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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
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,333 posts
 
Planck,

You should read this Apparently soundcards on PC's and DSP's in DVD players are not "bit-transparent" or you need to be savvy about settings to make sure that no "processing" or bit truncation etc is going on.
planckscale OP
60 posts
 
Shadorne, thanks for the link. I think I did follow the same precautions described on that wiki, but I will double check my setup.

If this doesn't work, I have to options: Getting a non-tubed\solid state DAC, or an internal soundcard. I am still not sold on the idea that EM-noise can mask a good soundcard like a Lynx.
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shadorne
7,333 posts
 
I am still not sold on the idea that EM-noise can mask a good soundcard like a Lynx.

I think your skepticism is healthy - however the variables with the variety of PC's (with cheap power supplies) + soundcard combinations are large. Does your PC give good clean power to the card - is the PC power supply noisy or is it well shielded - that would be my worry with a good card.
planckscale OP
60 posts
 
True. Also, the power supply can be shielded, upgraded, or even completely taken out of the PC...
planckscale OP
60 posts
 
Good News!
I finally bought a PC to replace the dell laptop player and the sound was night and day! This DAC is worth every penny...
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