Musical Paradise M2-D2 AK4490 Balanced Dac Reviews?

[rajacat]

Yes I have it installed with the ESS chipsets. It increases resolution and information retrieval.

I think this will be my next upgrade. It's interesting that it improves resolution even if you already have the Crystek clock upgrade. I bet the battery power has a lot to do with it.
OTOH the version of the external clock depends on which chip is installed. I need to decide whether to wait for the AK4499 or get the ESS.

 

[Dexon]

Has anyone tried the headphone output with HD800 or rather any headphones, any good?

 

[rajacat]

You guys should try a Sophia princess mesh plate

Care to post more details on the Sophia Princess mesh plates? Are these the Royal Princess mesh plates?

 

[Psilonaught]

Care to post more details on the Sophia Princess mesh plates? Are these the Royal Princess mesh plates?

Sure thing. This is exactly what I refer to.

https://sophiaelectric.com/products/pages-se-274b

 

[TnTMaN]

Sure thing. This is exactly what I refer to.

https://sophiaelectric.com/products/pages-se-274b

@Psilonaught
I think @rajacat meant what sonic detail improvement are there with these Sophia Princesses? A few people thought that these are simply rebadged TJ Fullmusic 274b meshplates in the hifi world, however they are different sonically.

I would have thought the PSVane WE274B replicas would be the best new tube ?

What is your fav combo of tubes so far with this DAC? I have been rolling quite a few combos, so far my fav combo is the Phillips Miniwatt 5U4GB and Phillips Miniwatt 12AU7 that are both made in Australia. I have tried Mullard GZ32, Wards Airline 5U4G, Ken Rad 5U4G. They each have their strengths and weaknesses. As for line tubes, I have Miniwatt 12AB7, Rocket 6922, Russian 6N23P, GE JAN 5814A (Very sexy sounding tubes its a close second in my fav books, as these are still burning in).

 

[rajacat]

deleted

 

[ZERUNG]

I like the KR274B the best - As yet. Will roll more. In particular I am keen on the Philip 5R4GYS (D getter, not the dish one) - first I want to confirm that the tube charateristics are suitable?
For the signal tube, the Mazda ECC802S has made a fullstop for me. I have other NOS to roll. Which is exciting

 

[Psilonaught]

I like the KR274B the best - As yet. Will roll more. In particular I am keen on the Philip 5R4GYS (D getter, not the dish one) - first I want to confirm that the tube charateristics are suitable?
For the signal tube, the Mazda ECC802S has made a fullstop for me. I have other NOS to roll. Which is exciting

I just actually installed a 5R4GYS Philips, but in my new preamp. Just waiting for a custom cut acrylic top as it is too big for the Modwright.

Going back to tubes for the dac I pulled these Telefunkens from my outgoing preamp and so far I prefer these to the EH30PI tubes. Superb timbre and organic sound.

 

[ZERUNG]

I just actually installed a 5R4GYS Philips, but in my new preamp. Just waiting for a custom cut acrylic top as it is too big for the Modwright.
Going back to tubes for the dac I pulled these Telefunkens from my outgoing preamp and so far I prefer these to the EH30PI tubes. Superb timbre and organic sound.

I can understand why, These tall, black plate Telefunken tubes are wonderful, especially the ECC802s & 801S, I am assuming the 6211 is similar. On the Philips 5R4GYS, the one I like is the one with the 'D Getter' (Like below), The dish ones are fairly ok, at least to my ears....

 

[Psilonaught]

I can understand why, These tall, black plate Telefunken tubes are wonderful, especially the ECC802s & 801S, I am assuming the 6211 is similar. On the Philips 5R4GYS, the one I like is the one with the 'D Getter' (Like below), The dish ones are fairly ok, at least to my ears....

Ah did I buy the wrong kind? Where can I get this d getter ones ??

 

[Psilonaught]

Here is some info pasted from a German site re the 6211. They appear to be a slightly inferior version of the ECC802. They are supposed to be bright but mine are definitely not.

Telefunken Diamond Bottom 6211 tubes. Made in West Germany. Tubes are without labels and were destined for OEM use. We have cleaned the the slight tarnish on the pins due to storage conditions.

6211 is a computer grade tube and close to 12AU7, but NOT exactly. Amplification factor is 27 to 31 vs. 18 to 19 for 12AU7. Click 6211 data and 12AU7 data for comparison. These tubes have a brace or flange that runs the entire length of the plates.

Consult your manufacturer if it is OK to sub your 12AU7 with 6211. Here are some comments by one of our regular customers (your results may vary): "They have wonderful golden mids....just wonderful. I would highly recommend them for someone who loves jazz or vocals. The Tele (6211) bass is excellent. The 3D-Soundstage impression is outstanding.........really something. Those are some of the best tubes I have heard in the 12AU7 type, and I have tried a lot of the best NOS names."

NOT recommended for systems that are already bright or edgy. Telefunken 6211 are very bright and suitable for systems that are laid back. We do not guarantee that these would suit your taste.

 

[ZERUNG]

Ah did I buy the wrong kind? Where can I get this d getter ones ??

It is hard to find this 'D Getter' now a days. The circular dimpled gettered ones are available. Please see image below. Also the Philips ones are also called RT then.

 

[ZERUNG]

Here is some info pasted from a German site re the 6211. They appear to be a slightly inferior version of the ECC802. They are supposed to be bright but mine are definitely not.

Yes they are bright. If not then these may not be Telefunken? Also if this is one, then the bottom has a diamond embossed mark. Which your comments states already. If no embossed marking on the base, it may be a pirated one...

 

[Psilonaught]

I also did try swapping out the mighty Sophia 274B for a Mullard GZ34 which was bought for my modwright. Not impressed when using it in the dac. Poor bass, loss of detail. It is back on ebay.

Yes they are bright. If not then these may not be Telefunken? Also if this is one, then the bottom has a diamond embossed mark. Which your comments states already. If no embossed marking on the base, it may be a pirated one...

No mine actually have Telefunken on the bottles and the underside is stamped. They are genuine.

 

[Psilonaught]

It is hard to find this 'D Getter' now a days. The circular dimpled gettered ones are available. Please see image below. Also the Philips ones are also called RT then.

The circular version is what I'm using in the Modwright along with reflectors.