I am getting similar noise/hum from my Pagoda. The noise becomes noticeable when I turn to 12pm position on my amp, and gets louder when volume is up. It does not seem to go down when music plays. I tried other sources (e.g. Macbook earphone output) and they're quiet in terms of floor noise...

Hi Marcelo, Here's is my tube rolling experience with Pagoda SE: 1) I got these tubes when I bought a used Pagoda: Bendix 2C51 Tube Russian OTK 6n3p tube Tesla 6cc42 pinched waist tube GE5670 You can find feedback in this thread for above tubes. To my ear, the Tesla is so much better than...

Did you have a chance to compare Optical/Toslink (directly from home PC to DAC) vs USB->S/PDIF via EItr? I am quite happy with my current setup: Mac Mini (Toslink) -> Pagoda -> Amp, I hear more details than through USB connection. Not sure how it will improve by a converter.

I read this from their website: What the hell? What if I want optical? If you want a crappy optical output that has jitter problems like no tomorrow and likely cannot do 24/192 reliably, you’re free to find a different USB to SPDIF converter that offers optical output. Why optical output is...

Why stick with USB? I heard it's not best for audio? I have compared Toslink and USB on Pagoda. Toslink is far better.

MHDT customer service is just superb. They replied my email within minutes, and really back up their products.   Last week I had some problem with left channel on my Pagoda, after exchanging several emails with Jiun, he helped me identify the issue, and sent me a new board within a week...

According to Luckbad's review, rolling tubes has more influence to Altantis than Pagoda. I don't have an Altantis to compare, but I feel different tubes still make very noticeable change to Pagoda's sound.

These two tubes are about same price right (Genalex Gold Lion ecc88 & Bendix 2c51)? So... what's the point of getting adaptor?   ;-)

I sent an email to Mhdt (replies below). Seems that they have not tried 6922 in their DACs.   ==============   Hi,   The tube buffer stage of 5670 which used in our DACs are supplied with -17 ~ +17V. This is a very low voltage condition and that's why we choose 5670.   6922 is also a...

Thanks Phil! I bet you'll be pretty busy this weekend, please enjoy it :-)   Looking forward for your list of "best tubes for Pagoda", maybe also a list of "best bang of buck tubes" as well, for those who can't afford CCA.

Phil, do you have Reflektor tube in your collection?   On searching 6922 tubes, I found this review giving "Reflektor Holy Grail '75 6N23P SWGP Silver Shields" very high rating, over CCA & CV2492:   http://www.head-fi.org/t/761078/6922-tube-review-17-top-6922-6n23p-e88cc-cca-7308-e188cc-tubes

Hi Phil,   Thanks for your reply. Now I almost got the whole picture :-)   Inline with what you have experienced, CCa is one of the best 6922 tubes:   http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/tubes-valves/124247-differences-between-nos-tesla-e88cc.html   "At higher level amplifier (DAC output)...

Thank you Phil. This is a great writeup.   I have a Pagoda SE, and tried 3 tubes you mentioned: Stock 5670, Bendix 2c51, and Tesla 6cc42. Results are just as you described: 5670 is OK (sometimes I feel it's no better than MBP onboard DAC), Bendix is better but too bright & lack detail, while...

Did you ship back the old board? The MHDT gang should have some idea, if this happens too often to Pagoda.

I like the Tesla pinched waist tube most on Pagoda - it brings more details & clarity to the sound, compared to some others. Vocals are more "real".       Quote: