Really well-done video. Love the metaphors and the photography. It really captures the mystery and joy we feel when we make changes and get closer to the holy grail. Cool that the MP DAC comes made to roll caps like one can roll tubes. If you want to go to the next level, look into super caps on the PS rails for the digital sections that are at 5v and 3.3v. Nothing major. Just a little 2F beast right close to the consumer. Also, on the PS for the clock. Use at your own risk. It could also fry the thing as it will need to power into a direct short for a minute or two. Most regs have protection for overload built in and can handle it. Then just leave it powered up 7-24. More natural, less metalic, and another jump to natural. Bass will tighten and punch harder. Cymbals will shimmer just a little more naturally.
Oh nice video! I always loved the nice glow of the tubes. Surprising that I don't own any but things will change sooner than later, at least for preamp and/or DAC output. Can't wait to hear this beast!
Really nice video! Very nicely done. I exchanged emails with Garry at Musical Paradise the other day and asked when these will be back and stock and sadly Garry said the MP-d2 mk3 is now officially discontinued. He said the next one will be another delta sigma DAC but gave me no other details. I'll keep my eye out for used or wait to see what the new unit looks like. Really enjoying this though and looking forward to your next video to hear how the SN7 tubes go! As I have said to you many times, 6/12SN7's were a godsend in the Musical Paradise MP-701 MK2 preamp. Right now I have Mundorf's in all all four positions in the MP-701 MK2 and have wanted to try some Jupiters for a while, just wish they were not so damn expensive!
Hey Sean, Which rectifier and Mundorfs do you use? Garry recommended I try 4.7uF with my Bryston amp. I'll experiment with Obbligatos until I find the value that works before splashing out on Vcaps or Mundorfs.... Rectifier first to kill the slight buzz. 🎶🤫🎶
@@carlitomelon4610 hey Carlito! Sorry for the delay. I meant to tell you I was glad to see you got your preamp! Still having the hum issue? I haven’t had the issue but have been using vintage rectifiers since I got it. I have about 8-10 different rectifiers actually. My favs are vintage Sylvania and Tung Sol 5U4G’s. I also have a Westinghouse that’s great. I also have some 5U4GB’s which are great, too, again some Tung Sol and sylvanias. Also have a Raytheon. As for caps, in the coupling output caps I have 2.2uf Gold/Silver Mundorf’s and for the two filtering caps they are 6.8uf Mundorf Supreme. I would like to try some other caps sometime but they are so damn expensive. What tubes are you running right now, stock?
@@carlitomelon4610 as a suggestion, rather than going through what i did and wasted money, work out which values sound best with your MP-701s. I got excited and spent a lot on different Mundorf caps, from 1, 1.5, 2.2, 3.3, 4.7 uf values to different Oil and non oil types. If your power amp's input impedance is lower than 47kohms, then use a higher value cap - 3.3 or 4.7. IMHO's though, the best mundorf cap to me is the Silver in Oils. Smooth, wide, deep presentation without too much of that tippy top shimmer that most mundorf caps exhibit. As best, i would rate them as midrange caps. The top echelon caps are the VCAPs, and copper foils like Jupiters, Miflex, Duelunds. I use a mix, Mundorf SIO as the power bypass caps. Duelunds tinned copper foils as output coupling caps on the MP-701 preamp.
@@shogo3300 Thank you for sharing your experience. Your recommendations will help me not to turn the preamp onto a money pit! Garry at Musical Paradise recommend 4.7uf for the Bryston. I'll start with $20 Polycaps.... It's tempting to go crazy, but the music already sounds amazing! I'll get to the ear-gasm slowly and enjoy the tube and cap "foreplay" knowing she has lots of potential for the next few years... 🎵🎶😉🎶🎵
Such an underrated dac imo at its asking price. This video covers so much and looking forward to the part 2. This is the one dac that has stood my dac test of time, had this for over 2 years now and it only got better when i stepped up the upgrades. I got the stock setup, and upgraded in the following order, ESS dac chips, MP ext clock, output tubes, rectifier, and lastly, the caps. The last 3 upgrades with tubes and caps are dependant on personal preferences, so i stuck with the Linlai e-6sn7s, Linlai e-274B, and Duelund copper foils (1.5ufs - I can because i run this into the MP-701 mk2 preamp which has a 100k ohm input) This combo sounded best in my rig. Recently I also added the Gustard U18 DDC, and it added further refinements to the sound.
Yeah mp’s ext clock was super cheap! I wish I got one while they still made them. I occasionally shop for an external clock, but havent felt the urge to pull trigger yet. Its coming tho….
@shogo3300 what are you using for an amp? I also have the MPD2 DAC modified going into into an MP-701 modified and then into a Willsenton R300b that I’ve rolled all the tubes on. Lots of tubes and tons of fun in a smaller room.
@@hificave Loic, if you got the USB board with the Crystek clocks, then you're not missing out on much. The ext clock just added a little bit more definition and lower noise floor to the ESS dacs being battery operated. Mine originally came with the SiTime clocks, they were just Ok and moving up to the Crysteks made a difference.
@@shogo3300 good to know. I have it running with a digital reclocker now, but the clocker isnt broken in yet, but this is already improving bass punch and detail as well as lowered noise floor, so everything is jumping a notch because of that.
Beautiful Loic! I just received my Musical Paradise MP 701mk2 preamp this week....I lost patience waiting on you and Thomas to officially review it. It took a bit of tweaking with the 4 gain settings and Bryston 3Bsst's 2 sensitivity settings. Also had a brief snafu wondering what happened to all the bass when I inadvertently had bridged mode engaged 🎶🙄🧐🤭 I have the base model for $720+ $60 shipping. China to Montana USA in 6 days. Soundstage is wide deep tall and "holographic" placing me IN the recording venue.... Tonally it's already quite convincing with very good detail presentation: I can't imagine how much better it can get with tube rectifier, capacitor and signal tube rolling! Right now I'm burning it in for a solid week. I also have an email in to Garry about the faint buzz/hum at idle.... Cheap stock tubes maybe? I'm enjoying your MP reviews, thanks! 🎵🎶🤫🎶🎵
@@carlitomelon4610 I have 2. The one that stays in is a bendix. Not sure the number but it gives a third row seat. My other is like front row. I like the bendix better sound stage is behind the speaker. And deeper.
@@magnaman94 my Miflex took 400hrs to break in. Duelunds took around 300+. The ODams took like 500+ hours but even then as good as they are, they dont sound like copper foils.
Thanks for the video. Was the description of the Jupiter caps with regard to the Vcap ODaMs? In other words, are the Jupiters really better than the ODAMs?
@@hificave That's interesting, I have some ODAMs in my amplifier, I'm wondering if something else might have at least as much resolution and have a nice organic tone. Maybe the Jupiters are a good fit.
Please, please, how does it fare against Venus II? I am not a tinkerer. Want to buy a box and forget everything and enjoy the music. Thank you for your channel. It's a lot of fun. Don't quit, please!
There are subtle things about venus2 that I love more over the r26. But I dont think I notice those things as much as I notice the 2000$ more that is missing from my wallet with the venus2…
So rare to find content on this unique DAC. For linton heritage (stacked) im wondering between gustard R26 and this. Coming from irdac from arcam, a burr brown chip dac. A-S1100 amp, thanks
Coming for a burbrown… i recommend an r2r over an ess chip like the musical paradise… unless… you plan on upgrading it like I did, caps, tubes, fuse, rectifier, external clock…
@@hificave I just purchased it and no installation directions came with it. Any way you could do a screen shot and show me how it's connected in a future video?
@@a3marketing991 instructions are on the site (online manual). Each cable connects to each ess chip. And there are two jumpers to change. I will make a video, but wont be for a few weeks.
When this dac is stock how does it compare to the gustard R26 and Pontus II? I'm currently dac shopping in the $1000-2000 range and have been looking into open baffle speakers as well. Your channel is basically what I aspire to.
Have you had any experience with their streamer DAC? I’m curious if it is essentially the same circuit/sound, just adding the raspberry pi front end. I’m on the fence which one to try.
I have seen one other person post about using 6SN7 tubes in this DAC. However they are not listed as being compatible in the manual - unlike the MP-701 which has listed 6/12SN7s with an adapter. Has Gary said we can use 6SN7s? If so I wanna try!
Also only v1 and v3 tubes are needed for RCA output. All 4 for XLR. In other words if you only use RCA, you can completely remove v2 and v4 tubes. Gary let me know.
I swapped in some nos RCA 6SN7s and they sounded almost the same as my nos 12bh7a pinched plates. Maybe a bit more bass and rolled off mids and highs. I think the 12bh7a tubes are similar with the 6SN7 breaking up sooner. Not sure that matters in an output stage on a DAC though. I’m beginning to think that any quality low microphonic tube will pretty much sound the same. People seem to like those Linlai 6SN7s so why not go with those since they look cool.
@@hificave - Also with the MK3 deluxe model, the caps on V2 & V4 can be removed if running single ended (RCAs only), I confirmed this with Garry, this saved space for me to try out the Miflex and Duelund caps. I have rolled quite a few tubes, favs are the Linlai e-6ns7s but these need a 6922/6sn7 adaptor to be used.
Hi Loïc! Are you by any chance in touch with Garry? Looks like Musical Paradise has no DAC product page for a while so I'm wondering if they work on something new or it's just gone forever.
You where so lucky to get one still... ;) If I´m getting it right, there´s no need for a pre-amp? Just right into the power amp? I think the secret of this DAC is the total absence of OpAmp (Class D) parts. Everyone hypes class D, but I don´t like it.. I kinda heard from TAD that the CV181-T/2 Psvane Reference MarkII T-series should be really good for rectification.
It has a volume control and variable outputs. So yes you could use it without a preamp. But no remote, no analog inputs for other sources, so it works without a preamp but does not replace a preamp.
The vol control/preamp section in the dac although analogue, isn't the best and use opamps. Its Ok if you dont have a preamp, but Garry almost always recommends using the analogue outputs (RCA or XLR outs). Since the AKM factory fire, production has halted as there is a supply shortage of the AKM receiver chip used on the dac. Shame though, as I'm waiting to get hold off the AKM 4499 dac modules, which only 5 pairs were made before the fire. These were a step up to the ESS dacs.
Wonderful presentation 👏you my friend have a career in audio speaking if you wish ....at times I was thinking who does this remind me of and it came to me Harry Nilsson the point go have a listen
Thank you for the review. I just brought the pre amp because of your review
Them? What did you get?
Really well-done video. Love the metaphors and the photography. It really captures the mystery and joy we feel when we make changes and get closer to the holy grail.
Cool that the MP DAC comes made to roll caps like one can roll tubes.
If you want to go to the next level, look into super caps on the PS rails for the digital sections that are at 5v and 3.3v. Nothing major. Just a little 2F beast right close to the consumer. Also, on the PS for the clock. Use at your own risk. It could also fry the thing as it will need to power into a direct short for a minute or two. Most regs have protection for overload built in and can handle it. Then just leave it powered up 7-24. More natural, less metalic, and another jump to natural. Bass will tighten and punch harder. Cymbals will shimmer just a little more naturally.
Oh nice video! I always loved the nice glow of the tubes. Surprising that I don't own any but things will change sooner than later, at least for preamp and/or DAC output. Can't wait to hear this beast!
Very nicely done.
🤗👍 GREAT PRODUCTION LOIC…AND WE CAN’T WAIT FOR YOUR RESULTS 🤗😎😍😍😍
Really Interesting ! Keep Going ..
Another great one! Thank you for sharing.
Really nice video! Very nicely done. I exchanged emails with Garry at Musical Paradise the other day and asked when these will be back and stock and sadly Garry said the MP-d2 mk3 is now officially discontinued. He said the next one will be another delta sigma DAC but gave me no other details. I'll keep my eye out for used or wait to see what the new unit looks like. Really enjoying this though and looking forward to your next video to hear how the SN7 tubes go! As I have said to you many times, 6/12SN7's were a godsend in the Musical Paradise MP-701 MK2 preamp. Right now I have Mundorf's in all all four positions in the MP-701 MK2 and have wanted to try some Jupiters for a while, just wish they were not so damn expensive!
I wonder what changes there will be in the next dac. Will it be the mp d3? Or the mk4? I will email him and see what I can find out.
Hey Sean,
Which rectifier and Mundorfs do you use?
Garry recommended I try 4.7uF with my Bryston amp.
I'll experiment with Obbligatos until I find the value that works before splashing out on Vcaps or Mundorfs....
Rectifier first to kill the slight buzz.
🎶🤫🎶
@@carlitomelon4610 hey Carlito! Sorry for the delay. I meant to tell you I was glad to see you got your preamp! Still having the hum issue? I haven’t had the issue but have been using vintage rectifiers since I got it. I have about 8-10 different rectifiers actually. My favs are vintage Sylvania and Tung Sol 5U4G’s. I also have a Westinghouse that’s great. I also have some 5U4GB’s which are great, too, again some Tung Sol and sylvanias. Also have a Raytheon. As for caps, in the coupling output caps I have 2.2uf Gold/Silver Mundorf’s and for the two filtering caps they are 6.8uf Mundorf Supreme. I would like to try some other caps sometime but they are so damn expensive. What tubes are you running right now, stock?
@@carlitomelon4610 as a suggestion, rather than going through what i did and wasted money, work out which values sound best with your MP-701s. I got excited and spent a lot on different Mundorf caps, from 1, 1.5, 2.2, 3.3, 4.7 uf values to different Oil and non oil types. If your power amp's input impedance is lower than 47kohms, then use a higher value cap - 3.3 or 4.7. IMHO's though, the best mundorf cap to me is the Silver in Oils. Smooth, wide, deep presentation without too much of that tippy top shimmer that most mundorf caps exhibit. As best, i would rate them as midrange caps. The top echelon caps are the VCAPs, and copper foils like Jupiters, Miflex, Duelunds. I use a mix, Mundorf SIO as the power bypass caps. Duelunds tinned copper foils as output coupling caps on the MP-701 preamp.
@@shogo3300
Thank you for sharing your experience. Your recommendations will help me not to turn the preamp onto a money pit!
Garry at Musical Paradise recommend 4.7uf for the Bryston.
I'll start with $20 Polycaps....
It's tempting to go crazy, but the music already sounds amazing!
I'll get to the ear-gasm slowly and enjoy the tube and cap "foreplay" knowing she has lots of potential for the next few years...
🎵🎶😉🎶🎵
Such an underrated dac imo at its asking price. This video covers so much and looking forward to the part 2. This is the one dac that has stood my dac test of time, had this for over 2 years now and it only got better when i stepped up the upgrades. I got the stock setup, and upgraded in the following order, ESS dac chips, MP ext clock, output tubes, rectifier, and lastly, the caps. The last 3 upgrades with tubes and caps are dependant on personal preferences, so i stuck with the Linlai e-6sn7s, Linlai e-274B, and Duelund copper foils (1.5ufs - I can because i run this into the MP-701 mk2 preamp which has a 100k ohm input) This combo sounded best in my rig. Recently I also added the Gustard U18 DDC, and it added further refinements to the sound.
Yeah mp’s ext clock was super cheap! I wish I got one while they still made them. I occasionally shop for an external clock, but havent felt the urge to pull trigger yet. Its coming tho….
@shogo3300 what are you using for an amp? I also have the MPD2 DAC modified going into into an MP-701 modified and then into a Willsenton R300b that I’ve rolled all the tubes on. Lots of tubes and tons of fun in a smaller room.
@@s2300gt i use active speakers - SGR CX4F mk2s, these have a dedicated class A amp module for each driver and the subs have its own class AB amp.
@@hificave Loic, if you got the USB board with the Crystek clocks, then you're not missing out on much. The ext clock just added a little bit more definition and lower noise floor to the ESS dacs being battery operated. Mine originally came with the SiTime clocks, they were just Ok and moving up to the Crysteks made a difference.
@@shogo3300 good to know. I have it running with a digital reclocker now, but the clocker isnt broken in yet, but this is already improving bass punch and detail as well as lowered noise floor, so everything is jumping a notch because of that.
Great video.
Thank you.
Beautiful Loic!
I just received my Musical Paradise MP 701mk2 preamp this week....I lost patience waiting on you and Thomas to officially review it.
It took a bit of tweaking with the 4 gain settings and Bryston 3Bsst's 2 sensitivity settings. Also had a brief snafu wondering what happened to all the bass when I inadvertently had bridged mode engaged
🎶🙄🧐🤭
I have the base model for $720+ $60 shipping. China to Montana USA in 6 days.
Soundstage is wide deep tall and "holographic" placing me IN the recording venue.... Tonally it's already quite convincing with very good detail presentation:
I can't imagine how much better it can get with tube rectifier, capacitor and signal tube rolling!
Right now I'm burning it in for a solid week. I also have an email in to Garry about the faint buzz/hum at idle.... Cheap stock tubes maybe?
I'm enjoying your MP reviews, thanks!
🎵🎶🤫🎶🎵
Interesting, I had a noisy rectifier do that in the mp preamp at some point.
Cheep tubes mine was the same way. The rectifier makes a huge difference. And caps take forever to break in. So worth it.
@@magnaman94
Thanks!
Which rectifier do you recommend please?
@@carlitomelon4610 I have 2. The one that stays in is a bendix. Not sure the number but it gives a third row seat. My other is like front row. I like the bendix better sound stage is behind the speaker. And deeper.
@@magnaman94 my Miflex took 400hrs to break in. Duelunds took around 300+. The ODams took like 500+ hours but even then as good as they are, they dont sound like copper foils.
Did part 2 ever come out? I may purchase the Jupiter caps based on your review.
Parf2
The upgrades are WORTH IT! But...
ua-cam.com/video/UwVRbB-x_xI/v-deo.html
Part3
Puritan PSM 156: POWER UPGRADE + buddies' REACTIONS
ua-cam.com/video/rtoflzXtFh4/v-deo.html
@@hificave Thank you. I have the mp-d2 mk3 deluxe dac as well and going down the rabbit hole.
Looking forward on the sonic result of the external tube rectifier.
Here is a hint, better….
Everything
Better!
@@hificave wow, I hope you will be sharing how it was done in your future videos
@@lakaylukas in my next video.
You lucky bastard. 😂😂! I kid, I like your channel.
Lol
Thanks for the video. Was the description of the Jupiter caps with regard to the Vcap ODaMs? In other words, are the Jupiters really better than the ODAMs?
To my taste yes.
@@hificave That's interesting, I have some ODAMs in my amplifier, I'm wondering if something else might have at least as much resolution and have a nice organic tone. Maybe the Jupiters are a good fit.
Have you tried 6sn7? Psvane 181 mkii reference series are the recomended tubes by musical paradise. I am curious because I want to upgrade mine.
Please, please, how does it fare against Venus II? I am not a tinkerer. Want to buy a box and forget everything and enjoy the music. Thank you for your channel. It's a lot of fun. Don't quit, please!
Not a tinkerer, then Venus2 all the way. Or Gustard r26.
@@hificave Which one do you like most? I understand that Gustard is less expensive?
There are subtle things about venus2 that I love more over the r26. But I dont think I notice those things as much as I notice the 2000$ more that is missing from my wallet with the venus2…
So rare to find content on this unique DAC. For linton heritage (stacked) im wondering between gustard R26 and this. Coming from irdac from arcam, a burr brown chip dac. A-S1100 amp, thanks
Coming for a burbrown… i recommend an r2r over an ess chip like the musical paradise… unless… you plan on upgrading it like I did, caps, tubes, fuse, rectifier, external clock…
Great review 👏
Liked and Subscribed
Where the hell and How can I get one, they dont make it any more?
Have you had a chance to try the external clock by Musical Paradise?
Yup. Have it l Love it!
@@hificave I just purchased it and no installation directions came with it. Any way you could do a screen shot and show me how it's connected in a future video?
@@a3marketing991 instructions are on the site (online manual).
Each cable connects to each ess chip. And there are two jumpers to change. I will make a video, but wont be for a few weeks.
Awesome video. Are the caps broken in yet?
not sure. They have 50hrs now, the bass is back and they sound simply amazing now, so if they have more break in left time will tell.
@@hificave going to be a roller coaster ride. Needs much more time.
Hi Loic, interested in your super rectifiers! Where do you get them from? N how do you connwct to your dac/amp?
Will show you in an upcoming video
@@hificave thanks!! :))
When this dac is stock how does it compare to the gustard R26 and Pontus II? I'm currently dac shopping in the $1000-2000 range and have been looking into open baffle speakers as well. Your channel is basically what I aspire to.
Good question, I would have to swap all the original parts back in… not sure I will get to it anytime soon.
@@hificave No worries just curious if it would still hold up in the areas you find it accels in. Love you reviews.
Have you had any experience with their streamer DAC? I’m curious if it is essentially the same circuit/sound, just adding the raspberry pi front end. I’m on the fence which one to try.
The new one, I have not tried. It looks very similar from the dac’s perspective. But cant say for sure.
I have seen one other person post about using 6SN7 tubes in this DAC. However they are not listed as being compatible in the manual - unlike the MP-701 which has listed 6/12SN7s with an adapter. Has Gary said we can use 6SN7s? If so I wanna try!
Also only v1 and v3 tubes are needed for RCA output. All 4 for XLR. In other words if you only use RCA, you can completely remove v2 and v4 tubes. Gary let me know.
Yes I saw that after i made the video. I seen threads and pictures of people using 6sn7 with adapters in the dac.
I swapped in some nos RCA 6SN7s and they sounded almost the same as my nos 12bh7a pinched plates. Maybe a bit more bass and rolled off mids and highs. I think the 12bh7a tubes are similar with the 6SN7 breaking up sooner. Not sure that matters in an output stage on a DAC though. I’m beginning to think that any quality low microphonic tube will pretty much sound the same. People seem to like those Linlai 6SN7s so why not go with those since they look cool.
@@hificave - Also with the MK3 deluxe model, the caps on V2 & V4 can be removed if running single ended (RCAs only), I confirmed this with Garry, this saved space for me to try out the Miflex and Duelund caps. I have rolled quite a few tubes, favs are the Linlai e-6ns7s but these need a 6922/6sn7 adaptor to be used.
Hi Loïc! Are you by any chance in touch with Garry? Looks like Musical Paradise has no DAC product page for a while so I'm wondering if they work on something new or it's just gone forever.
I hope they are working on a new one.
Nice!
Thanks Loic
My pleasure Dennis
You where so lucky to get one still... ;) If I´m getting it right, there´s no need for a pre-amp? Just right into the power amp?
I think the secret of this DAC is the total absence of OpAmp (Class D) parts. Everyone hypes class D, but I don´t like it..
I kinda heard from TAD that the CV181-T/2 Psvane Reference MarkII T-series should be really good for rectification.
It has a volume control and variable outputs. So yes you could use it without a preamp. But no remote, no analog inputs for other sources, so it works without a preamp but does not replace a preamp.
The vol control/preamp section in the dac although analogue, isn't the best and use opamps. Its Ok if you dont have a preamp, but Garry almost always recommends using the analogue outputs (RCA or XLR outs). Since the AKM factory fire, production has halted as there is a supply shortage of the AKM receiver chip used on the dac. Shame though, as I'm waiting to get hold off the AKM 4499 dac modules, which only 5 pairs were made before the fire. These were a step up to the ESS dacs.
Loic how many of those freakin $200 Jupiter Caps did you get into this sucker?Did you do your own soldering?Lastly is Hifi your day job?
2, used existing binding posts, sometimes. :-)
Wonderful presentation 👏you my friend have a career in audio speaking if you wish ....at times I was thinking who does this remind me of and it came to me Harry Nilsson the point go have a listen
Happy you enjoyed it. In my early videos this is one of my favorites.
I still use this dac and its mods today.
You are way deep inside the rabbit hole. Hope you went down with some bread crumbs. 😉
I wish they made this DAC with AK4499 newest DAC chip ....
Amen
Bravo Loic! Which streamer would you recommend for this dac?
I have no idea. One you can afford is the only suggestion I have at this point.
You don't know what you're talking about
Educate me. And subscribe. Twice!