• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

MHDT Fans - Paradisea3 vs Orchid

mikered71

mikered71

New Member
Anyone out there an avid MHDT lover who has owned/compared the two? The Paradisea3 has been in my system for 11 years.. Still performs well and sounds good to my ears.. I just did an A/B with a stock Havana.. The Havana sound signature was similar with better detail and soundstage. What to expect in comparison to the Orchid??

Thanks
Mike
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
I'll give this a little bump as a new MHDT (Canary) fan. I've had this thing for a month and i'm loving it so much. What tube are you running currently @mikered71?

Sorry I can't help with the question at hand...
 
I can't help either but I've had my Pagoda for about 4 years and use a WE396A (D getter, JW military version). Nice upgrade over the stock tube that shipped. It's getting pricey, about $50 more now than when I purchased it.
 
Nice! I have the same WE and like it. I was given a Swedish 5670 that’s been my favorite although I think the 396A needs some more burn in (listening now).
 
I am currently running a WE396A (D getter, JW military version) as well.. Update - I have recently picked up a Denafrips Pontus II. I want it to so badly sound better than the MHDT P3 but it does not. The MHDT is simply more engaging and has more depth and slam. The DPII is thinner and more subdued - less alive. Detail and soundstage are very similar.. Bringing both to a friends this weekend to see how they compare in his system.
 
Now that is really interesting Mike. I've been Denafrips curious since they arrived but I've been so satisfied with my Pagoda I can't really justify another purchase. BTW, I have a couple of other multibit DACs as well.
 
I know... I was excited for what I thought would be an upgrade. I will update with new findings next week. At this point I say, Don’t believe the hype.. enjoy the Pagoda!
 
I was THIS close to buying a Ares II before the used/like new Canary came up. Every week I look for used Ares as I've yet to hear one and as a real vinyl guy I need to hear what the fuss is about but yeah the Canary just does so much right I can't justify the money. I guess I'll have to convince a DAC curious friend to buy a Denafrips so I can hear!
 
mikered71 said:
I know... I was excited for what I thought would be an upgrade. I will update with new findings next week. At this point I say, Don’t believe the hype.. enjoy the Pagoda!
Click to expand...

I'm so far a bit on the fence about my Pontus 2 as well. I do hear the "thin" that you're talking about. It has very good texture/timbre of instruments, good space between the instruments. But it sounds thinner than my Bel Canto. Although more lively at the same time, it's hard to explain. the Bel Canto is just a bit more dark/relaxed than I thought it was, until I did a comparison. to compensate, I would turn up the treble energy on my Tannoy Arden speakers, and it sounded very nice that way! With the Denafrips, I had to turn the treble energy down. It just has a different type of "flow" than the Bel Canto. Only a few hours on it so far though so I dunno whether to draw any conclusions or not yet.

MHDT was also on my list, along with Audio Mirror Tubadour III SE. Maybe I will have to try one of those at some point.
Trying to decide how much time to give the Denafrips. Leaning towards giving it awhile because I am the 2nd owner, warranty won't transfer again, so I'll probably lose a fair bit if/when I sell it.

Great build quality on it though! And I don't think it sounds bad by any means, just much different than what I'm used to. The Bel Canto does sound "fuller" somehow. With the trade-off of losing some of that "edge"/realism of the timbre of instruments.
 
PrivatePress said:
I was THIS close to buying a Ares II before the used/like new Canary came up. Every week I look for used Ares as I've yet to hear one and as a real vinyl guy I need to hear what the fuss is about but yeah the Canary just does so much right I can't justify the money. I guess I'll have to convince a DAC curious friend to buy a Denafrips so I can hear!
Click to expand...


I will most likely have one for sale next week... lol
 
Hawkeye83 said:
I'm so far a bit on the fence about my Pontus 2 as well. I do hear the "thin" that you're talking about. It has very good texture/timbre of instruments, good space between the instruments. But it sounds thinner than my Bel Canto. Although more lively at the same time, it's hard to explain. the Bel Canto is just a bit more dark/relaxed than I thought it was, until I did a comparison. to compensate, I would turn up the treble energy on my Tannoy Arden speakers, and it sounded very nice that way! With the Denafrips, I had to turn the treble energy down. It just has a different type of "flow" than the Bel Canto. Only a few hours on it so far though so I dunno whether to draw any conclusions or not yet.

MHDT was also on my list, along with Audio Mirror Tubadour III SE. Maybe I will have to try one of those at some point.
Trying to decide how much time to give the Denafrips. Leaning towards giving it awhile because I am the 2nd owner, warranty won't transfer again, so I'll probably lose a fair bit if/when I sell it.

Great build quality on it though! And I don't think it sounds bad by any means, just much different than what I'm used to. The Bel Canto does sound "fuller" somehow. With the trade-off of losing some of that "edge"/realism of the timbre of instruments.
Click to expand...
I have been on that fence for two weeks now... swapping out cables and different settings... bringing people in blindly.. putting them on the spot to compare. The MHDT wins every time.
 
I'm not really in the "measurements are everything camp"...simply because I don't have the bandwidth to take the time to learn the science of audio reproduction...I am a "scientist" at heart, but only have so much time, you know!

But have you seen the TERRIBLE "measurements" review of the Pagoda!? Saying it measures worse than like anything they've EVER measured. Pretty wild. I wonder if that scares some people off from buying it.

@mikered71 you like the MHDT better than the Denafrips though, eh?

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...s/mhdt-labs-pagoda-review-r2r-tube-dac.28575/
 
I have read that review (and many others on that site) and I find it very entertaining and useless for me.

All my gear was bought after months of reading subjective reviews in forums like this (without being able to hear any of it) and maybe I’m just lucky but my system has found a great synergy.

I also have no idea about measurements. As the maker of my amp says on the box “forget hi-fi, remember music”.
 
I read the Pagoda review as well. I can honestly say after 4 years of listening to this DAC (among others) the terrible measurements don't tell the whole story. BTW, I recently purchased the ASR well-measured and recommended $170 SMSL SU-6 and it sounds great. So, why does the Pagoda sound great (IMO of course) despite the worst measurements in ASR history?
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom