Thanks Joel. I use to have a PS1000 as well. Unfortunately I traded it away.
But just to further this valuable discussion: what do you think about other mhdt dacs?
I've used the Constantine, the Paradisea+, the Havana and Havana 2, the Stockholm v1 and Stockholm v2 and I've enjoyed every one of them and consider them all exceptional values. I think the sonic gains moving up the chain are right in line with what MHDT chooses to ask in so far as price increases go and in general, those gains are increased dynamics, increased detail/micro detail, clearer separation, etc. ... (really the sonic gains that any designer will typically go for).
I haven't heard anything past the Stockholm v2 (ie > the Pagoda, etc.) but look forward to some day checking those out.
That said ... I'm not too sure of how the Delta Sigma design (Pagoda) will differ in tonality from the typical MHDT tack towards NOS/R2R and so that's a big interest of mine; I'm *really* a fan of the very analogue sounding NOS/R2R design (MHDT Labs or any other, really) ... and I positively cannot stand "hyper detailed" ... or very "digital sounding" DACs. I've played music live for many years and have spent decades viewing other musicians performing live and regardless of venue ... there is a certain quality to how live music/instruments sound ... and there are certain DACs out there that just don't sound anything like that certain quality in the least ... but to the contrary those certain DACS (won't name names) sound much more "mechanical" and/or "affected" in their portrayal of music (this most often manifests in ridiculously over emphasized highs).
The NOS/R2R design generally does it for me, though ... which is why I've stuck with the MHDT DACS for so long (really, over the past seven or eight years, I've used nothing but MHDT stuff).
I've also used primarily Grado headphones and have found the MHDT NOS/R2R DACs to be among the best I've ever heard with that particular line headphones (I've owned RS1's, GS1000's and now the PS1000's ... and though enjoying them all ... I vastly prefer the PS1000 over any Grado I've heard).
Hope that helps...
Joel