[s1rrah]

Since finding it, I've managed to shine a light on it and with the help of a magnifying glass I find that the OPAMP model is: 2604AU

Does anyone know if this is the OPAMP advertised for this DAC?

My Paradisea also has the same op amp. It is also listed on a Paradisea parts list I have dated June, 2006.

I just got another email from the builder (Mouse!) ...

Seems the 2604AU OPAMP was one of the very first used in the Paradisea.

He claims it has a "richer" tone over the more detailed LM4562 OPAMP:

Here's his email that I just got about 10 minutes ago:

...

Hi Joel,

The 2604U, hmmm, your DAC must have been one of the very first few units which we built.

The 2604U OPAMP tends to have a richer sound, while the LM4562 has better resolution.

I can send you LM4562 (smd or dip) if you can find someone to replace for you.

(You just discovered one of the secrets of our product!)

Best Regards,
Jiun-Hsien
Mhdt Labs

...

Great guy to deal with.

I have to say.

Anyway.

As I've expressed before ... I love the sound of this early version Paradisea.

I am, however, planning on buying a brand new model to compare against.

I'll post some thoughts once I get it.

[lonewolfny42]

I am, however, planning on buying a brand new model to compare against.

I'll post some thoughts once I get it.

 ........Cool !! 

[selfdivider]

Awesome review of the Paradisea...

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue38/mhdt_paradisea.htm

[kbuzz3]

Agreed, great review. I very curious about the new model, the havana

[Oscillate]

Hi Joel,

The OPamp is beneth the pcb (smd type LM4562)
 
output cap can be 0.47uf ~ 10uf
 
Few Paradisea install 2.2uf, mostly 2.0uf.
 
The larger value of output cap resulting the lower low frequency of response (bass). 
Some will think 2.2uf is adequate, some think is too much bass, some even use 10uf.
Finally, I decide to use 2.0uf.
 
Thanks!!
 
Best Regards,
Jiun-Hsien
Mhdt Labs


Would using a larger value output cap to lower the frequency response (bass),
come at the cost of altering the response in the higher frequencies?

[s1rrah]

I am, however, planning on buying a brand new model to compare against.

I'll post some thoughts once I get it.

 ........Cool !! 

So my v.2.0 Paradisea should be arriving from MHDT by monday or tuesday.

It's shipping with 2.0uf output caps but Mouse was kind enough to seperately ship me a set of MHDT 2.2uf caps on the chance I should want to mod the DAC down the road.

I'll be posting some detailed comparisons regarding the newer version vs. my currently owned, very early model Paradisea 1.0.

I have to say, I've heard the LM4562 in a variety of devices and it usually comes across a bit edgy/grainy to my ear so I'm glad this new DAC will have a socket for easy OPAMP changes.

The 2604AU that is currently in my older Paradisea is pretty nice to my ear; works well with my Grado RS1's ... smooths them out nicely.

(I'll also have one of my DACS up for sale within the next couple months if you know anybody in the market)

 

[s1rrah]

So this weekend, after a full 200 hour burn in on the new Paradisea ...

I finally got around to a serious A/B listening session.

Here's my thoughts, copied from my for sale thread at Head-fi.org:

...

(Both DACs were A/B'd while using identical OPA2604 OPAMPS and stock GE 5670 tubes.)


v.1.0:
-------------------------

Slightly more involving and musical than the v.2.0 DAC ... tends to coax you into forgetting about the equipment or that your trying to be hyper critical of the same. Insanely good/tight/deep bass, best I've ever heard. Very liquid and smooth while still being more than adequately detailed. Very nice (believable) soundstage and imaging though a slightly narrower soundstage "effect" than the later model. This is the bit of gear which finally let my mind "click" on to what folks mean when they use words like "sweet," and "involving'" and "liquid."

v.2.0:
-------------------------

Not quite as smooth as the v.1.0 DAC but also a tad more transparent and detailed (nit picky mode). As with v.1.0, insanely good bass, just as present but maybe not quite as deep and extended as v.1.0. This might have something to do with the larger output caps on the early version DAC. Soundstage "effect" is a tad more impressive than v.1.0 ... pulls off the "wow" factor nicely. This isn't at all to be considered a criticism of the earlier DAC, just a personal observation. Overall, it's a thinner sounding DAC than the v.1.0 unit, which somewhat vexes me, but I'll acclimate I'm sure and once I get that other DAC out of my house. Also, this newer DAC has just this weekend broke the 200 hour mark and may have a bit more refining to do.

...

Here's the thread at head-fi should you care to read more of the details listed there:

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f43/ic-paradisea-tube-dac-i-have-both-usb-nonusb-versions-345417/#post4529571

...

Enjoy.

 

[jeenam]

Does anyone on this board have a tube or tubes for the Paradisea they would be willing to sell? A we396a would be nice, or anything that sounds better than the stock GE tube.

[Loftprojection]

Does anyone on this board have a tube or tubes for the Paradisea they would be willing to sell? A we396a would be nice, or anything that sounds better than the stock GE tube.

Go to ebay, there are always plenty to sell, specially the WE396A.  I have a few flavors for my Paradisea but I don't really want to sell them.  In order, if I was you, I'd try to get:

WE396A or National 2C51 (very similar, WE might be a bit more warm and National a bit more analytical)

Eclipse Pioneer 2C51 (a bit more refined then the two above)

Bendix 6385 (wow, a good notch above others but very rare and expensive)

[jeenam]

Ebay is a bit pricey (hence why I had asked on the forum) but I may end up giving it a shot.

If anyone wants to sell me a tube, let me know. Thanks.

[s1rrah]

Ebay is a bit pricey (hence why I had asked on the forum) but I may end up giving it a shot.

If anyone wants to sell me a tube, let me know. Thanks.

Also, try keeping an eye on this page at Tubeword:

https://www.tubeworld.com/5670.htm

All of those tubes will work with the Paradisea.

Check the page weekely/monthly as he's always getting new and diffferent stock in.

Good luck.

[jeenam]

Thanks for the tips. Very much appreciated.

[dagger]

Hi all, I'm a brand new Paradisea + owner (or rather should be tomorrow).  I've only been in the audio hobby for about a year now.   I've been reading and re-reading these posts for awhile and have some questions that I'm hoping someone can help me on:

1.  I have an opportunity to buy a Bendix 2C51 for $89 all in.  How does this differ for a Bendix 6385?  Is the 2C51 worth $89.  I already bought a WE396A from http://www.tubesandmore.com/ based on the overall consensus here and the impossibility it seems of finding the Bendix 6385.  Also, I see on ebay tube ratings such as 92/91 or 23/22.  What does that mean?  The Bendix 2C51 is claimed by the seller to be in the 90s.

2.  Does changing output caps require (de)soldering or is it just basically swapping out one for the other?

3.  I'm going to be running a Squeezebox Duet through the Paradisea +.  Would I still benefit from a Monarchy Upsampler?  I'm guessing yes based just on upsample, but is there any jitter via a wireless set-up?

[s1rrah]

Hi all, I'm a brand new Paradisea + owner (or rather should be tomorrow).  I've only been in the audio hobby for about a year now.   I've been reading and re-reading these posts for awhile and have some questions that I'm hoping someone can help me on:

1.  I have an opportunity to buy a Bendix 2C51 for $89 all in.  How does this differ for a Bendix 6385?  Is the 2C51 worth $89.  I already bought a WE396A from http://www.tubesandmore.com/ based on the overall consensus here and the impossibility it seems of finding the Bendix 6385.  Also, I see on ebay tube ratings such as 92/91 or 23/22.  What does that mean?  The Bendix 2C51 is claimed by the seller to be in the 90s.

2.  Does changing output caps require (de)soldering or is it just basically swapping out one for the other?

3.  I'm going to be running a Squeezebox Duet through the Paradisea +.  Would I still benefit from a Monarchy Upsampler?  I'm guessing yes based just on upsample, but is there any jitter via a wireless set-up?

I have a Bendix 2C51 and like it better than the 396A or stock tube. I only paid 25 bucks for it on head-fi. I'm not sure what the usual going rate is, though.

And yes, to change output caps, you will have to remove the PCB and de solder the stock caps then re solder the new ones. As I understand it, it's quite an easy solder job.

Don't know anything about the Squeezbox so hopefully someone else can answer your question ...

Have fun with it.

[Loftprojection]

1.  I have an opportunity to buy a Bendix 2C51 for $89 all in.  How does this differ for a Bendix 6385?  Is the 2C51 worth $89.  I already bought a WE396A from http://www.tubesandmore.com/ based on the overall consensus here and the impossibility it seems of finding the Bendix 6385. 

Well this is a difficult one.  To my taste, the Bendix 2c51 does better then the we396a but it's not significant, it's definitely a bigger step up with the 6385.  I was able to buy 4 tubes in one lot and in the lot I had 2 Bendix 2c51 and 2 Bendix 6385.  After some comparison, I left the 6385 in and never looked back.  I don't remember exactly how much I paid and they were bundled together so I can't really put a specific price on each tube.  If you can't find any 6385 and you are really looking for the best sound possible out of your Paradisea then the 2C51 should give you a bit more then the we396a.  However, if you are willing to spend even more then $89, then you wont be disappointed at all with the we396a while you wait for your chance to put your hands on a 6385.  That's how I see it, hope it helps your decision a bit!   

[lcrim]

I recently bought an older, used Paradisea since I have no need of a USB input, I have a couple of Bolder digital modded SB3's in my two systems.  I found that the WE396A and all the 5670/2C51 variants have been priced out of reach by the demand that has recently been placed on them. 
I did find that Tube Depot, a good internet vendor of mostly new production tubes, still has the WE396A for less than $50 (minor league outrageous) and that's what I rolled in.  The stock GE JAN 2C51 isn't a bad sounding tube BTW, I use it as a driver in my Glow Audio Amp One and listened to it in the Paradisea as well.  It doesn't do anything wrong, it lacks the sweetness in the treble of the WE396A.  The tube in the Paradisea is a buffer and is not run w/ a high bias so it should last a very long time.  You really don't need a number of them.  (Like I "need" all the audio stuff I buy.)
BTW, thanks to Cacophonix for a fair deal on the Paradisea.

[Oscillate]

As an inexpensive alternative to a Bendix Red Bank 6385, you may wish to try a
6N3P-DR Russian Military with Ferrite Ring Dampers. It is reputed to be the closet
sounding tube to a 6385. They cost $7 when they are in stock at BoiAudioWorks.com.
Although I bought this tube, I have not yet rolled it into the Paradisea+ to verify
how it actually compares, as I am quite happy with the sound of the 6385...


BTW... Could someone please answer my question (below) from post #724, thanks

"Would using a larger value output cap to lower the frequency response (bass),
come at the cost of altering the response in the higher frequencies?"

[jeenam]

Oscillate, pop that tube in there and let us know how it sounds!

[t-head]

BTW... Could someone please answer my question (below) from post #724, thanks

"Would using a larger value output cap to lower the frequency response (bass),
come at the cost of altering the response in the higher frequencies?"

Switching the value of the coupling caps will change the sound and will likely alter other frequencies than your targeted LF. Brand of cap (cost?) will determine which way things shake out...there is no free lunch in audio (or anything else for that matter)...

Jeenam,

I have rolled in the Russian 63NP-E in my Paradisea+...it is a nice tube...a bit taller than the 396A/5670/2C51s (sticks out of the lid)...sound is clear, fast and defined with good extension at both ends frequency spectrum. I am running a Bendix now...the russian tube would be a good, low priced sub...www.rutubes.com...$18 for 10 + $12 shipping...the 63NP-E works well in the Glow as driver tube...

t

[jeenam]

t-head, do the Russian 63NP tubes sound better than the stock GE tube? Can you say how they compare to the WE396A?

10 for $30 shipped would be a great deal.