I totally agree with Blindjim's assessment of the Bel Canto--it's a great dac, as my latest DAC shootout proves. If you can spend the extra dough, it's a good buy. I use the Bel Canto UBS link to output usb to SPDIF from my mac and that way the USB input isn't an issue.
The MHDT Havana (have heard the paradisea plus, but not extensively) sounds slightly diffused compared to the Bel Canto. What I mean is that if a voice is dead center and occupies a particular space in the soundstage with my bel canto, then with the Havana, that space is slightly wider, and less pin-pointed. What this means for sound staging is that it isn't as detailed as the Bel Canto, but is still very good. All my judgments are relative to the bel canto, so when I say less detailed, I mean that the guy in the third row who farts during a recording is there, just quieter with the Havana than the bel canto. Bass is a little rolled off compared to the Bel Canto, but at least in a nice-sounding way. If you're looking for "tight fast bass response" as you said, then the Bel Canto will be tighter and faster, but the MHDT won't suck.
All-around the Bel canto is more versatile, as pointed out. The MHDT has multiple inputs, but the switch is on the back, and it needs to be reset if you switch between sources. I think that given what you say about your system and your listening prefs, you may want to experiment and see what works best. Benchmark has a 30 day return policy, as does PS Audio. Music Direct will also let you return before 30 days, and they care a couple of dacs. The MHDT's sell used quickly, so it's not risky buying one and selling if it doesn't work out. I say take your time, and see what works best. If SS makes you nervous, start out with a tube one and move from there. If you don't like NOS dacs, then start with an oversampling dac., etc. Upsampling is a whole other can of worms.
The MHDT Havana (have heard the paradisea plus, but not extensively) sounds slightly diffused compared to the Bel Canto. What I mean is that if a voice is dead center and occupies a particular space in the soundstage with my bel canto, then with the Havana, that space is slightly wider, and less pin-pointed. What this means for sound staging is that it isn't as detailed as the Bel Canto, but is still very good. All my judgments are relative to the bel canto, so when I say less detailed, I mean that the guy in the third row who farts during a recording is there, just quieter with the Havana than the bel canto. Bass is a little rolled off compared to the Bel Canto, but at least in a nice-sounding way. If you're looking for "tight fast bass response" as you said, then the Bel Canto will be tighter and faster, but the MHDT won't suck.
All-around the Bel canto is more versatile, as pointed out. The MHDT has multiple inputs, but the switch is on the back, and it needs to be reset if you switch between sources. I think that given what you say about your system and your listening prefs, you may want to experiment and see what works best. Benchmark has a 30 day return policy, as does PS Audio. Music Direct will also let you return before 30 days, and they care a couple of dacs. The MHDT's sell used quickly, so it's not risky buying one and selling if it doesn't work out. I say take your time, and see what works best. If SS makes you nervous, start out with a tube one and move from there. If you don't like NOS dacs, then start with an oversampling dac., etc. Upsampling is a whole other can of worms.