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RE: MHDT Labs Orchid DAC

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In Reply to: RE: MHDT Labs Orchid DAC posted by Leo loves music on November 02, 2024 at 16:01:51

Busy and loud.
For example, like when playing Rock, or some fast paced heavily instrumented piece.
This will depend on the tube...In its current state it keeps up with the music just fine, punchy, clean, fast and tight, with a touch of tube flavor.
I also have numerous Dac's, to me they are like different cars with different characteristics. For example, I used to own a Hyundai Veloster, it was super fun to drive, not the fastest like a Vette and it didn't handle corners like a Boxster. But if I owned all three, I would enjoy each one for what they had to offer. With that said, the Orchid probably won't beat your Pontus or your Benchmark in areas where they excel at, and I'm willing to bet neither of them will be able to serve up a unique flavor of music like the Orchid. So I wouldn't necessarily compare them as Apples-to-Apples, more like just different kinds of fruit.

J.

Edits: 11/02/24

Follow Ups:

RE: MHDT Labs Orchid DAC - Leo loves music 18:13:44 11/02/24 (8)
My Orchid sounds quite dry and uninvolved. It doesn't have the low level details, harmonic richness and refinement of Benchmark.

I will wait for a few days to see what happens.
- RE: MHDT Labs Orchid DAC - Jotaro 18:29:21 11/02/24 (0)
  It will take a bit to loosen up, but it will never sound like your Benchmark or your Pontus.
  Can I ask, what led you to buy the Orchid? What traits were you looking for or expecting in terms of sound quality?
  
  YMMV, good luck
  
  J.
  
  Edits: 11/02/24 11/02/24
- I prefer running balanced - E-Stat 18:18:52 11/02/24 (6)
  One can, the other not.
  - Me too....but - Jotaro 18:37:54 11/02/24 (4)
    balanced does not have an inherent advantage over single-ended when it comes to sound quality...esp at normal length runs of wire.
    
    With that said, I usually look for balanced and use balanced connections when ever possible. But not being balanced is not a deal breaker.
    
    Just my 0.02 or 3.06 Yen.
    
    J.
    - Actually it can with some designs - E-Stat 05:32:00 11/03/24 (3)
      balanced does not have an inherent advantage over single-ended when it comes to sound quality.
      
      My ARC gear exhibits lower distortion when run balanced. See figs 6 and 7 with Stereophile measurements .
      
      And Ralph Karsten observes it reduces the LCR effects of interconnects.
      - RE: Actually it can with some designs - Jotaro 15:30:02 11/03/24 (2)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Actually it can with some designs posted by E-Stat on November 03, 2024 at 05:32:00
        
        I see, in some gear balanced measures better than unbalanced.
        
        Probably expected due to the inversion of signals in balanced mode, but how this transfers to 'sound quality' ie can someone's ears be as sensitive as laboratory measuring equipment is the question.
        
        I know my ears are not.
        
        J.
        
        Its a matter - E-Stat 15:32:22 11/03/24 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Actually it can with some designs posted by Jotaro on November 03, 2024 at 15:30:02
        
        of optimizing multiple criteria for the best results.
        
        RE: Its a matter - Jotaro 22:11:37 11/04/24 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Its a matter posted by E-Stat on November 03, 2024 at 15:32:22
        
        ....optimizing multiple criteria for the best results.
        
        That's what I tell people why my cheeseburgers taste so good.
        
        J.
  - RE: I prefer running balanced - Leo loves music 18:32:45 11/02/24 (0)
    My preamp (CJ Premier 17LS2) doesn't do balanced.

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