minimal losses.

Well I'm building a new system from the bottom up. I hope to do this by Q-1 of next year. I'm just in research mode right now. I'm a solid state guy until i hear a tube unit that will make me change my mind. I'm open to looking at tube pre amps and maybe dac. As it stands right now for a system..I'm looking seriously at a used Belles 350a reference stereo amp or Odyssey Stratos extreme monos, either a good ss pre or tubed candela pre or a used modwright pre. And i like what I'm hearing from the salk ht3 or ht2/QW, loreleis and or sp timepiece, sp continum and vons jr mkIII.
I listen to Jazz fusion, old new wave and old school r & b. I will listen to more classical when i get the right set up. I want something musical and goose bump emotional, fast, precise, tight and 3d that disappears into the room. But i want the best bang for buck like most people. So I'm looking for answers. I've read and heard great things about the Benchmark and new Exemplar dac and wanted to get feedback on them compared to the Paradisea.

[toobluvr]

Well I'm building a new system from the bottom up. I hope to do this by Q-1 of next year. I'm just in research mode right now. I'm a solid state guy until i hear a tube unit that will make me change my mind. I'm open to looking at tube pre amps and maybe dac. As it stands right now for a system..I'm looking seriously at a used Belles 350a reference stereo amp or Odyssey Stratos extreme monos, either a good ss pre or tubed candela pre or a used modwright pre. And i like what I'm hearing from the salk ht3 or ht2/QW, loreleis and or sp timepiece, sp continum and vons jr mkIII.
I listen to Jazz fusion, old new wave and old school r & b. I will listen to more classical when i get the right set up. I want something musical and goose bump emotional, fast, precise, tight and 3d that disappears into the room. But i want the best bang for buck like most people. So I'm looking for answers. I've read and heard great things about the Benchmark and new Exemplar dac and wanted to get feedback on them compared to the Paradisea.

You say you want "musical and goosebump" yet you declare yourself as not liking tubes.  To me, this is what tubes provide...moreso than SS.  So I surmise that you are in the transparency/detail/solid state camp.  I am not...I am firmly entrenched on the tube side of the spectrum.   And I like the Paradisea.

So my guess is you will not..that you will prefer something leaner, faster, more resolving, and "less musical".

[miklorsmith]

Yeah, agreed.  Your list of wants is a nearly exclusive bunch.  Fast, tight, precise, and 3D that disappears into the room is one camp.  This is the "audiophile" dream with all those soundstaging and imaging and disappearing and bug fart goals.

The other would be the emotional, nuanced, liquid, and tonal values.  Four of the five things you listed are in the SS realm and only one in the tube realm.  I'd surmise you're a SS guy who would prefer the Benchmark.

Of course, no system is all one without some of the other, it's all shades of grey between.

Not having heard either, I have no doubt I'd prefer the Paradisea.

[chaz1]

Well I'm building a new system from the bottom up. I hope to do this by Q-1 of next year. I'm just in research mode right now. I'm a solid state guy until i hear a tube unit that will make me change my mind. I'm open to looking at tube pre amps and maybe dac. As it stands right now for a system..I'm looking seriously at a used Belles 350a reference stereo amp or Odyssey Stratos extreme monos, either a good ss pre or tubed candela pre or a used modwright pre. And i like what I'm hearing from the salk ht3 or ht2/QW, loreleis and or sp timepiece, sp continum and vons jr mkIII.
I listen to Jazz fusion, old new wave and old school r & b. I will listen to more classical when i get the right set up. I want something musical and goose bump emotional, fast, precise, tight and 3d that disappears into the room. But i want the best bang for buck like most people. So I'm looking for answers. I've read and heard great things about the Benchmark and new Exemplar dac and wanted to get feedback on them compared to the Paradisea.

You say you want "musical and goosebump" yet you declare yourself as not liking tubes.  To me, this is what tubes provide...moreso than SS.  So I surmise that you are in the transparency/detail/solid state camp.  I am not...I am firmly entrenched on the tube side of the spectrum.   And I like the Paradisea.

So my guess is you will not..that you will prefer something leaner, faster, more resolving, and "less musical".

Good Point and glad you brought this up..
I havent heard much in tubes yet. The only system I've heard that was tubes was a CJ mid level pre and there 2500 amp with a wadia cd player. It sounded damn good but some how it didn't move me like the Levinson/Dynaudio Confidence C-5 i heard 5 years ago and it didn't move me like the Levinson/Wilson Pups and Max i heard 4 months ago. Or even the top line Classe/BMW signature 802 i heard last year. I know there is as good of sound than these systems and at much less than the 50k to over 100k in price range. No way I'm going to fork out that kinda money unless i want an early divorce and even then she might take half my gear. So to refer back to your writing..I don't know what i want just yet to be honest. Musical or more transparent. Emotional or Analytical or a combo of both. I'm opened to comparing both and i know most of you in Audio Circle like tubes and won't have it any other way. I just want really good sound. I want to be able to turn on my system and listen to music and watch tv in 2 channel. I explained this to Frank at AVA and he said i should go with his FET Valve hybrid stuff and get the best of both worlds. So something like this is an option. I wish more people lived in salt lake city area that owns the gear I'm looking for.

[echo1]

Hi I have been lurking on this thread for a while now. I decided to put in my two cents.
I had a Citypulse Dac that I found to have good detail and great midrange,but would be fatiguing after awhile. The mids would show every flaw in the singers voice. For example Tom Waits is know for his gravely voice.But in the digital citypulse, this would be overempithized to a point of irritabillity. The Citypulse was also feeding a Darkvoice tube headphone amp and that would still not be enough to smoooth out the digital dac.So I sold it and got the Paradisea Dac.Now I have the sound I have been looking for.Yes its not as detailed,but I can listen for hours and I feel that I am back about as close as I can get (for my budget,after the kids are gone then thats another matter alltogether)to a true anolog sound like I was looking for without having to go back to a analog source..
I also have a Senn. HD-595 and would like to try another set of phones. Maybe what I am hearing as far as "less detail" may be the Senn.sound signature.I am thinking about trying the new 2005 dt-990.

[toobluvr]

.......I'm opened to comparing both and i know most of you in Audio Circle like tubes and won't have it any other way. ....

Not true at all.
I've been reading this board for several years, and it is my distinct impression that most members here, or at least most of the chatter,  are markedly weighted toward the SS camp.

[WEEZ]

Never heard this dac. But I find it interesting that the sentiment seems to indicate that somehow less detail = more musical. 

WEEZ

[echo1]

Never heard this dac. But I find it interesting that the sentiment seems to indicate that somehow less detail = more musical. 

WEEZ

Well maybe I should of said not as harsh,more smooth. The detail thing could be the Senns and ther Veil. But I like it.

[rajacat]

Never heard this dac. But I find it interesting that the sentiment seems to indicate that somehow less detail = more musical. 

WEEZ

It generally is my experience that when I hear live music much of the micro detail is lost in the ambiance of the venue. Some of the detail you hear in an extremely resolving system may seem unnatural and irritating because it does not reproduce how human beings actually hear music but how an electronic device replicates music.

Raja