MHDT Labs DAC: Havana or Paradisea+ ?

@Musicman

The tube question is interesting.

I've listened to the Havana with my standard Paradisea+ fav tube, a Bendix 2C51 as well as with a NOS Tung Sol 396A.

What I've found though is that I prefer the more "tubey" sounding, more lush Tung Sol 396A over the more detailed and "airy" Bendix 2C51 in the Havana.

The opposite is true in regards to my Paradisea+.

In regards to my listening preferences ... in general ... I do not like an end product (sound) that is in anyway "digital" sounding.

I like sound that communicates as it would in a room with live performers ... and frankly, most digital delivery systems don't meet that mark.

The Paradisea+ does meet that mark and it meets it well.

The Havana, as well, meets that "live music sound" benchmark ... but to my ear, more so when using a warmer sounding, more liquid tube like the 396A variants.

It's still quite decent with the Bendix 2C51, but begins leaning towards the sharp side of things ... at least with my notoriously picky Grado RS1 headphones.

With something like Sennheiser HD650's ... with their legendary "laid back," smooth and "dark" sound ... my comments might be completely different.

Thanks for the word.

Best.

I recently picked up a Paradisea+ from a fellow a-gonner. I haven't had much time listening to it due to traveling, but I did have time to swap out the stock GE tube and replace it with an Ericsson 2C51 NOS tube. I managed to get the Ericsson for $17..Brent Jesse has them for $200/pair. While that doesn't mean much in & of itself..at least mine must be worth $17.

The Ericsson tube was certainly a step in the right direction with a very noticable improvement in the shimmer & decay of cymbals...I've only had about 15 minutes to actually listen. If you can find an Ericsson for a reasonable price...I'd go for it.

Just a little update to those interested in the Havana over the Paradisea+.

After a full 100 hours of, literally, constant play time ... the Havana has smoothed out quite dramatically.

It's really pretty mysterious to me what happens in the first 100+ play hours on a new piece of gear.

I had initially stated that the Havana lacked some of the liquid and utterly smooth musicality of the Paradisea+ ... while at the same time having noticeably more detail and a slightly better soundstage ...

Now ... though ...

Be it burn-in on caps, fuses or otherwise ...

The fact remains ...

The Havana is just as smooth and liquid as my older and tried and true Paradisea+ ... while still retaining the aforementioned edge in regards to detail and sound stage.

(I'm still using it with a Bendix 2C51 tube, btw)

Anyway ...

The improvement over the Paradisea+ is there ... but it's only something the most nit picky, very exacting of us would demand or notice.

That said ...

I count myself a member of that group, so ...

:-)

I'm going to try and figure out a way to keep this loaner DAC in my household.

Best.

Hope this is informative to you folks.

...

Thanks for the useful comparison info.

I'm thinking of adding an outboard DAC to my second 2-channel A/v system and may give the Havana a try. I already use a Paradisea in my main system and can concur with a lot of what has been said here about that DAC.

Hope I'm not carrying this off in the weeds but... Anyone have experience comparing the Paradisea to some of the other popular and affordable DAC's that are out there right now like the Benchmark, PS Audio DL3, or DACMagic? I currently have a DACMagic but have been intrigued by the Paradisea (that pesky audio bug!). I'd ultimately have to give it a try in my own system of course, just looking for some more comment about the Paradisea and how it compares. Great comments from S1rrah by the way; very helpful!