Musical Paradise M2-D2 AK4490 Balanced Dac Reviews?

[aneep]

I've just sent off my case to have the output tube holes enlarged to 40mm....wide enough to try 6SN7 tubes.

Gary needs to make it more obvious that this is possible. These type of tube are far superior, hence why the best preamps (IMO) use 6SN7 types, like Supratek.

Hey Psilonaught,
Would you mind sharing where you sent the case cover for reworking. I have been planning a change to 6sn7's for a long time and didn't go through mainly because of the top cover. I use 6n1p's in the MP-D2 sometimes and they have a similar current requirement as 6SN7's.
Cheers

 

[ZERUNG]

The best 6SL7 I have used was the metal base, Russian Military MELZ 6N9S (6SL7). The tube construction is immaculate, the plate is shiny and graphity, the parts inside is high-quality and very clean in its implementation. I dont know which year this was produced or the factory. So if there is a corresponding Melz 6SN7, I would assume they will be the giant killer

Here is a link to a potential 6SN7
https://tubes-store.com/product_info.php?products_id=316

Picture of my tube below.

 

[ZERUNG]

I just found this...
Wow. kindly amazing thread
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/little-dot-tube-amps-vacuum-tube-rolling-guide.563884/page-446

 

[Psilonaught]

We decided on a 50mm rectangle for better ventilation. The shop did a great job, very neat work. I'll probably still add some acrylic over the top but it looks ok as it is.

Just need to order the socket converters and nos tubes.

 

[rajacat]

Why not enlarge the rectifier hole too?

 

[Psilonaught]

Why not enlarge the rectifier hole too?

Didn't see the point, I use a socket saver which allows me to use any size rectifier already.

Currently using a Sophia princess mesh plate.

So I have a quad of 6SN7WGTA SYLVANIA coming and also trying to find some cv181 modern tubes that might also fit.

Unfortunately the best ones like the ShuGuang black treasure don't fit as they as 50mm diameter and the sockets are too close together.

 

[rajacat]

I've got about 30 hours on a pair of 2.2uf 630V V-Cap ODAM's and I'm very impressed. These are a used pair (hours?) but after about 25 hours they opened up and started to display their excellent resolution and imaging. I previously had Mundorf Silver w/ Russian 0.1 T3 bypass. The V-Caps seem more balanced and more resolving.
I'm presently breaking in a new SET and tubes but they had 125+ hours on them so have started to level off. It will be interesting where these ODAM's lead me with more hours on them.

 

[biswasg]

I've got about 30 hours on a pair of 2.2uf 630V V-Cap ODAM's and I'm very impressed. These are a used pair (hours?) but after about 25 hours they opened up and started to display their excellent resolution and imaging. I previously had Mundorf Silver w/ Russian 0.1 T3 bypass. The V-Caps seem more balanced and more resolving.
I'm presently breaking in a new SET and tubes but they had 125+ hours on them so have started to level off. It will be interesting where these ODAM's lead me with more hours on them.

Hi rajacat. I am planning to role some capacitors as well. Just curious does the coupling caps have polarity? If so then which binding post is the positive and which one would be negative. Sorry for the newbie question. Also what other caps you have you tried?

 

[Psilonaught]

Hi rajacat. I am planning to role some capacitors as well. Just curious does the coupling caps have polarity? If so then which binding post is the positive and which one would be negative. Sorry for the newbie question. Also what other caps you have you tried?

Film caps don't have polarity but some are directional, like the v-cap odams.

 

[Psilonaught]

I've got about 30 hours on a pair of 2.2uf 630V V-Cap ODAM's and I'm very impressed. These are a used pair (hours?) but after about 25 hours they opened up and started to display their excellent resolution and imaging. I previously had Mundorf Silver w/ Russian 0.1 T3 bypass. The V-Caps seem more balanced and more resolving.
I'm presently breaking in a new SET and tubes but they had 125+ hours on them so have started to level off. It will be interesting where these ODAM's lead me with more hours on them.

Yeah they are stunning caps
I'm waiting for my 6sn7 sockets to arrive and then I'll post up images and thoughts.

I'm glad to be removing the EH 630PI. My new speakers are extremely resolving, and they allow me to hear that the dac is sounding a tad dry and clinical. Not bright or edgy, just a bit dry.

The 1950's Sylvanias will sound nicer I hope.

Here are my new speakers. Magnepan 20.1. They replaced a pair of 1.7s.

 

[rajacat]

Film caps don't have polarity but some are directional, like the v-cap odams.

In what direction should the V-caps pointing? Should the red V be on the back connector plate side or the front plate side? Photo would be great. I didn't see any direction indicators or anything on the Vh website. I believe that the direction has something to do with the winding direction or the shielding.

Ah ha, upon further reading on the Vh site I found the answer.
" The short lead indicates the outermost foil, and should be connected to the lowest impedance path to ground. Another way to identify outer foil is the writing on the label flows towards the outer foil. "
So I presume both caps should be pointed with the flow of the writing on the label towards the back plate. This is opposite to how I have them installed.

 

[rajacat]

Yeah they are stunning caps
I'm waiting for my 6sn7 sockets to arrive and then I'll post up images and thoughts.

I'm glad to be removing the EH 630PI. My new speakers are extremely resolving, and they allow me to hear that the dac is sounding a tad dry and clinical. Not bright or edgy, just a bit dry.

The 1950's Sylvanias will sound nicer I hope.

Here are my new speakers. Magnepan 20.1. They replaced a pair of 1.7s.

Very nice speakers! I've always wanted to try Maggies. The bigger the better when it comes to Magnaplaners so it's said.
I've gone the opposite direction with my DIY super efficient tri-amped speakers. 18" waveguide, 15" AE TD15m woofer, (2) 6" Anarchy folding horn subs and a 12" sealed sub.
I'm presently using a 300B SET for the waveguide/tweeters which go down to 650hz. The 15" driver and the subs are powered by their own digital muscle amps.

 

[Psilonaught]

So I presume both caps should be pointed with the flow of the writing on the label towards the back plate. This is opposite to how I have them installed.

Yes exactly

 

[rajacat]

Thanks.
I'll listen to the Vcap's for awhile then decide what cap to use for the bypass. I do have some Russian 0.01 K40Y-9 PIO's that might be interesting but I'll probably go for the high priced spread. Most likely I'll choose between the Duelund 0.01uF 600Vdc Silver or the copper version. Also the VHaudio lineup of .01 caps offer some options and they're in stock. Since I'm running unbalanced, I'll use the stock Obbligato output caps on the extra connectors to burn in the bypass caps.

 

[sjoerd13]

Just got confirmation from Garry that the 4499 dac chips are working on last firmware from Jan this year. There's a new firmware coming soon for the 4499. I have a Pic of 4499 module also:
https://ibb.co/2gMc6h9
Hopefully it's releasing soon

OH and Im using 6sn7 as well with converter to 6922. Rca output so only need 2. I'm using the 6sn7 Nanking 6h8c 58 years it's even better then my vt231 Sylvania 6sn7 black. The other 2 are stock 6h6. As rectifier I use the Linlai Elite 274b tube. Linlai is doing a fantastic job on price and quality range, I'm living in china sometimes so it's a bit cheaper then back home.. I compare alot of linlai tubes vs psvane, psvane is good but always it's a typical tube sound and or to much in dynamic or to much in warm/dull feature. The elite tubes of linlai are my favorite, they don't color at all. Just as natural as it can be. That's why live stage is awesome. If your really want dynamic allover go for the 274b tii of psvane but again not my taste. I'm going to test 12bh7 against the 6sn7 and then I will decide to drill the top cover or not..

My caps are mundorf standard supreme 2.2uf and bypass 0,01 Cornell Dubilier 940c 3000v. I love it! Maybe in the future to duelund, I have some in my speaker filter and it's expensive but really that good!