Paradisea DAC

shooter · « **Reply #280 on:** 24 Mar 2007, 05:27 pm »

It is definite system dependent, Captain Humble"s paradisea which hums in his system is dead quiet in mine, and I have 97db sensitivity speakers. Mine been quiet with 4 different amps with or without the S&B transformer volume control.
BTW like Legarem I have installed a dip socket for opamp switching and after some circuit tracing I was suprise to see my Paradisea already has the 330 ohm dropping resisters in place, so it is safe to try lower voltage opamps.

Oscillate · « **Reply #281 on:** 25 Mar 2007, 01:43 am »

I purchased one of those Paradesia+ from E-bay the other morning

Largely due to all the good things being said here about it.
Several general questions please.

1) Jeff B posted:

"I emailed and asked what the changes are. Here is the response:
Paradisea+ has USB input (but w/o BNC).
Paradisea+ use LM4562 (w/ socket)
Paradisea+ use toroidal transformer.
Pics has posted
Hum issue has been solved
Caps now using Nichicon KZ series in most places"

Of specific interest is the line "Paradisea+ use LM4562 (w/ socket)".
Does 'w/ socket' mean we are now able to swap opamps in & out quite easily?
Such as the OPA2107AU? Or are there other considerations now with all these revisions to the Paradesia?

2) The various replacement tubes for the stock GE 5670 (2C51, WE396A, 6N3Pi (6H3pi), 6CC42, 6385),
are they ALL in the same family? Is there a chart somewhere to help me search out different incarnations
of this NOS tube?

3) Do you think the 'http://www.usb-audio.com/' drivers are a worthwhile investment? (Please see transports
listed below.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I source everything from my PC. Rather than plug the Paradesia+ directly into the USB port, I have ordered
the following to use as transports 'E-mu 0404 USB 2.0' and the 'USB to SPDIF Converter'.

http://www.emu.com/products/product.asp?category=610&subcategory=611&product=15185&nav=technicalSpecifications
http://coemaudio.com.au/products.php?product_id=96

One will be used for passthrough of AC3/DTS signals and the other connected to a Monarchy DIP 48/96 Upsampler (also ordered) for high quality signal to the Paradesia+

Any and all thoughts are appreciated. Yes, I am a newbie. Thanks for your time.

GHM · « **Reply #282 on:** 25 Mar 2007, 04:18 am »

Oscillate,

If you have the USB version of the Paradisea. The best way to use it is feeding it from the USB of your PC. The USB-AUDIO driver would be a huge step in the right direction. Especially if you are using XP..then it is a must. If you have Vista, try the DS:USB direct. Vista's stock audio is much better than that of XP.

The DIP is great with the Paradisea, but unneeded when using the PC as a transport. I do find it a must when using a basic CD player or DVD player as a transport.

Basically you can eliminate several items on your list . And still get very good performance from the DAC.

Also you can download SRC(Secret Rabbit code). Use it to upsample the siganl through Foobar.

Hope this helps

jriihi · « **Reply #283 on:** 25 Mar 2007, 01:45 pm »

I also purchased one of those Paradesia+. I got also we396a tube coming and Trends UD-10 USB Audio Converter/battery power. I am going to compare dac usb vs UD-10 usb+coax to dac (blue jeans). I have also modded diyeden great-march dac and citypulse 7.2x for more comparisons

GHM · « **Reply #284 on:** 25 Mar 2007, 03:04 pm »

Quote from: jriihi on 25 Mar 2007, 01:45 pm

I also purchased one of those Paradesia+. I got also we396a tube coming and Trends UD-10 USB Audio Converter/battery power. I am going to compare dac usb vs UD-10 usb+coax to dac (blue jeans). I have also modded diyeden great-march dac and citypulse 7.2x for more comparisons

Cool I use the little UD-10 to do my conversions to the Paradisea. If I had a USB input. I probably wouldn't use the Trends at all. Please let us know how it turns out. aa

Depending on what audio player I'm using. I use the spdif output of my computer into the Paradisea. I have both the BNC and optical connected at all times. With a flip of the switch I can change over.

I use the outboard conversion for critical listening and the spdif direct for watching movies , internet radio or watching TV off the PC.

legarem · « **Reply #285 on:** 27 Mar 2007, 11:11 pm »

Quote from: shooter on 24 Mar 2007, 05:27 pm

It is definite system dependent, Captain Humble"s paradisea which hums in his system is dead quiet in mine, and I have 97db sensitivity speakers. Mine been quiet with 4 different amps with or without the S&B transformer volume control.
BTW like Legarem I have installed a dip socket for opamp switching and after some circuit tracing I was suprise to see my Paradisea already has the 330 ohm dropping resisters in place, so it is safe to try lower voltage opamps.

MHDT labs looked seriously at the mods I proposed and used them in their new version.

I must comfess that it is a little frustrating because they never thank me for helping them.
They made an error by shipping another dac to my home. I only asked for a price for another one for a friend. I told them that it was an error and they told me to keep it free instead of shipping it back to them. Finally,my friend tried and kept it so I sended the money to MHDT labs because I thought it was honest to do that. I felt mad to keep the money. They never thank me to send them the money.

Last week I asked them for a price for the new version because i'm interested to get the new version. I also asked them a way to get rid of the hum.

They never answered to my requests.

This is a cheap way to do business. I made many good reviews about the Paradisea in many forums. Many of my friends bought one. I still feel that this is a great product but now, I'm not sure about their customer service.

GHM · « **Reply #286 on:** 27 Mar 2007, 11:21 pm »

That's a bummer legarem. I just placed an order for a USB version. Hopefully it will ship out on Saturday. I'm going to put my original version up for sale along with the UD-10. I shouldn't need either going USB direct. I truly enjoy this combo! I hope the USB direct sounds just as good.
I've been checking out the USB DAC options on the market. Not much out there. Either they are overly expensive(wavelength) or they are super cheaply made. The Paradisea+ seems like the most logical move for me.

denjo · « **Reply #287 on:** 28 Mar 2007, 12:11 am »

I had the same concerns over the level of customer service from Mhdt Labs when the Paradisea DAC they shipped me was defective (optical out was not working). Although they promptly despatched a new one, several emails to them went unanswered. Either they have a problem with language (and this is something they should seriously address) or they just cannot be bothered to answer emails!

Thankfully, the Paradisea is a superb product that has elevated my musical enjoyment!

F-100 · « **Reply #288 on:** 28 Mar 2007, 12:25 am »

Quote from: legarem on 27 Mar 2007, 11:11 pm

This is a cheap way to do business. I made many good reviews about the Paradisea in many forums. Many of my friends bought one. I still feel that this is a great product but now, I'm not sure about their customer service.

Maybe it's the language barrier. Trying to communicate with a company oversea can be frustrating since some of them doesn't speak English fluently.

anthony a. · « **Reply #289 on:** 28 Mar 2007, 02:38 am »

yeah, i know the feeling. i have sent quite a few emails with no reply back. either it is getting sent to their junk mail or he doesn't check it. either way, kinda makes you weary of buying in case you get a lemon. wish they replied, they would be a winner in a lot of people's books.

legarem, what changes exactly did you tell mhdt to do and did they do all of them that you recommended?

NewBuyer · « **Reply #290 on:** 28 Mar 2007, 04:16 am »

GHM, you might wish to keep your UD-10 until you can first try the Paradisea+ with USB-direct. The UD-10 (battery-power) will isolate your DAC from your computer power supply, but USB-direct to the DAC will not (I believe). This may make an audible difference indeed, and I also really hope you will try both ways and then comment for us here!

GHM · « **Reply #291 on:** 28 Mar 2007, 07:00 am »

Actually Newbuyer I use a linear power supply with the UD-10. I found it more reliable than the battery pack..which I do not use any more.

Strange you guys get no replies. Every time I've emailed MHDT since purchasing the first unit I got a reply. This is the 3rd unit I've bought from them. All of the units have worked flawlessly. I will certainly let you know how it goes. As long as it sounds just as good I'm happy. It will be a pleasant surprise if it sounds better. I really don't expect it to be worlds better than what I use know. We shall see. I'm only doing it to streamline the system..less parts.

denjo · « **Reply #292 on:** 28 Mar 2007, 07:34 am »

GHM
Maybe I should have bought 3 Paradiseas!

Seems a shunt regulated power supply is even better than a linear power supply. I have just ordered a shunt regulated power supply to power my SB3 and Altmann Attraction DAC. If it works, I might just try one to power the Paradisea, and just about everything else that benefits from clean power!

Enjoy!

Best Regards
Dennis

rajacat · « **Reply #293 on:** 28 Mar 2007, 02:53 pm »

Quote from: denjo on 28 Mar 2007, 07:34 am

GHM
Maybe I should have bought 3 Paradiseas!
Seems a shunt regulated power supply is even better than a linear power supply. I have just ordered a shunt regulated power supply to power my SB3 and Altmann Attraction DAC. If it works, I might just try one to power the Paradisea, and just about everything else that benefits from clean power!

Enjoy!

Best Regards
Dennis

Hi Dennis,

What shunt regulated power supply did you order? A link would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Raj

denjo · « **Reply #294 on:** 28 Mar 2007, 04:34 pm »

Hi Raj
Gladly!
The shunt regulated PS is supposed to be better than the Linear PS by quite a margin. The gentleman, Paul Hynes, hails from UK and seems to have a good reputation as an expert in high end audiophile power supplies. His website is www.paulhynesdesign.com

I stumbled upon Paul Hynes while I was looking for a PS for my Altmann Attraction DAC and SB3. Unable to source for an Optima Red Top battery in Singapore, my quest to find a PS that would exceed the performance of a SLA battery led me to this gentleman.

Following email exchanges with Paul, I learnt that he had two types of power supplies to offer me, his PR3 series regulator and the shunt regulator. From what I understand, the PR3 series regulator is better than the linear PS and the shunt regulated is his ultimate PS. In his words:

"Both PR3 series regulator and the shunt regulators comfortably exceed the audio performance of any of the Linear Technology regulators ... If you look at the data sheets for the LT regulators with the fastest transient response the PR3 regulator module is a minimum of 5 times faster settling time and is 5 times quieter. It's supply line rejection is 80dB from DC to 100 KHz (the LT regulators are only around 30dB rejection at 100 KHz). The wider bandwidth (at least 10 times the LT regulators) of the PR3 allows it to regulate to much higher frequencies. The output impedance is less than 5 milliohms from DC to 100KHz ( comparable to medium size SLA batteries).

The shunt regulator operates at full power continuously (rather like a class A amplifier it also runs hot) and due to it's topology has better performance than PR3. It has a very fast transient response due to the use of an error amplifier with a slew rate of 5,000 volts/microsecond, a signal rise time of 0.55 nanosecond, a load transient response settling time of around 10 nanoseconds and a 1 GHz gain bandwidth product. This regulator is still regulating well at 100 MHz ( the LT regulators have no regulation capability at these frequencies). The shunt regulator output impedance is 0.001 ohm with a supply line rejection of 110 dB from DC to 100 KHz (way better than any of the LT regulators). Noise is comparable to PR3. It would take a large SLA battery in peak condition to equal such a low output impedance. (the lower the output impedance, at any frequency of operation, the less the interaction with the load)".

I have ordered a shunt regulated PS each for the Altmann Attraction DAC and SB3 and am eagerly awaiting delivery.

Best regards
Dennis

rajacat · « **Reply #295 on:** 28 Mar 2007, 04:53 pm »

Dennis,

Thanks for the link! I will definitely be interested in how well the shunt regulated PS works with your SB3.

Raj

anthony a. · « **Reply #296 on:** 28 Mar 2007, 06:34 pm »

okay, i sent another email to mhdt using a different mail address and he responded quite quickly. so, perhaps some who are not getting through should try using a different address.... maybe it goes to his junk mail. in any case, i asked him how the new + version sounded in comparison to the old one and was told that the + has better details while still retaining its sonic qualities. also, he feels the new paradisea sounds better than the old and the hum noise, related to a few units has been eliminated. if anyone can do a direct comparison between the old and the new, as well as the altmann with shunt regulator that would be amazing. keep us posted please!!!

legarem · « **Reply #297 on:** 28 Mar 2007, 09:36 pm »

Quote from: anthony a. on 28 Mar 2007, 02:38 am

legarem, what changes exactly did you tell mhdt to do and did they do all of them that you recommended?

I mentionned him that the V+ and V- were +17.4 V and -17.4 V that feed the OPA2604. I recommended him to change the 220 ohms resistors to 330 ohms to lower it near +15V and -15 V

Later I placed a dip socket and tried a pair of OPA 627 in Browndog adaptor. Later when the LM4562 was released, I was one of the first to get samplings from TI. I tried them in the Paradisea and gave him the results I got with this op amp. In my Paradisea, the V+ and V- are decoupled with a pair of 10 mfd tantalums paralled with a 0.1 ceramic cap near the op amp. I don't know if he done this supply decoupling in the + version.

GHM · « **Reply #298 on:** 28 Mar 2007, 10:47 pm »

Does anyone know if the Paradisea Plus converts USB to I2S or to SPDIF ? I see more and more about this.

Jon L · « **Reply #299 on:** 28 Mar 2007, 11:31 pm »

Quote from: GHM on 28 Mar 2007, 10:47 pm

Does anyone know if the Paradisea Plus converts USB to I2S or to SPDIF ? I see more and more about this.

MHDT Labs uses the C-Media CM101 USB-to-spdif chip, so no I2S. In fact, they're pretty much the only "audiophile" company using this chip, and according to some, CM101 is not a high-quality chip. It would be interesting if people could report their experience with MHDT USB input vs. spdif input.