Mhdt Lab Paradisea and Constantine DAC gets rave review

[Elephas]

I just got a Constantine USB Plus. Since I was the only bidder, it sold for only US$279.

I used to have a Dialogue II and currently use another TDA1543 non-oversampling DAC, the Moodlab Dice.

I think the Constantine USB Plus is considerably better than the Dialogue II and the Moodlab Dice. It is more detailed than I remember the Dialogue II being, and also has a warm, smooth, non-fatiguing sound. It is also more detailed than the Moodlab Dice as well as having more bass.

I'll try to borrow my former Dialogue II from its current owner to compare with the Constantine USB Plus.

I'm now tempted to bid for a Paradisea.

 

[Silentpug387]

Tell me more about the USB Constantine. How does its sound compare to sources you've had in the past (besides the ones listed above)? Specifically, could you compare its sound to a non non-oversampling DAC?

 

[Jon L]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elephas I just got a Constantine USB Plus. Since I was the only bidder, it sold for only US$279. I used to have a Dialogue II and currently use another TDA1543 non-oversampling DAC, the Moodlab Dice. I think the Constantine USB Plus is considerably better than the Dialogue II and the Moodlab Dice. It is more detailed than I remember the Dialogue II being, and also has a warm, smooth, non-fatiguing sound. It is also more detailed than the Moodlab Dice as well as having more bass. I'll try to borrow my former Dialogue II from its current owner to compare with the Constantine USB Plus. I'm now tempted to bid for a Paradisea.

cool, and good deal. Tell us more about the software that USB Constantine supports. It works without its own driver, so it uses the generic Windows USB driver, which means K-mixer is not bypassed.

So my question would be: Can ASIO dll, ASIO4ALL, and/or USB-ASIO driver be used with USB Constantine?

 

[Loftprojection]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elephas I'm now tempted to bid for a Paradisea.

Go for it, I'm convinced it will be even better than your Constantine but you have to factor in the price of changing the original tube for either a National or Western Electric 396a, can be up to $40-50us because these are rare but soooo much nicer then the original.

 

[Elephas]

On a WinXP PC, the Constantine USB Plus appears as a USB Audio Device. The volume controls on the Sound control panels are active, and therefore the kmixer is active. Sound quality is not horrible, but not as good as a 5G iPod's line out.

Sound quality improves using ASIO4ALL 2.7 with foobar 0.9.3.1's foo_out_asio 1.2.2. I think this is decent quality. However, it is not as good as ASIO Hammerfall DSP output to the Constantine using the RME HDSP 9632's coaxial output. The Constantine's USB DAC seems to be an OK additional option that can be useful when a quality optical or spdif connection is unavailable.

The usb-audio.com driver won't install. It works with the CEC DA53, but not with the Moodlab Dice or Constantine USB Plus.

I still prefer the sound of the "regular" oversampling DACs, such as the CEC DA53 or Lavry DA10. The Constantine's warm and smooth sound lacks details and the overall balance the other two have. It is also slower, with more rounded-off attack and decay.

The Constantine's strengths are imaging and soundstage. Bass is heavy and detailed. Playing "The Sheffield Lab Drum and Track Disc" through foobar > RME coaxial out > Constantine > AT-HA5000 > W5000 was an impressive experience.

 

[Jon L]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elephas On a WinXP PC, the Constantine USB Plus appears as a USB Audio Device. The volume controls on the Sound control panels are active, and therefore the kmixer is active. Sound quality is not horrible, but not as good as a 5G iPod's line out. Sound quality improves using ASIO4ALL 2.7 with foobar 0.9.3.1's foo_out_asio 1.2.2. I think this is decent quality. However, it is not as good as ASIO Hammerfall DSP output to the Constantine using the RME HDSP 9632's coaxial output. The Constantine's USB DAC seems to be an OK additional option that can be useful when a quality optical or spdif connection is unavailable. The usb-audio.com driver won't install. It works with the CEC DA53, but not with the Moodlab Dice or Constantine USB Plus. I still prefer the sound of the "regular" oversampling DACs, such as the CEC DA53 or Lavry DA10. The Constantine's warm and smooth sound lacks details and the overall balance the other two have. It is also slower, with more rounded-off attack and decay. The Constantine's strengths are imaging and soundstage. Bass is heavy and detailed. Playing "The Sheffield Lab Drum and Track Disc" through foobar > RME coaxial out > Constantine > AT-HA5000 > W5000 was an impressive experience.

That's too bad that the USB imlementation is not so hot. I was warned that the C-media USB chip is not a very high quality chip, and to make matters worse, USB goes through spdif conversion, then feeds the spdif receiver.

 

[Elephas]

I received a welcome PM reminding me I haven't posted much about the Constantine USB Plus.

I currently use five DACs. In order of preference: Chord DAC64, Lavry DA10, CEC DA53, Constantine USB Plus, Moodlab Dice.

Although the Constantine is ranked 4th overall, I think it is sometimes more enjoyable than the Lavry.

It has the warmth and smoothness of the other non-oversampling DACs I've heard (Dialogue II, Moodlab Dice, Moodlab original) and the most details. I'm into details and smoothness, and the Constantine provides enough details for me and plenty of smoothness. Only the Chord is more detailed and smoother.

Listening to jazz instrumentals and vocals is a joy with the Constantine, RSA Raptor and HD650. Bass is strong and has visceral impact. Midrange is warm and pleasant. Details are lacking compared to the Chord or Lavry, and switching from one of them to the Constantine can be a bit of a shock, with level of detail suddenly missing.

Overall, I really enjoy listening to the Constantine. It has some tough competition, but it has its share of listening time.

 

[Towert7]

Thanks for the update. I too have the USB+ Constantine, but I havn't had the chance to listen to many sources, so I don't have a reference point to compare to.

 

[o3ric]

--Mod, Please delete--
(was watching GameSpot`s E3 coverage, watching new Meddle of Honour game, man looks soo sweet)

Was also in the "should I get a Moonlab or MHDT?" camp, however just ordered the MHDT Paradisea+ (Paradisea DAC with USB), when I get it, will put up my feelings about it

O3ric

 

[ecclesand]

Quote:

Originally Posted by o3ric /img/forum/go_quote.gif --Mod, Please delete-- (was watching GameSpot`s E3 coverage, watching new Meddle of Honour game, man looks soo sweet) Was also in the "should I get a Moonlab or MHDT?" camp, however just ordered the MHDT Paradisea+ (Paradisea DAC with USB), when I get it, will put up my feelings about it O3ric

Go into the light, dead thread! Go into the light!

 

[Towert7]

Quote:

Originally Posted by o3ric /img/forum/go_quote.gif --Mod, Please delete-- (was watching GameSpot`s E3 coverage, watching new Meddle of Honour game, man looks soo sweet) Was also in the "should I get a Moonlab or MHDT?" camp, however just ordered the MHDT Paradisea+ (Paradisea DAC with USB), when I get it, will put up my feelings about it O3ric

I have a funny feeling you're going to love it. I upgraded from my USB+ Constantine to the new version Paradisea+, and it's a solid upgrade. That, plus the option of changing tubes to get the sound you are looking for is a great feature. I'm very impressed with mine.

 

[crazyface]

Does anyone know of any direct comparisons between the Ken/Storm DACs and these MHDT DACs? Presently, I'm attempting to decide between the two brands. Thanks!!!

 

[Towert7]

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyface /img/forum/go_quote.gif Does anyone know of any direct comparisons between the Ken/Storm DACs and these MHDT DACs? Presently, I'm attempting to decide between the two brands. Thanks!!!

Storm digital is not a 'brand', it turned out to be a kid from another country that ripped a whole bunch of people off and took their money.

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=202509

Did you know?

 

[crazyface]

I still would like a comparison of the DACs please. I wasn't trying to turn this thread into a debate about the other issue. Ken has made a new DAC called the Pandora that I've heard is better than the D02, so a comparison between the D02 or the Pandora and the MHDT DACs would be helpful for me, as I'm trying to decide between the Paradisea+ and the Pandora. Thanks!

 

[Towert7]

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyface /img/forum/go_quote.gif I still would like a comparison of the DACs please. I wasn't trying to turn this thread into a debate about the other issue. Ken has made a new DAC called the Pandora that I've heard is better than the D0C (or something with a name like that?), so a comparison between the D0C and the MHDT DACs would be helpful for me, as I'm trying to decide between the Paradisea+ and the Pandora. Thanks!

Ah, do your service to humanity and protest the bad guy. He should rought in hell for what he did.