2. pc-audio
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My First USB DAC Sounds Dull, Please Help

Greatings from Tanzania,

I finally jumped into the PC audio arena with the purchase of a Mhdt Paradisea+. However the PC/DAC combo came out very disappointing! The sound was dull and contrived. Even my wife gave it a thumb down.

This is my first try on a system with a tube stage, but don't think it should sound so lucking of high frequency signals. I switched between foobar and Windows MP11, tried a different laptop, and even connected the DAC direct to the Amp (by-passed the preamp), but to no avail.

The rest of my system is comprised of Martin Logan SL3, Bag-End Aragon 8008 BB, Aragon Aurum preamp, and Kimber cables.

I am I doing something wrong. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

I remain a believer of PC audio.
planckscale
blackstonejd
153 posts
 
Unless it is asynchronous USB, the USB interface is not very good. S/PDIF is better.
ridgestreetaudio
221 posts
 
Hi Blackstonejd.
Unless it is asynchronous USB, the USB interface is not very good. S/PDIF is better.

Better to qualify that in the context of your system and listening biases. Most of the time blanket statements like this only cause false perceptions and confusion across the enthusiast community rather than something that's truly helpful.

Not all synchronous interfaces are poorly executed and there are certainly some very good ones available that are head and shoulders above S/PDIF.

Cheers!

Robert
RSAD
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Blackstonejd wrote:
"Unless it is asynchronous USB, the USB interface is not very good. S/PDIF is better."

What converters have you compared?

Have you read this:

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?icomp&1229786837&read&keyw&zzlynx

Or this:

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue39/ramblings_computer.htm
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