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MHDT Orchid or Audio Mirror/ pick one for me please

I have been looking around at my first streaming system ever, never even owened a dac. I have owned a Ezemplar Audio tube Denon 2900 and Exemplar tube Oppo 105 for the last 15 years, others have come and gone these always stayed. I mostly listen to records. I have been looking at dac's for a couple months and these are the 2 tube dac's I am considering. Solid state I looked at RME, Border Patrol, Ayre, Mytek, Chord and others. I like how the Orchid can except so many tubes and likes mods. Audio Mirror looks interesting I understand maybe more detail,  which is important. Both are in my price range, I want to start out slow and not spend to much on first purchase in streaming. I will also need a cheap streamer. Thanks for any suggestions. I'm kind of lost!!
paulcreed
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pastorbob's avatar
pastorbob
74 posts
 
Hi,
You mention he Border Patrol & RME.
I have owned both.
In my estimation the RME is the better DAC.
I found the Border Patrol lacking in detail and air.
The RME is very detailed without sounding sharp or etched.

That being said, I now own the Audio Mirror basic model.
Again, my opinion, it is far more musical than either of the above DAC's.
It has both detail, superb sound stage and imaging.
The tonality is also splendid.

I have had a number of DAC's over the years and I must say I find the AM to be just a wonderful piece of gear that presents the music naturally and realistically. 

I have not heard the Orchid, though I did consider it.
It is held in high esteem by those who own it.

One other point worth mentioning is that the Audio Mirror can be upgraded in several different ways going forward.

Kind regards,
P.B. 

twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,313 posts
 
For the real win, get a SW1X. http://sw1xad.co.uk/products/

fsonicsmith's avatar
fsonicsmith
938 posts
 
I've got an SW1X DAC2 Special with inboard USB in the works. It will likely be a month before I have it and another week of burn-in before I have impressions to share. I have very little in the way of expectations as for me vinyl rules and the DAC is for casual listening of my large jazz collection on CD. Don't get me wrong-my interest is piqued and if I get the kind of sound I have heard from Audio Note's DAC or even 90% of that, I will be thrilled. My CD's have been burned via ethernet to my Aurender N100H. If things sound promising, I would then upgrade to a higher level of Aurender. Galen Carol is a national treasure in my book and I would rely on him as to how far up the Aurender hierarchy to go. So look for a post from me in six weeks or so if SW1X is on your radar. 
mazian's avatar
mazian
366 posts
 
I tried the Orchid and Pagoda and a few other well reviewed DACs but found that none of the R2R DACs really had any effect on my near all tube system, which includes an Exemplar 3890 Denon CD player. I didn't try the Audio Mirror, as it wasn't possible in Australia, but ended up buying a Pure Audio Lotus 5 which works very well with tubes, providing a touch more dynamic sound without being overly bright.
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