Which DAC? MHDT or Musiland? Other?

[jellybones]

So, considering my current setup (Millet Hybrid > Denon D2000)..Which would be best to upgrade to? Using the EMU0404 out to one of these DACs.

Main Interests:
MHDT Dialogue II
Musiland MD-10

Other:
Modded Zhaolu?

 

[Towert7]

The USB+ Dialogue II runs about 250$-300$ new. For a slight additional cost, you can often find the Constantine or USB+ Constantine for 280-330$ new. Their constantine is a soild budget NOS DAC for the price, and a nice first dac. I had mine for quite a while, and I was really impressed by it (though I eventually upgraded to their Paradisea+). I have not heard the Dialogue II. Since they are so close in cost, you may want to contact them and see if they can share more information between the sonic differences between them.

Aside from the sound, you can rest assured that his work is very impressive, both the circuitry and case, as well as the engineering aspects of it.

It's a shame that these DAC's don't get more notice here on Head-Fi.

Good luck, and keep us posted!

 

[Towert7]

This may also give you a little more info on the MHdt labs DAC's
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazin...ratory_dac.htm

 

[SubDiv]

are you looking for a transparent DAC or one that will color/warm the output?

 

[jellybones]

Honestly, I really don't know exactly. The EMU0404 is the only real source I've ever researched then bought.

 

[Herandu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jellybones /img/forum/go_quote.gif Honestly, I really don't know exactly. The EMU0404 is the only real source I've ever researched then bought.

as long as you go optical between your pc and your DAC you have a decent selection of DACs to pick from. When you go USB or coax, some PC set ups produce a strange static type noise on the output of the DAC. I use my TC-7510 via optical to avoid any ground problems.

 

[ecclesand]

I have the Constantine USB Plus and really love it with my Meier HA-2 and D2000. Prior to the Constantine, I had only listened to OS Dacs (Zhaolu and MD10) and was really surprised by the lushness/warmth of the NOS Constantine. I was also pleasantly surprised that much of the detail was still there. You should start a WTB thread for a Constantine....you should be able to pick one up used for $250 or less....

 

[Towert7]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ecclesand /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have the Constantine USB Plus and really love it with my Meier HA-2 and D2000. Prior to the Constantine, I had only listened to OS Dacs (Zhaolu and MD10) and was really surprised by the lushness/warmth of the NOS Constantine. I was also pleasantly surprised that much of the detail was still there. You should start a WTB thread for a Constantine....you should be able to pick one up used for $250 or less....

Glad to see you are enjoying the Constantine ecclesand. It's so nice that you were able to compare it to others like the Zhaolu and MD10 since few people have actually made comparisons between these dacs.

 

[ecclesand]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Towert7 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Glad to see you are enjoying the Constantine ecclesand. It's so nice that you were able to compare it to others like the Zhaolu and MD10 since few people have actually made comparisons between these dacs.

The only direct comparison I did was between my Zhaolu 1.3 (AD1852) and the Constantine. The SQ improvement between the Zhaolu 1.3 and the Constantine was startling to put it mildly. Prior to the 1.3 I had the Zhaolu 2.5C with the CS4398 chip and the output caps bypassed. The 2.5C had great clarity but was very dry and analytical....almost no warmth at all. The MD10 a buddy of mine owns and when I listened to it, the first thing that came to mind was that it sounded very much like the Zhaolu 2.5C but with a bit more airiness at the upper end. I really do enjoy the Constantine and probably won't be looking to upgrade for a while...unless a Stello DA100 falls into my lap!

20 more posts....early congrats!

 

[Towert7]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ecclesand /img/forum/go_quote.gif 20 more posts....early congrats!

Thank you, it's in the back of my mind too. ^_^

 

[nautikal]

Any more opinions on this? I have HD580s.

 

[Jose Garcia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ecclesand /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have the Constantine USB Plus and really love it with my Meier HA-2 and D2000. Prior to the Constantine, I had only listened to OS Dacs (Zhaolu and MD10) and was really surprised by the lushness/warmth of the NOS Constantine. I was also pleasantly surprised that much of the detail was still there. You should start a WTB thread for a Constantine....you should be able to pick one up used for $250 or less....

I own a Constantine too and I hear a veil or roll-off on higher frecuencies, compared to my transport ( Sony SCD-C2000ES)...that was before I tried this:

Buy some Handy-Tack, Fun-Tack or similar from WalMart ( ~ $1.15 ) and find (3) metal bearing balls about 1/2" to 3/4" diameter. Take 3 dabs of the sticky tack and set each bearing with it under your Constantine, forming a trinagle.

In my case, the veiled sound just disappeared and the sound is cleaner and clearer. It was like hearing the Sony unit but the good things added by the MHDT..

Jose.