Paradisea DAC

NewBuyer · « **Reply #420 on:** 27 Apr 2007, 06:56 am »

Hi jaspal and GHM,
I don't like to disagree with GHM , but I've tried the Dialogue II with the TVC, and the match is perfectly fine. If you are thinking of using this DAC with the TVC, don't worry, it is a very good sounding match and you won't be missing a thing. Remember the TVC helps with low impedance sources, it does not hinder them. These two pieces are actually a very fine match.

GHM · « **Reply #421 on:** 27 Apr 2007, 07:01 am »

Quote from: NewBuyer on 27 Apr 2007, 06:56 am

Hi jaspal and GHM,
I don't like to disagree with GHM , but I've tried the Dialogue II with the TVC, and the match is perfectly fine. If you are thinking of using this DAC with the TVC, don't worry, it is a very good sounding match and you won't be missing a thing. Remember the TVC helps with low impedance sources, it does not hinder them. These two pieces are actually a very fine match.

No problem my friend

. Glad it does sound OK. My AS Dac sounded fine..just a little thin when compared to the Paradisea using the op amps and tubed buffer. For $160..it doesn't hurt to try.

jaspal kallar · « **Reply #422 on:** 27 Apr 2007, 10:25 am »

Quote from: GHM on 27 Apr 2007, 07:01 am

Quote from: NewBuyer on 27 Apr 2007, 06:56 am
Hi jaspal and GHM,
I don't like to disagree with GHM , but I've tried the Dialogue II with the TVC, and the match is perfectly fine. If you are thinking of using this DAC with the TVC, don't worry, it is a very good sounding match and you won't be missing a thing. Remember the TVC helps with low impedance sources, it does not hinder them. These two pieces are actually a very fine match.

No problem my friend . Glad it does sound OK. My AS Dac sounded fine..just a little thin when compared to the Paradisea using the op amps and tubed buffer. For $160..it doesn't hurt to try.

Thanks to both (GHM and Newbuyer) for your input.

Yes I agree GHM that Paradisea, reading the reviews, is better but at $160, as you say, it's doesn't hurt to try.

NewBuyer, after your advice/experience I'll be offering to buy it. Also my TVC has too much gain in my system so maybe the Dialogue II can help with this with it's lower output.

- jaspal.

R Browne · « **Reply #423 on:** 27 Apr 2007, 02:07 pm »

Looking at a new Paradisea listing from MHdt on ebay I noted that they say that the stock output coupling capacitor has been upgraded from 1.5 uF to 2.0 uF. My technical knowledge on cap values and their effects is practically nil, so what difference would the change make? My Paradisea, purchased in January, has 2.2 uF caps in that position. On the same subject, would a V-Cap OIMP 2.0 uF/250 VDC. be a good upgrade for those caps? http://www.v-cap.com/oilcapacitors.html

Thanks for your replies.

bpape · « **Reply #424 on:** 27 Apr 2007, 02:46 pm »

Don't know about in the DAC, but in my preamp, swapping out the stock Mundorf's for the oilers was a nice change.

Bryan

jaspal kallar · « **Reply #425 on:** 27 Apr 2007, 05:05 pm »

Looking also at the paradisea on ebay it states "LM4562NA (with dip IC socket)".
Is this dip IC socket used for opamp rolling?

- jaspal

shep · « **Reply #426 on:** 27 Apr 2007, 05:07 pm »

yes it is! I doubt you'll find a better op amp though (as of this moment in time). They take a VERY long time to burn in (c.200hours)

GHM · « **Reply #427 on:** 27 Apr 2007, 05:49 pm »

I agree those new op amps are no joke!

Well worth the extra money.

rollo · « **Reply #428 on:** 27 Apr 2007, 08:40 pm »

Recently at the March rave meeting we compared a modded Paradisea and stock Paradisea to the Lector CDP. It was no contest. The Lector was the clear winner. Yes it costs $4500 these days but IMO worth every penny. It is beautiful to look at as well.
The Paradiseas of the world are a tweakers delight and priced low and sound very good. However not in the sane league as the big boys.
If your on a budget fine but if you have the scratch try a Lector you may never go back. For me Cd is an easy way to listen and most new music is unfortunately on CD only. The Lector is the first CDP in my system that makes me almost forget about vinyl.
What we need from a Manf. IMO is a DAC that has innovative design and can mate with our computers to eliminate the transport and jitter problems. Wavelength comes to mind, but not cheap. Again nothing innovative in circuit design just better parts with great execution. Altman as well but not inexpensive.
Take a look at the upcoming Promitheus DAC with its transformer output, balanced power transformer, and innovative circuitry at $340. Will it outperform the Lector ? Time will tell. If the Lector was sold direct a savings of 70% could be had. They would fly out the door at $1400. Dealers and distributors must make a living so $4500 it is. Too bad for us.
Sorry I got off the subject just venting. Anyway for the prices of the new DACs you cannot go wrong they sound fine. Just do not listen to the Lector.

rollo

tanchiro58 · « **Reply #429 on:** 27 Apr 2007, 08:58 pm »

Quote

Take a look at the upcoming Promitheus DAC with its transformer output, balanced power transformer, and innovative circuitry at $340.

Rollo,

Have you listened to the Promitheus DAC yet? How does it sound? Nicholas has an optional of Silver pulse transformer. Is this worth to upgrade if you order one? Thanks.

Tan

rollo · « **Reply #430 on:** 27 Apr 2007, 09:37 pm »

Quote from: tanchiro58 on 27 Apr 2007, 08:58 pm

Quote
Take a look at the upcoming Promitheus DAC with its transformer output, balanced power transformer, and innovative circuitry at $340.

Rollo,

Have you listened to the Promitheus DAC yet? How does it sound? Nicholas has an optional of Silver pulse transformer. Is this worth to upgrade if you order one? Thanks.

Tan

Tan,
Not yet its coming . For the low upgrade price its a no brainer. The silver RCAs as well are cheap enough as well. Bang for the buck baby.

rollo

rajacat · « **Reply #431 on:** 27 Apr 2007, 10:12 pm »

Quote from: rollo on 27 Apr 2007, 08:40 pm

Recently at the March rave meeting we compared a modded Paradisea and stock Paradisea to the Lector CDP. It was no contest. The Lector was the clear winner. Yes it costs $4500 these days but IMO worth every penny. It is beautiful to look at as well.
The Paradiseas of the world are a tweakers delight and priced low and sound very good. However not in the sane league as the big boys.
If your on a budget fine but if you have the scratch try a Lector you may never go back. For me Cd is an easy way to listen and most new music is unfortunately on CD only. The Lector is the first CDP in my system that makes me almost forget about vinyl.
What we need from a Manf. IMO is a DAC that has innovative design and can mate with our computers to eliminate the transport and jitter problems. Wavelength comes to mind, but not cheap. Again nothing innovative in circuit design just better parts with great execution. Altman as well but not inexpensive.
Take a look at the upcoming Promitheus DAC with its transformer output, balanced power transformer, and innovative circuitry at $340. Will it outperform the Lector ? Time will tell. If the Lector was sold direct a savings of 70% could be had. They would fly out the door at $1400. Dealers and distributors must make a living so $4500 it is. Too bad for us.
Sorry I got off the subject just venting. Anyway for the prices of the new DACs you cannot go wrong they sound fine. Just do not listen to the Lector.

rollo

What did you use for a transport when you compared the Mhdt to the Lector? Did you use a SB?

Raj

tanchiro58 · « **Reply #432 on:** 27 Apr 2007, 10:33 pm »

Quote

If your on a budget fine but if you have the scratch try a Lector you may never go back. For me Cd is an easy way to listen and most new music is unfortunately on CD only. The Lector is the first CDP in my system that makes me almost forget about vinyl.

Rollo,

I have owned a CDP that costs more than a Lector and should tell you the truth if I could remember the CDP sound could not beat the SB3 (not modded yet) and modded MHDT (if it is fully modded digitally) combined (maybe it depends on many factors). The combination has details and defined high, mid and bottom sounds I have never heard when I had a top of the line CDP (listen the same CDs over and over again). I really like my new system right now.

R Browne · « **Reply #433 on:** 27 Apr 2007, 10:34 pm »

Quote from: rollo on 27 Apr 2007, 08:40 pm

Recently at the March rave meeting we compared a modded Paradisea and stock Paradisea to the Lector CDP. It was no contest. The Lector was the clear winner. Yes it costs $4500 these days but IMO worth every penny. It is beautiful to look at as well.
The Paradiseas of the world are a tweakers delight and priced low and sound very good. However not in the sane league as the big boys.

Interesting, as I replaced a Lector CDP 0.6T with a Shigaraki transport and Paradisea DAC combo, which I like better. I've only heard the Lector CDP 7T once for a few minutes, but would imagine it is much better than it's little brother, and better than a (insert name) transport + Paradisea combination. That's what you pay for.

rajacat · « **Reply #434 on:** 27 Apr 2007, 10:43 pm »

Quote from: R Browne on 27 Apr 2007, 10:34 pm

Quote from: rollo on 27 Apr 2007, 08:40 pm
Recently at the March rave meeting we compared a modded Paradisea and stock Paradisea to the Lector CDP. It was no contest. The Lector was the clear winner. Yes it costs $4500 these days but IMO worth every penny. It is beautiful to look at as well.
The Paradiseas of the world are a tweakers delight and priced low and sound very good. However not in the sane league as the big boys.

Interesting, as I replaced a Lector CDP 0.6T with a Shigaraki transport and Paradisea DAC combo, which I like better. I've only heard the Lector CDP 7T once for a few minutes, but would imagine it is much better than it's little brother, and better than a (insert name) transport + Paradisea combination. That's what you pay for.

IMO the Mhdt/modded SB does not so easily fit into the more $'s = better sound quality model.

Raj

GHM · « **Reply #435 on:** 28 Apr 2007, 12:08 am »

Is the Paradisea or any other CDP or combination of both the best in the world..not a chance. That product doesn't exist.

I've heard the original Paradisea and the USB+Paradisea with at least 8 different mixtures of transports. The transport in deed makes a major difference in the sound from these units. The best sound I've heard from these were all PC based transports. Will it beat a 10 grand unit..who knows. That's in the ear of the beholder. Will it embarrass some $2600 Cd players ?...sure nuff. I have Agon feedback and paypal transactions to show it without any doubt put a $2600 well regarded player in the ground. For me that's terrific coming from a $600 Dac...actually I think that's fantastic! Am I happy with that..sure nuff!

I've spent more and gotten much less...anything that gives me the opposite of that...is a winner in my book.

As much as I liked the original Paradisea.. which was no slouch..the newest version is better.

I've considered even buying a Lector(used of course, I want to get my money back out of it when I sell it back off) just too listen for myself in my own system. The gain differences should also be taken into account. 1 extra volt of output makes a helluva difference in what one perceives as better.

This hobby is so subjective..there's really no right or wrong. As long as it makes you listen to music more that is the only thing that really matters.

Good listening

rollo · « **Reply #436 on:** 28 Apr 2007, 02:49 pm »

Guys,
We used the Lector as the transport to listen to the DAC , not to introduce a third party to the mix. We did not use a computer as the transport.
The Paradisea held its own and sounded very good. Great product. That day with the equip on hand the Lector sounded better. It should for the money.
All I was trying to communicate is that the Lector is one hell of a CDP regardless of price. If you can swing it, give it an audition. Not trying to start a debate here. Bang for the buck I would take the Paradisea in a flash.
Tanchiro58,
We have compared the Lector to several so called Top of the line expensive CDPs and to date it has prevailed in every shoot out. Just trying to let you guys know about the Lector CDP7t. Expensive does not mean it is going to sound good in your system as you well know. It is all about synergy and personal preference. However the Lector has performed well in every system it has been inserted.
If the Paradisea fed by PC has a better synergy with my system then the Lector out comes the wallet and away we go .
I am glad to see that a low cost DAC can perform so well as there are too many high priced components that just do not do it right.

rollo

jaspal kallar · « **Reply #437 on:** 28 Apr 2007, 03:23 pm »

Quote

Take a look at the upcoming Promitheus DAC with its transformer output, balanced power transformer, and innovative circuitry at $340.

Rollo,

I must admit I took a look at these features of the Promitheus DAC and I didn't know exactly what they meant in layman's terms. You have to be gentle with me; I've only recently found out about the NOS and OS dacs

One thing that was hoping and is not there, was some form of tube buffer output.

Nevertheless, I've contacted Nick about input options and shipping times., etc... So I'm inclined to try it out although the Paradisea was on my list. It's just at $340 + shipping it's really good deal.

Rollo did you ever get around to trying out the The Altmann Attraction DAC? Or has anybody tried the paradisea (any model) and the Altmann Attraction DAC?

- jaspal

denjo · « **Reply #438 on:** 28 Apr 2007, 03:47 pm »

The Altmann Attraction (particularly with JISCO) is in a totally different league - more detail, transparency, timbre, all the audiophile adjectives you can use! With the JISCO "ON" the Altmann is quite immune to transports and cabling, but the Paradisea is NOT.

GHM · « **Reply #439 on:** 28 Apr 2007, 05:37 pm »

I admit the curiosity about Nick's new dac is killing me!

I need to find out how much he'll charge me too put in that USB port and what USB receiver he's planning to use in it. aa