Paradisea DAC

t-head · « **Reply #740 on:** 13 Aug 2008, 06:38 pm »

jeenam,

I do not have the original stock tube for comparison (gave it away), sorry. I have rolled NOS Tung-Sol 50's 2C51, NOS 50's WE 396A, NOS 60's Bendix 2C51, GE JAN 2C51 and the 6N3P-E. All sounded better than the stock as I remember. The Russian tube was not available to me back when I got the DAC and was rolling. The Tung-Sol seemed slightly tipped up but I ran that for quite a while. The Bendix seemed to me to have the most even sound throughout the spectrum. The WE 396A was warmer than all the others. When I used the WE as a driver in the Glow it was my choice...it must like to be run hotter, as the Paradisea runs the buffer tube at conservative voltage, but the Glow runs them hotter. So, in answer to your question, yes it sounded better to me...YMMV. If you want a warmer sound, go with the WE396A. For more detail, go Tung-Sol. For more balance, Bendix, Russian or GE JAN. My opinion only...your wallet may be the determining factor. If so, go Russian. Maybe a group buy?

The cheapest way to go is to use the stock tube...not bad at all

t

dagger · « **Reply #741 on:** 13 Aug 2008, 07:46 pm »

loftprojection / s1rrah

Thanks for answering my post. Based on what you two said I'll pass on the Bendix 2C51. I'm sure it'll be an improvement over the WE396A but not enough to justify $89. If I could get it for less I'll probably do it. Besides if I can find a 6385 I'll pick that up for sure. I did pick up a pair of GE Jan for about $20 though.

Just got the Paradisea and set-up in my rig. It's been running for just an hour or so and I'll have to say very very nice. Really surprised by the difference in SQ especially against an unmodded squeezebox. However, my reference point is really against a Music Hall CD 25.2 and the Paradisea + trumps it, not huge, but definitely noticeable (given the Music Hall is a bit cheaper). It's still early though and I'm looking forward to trying different tubes and if I get the guts, switch the output caps.

So on sale goes the Music Hall very soon. My wife offered to replace my 4 year old laptop and I'm planning to run direct to Paradisea from what will be my old laptop. Wife loves the convenience of the squeezebox too much, so that will have to stay.

Now I have a really newbie question. How the heck do I change the tube? Do I unscrew the back plate or do I have to get pliers to take off the top plate? I tried pulling the tube out from the top and it's firm in there.

t-head · « **Reply #742 on:** 13 Aug 2008, 07:58 pm »

unplug unit or at least turn off...take off the lid (unscrew 4 gold screws...careful not to scratch lexan)...pull tube straight up...may take a bit of oomph...line up the pins on new tube...push down tube... put lid back on...turn on or plug in...enjoy.

t

dagger · « **Reply #743 on:** 13 Aug 2008, 10:12 pm »

Thanks t-head - now enjoying the music with the we396a ...

t-head · « **Reply #744 on:** 13 Aug 2008, 10:17 pm »

t-head · « **Reply #745 on:** 4 Sep 2008, 10:43 pm »

I did some more extensive listening with TungSol 2C51, WE 396A, Bendix 2C51, GE JAN 2C51 and Russian 6N3P-E. The longer the russian tube plays, the better I like it...it is now ensconced in my Paradisea+ and staying there...so is using a UD-10 for USB to RCA input rather than native USB input...YMMV.

t

jeenam · « **Reply #746 on:** 4 Sep 2008, 11:05 pm »

t-head -- Where did you purchase the Russian tube from? How much was it? Can you provide a link if you purchased it online?

t-head · « **Reply #747 on:** 5 Sep 2008, 12:57 am »

jeenam,

I was given one by audiomagus.com after I did some comparing of tubes for the Glow Amp One for them...

http://www.audio-magus.com/product_p/6n3pe.htm $15 for a matched pair + shipping

They are available on E-Bay from various Russian sellers as well. Google the tube number for more sources. FWIW, I know of no other sources in the US...

BTW, this tube is taller than the 396A, 2C51, 5670, etc. and sticks out of the top of the lid of my Paradisea if that matters to you...

t

dagger · « **Reply #748 on:** 13 Sep 2008, 04:37 am »

I've tried a couple tubes since picking up my Paradisea; Raytheon 2C51, Bendix 2C51, Bendix 5670 and 6N3P-DR are the ones that I like the most. My overall favorite is the Bendix 5670 - warm and still detailed. The Raytheon and the Bendix 2C51 I find provide more detail and 6N3P-DR more warmth. I do find the 6N3P-DR can have a bloated bass though so I only run it with music that doesn't have a lot of bass emphasis. It is very nice with vocal dominant type music - Cassidy, Krall, Jones etc.

I have an extra 6N3P-DR for sale if anyone is interested. Please PM me.

kbuzz3 · « **Reply #749 on:** 13 Sep 2008, 01:07 pm »

Quote from: t-head on 4 Sep 2008, 10:43 pm

I did some more extensive listening with TungSol 2C51, WE 396A, Bendix 2C51, GE JAN 2C51 and Russian 6N3P-E. The longer the russian tube plays, the better I like it...it is now ensconced in my Paradisea+ and staying there...so is using a UD-10 for USB to RCA input rather than native USB input...YMMV.

t

T head could you give us a bit more info on using the UD-10 for USB to RCA. Bottom line as all is system dependent but is using an additional box and set of cables audibly superior to the native usb chip in the mhdt? Seems counter intuitive but ive got a trends amp around and may try and trade it for a ud-10

jman66 · « **Reply #750 on:** 13 Sep 2008, 01:26 pm »

Quote from: kbuzz3 on 13 Sep 2008, 01:07 pm

T head could you give us a bit more info on using the UD-10 for USB to RCA. Bottom line as all is system dependent but is using an additional box and set of cables audibly superior to the native usb chip in the mhdt? Seems counter intuitive but ive got a trends amp around and may try and trade it for a ud-10

I find the native USB input on the P+ carries in noise from my PC. If I use a cheater plug on my PC's powercord, then the noise quiets down some.
Using the digital out from my SB3 into the P+ spdif betters the native USB feed.

t-head · « **Reply #751 on:** 13 Sep 2008, 04:51 pm »

kbuzz3,

I have no explanation for why adding another component into a chain can sound better...but IMHO, it did.

I got the UD-10 to be able to connect my laptop to a HT receiver (Panasonic SA XR55) I have. The Panasonic unit has an onboard delta/sigma OS DAC I wanted to hear...it worked. I had read in a Paradisea thread that some Paradisea+ owners reported a preference for the RCA coax input to the native USB. One day I tried connecting my laptop to my Paradisea with the UD-10s' USB to the Paradisea with a digital coax cable rather than native USB unput...bottom line is I prefer the sound with the UD-10 in the chain...if you have a UD-10 and a decent digital coax cable (I use a VHAudio Pulsar) try it, you might like it...if any try it, please share your finding...

t

DaveC113 · « **Reply #752 on:** 13 Sep 2008, 06:34 pm »

I was researching the Blue Circle USB Thingee, and found a report in headfi that I thought was interesting... one poster thought it improved the Constantine DAC vs using the built in usb plug.

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f46/blue-circle-usb-thingee-229110/index5.html

musicman06 · « **Reply #753 on:** 14 Sep 2008, 10:32 am »

The Paradisea DAC used the CM-102 USB chip, not sure if it's still the same with the newer version, maybe a 108 now? Some posts have commented that the USB would sound worse than the digital (coax, etc.) options. I have the newer version but without USB so no firsthand comparisons. I'm still filtering through the many choices of USB DAC converters.

The BCT uses TI's PCM 2704 as do the Trends UD-10.1 and the HagUSB. These are the more popular units for whatever reason.

The TUSB3200 And TAS1020 are said to be the best, but are quite rare and apparently hard to implement.

xfkjx · « **Reply #754 on:** 18 Sep 2008, 03:40 pm »

I'm planning to get the OPA637 opamp for my Paradisea+. Does it need a browndog adaptor? How many of the OPA637 is needed for the Paradisea+? Any reply will be helpful! Thanks!

jeenam · « **Reply #755 on:** 20 Sep 2008, 10:51 pm »

Has anyone here compared the DAC on a Cambridge Audio 840c to the Paradisea? The sound with the stock GE tube seems to be fairly dark sounding with the soundstage set back a bit. In other words it sounds a bit laid back and polite for my tastes. Would replacing the tube with a Raytheon brighten things up? I'm not looking to go any warmer as I've run tubes before (Anthem Integrated 2 w/ 6922's in the preamp stage). Any advice is appreciated.

t-head · « **Reply #756 on:** 20 Sep 2008, 11:27 pm »

NOS TungSol 2C51 was brightest, most forward tube I tried...YMMV

t

R Browne · « **Reply #757 on:** 21 Sep 2008, 01:23 am »

The GE 5 Star 5670 is an inexpensive tube (about $12.00 ea. when I bought one a year ago) for the Paradisea that is nicely detailed, yet not bright. Good overall tone. Probably the best bang for the buck tube. The Bendix 2C51 is similar but perhaps slightly more refined by a very small margin IMO. I bought a NOS pair with matched sections for $100.00, but that was a year and a half ago.

jeenam · « **Reply #758 on:** 27 Sep 2008, 07:26 pm »

For those of you who have gone ahead and purchased a Bendix tube...

If you happen to have a Tung Sol 2C51 you don't plan on using I'd be interested in purchasing it from you. I have 2 Raytheon 2C51's I can trade. It would be nice to try a Tung Sol since it's been mentioned it is more forward sounding than other tubes.

Nick77 · « **Reply #759 on:** 27 Sep 2008, 08:01 pm »

I done a fair amount of reading and seems they hasn't been any real consensus on which output caps are best for Paradisea+. I was thinking about trying some inexpensive sonicaps with bypasses. Anyone have some input about sonicaps or any other preferred caps? Like to retain the warm character that its know for.