Paradisea DAC

tanchiro58 · « **Reply #320 on:** 4 Apr 2007, 07:02 pm »

Quote from: anthony a. on 4 Apr 2007, 05:41 pm

hmmm, not sure i want to "risk" anything. will the fabric still be effective if you wrap one side of it using say, some regular paper or cardboard?

That is true if you place the ERS sheets on top of the cardboard and place around and on top of the DAC you will get a good result since I had tried this method to my Berning amp before. I also used ERS band to wrap around the ICs at the RCA or XLR connectors of your preamp, amp and sources. :thumb:Good luck.

Cheers

Gordy · « **Reply #321 on:** 4 Apr 2007, 07:08 pm »

If you want to use smaller pieces directly on individual components (edit: inside a chassis) it's essential to seal the edges of the ERS with tape or even RTV. You could also sandwich the ERS in packaging tape and trim off any excess tape from the edges. The outer shell of the ERS is Dacron and is not conductive but, the "active" interior material is nearly pure carbon... extremely conductive!

shep · « **Reply #322 on:** 4 Apr 2007, 07:16 pm »

As I learned the hard way

I have yet to find a definitive answer as to how much and where exactly. The stuff works but my haphazard use of it is not to my satisfaction. (hi G.)

Gordy · « **Reply #323 on:** 4 Apr 2007, 07:36 pm »

Hi Shep!

Just my opinion of course but, be heavy handed in the PS and around AC lines. Be a little more judicious in digital sections or shielding (lay it right on chips etc.) and avoid using it on anything analog. If'n you use the sandwich method, you can use double sided tape to keep it easily removable while experimenting with best placements...

shep · « **Reply #324 on:** 4 Apr 2007, 07:42 pm »

I would love to see a hi-rez pic. of a cdp done right, and a tripath amp too (hint!)

alana106 · « **Reply #325 on:** 5 Apr 2007, 02:28 am »

From what I'm reading, I believe I need to try this ERS paper. aa

Scott... My SB3 has been sitting on top of my Paradisea Dac. I had never noticed a particular noise, but after reading your experience, I separated them. There now seems to be a quieter background.

Scott / Tan
I'm trying to decide how much of this to order. There seems to be a price break at 4 8x11 sheets. Just curious as to where else this might help? CD player, Etc..... Has anyone tried using it around the Squeezebox power supply?

Thanks,
Alan

GHM · « **Reply #326 on:** 5 Apr 2007, 11:42 pm »

Hey guys finally got this USB+Paradisea in the house. I've listened only a few hours or so,but I can tell from jump this is going to be fun!!!!
I'm running the basic tube and I believe it already surpasses my other unit. That was with only 30 mins of running. It is completely and I mean completely non-fatiguing. Focus is EXTREMELY good. As you can tell I like this unit a lot. It seems to be opening up as I listen. The background could be a tad bit blacker than the original. Imaging is a few steps a head without a doubt.The spaciousness and depth have also increased with the USB version. Bass is tighter. There seems to be more speed in the music. What I mean by this is strings as well as the drum taps are much crispier. I noticed the cymbals have more of a metallic sound. The kicker is there is no glare.

I don't know what it is that's making the difference ,but it is doing the job that's for sure. OP AMPS or whatever it is.. this is a helluva DAC!!

The MHDT gang is a force to be reckoned with! For the cost.. this is going to be tough to beat!

Great packing and shipping from these guys!! They even threw in a USB cable.

I'll continue to listen and hear what happens.

Turnandcough · « **Reply #327 on:** 5 Apr 2007, 11:53 pm »

Quote from: GHM on 5 Apr 2007, 11:42 pm

I'm running the basic tube and I believe it already surpasses my other unit.

What is your other unit?

GHM · « **Reply #328 on:** 6 Apr 2007, 12:17 am »

The other unit is a Paradisea DAC. The original one with dual trannies. It was designed to use with a conventional transport. Since moving to PC audio. I figured it was time to go USB direct. Not sure if USB direct is making the difference ,the new parts or both.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #329 on:** 6 Apr 2007, 07:44 am »

Gymane...

Quote

I'm running the basic tube and I believe it already surpasses my other unit.

Is the stock tube in this USB+ unit the same as the stock Paradisea ?
You have other tubes on hand to try ? Thanks....

Chris

denjo · « **Reply #330 on:** 6 Apr 2007, 09:32 am »

GHM
I think many Paradisea (V.1 and +) owners will be interested to know if the new Paradisea actually sounds better than the first version. Your preliminary observations suggest that the + version sounds better but, as you rightly qualified, this could be due to the USB conversion versus direct USB that might account for the sonic differences. One way to tell would be to feed the Paradisea V.1 and Paradisea + with the Squeezebox, either via RCA or digital for both. This way, comparisons would be on an equal playing field.
Best Regards
Dennis

Lonewolfny42: good point about using the same tubes for both. The power cord should be the same as well.

Loftprojection · « **Reply #331 on:** 6 Apr 2007, 12:59 pm »

All good points Denjo. GHM, I think quite a few original Paradisea owners would be grateful to you if you could do a quick comparo on equal grounds, same cables, transport and tube. I'm very happy with my Paradisea, even the background hum it has doesn't bother me because I never listen at ear deafening levels. However, I'm quite intrigued by your points about better imaging, spaciousness, bass and speed...

anthony a. · « **Reply #332 on:** 6 Apr 2007, 02:10 pm »

looks like there's gonna be quite a few paradisea's for sale on audiogon!!!

mine should arrive next week, can't wait. from mhdt: they said the newer unit has better detail retrieval and, according to mr. mhdt himself, feels that this unit sounds better in every way, fwiw.

tanchiro58 · « **Reply #333 on:** 6 Apr 2007, 07:10 pm »

Hi Everyone,

I do not own any Paradisea DAC but the Renaissance II DAC (has toroidal transformer and the circuit is almost the same as Paradisea). Since I modded the Renaissance II DAC with some better quality caps at the signal path and output the music is brought to another higher level compared to the original system before . I am connecting the DAC with my modded SB3 (Gary's modification) and modded PS one for the SB3. Now to my ears the music in my system has big improvement with a lot less low noise, more details and defined bass and 3D sound.

Regards,
Tan

GHM · « **Reply #334 on:** 6 Apr 2007, 08:11 pm »

You guys make great points. I'm listening now with both units setup the same. Same everything down to the tubes. A UD-10 is the USB converter for both units. I'm using a 1.5 meter digital coax for both units. I've been running the gamut with both for several hours.
So far they are much closer when both are run from the same USB converter going into the same input. The differences show themselves when going USB direct. The differences noted are more of a refinement in the midrange. As the music gets busy there's more separation with the Plus over the standard.Guitar strums sound more distinct or delicate using the plus version USB direct.

Using the coaxial inputs some may find it more difficult to hear the differences. So as it stands they are more alike than different. The input used seems to make the most difference in my listening test. So unless you're planning to go USB direct. It maybe cost effective to be happy with the standard version. For the record I've never had problems with noise from my standard unit. It has worked flawlessly since the day I plugged it up.

Just my thinking, I believe these non os dacs are very prone to jitter coming from the source. The lower the jitter the better the sound quality. Since these units have no reclocker aboard they depend exclusively on the source to provide the best clocking.

GHM · « **Reply #335 on:** 6 Apr 2007, 08:56 pm »

There's also something I can't put my finger on in the sound differences. The USB version has almost a buttery type sound to it. It is very seductive. I'm not sure how to describe it. This is what really sets the two units apart. Most will notice this within the first few minutes of firing it up. Internet radio sounds soooo much better over my standard unit.

Loftprojection · « **Reply #336 on:** 6 Apr 2007, 09:02 pm »

Quote from: GHM on 6 Apr 2007, 08:11 pm

...Just my thinking, I believe these non os dacs are very prone to jitter coming from the source. The lower the jitter the better the sound quality. Since these units have no reclocker aboard they depend exclusively on the source to provide the best clocking.

Thanks for this a/b test GHM. You basically confirm what I suspected. They shouldn't sound very different when using a good transport through the rca. I use a modded sb3 through the bnc into my Paradisea so there isn't much jitter. Sure the + probably has a certain level of refinements coming mostly from the different opamp. I might try it out eventually.

GHM · « **Reply #337 on:** 6 Apr 2007, 09:12 pm »

Quote from: Loftprojection on 6 Apr 2007, 09:02 pm

Quote from: GHM on 6 Apr 2007, 08:11 pm
...Just my thinking, I believe these non os dacs are very prone to jitter coming from the source. The lower the jitter the better the sound quality. Since these units have no reclocker aboard they depend exclusively on the source to provide the best clocking.

Thanks for this a/b test GHM. You basically confirm what I suspected. They shouldn't sound very different when using a good transport through the rca. I use a modded sb3 through the bnc into my Paradisea so there isn't much jitter. Sure the + probably has a certain level of refinements coming mostly from the different opamp. I might try it out eventually.

Those op amps could be that certain ease of sound that I'm hearing. It is very creamy sounding if you can imagine. It sounds like a good Class A single ended amplifier was thrown in the mix.

denjo · « **Reply #338 on:** 7 Apr 2007, 12:38 am »

GHM
Thanks very much for your taking the time to A/B the Paradisea V.1 and + and for your observations!
Slight as the differences might be between them, they both represent great value and are one of the audio steals today!
Best Regards
Dennis

NewBuyer · « **Reply #339 on:** 7 Apr 2007, 09:38 am »

GHM what USB driver are you using for the USB direct connection?

Also, for others interested in the USB direct option, don't forget the "USB Plus" version of the Constantine DAC. I really think some may even prefer its sound over the tubed Paradisea versions...