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I can see how tons of hype is being built around it.... like before with lots of almost-homemade NOS DACs - from Derek Shak's to Altmann Attraction?However I am wondering if anyone really tried this one against any of the proven big DAC players such as Benchmark, Lavry, Bel Canto, Chord DAC-64 or Electrocompaniet ECD-1?
Very often I have a feeling that these kind of "budget" devices are being hyped on a rather particular, niche market more for being a good value for money than for a sound quality in absolute terms. OK, I don't expect to hear a dCS or Meitner killer for $500, but let's try to be realistic. Is something that plays better than $300 DIY DAC really better than for example $2000 ECD-1.
Follow Ups:
Hi,I got the Renaissance II and it sounds sweet and details. The differnce is Renaissance does not have I/Vs like Paradisea does. It is a buffer stage, which I do not like because it digitally sounds to me.
Well I got a Derek Shek d2 dac for my Squeezebox and it now sounds enjoyable, which it didn't before. It compares (albeit unfavourably) to my Shanling CDT100 - the sound is more laid back and less dynamic, but it is musical, and indeed better than the Shanling on some kinds of music.For £184 (UK) it's a bargain; I couldn't justify spending four figures at this time.
All I can tell you is after owning a Theata Gen Va and a Dodson 217 MK2, both $5000 DACs, I sold the Dodson and replaced it with the Ack! dack! 2.0 and have never looked back. I just simply enjoy listening to music more with this DAC.
The Ack 2.0 with teflon hi-res cap is still stunning to me even after the hype machine died down.
I've had a friend's ECD-1 at home for audition ..not stock though. I'm playing with the Paradisea right now. In fact the good friend who loaned me the modified ECD-1 just bought a Paradisea after hearing one. Better is a very broad term. The modified ECD-1 is one of the if not the sweetest Dacs I've heard bar none. It also cost $3500 with mods and designed to compete with cost no objective Dacs.The Paradisea has a different sound..it is also very sweet. The soundstage may not be as deep or wide as the modified ECD-1 but it is very easy to listen too. I've also compared this $500 Paradisea to the equivalent of the Audio Zone Dac 1 $1200 and a Arcam DV27 $2600. If I could afford the modified ECD-1 it might be my first choice. The Paradisea would most definitely be my second. The Paradisea is just one of those items designed to help you forget about what's got the best anything and just enjoy the music. If there is another digital playback under $3000 that sounds as pleasing to my ears ..I haven't heard it. For $500 smacks ..ya ain't going to beat it.
Good listening
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