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The Mhdt lab Balanced Pagoda DAC

In the last couple of months I have received numerous Emails from readers regarding could I fine a truly balanced R2R DAC that would sell for less then $2,500 to review. Since, I am a fan of the very reasonably priced, but very well built and terrific sounding DACs from Mhdt Lab I requested from the them the Balanced Pagoda model that retails for less then $2,000. In the past I have reviewed the Orchid DAC and found it to be a superlative music maker, raved about it and thought it was a great bargain at it’s price point of $1,200. Take a look at the threads here on AudioGon, where the DIY/modders have shared how they improved the performance of the standard Orchid to a higher level.

The Balanced Pagoda uses four, two per channel, highly regarded NOS Burr Brown PCM 1704-J grade chips. Of course all circuity is doubled and it uses a pair of NOS WE 396 tubes in the analog conversation section, compared to the Orchid’s single tube.

If you run a balanced system and are looking for a "honey" of a DAC, the Balanced Pagoda might be the DAC you are looking for because of its performance vs cost ratio. It takes the beautiful tonality, 3D imaging, wonderful air around instruments of the Orchid to a higher level and adds more transparency/micro-details, with dramatically more powerful overall dynamics/ bass extension. Yet it never becomes analytical in its presentation and draws you into the music.

There are two caveats to be mindful of to get the magic out of the Balanced Pagoda: 1) Drive it with an AES/EBU balanced cable. 2) Only use the XLR outputs. Otherwise you will lose the ultimate performance of this DAC in your system.

I’ll be writing for the Stereo Times website the full review with all the details about the Balanced Pagoda in the next couple of months. For now, this "heads up" hopefully provides to the individuals that were seeking a balanced DAC in this price range enough details to seek out an audition of this excellent performer.

teajay
teajay OP
1,721 posts
 
Two things:

1) Thanks, gelle & letch for the feedback that the information was helpful for you guys to get what you were looking for.  Mark and his staff at Linear Tube Audio not only build reference level David Berning inspired gear, they also happen to be great guys and gentlemen.  They are the major retail source in the US to buy Mhdt Lab's DACs.

2) Photomax, I’m driving the Balanced Pagoda with a Jay’s Audio MK-II CD transport.
rpw
47 posts
 
I went on the Linear Tube Audio website and the Balanced Pagoda dac is discontinued.
teajay OP
1,721 posts
 
Hey rpw,

Then they have not updated the current information.  It is in production and because of the cost of the DAC chips and other parts it's retail cost will be $2,000.  
soix
10,492 posts
 
Hey @teajay — without spoiling the upcoming review, can you share any differences between the Balanced Pagoda and the Tubadour SE? Understand if you can’t, and looking forward to reading the review. And thanks for the heads up.

@janehamble — when was the last time you wrote a published, full review of a piece of audio equipment that actually helped people make their purchase decisions? Thought so. Go throw your useless flames elsewhere.
teajay OP
1,721 posts
 
Hey soix,

With out copping out, and not going into all the details, if your system is single ended, I would choose the Tubadour SE, because if you run the Balanced Pagoda single ended, not balanced you lose the beauty of this DAC. However, if you have a balanced system I would then recommend the Balanced Pagoda because it’s the equal of the Audio Mirror piece and slightly better in certain sonic parameters and costs $500 less.
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