2. digital
  3. 159169-10297

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
cal3713's avatar
cal3713
1,421 posts
 
I should probably mention that I was referring to a DS Sr as well...

And I'll second everything @snopro said above, but also add that it has a lovely holographic soundstage as well. Above all, it just sounds right.
desktopguy
417 posts
 
I have the Orchid and like it a lot. I've rolled tubes, with slight improvements each time, but nothing earth-shaking. Stock, it sounds great. This is my 2nd NOS DAC. I dislike D/S & will only have multibit or NOS now.

Another factor that nobody seems to mention: the MHDT Labs Orchid is very compact, <1/2 the footprint of many other DACs, including the AM. That really matters in my space-constrained desktop system. 
decooney
2,341 posts
 
That's a good point about the small footprint Orchid. True. Nice. 

I too would not be able to use another DAC, mine sits on top of my rack next to a streamer. 
twoch
429 posts
 
Karl,  don't start out slow it's real expensive.  At the time to buy .  Buy as much product as you can  You're trying to not have to upgrade in a year 
    hope it helps 
cal3713's avatar
cal3713
1,421 posts
 
I just wanted to mention that it's clear that you can't go wrong with either of these dacs, owners seem to universally love both and I suspect they're more similar than different.

If you're feeling stuck, you either need to demo both and let your ears decide (AM at least gives you a free trial), or go with @twoch's advice and buy whichever one you think will make you feel satisfied and prevent the upgrade itch.

In the end that's why I got 6 dacs in house at the same time. The experience of trying many different competitors (and topologies) really made me feel much more settled with my final decision. That's another nice thing about using these old dac chips. Once you personally experience their superiority over new technology, it makes the constant feed of new ones less attractive (although I'd still love to hear a bricasti).
More to discover