MHDT Orchid or Lampizator Amber 3?

I finally received my NOS Mullard ECC189/CV5331 (6DJ8 variant) a couple days ago. Without any burn in on the tube, I was loving what I was hearing. With a couple days of running the tube 24/7, things are sounding glorious. I had no interest in making any changes to my grannyring modded Orchid dac (with SR Orange fuse and Western Electric tube), but after reading rx8mans' posts and others on another blog who had tried a 6DJ8 variant tube, my inquisitiveness got the better of me. So I ordered the adapter and the Mullard tube, and now my Western Electric tube is in storage. I have to say - and I know it is a cliched statement - but listening to tracks I know very well is as though hearing them anew.  Liquid, smooth, inviting, lifelike, effortless, revealing of subtleties are all just some descriptors that come to mind. No need to modify the top plate; the Mullard sticks its' little head out of the top. I have no idea how this tube would sound in an unmodified Orchid dac; as I had written in a pm  to Bill (grannyring), it is my suspicion that his mods allow changes such as these tube types to really reveal what they are capable of, with the reduced noise floor of the dac. Actually, that is something that continues to amaze.....how 'quiet' the dac is, in the sense that the music emerges from a kind of sonic void.  Like a silent/stillness from which the sounds emerge. Beautifully addictive.

I am hearing the same thing here @stewg. It is remarkable how good this dac can be made to sound.  Right now it is my favorite dac! The resolution and purity coupled with the silent background and huge soundstage is so compelling.  I have not heard a better dac than this Orchid (outfitted with the upgrades and cv181z Tube)  at any price.  Period.  There, I just said it 🙂.  

Funny thing is is I have some other ideas on how to extract even more out of this wonderful design.  I will update all on my next round of potential upgrades to the power supply and beyond.  What a fun dac and brilliant design. 

rx8man
Interesting. Will that disc fit without displacing the top cover lid of the dac?


Bill (grannyring)....that's one of the things I admire about you. You incessantly keep an open mind, and are not afraid to tell it like you hear it. I don't have anywhere near the experience you or some others on this forum have (although I have been at it since the mid '70s), but I was thinking similarly....that jeez, this is best I have ever heard my music played - ever! Even from way back when I owned a very nice Linn Sondek set up.