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My First USB DAC Sounds Dull, Please Help

Greatings from Tanzania,

I finally jumped into the PC audio arena with the purchase of a Mhdt Paradisea+. However the PC/DAC combo came out very disappointing! The sound was dull and contrived. Even my wife gave it a thumb down.

This is my first try on a system with a tube stage, but don't think it should sound so lucking of high frequency signals. I switched between foobar and Windows MP11, tried a different laptop, and even connected the DAC direct to the Amp (by-passed the preamp), but to no avail.

The rest of my system is comprised of Martin Logan SL3, Bag-End Aragon 8008 BB, Aragon Aurum preamp, and Kimber cables.

I am I doing something wrong. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

I remain a believer of PC audio.
planckscale

Showing 3 responses by shadorne

shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,467 posts
 
Hello Tanzania - I lived in Africa many years! I see you have an SS audio chain,
Try a Benchmark DAC1 - it is dynamic for sure. You might be brainwashed by
that dynamic SS sound. I know I am ! Benchmark is for those who crave power
dynamics and detail (even if it is felt to be overly detailed non-musical or non-
organic or whatever by many). Power! Power! Dynamics it does have. He gives a
cruel chuckle.

Obviously I am being a bit jovial - as there are plenty of awesome DAC's out
there but I can assure you that the DAC1 is more dynamic than most (just not
everyone's cup of tea)
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,467 posts
 
Planck,

You should read this Apparently soundcards on PC's and DSP's in DVD players are not "bit-transparent" or you need to be savvy about settings to make sure that no "processing" or bit truncation etc is going on.
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shadorne
7,467 posts
 
I am still not sold on the idea that EM-noise can mask a good soundcard like a Lynx.

I think your skepticism is healthy - however the variables with the variety of PC's (with cheap power supplies) + soundcard combinations are large. Does your PC give good clean power to the card - is the PC power supply noisy or is it well shielded - that would be my worry with a good card.
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