Todd R
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2001
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I ended up sending it back in exchange for the Orchid. It was delivered back to them today, so maybe by the end of the week I'll have n Orchid to try.Nice to see this thread have traction until today, been a minute since checking into the Hi-Fi world.
As for the Pagoda being bright, it is their most "detailed" DAC... this tend to make it their brightest offering - although compared to sigma delta dacs, it's still quite more pleasing to the ear. I presume you are listening to lossless tracks that are well recorded.
I would recommend to pair the Pagoda with something with a laid back sound signature in the speaker or headphone output. The Stockholm line is what was more laid back, with a slight pronounced mid (although easily altered with tube rolling). The Philips TDA chip offering was the most laid back. IIRC, the MHDT dacs needed some time to settle in. I used to let them run for a few weeks before judging, also powered them off each day briefly to cycle the tube. I used to use the most economical power cable by Zu Audio out of Utah with good results, power cables make an audible difference on these dacs.
I'm not changing speakers over a DAC change, The speakers have been sounding good for the last 6 years!
You can't let a component run in for a few weeks when you only have a 2 week trial period. I also have a Audio Mirror Troubadour III SE coming so the Orchid will probably land in the headphone system