2. digital
  3. 142547-80275

MHDT or Border Patrol

I've been switching between a DACmagic Pus with an LPS, and a Schiit Modi Multibit DACs and while the sound is decent/acceptable I would like to "upgrade" to a non-OS tube DAC just to see if it adds more body and texture to the music without losing detail. Has anyone had a chance to compare the MHDT and Border Patrol DACs and can comment on their sound quality?  I have Bluesound Node2 feeding the DAC, into an upgraded Aric Audio tube preamp, McIntosh MC2200, and Vandersteen 2Ci speakers. I'm actually looking for more texture in the low/high treble and mid/low bass. Aric's preamp gives plenty of body/texture in the midrange spectrum.
Thanks in advance.  
128x128kalali
jrs123tennis
1 posts
 
A bit late and maybe of no interest. I faced same challenges finding digital sound flat and lacing life, almost sat on in comparison to records. My cd front end was a canary ct-600 transport via chord qutest, vinyl front end a vpi prime signature, Ortofon quinex black, ear834p, all played through ear 834 amp and ml esl9 speakers. I am currently trying out a Copland DAC 215 and it sounds superb. May be worth comparing...
lordcloud
155 posts
 
Tubes matter when it comes to (my) MHDT Labs Pagoda dac.

It pays off to do something investigating into the tube(s) that matches what you're looking for. I've tried numerous tubes in my Pagoda, but the best by a large margin are the Reflektor '75 6N23P SWGP Silver Shields. 

They're much clearer and natural sounding to my ears and in my system, than any other tube I've tried. They sound distinctly different and better. 

I really recommend trying different tubes if you go the MHDT Labs route.
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,166 posts
 
For the record ,the Mhdt Pagota doesnot use the 16 bit 1541 Phillips chipset,
It  uses the classic true 20  bit Burr Brown 1704 dac which. Has better resolution .
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,166 posts
 
The Western Electric many say is the top best tube for the Pagoda.
anything Western Electric made was excellent and only $50 a tube , but do check out others  for your taste.
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,166 posts
 
Regarding the Mhdt Pagoda or their other dacs 
putting in a better fuse is a noticable gain , as well as good power cord 
inside get rid of all the 6 white capacitors and replace them with the exceptional 
Millflex Copperfoil poly paper in oil .very reasonably priced  and a Big step up 
in resolution and everything in between but take $3-500 hours to fully run in .
these are proven mods I heard them both side by side  no comparison with upgrades .sonic craft sell the caps ,and parts connecxion when they have in stock which is seldom lately.
More to discover