[turophile]

I bought a new Paradisea 3 a few weeks back, and am enjoying it except for an annoying clipping problem. I've mostly been listening via the USB input, where I can get around the clipping by turning down the volume on the laptop source, but when I try to use the coax or optical inputs from a source without volume control, I can't get around the clipping.

I've tried this with the Paradisea plugged into multiple sources and multiple amps which I know sound excellent when the Paradisea is removed from the equation, and in mulitple locations (office, my house, a friend's house) so I'm positive the DAC is the culprit.

Has anyone else experienced anything like this? Is it simply the tubes? I haven't played around with anything other than what came with it... A ground loop? I don't think this is the case with it showing up in so many locations as it's been, but I haven't tried putting it on a rubber mat like I saw someone here suggest.

Thanks!

P.S. Wow, this is my first post here after over a year of lurking!

 

[twylight]

no I love mine so much I ordered a havana

try a different tube (same make/just another one)

I have used usb/coax/spdif in different config and its wonderful

 

[donunus]

the stock tube is pretty clean if its not damaged. Try another tube of the same kind since its cheap to try. If it still clips, return the dac. or just have the dac replaced right away. There is no clipping whatsoever on my havana. The only clipping I hear is from recordings with clipping

 

[moonboy403]

Quote:

Originally Posted by donunus /img/forum/go_quote.gif the stock tube is pretty clean if its not damaged. Try another tube of the same kind since its cheap to try. If it still clips, return the dac. or just have the dac replaced right away. There is no clipping whatsoever on my havana. The only clipping I hear is from recordings with clipping

X2.

 

[turophile]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll try another tube and let it have a chance to burn in before I complain too loudly. Hopefully that'll take care of the problem and I'll be back to headphone bliss! (Or as close to bliss as I can with my current equipment, anyway...

)

 

[twylight]

Turophile - it should be totally flawless off CDP or a computer - if the problem doesnt go away with another tube (ie a not broken one) I think you should call for service. I have one album out of 1000 that is mixed way too hot that clips - the rest are flawless.

 

[upstateguy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by turophile /img/forum/go_quote.gif I bought a new Paradisea 3 a few weeks back, and am enjoying it except for an annoying clipping problem. I've mostly been listening via the USB input, where I can get around the clipping by turning down the volume on the laptop source, but when I try to use the coax or optical inputs from a source without volume control, I can't get around the clipping. I've tried this with the Paradisea plugged into multiple sources and multiple amps which I know sound excellent when the Paradisea is removed from the equation, and in mulitple locations (office, my house, a friend's house) so I'm positive the DAC is the culprit. Has anyone else experienced anything like this? Is it simply the tubes? I haven't played around with anything other than what came with it... A ground loop? I don't think this is the case with it showing up in so many locations as it's been, but I haven't tried putting it on a rubber mat like I saw someone here suggest. Thanks! P.S. Wow, this is my first post here after over a year of lurking!

Hi Turo

Does it clip with internet radio streaming also?

USG

 

[turophile]

Quote:

Originally Posted by twylight /img/forum/go_quote.gif Turophile - it should be totally flawless off CDP or a computer - if the problem doesnt go away with another tube (ie a not broken one) I think you should call for service. I have one album out of 1000 that is mixed way too hot that clips - the rest are flawless.

That's what I was expecting. If a new tube doesn't clear it up, I'll defintely get in touch with the manufacturer. I'm desperately hoping it's just the tube, though. I like easy solutions.

I didn't get a chance to swap tubes and listen last night, but I should be able to do that tonight.

Quote:

Originally Posted by upstateguy /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi Turo Does it clip with internet radio streaming also?USG

I haven't tried any streaming music yet, but I'll give that a try tonight. I've just been playing flac files via Foobar2000 with DirectSound, ASIO and WASAPI. What's the deal with streaming - would the lossy compression somehow either aggravate or eliminate clipping for some reason? I'll try a range of mp3s, too.

Thanks!

 

[turophile]

Unfortunately the same clipping is happening with the new tube. I'm going to have to send it back for repair/replacement.

 

[twylight]

one last question - stock opamp right? rolling opamps can clip

 

[turophile]

Yes, it's the stock opamp - all I've done to it so far has been swapping out tubes. Everything in the case looks like it's seated and connected fine.

I pulled it out of the box it arrived in and noticed the clipping right away. At first I thought it was just that my amp couldn't handle the voltage coming out of the Paradisea, but ruled that out quickly after trying various combinations of DACs, amps and sources. Then was hoping it was just a tube burn-in problem before giving up on that idea and posting here to see if the wise folks in these forums could tell me I'd been doing something silly.

Now that trying another tube hasn't fixed the problem, it's time to contact the manufacturer and see if he has any other ideas to try before taking it back to fix.

Thanks all!

 

[jopagi]

Sorry to hear that Matt... but at least it's still under warranty

 

[turophile]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jopagi /img/forum/go_quote.gif Sorry to hear that Matt... but at least it's still under warranty

Hopefully it'll be a quick turnaround. I want to bring it back over to your house as an excuse to listen to your gear again.

 

[turophile]

As expected, the service is awesome. A replacement unit is on its way!

 

[OutdoorXplorer]

I wonder how many hours does Paradisea 3 takes to break in... I am experiencing some high frequency roll off on certain favorite tracks....