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A great balanced R2R ladder DAC: Mhdt Lab Balanced Pagoda

After reviewing balanced DACs that cost right around $5000 for the Stereo Times website, I received scores of  Emails from Gon members requesting if I could find and review a truly balanced ladder R2R DAC for less then $2,500. Well, my review on the Mhdt Lab Balanced Pagoda just went up on the Stereo Times website. It will give you all the details why I put it on the " 2020 Most Wanted Component List". The Balanced Pagoda easily matched the overall performance of the twice more expensive, highly regarded DACs. The only caveat to get its best performance you most run it through the XLR analog outputs, not its single-ended RCAs, into another balanced preamplifier. Hope, you take a look at the review, if you are looking to get a balanced DAC to run in your system.
amorstereo
big_greg
6,622 posts
 
The Pagoda has a chip - it's the PCM1704 R-2R.  However, it's a different kind of chip than delta-sigma DACs.  
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
However, it’s a different kind of chip than delta-sigma DACs.

Yes Delta Sigma (DS) is not R2R, it took the place of R2R chips because it was far cheaper to make and it could do sacd and dsd.
But to me it (DS) can’t do PCM Redbok 16/44, 24/96 or DXD "bit perfect" like R2R' can, it can only give a "facsimile" of it

Cheers George
devilboy
1,176 posts
 
I had two MHDT dacs over the years.
Wonderful and natural. SUPER value.
big_greg
6,622 posts
 
I have the MHDT Labs Orchid, which I like very much.  I also have an Aqua La Voce S3, which is also NOS R2R, and so far, my favorite DAC that I've tried.  Having said that, not all delta sigma DACS suck.  I really like the way my TEAC NT-505 streamer sounds.  It has dual mono  AKM VERITA AK4497 dacs and is very neutral, revealing, and easy to listen to.  A little on the "warm" side like the Orchid, but more detailed, but without the hard digital edge that many delta sigma DACs seem to have, especially (IMHO) the Sabre based DACs.
bigkidz
3,376 posts
 
@georgehifi - agree but unless some of these people hear the differences in their own systems they will not know the difference.

I use the Soekris DACs in the DAC we offer along with a 30lb power supply!

Happy Listening
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