MHDT Orchid or Lampizator Amber 3?

Hi gentlemen,

I have reviewed the Orchid professionally for Six Moons, gave it a rave review, purchased the demo and still think the stock version is a great piece.

Just recently a good friend who does high quality modding of his gear, brought over his Orchid that virtually had all the parts/modifications that Grannyring recommends.  Yes, it performs on a higher level then the stock Orchid.  However , both the modified Orchid and the Amber 3, in my system, fall quite short of the "magic" that is rendered by the Audio Mirror Troubadour III SE DAC.  Across, on all parameters ( tonality/color, micro-details/transparency, sound-staging /air around instruments/layering, and powerful dynamics) it performed on a higher basis. It also delivered the highest level of liquidity and a sense of intimacy/attachment with the music compared to the other DACs.    These differences were easy to hear on all types of genres of music. So, yes if it's in your budget the Troubadour is worth the $ upswing, compared to a modified Orchid, and I believe it is slightly less expensive then the Amber 3 DAC.

teajay - Given your assessment of the Troubadour vs the upgraded Orchid and the Lampi how is the stock Orchid still a "great piece" ?  You note the that upgraded Orchid is better than the stock version, yet you characterize the upgraded Orchid and Lampi as falling "quite short of the magic", lower in performance on all parameters , and having less liquidity and sense of intimacy than the Troubadour? 

Hey facten1,

First, the Orchid is extremely well built, uses a great sounding NOS Phillips DAC chip, and costs $1,500 less then the Troubadour.  If there is any objectivity vs. personal taste in this hobby, the Audio Mirror does performs on a higher level.  However, this higher level of performance will only be revealed if the rest of the system has enough resolution to allow it to shine through.  Therefore, the Audio Mirror DAC does not make the Orchid null and void, just a great sounding DAC at a more affordable price point, that would be great in many less costly systems.  If I could not afford the Troubadour, I would not loss sleep over it, and still get immense pleasure out of the Mhdlab piece.  However, the Troubadour 3 SE takes everything to even a higher level of musical enjoyment.

Would need to know the parts used in the upgraded Orchid. That makes a big difference. Don’t know if apples to apples. Please let us know the output caps used, SR Orange fuse, Zfoil resistors etc... Other parts don’t work as well in sonic areas you and many others find most important. The Vcap combo of Odam and CuTF is a must on the output. Zfoil resistors are also a must.

The Amber 3 must have at least 300 hours of play to hear what it really sounds like. Anything less, then one does not really hear it. Also, the Amber responds wonderfully to an added SR Orange fuse and nice NOS 12au7 from Amperex or Brimar. If just given a short addition with a new(er) Amber the magic is missed and the Amber’s potential unrealized. She needs time and attention to details to sound her best.

Finally, all these dacs are placed in systems, rooms and ears that have a starting sound personality and real sound preferences. No doubt system synergy and preferences play a substantial role with the particular dac one would enjoy the most. Just the way it is in audio as nothing is ever universally accepted as best for all persons in all systems. Audiophile reality.

One last interesting point.  The Amber 3 I now listen to is a completely different sounding dac than the new one I played for 12 straight days 24/7. One would be reviewing or auditioning two different dacs really. Post break in with upgraded fuse and 12au7 the Amber 3 sings with a much different voice.  One needs substantial time and attention to details to hear what this dac is capable of.  I almost gave up, but am glad I did not. Patience paid off this time.  Hard for me to always be patient.