classfolkphile
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- Jan 30, 2006
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I have the 25.2 and thought it was good from the beginning. And this is coming from some fairly expensive digital rigs in my system.
Two caveats.
First, as has been mentioned, the stock tube must be ditched. I've tried a Philips gold pin 6922 and an Amperex gold pin 7308. Both are really excellent and make a significant difference in clarity, resolution, frequency extension and bass tightness. Second the soft stock feet must be bypassed. I've used both Symposium precision couplers (relatively expensive) and myrtle blocks (cheap). Both reduced the muddiness that is the unit's main drawback.
Having had several modded CDPs previously, I decided to go that route with the 25.2 given the fairly inexpensive options available from Affordable Audio; which, being they're both a dealer and the Music Hall service center, do not void the warranty.
Mods for the Music Hall DAC 25.2 [DAC 25.2 Mod] - $250.00 : Affordable Audio Venice California in West Los Angeles, | AA TECH DESIGN |
(No connection except as a customer).
I went for the full upgrade package: new diodes, op-amps, resistors, and Hovland Musicaps. Cost was $450 (there are cheaper options). The improvement is beyond what I was expecting. All muddiness is gone. Clarity and resolution are further improved and the increased transparency and image separation is stunning.
I also recently picked up a stock Havana DAC, which I love. I'm using it with an Ericsson gold pin 2C51. The modded 25.2 is at least on the same level as the MHDT and might be better (though, of course, very different). I'm hearing a slight dryness, even graininess, to the vocals on the latter that has me considering changing the caps in it.
For those interested, I'm using a Marantz SA15S2 as a transport with either a Jena Labs Symphony or KCI Pegasus Digital IC. Amp is a Rogue Cronus (with very upgraded tubes), while speakers are Aural Acoustics Model Bs. Wiring is Jena Labs, PCs are Kaplan and Black Sand Violet Z2s.
Sorry for the length of this post.
Two caveats.
First, as has been mentioned, the stock tube must be ditched. I've tried a Philips gold pin 6922 and an Amperex gold pin 7308. Both are really excellent and make a significant difference in clarity, resolution, frequency extension and bass tightness. Second the soft stock feet must be bypassed. I've used both Symposium precision couplers (relatively expensive) and myrtle blocks (cheap). Both reduced the muddiness that is the unit's main drawback.
Having had several modded CDPs previously, I decided to go that route with the 25.2 given the fairly inexpensive options available from Affordable Audio; which, being they're both a dealer and the Music Hall service center, do not void the warranty.
Mods for the Music Hall DAC 25.2 [DAC 25.2 Mod] - $250.00 : Affordable Audio Venice California in West Los Angeles, | AA TECH DESIGN |
(No connection except as a customer).
I went for the full upgrade package: new diodes, op-amps, resistors, and Hovland Musicaps. Cost was $450 (there are cheaper options). The improvement is beyond what I was expecting. All muddiness is gone. Clarity and resolution are further improved and the increased transparency and image separation is stunning.
I also recently picked up a stock Havana DAC, which I love. I'm using it with an Ericsson gold pin 2C51. The modded 25.2 is at least on the same level as the MHDT and might be better (though, of course, very different). I'm hearing a slight dryness, even graininess, to the vocals on the latter that has me considering changing the caps in it.
For those interested, I'm using a Marantz SA15S2 as a transport with either a Jena Labs Symphony or KCI Pegasus Digital IC. Amp is a Rogue Cronus (with very upgraded tubes), while speakers are Aural Acoustics Model Bs. Wiring is Jena Labs, PCs are Kaplan and Black Sand Violet Z2s.
Sorry for the length of this post.