MHDT Havana and Eastern Electric Minimax

"The Havana is not as detailed but more fleshed out and much more enjoyable and engaging without any fatigue factor."

Both my SS mhdt Constantine (used in my main full range system) and tube mhdt Paradisea (used in my second system) share these traits, so it does seem common to all mhdt DACS mentioned.

Unless one is looking for a more euphonic tubey sound, I would seek out a Constantine first. IT is least expensive and might be the last DAC you ever need. The tube DACs are better for tweaking sound via tube rolling, if desired, but the Constantine is the most rock solid in all aspects out of the box. My Paradisea with the NOS Tung Sol tube comes close to the COnstantine sound. Both in this case are excellent at large and small scale, electronic and acoustic music. Paradisea with stock RCA tube has its charms with small scale and acoustic music but cannot achieve the same results with electronic and large scale works.

the eastern electric is more defined in the bass, but i would not say more extended.

i did vary the tubes, ending up with a brimar 13d5 (i think that is the designation).

i did not hear major differences.

overall, i did not like the eastern electric because i thought it leaned towards "neutrality", and i wanted a more tube-like sound.

i don't remember posting regarding the octave dac and the minimax, because i have little experience with the octave.

Mapman you make a point that I would like to expand on concerning large scale works and the Havana. When I reference small scale I am referring to small scale acoustic music. The Havana which apparently got its name from the love that the designer has for Cuban music is right on point. I too love this music and have an eclectic mix of Carribean, Brazilian and Cuban including Pasquito D'rivera, Poncho Sanchez, Ruben Gonzalez, Buena Vista Social Club and Arturo Fuerte on the Cuban side of things. The Havana really gets the pace of the music and has a fullness that is just so enjoyable to listen to on this DAC. Greater resolution, detail, can be a double edged sword. The problem I keep hearing with these budget DACs using the Sabre is that lack of continuousness that I hear with analog which can bring attention to itself and the system at large. If the balance isn't right and there is an issue at any of the frequencies, DACs with greater resolution can highlight problems and bring greater attention to attendant issues. This is what is so engaging about the Havana, it doesn't do this. It seems most folks that have it like its organic presentation BUT move on because it doesn't HAVE the detail.

As far as large scale work goes, and I am specifically referring to acoustic music, symphonic and vocals. The Havana is enjoyable on this music as well because tonally it is right but the stage is smaller and air and space around instruments is just not as apparent. So depending on musical taste the Havana could work well.

I own or have owned 3 budget DACs that use the Sabre ESS 9018 32 bit chip. It makes a difference in presenting detail BUT this chip will not compensate for a compromised power supply or output stage designed to a price point, of this I am certain because you really hear the differences in better designed DACs that consequently cost more. The fact that is most apparent in all of them isn't the lack of detail but either too lean, lacking in continuousness or more to point a chopped off presentation compared to analog or an inherent brightness that reveals itself in comparison to better more expensive DACs. The Wyred 4 Sound has in my experience the best balance at its price point with terrific bass and a really airy well separated midrange. I have the W4S DAC 1 with the cap upgrade and in my system it works best of them all but I still like and rotate the Havana into the system because it too is enjoyable.

TubeG,

Which mhdt and other DACs of relevance in this thread use the SAbre ESS 9018 32 bit chip you mention?

Here is a quite excellent and detailed review of both mhdt Paradisea and Constantine DACs that covers those two quite well and lead me to try both specifically. Lots of similar musical note ratings for both, and in fact lots of similarities in sound (with a relatively inexpensive tube upgrade as mentioned).

It indicates these two mhdt DACS use a 16 bit Philips chip that may be more relevant to their similar inherent sound than coming from the same maker alone. I think Havana and other newer mhdt DACs use different chips, but not certain, so I would not necessarily expect those to sound the same, but maybe they do to a good extent.

Thanks.

Havana