So I've spent the past two hours doing some preliminary listening comparisons of my Paradisea+ and the brand new Havana.
I'll simply quote here what I posted at Audiogon a bit earlier. There was a recent post there from a fellow wondering about the differences between the Paradisea and Havana:
...
Hi.
I've had the Paradisea+ for six months. As most who have heard this DAC will claim, ... I love it. It strikes a wonderful balance between detail, musicality and ease that works so great with my Grado RS1's.
That said ...
"Mouse," at MHDT labs was gracious enough to loan me a new Havana for this weekends Houston Head-fi meet.
I just got it today and even pre burn in (really just caps and fuse since it has no opamp) I'm noticing pretty dramatic differences over the Paradisea+.
Number 1: Significantly more detailed; could be a plus or a minus depending on your preferences. But the detail is several notches more with the Havana. This might have to do with the lack of an OPAMP.
Number 2: More "air" and space to the instrument seperation. Again, fairly substantial of a difference. This, of course, enhances the sound stage effect (which I personally sort of like).
Number 3: Technically as nit picky as I can be, ... the Havana is not as utterly smooth and seductive as the Paradisea+
The Paradisea+, though slightly narrower sounding and slightly less detailed, still possesses this unbelievable ease about the way it delivers the music.
On the flip side of that same coin, some folks might describe the Paradisea+ as sluggish or 'blurred' compared to the Havana.
This very initial difference in the DACs could very well change once the brand new Havana has 200 or more hours on it (my Paradisea+ is pushing 1000 hours easy).
The difference in detail and transparency is pretty darn impressive, though, I can say that unequivocally ...
The Havana is certainly a bit more "refined" of a transmission ... rather surprising clarity ... the sort of trait one never even knows was missing from one's previous equipment ... that is until something different is sitting on one's desk.
Anyway.
Just some thoughts ...
...
I'll simply quote here what I posted at Audiogon a bit earlier. There was a recent post there from a fellow wondering about the differences between the Paradisea and Havana:
...
Hi.
I've had the Paradisea+ for six months. As most who have heard this DAC will claim, ... I love it. It strikes a wonderful balance between detail, musicality and ease that works so great with my Grado RS1's.
That said ...
"Mouse," at MHDT labs was gracious enough to loan me a new Havana for this weekends Houston Head-fi meet.
I just got it today and even pre burn in (really just caps and fuse since it has no opamp) I'm noticing pretty dramatic differences over the Paradisea+.
Number 1: Significantly more detailed; could be a plus or a minus depending on your preferences. But the detail is several notches more with the Havana. This might have to do with the lack of an OPAMP.
Number 2: More "air" and space to the instrument seperation. Again, fairly substantial of a difference. This, of course, enhances the sound stage effect (which I personally sort of like).
Number 3: Technically as nit picky as I can be, ... the Havana is not as utterly smooth and seductive as the Paradisea+
The Paradisea+, though slightly narrower sounding and slightly less detailed, still possesses this unbelievable ease about the way it delivers the music.
On the flip side of that same coin, some folks might describe the Paradisea+ as sluggish or 'blurred' compared to the Havana.
This very initial difference in the DACs could very well change once the brand new Havana has 200 or more hours on it (my Paradisea+ is pushing 1000 hours easy).
The difference in detail and transparency is pretty darn impressive, though, I can say that unequivocally ...
The Havana is certainly a bit more "refined" of a transmission ... rather surprising clarity ... the sort of trait one never even knows was missing from one's previous equipment ... that is until something different is sitting on one's desk.
Anyway.
Just some thoughts ...
...
Anyways, I look forward to the meet impressions.
