Budget but amazing Musical Paradise TUBE Dac? Musical Paradise MP-D1 MK3 review

What a fantastic review! Thanks for your time and effort, Thomas. Do you have any thoughts you'd be willing to offer with regards to this Musical Paradise vs. the Nuprime DAC-10 vs. the Musician Pegasus?

Hi Thomas. Just to upadate, inspired by this review, I purchased the MP 701 Mk II preamp. Its arriving soon. Was initially considering the Schitt Freya + ( based on your review of the Schiit Freya) but went for the MP 701 MK 2 preamp instead as it came at a better price point with some good reviews to back it up from past owners. I understand you may review the MP 701 Mk2 amp later, hoping to get some insights for the tube roll then if its part of your consideration for your review. Tks once again.

How does this dac preamp compare to the Schiit Saga+ and a Modi 3
? Plan to hook it up to the XTZ Edge.

Just got my first DAC to go with my Sony UBP-X700 I got the Sony for $179 & the Monster DAC for $30 & a Monster Coaxial Cable. I found a great HDMI DAC so I can connect a RUKu Ultra with Pre Installed Spotify & actually be able to connect to the RCA Analog inputs on my Behringer Mixer. This is a very tough dig, try it fellas a Device with Pre Installed Spotify/ Premium I would expect. RUKu gives only a HDMI output so you can only connect to a TV or SoundBar. So you have to find a DAC with HDMI input & RCA output. I did, actualy they call it a sound extractor, instead of a Digital-to-Analog-Converter. The Monster DAC I got for $28.99 has 192 KHZ. I have Martin Audio 15" Speakers & just got New Crown XLS2502 2 of them. Oingoboingo

Excellent review. Technical, candid, and personal.

I own Musical Paradise MP-301 MK3 amp, great indeed. So far my DAC is still iFi iDSD with USB input only. MP-D1 MK3 no Toslink input. Worth to change?

This is easily one of my favourite reviews from you due in large part as others have noted because of the time and effort you put into this. I recently recommended components for a friend of mine who wanted a new audio system. Because he used to be an audiophile and could afford it my initial suggestion was around $10k US. Sadly he balked at the price (I was selfishly hoping I could listen to it myself) so I recommended a lower priced system around $3.5k US that he accepted. I obsessed with him over the details regarding things like getting better cables, power conditioner, room acoustics, etc. I inundated him with articles to read and videos to watch and frankly by the end of the process he was tuning me out but was too polite to tell me to bugger off. I managed to redeem myself after I spent an hour properly positioning the speakers, making a small change to the room acoustics and installing better cables and an accessory to reduce signal jitter. Each time I made a change I was able to demonstrate how the sound improved, it was evident right away. When the process was completed I was surprised at how satisfying it sounded and how enjoyable it was to listen to. No it didn’t have the resolution or nuance of my system but no less fun. Most important of all my friend was very happy. So everything you’ve said here is very relevant.

Also I identify with your minimum criteria for evaluating gear, and knowing the qualities you must have. For me it’s a combination of things, one of which is dynamics. If a component is too laid back and is unable to convey the energy of a performance that is unacceptable. Similarly I am willing to accept some coloration but not so much that all music sounds the same. Not every instrument or vocal is meant to sound rich and full especially when it comes to pop, rock or non acoustic instruments. When Eddie Van Halen uses distortion I don’t want his guitar to sound like a ukulele. Thanks for a great review.

Would you say this is a good DAC for people who listen to hip hop or rock music? I would like a DAC with smooth highs and some good bass!

Hello. Does using a tube dac with tube preamp pose an issue ie this dac and mp701? Does it complicate synergy? Thanks

? Going for increased soundstage and added richness to vocals. Your thoughts on this dac into my system...bluesound node 2i, yamaha as-2000 integrated, totem embers / rel t9i. System has good soundstage, depth, and smooth vocals. Wondering if this dac will make much of a difference.

hi tom do you get gear from mr lee china hifi ihave many yube thinking of open on amazon for canadian have tungsol eh mallard let me know el34 kt88 6sl7 6sn7 can get almost any tube new

Something to recommend, I've own this for couple months. As there are only three feet, it is completely unstable (most weight is on transformer side)make it sound thin and lose focus. Recommend to use spike pad under the feet and put some weight on the top of the Dac. This make it sound beutifully as it should.

i hope you will review the MP-D2

The lack inputs, particularly an optical input, is a deal breaker for me...

Hi Thomas,
I'm totally lost with all possible DACs !
As you know, I get the Heaven 11 Billie tube amp.
Do you think if going with a tube DAC like the Magical Paradise will be great/amazing or will be too much tubes in the system ?
Better to go with Ares II or Burson Composer or Aune x8 instead ?
For info my speakers are the Harbeth P3ESR and for now I'm using the Blue node 2i internal DAC.
Many thanks. Have a nice day.
Regards, Mathieu.

I love my Teac UN 501 DAC. I am wondering if this is good for me . ?

Thank you for the review. Love it. Can this DAC play DSD512 from an Android phone connected via OTG USB cable?

great review

No

Just sad they only sell a 999 usd dac now...

Bought this dac on your recommendation and it has been great. Considering the Doge 7. Would this be a good move up? Thanks in advance. Ben

6,000 dollar CD transport? TRANSPORT???!!!!! HAHAHA!!!!! PT BARNAM missed the BEST part of the 20th/21st Century cliche that inspired his famous saying!!!!! You gotta be a REAL jackass to WASTE that much money on a TRANSPORT!!!! All it does is spin the CD around!! You actually believe it somehow spins your cd’s around DIFFERENTLY???? Hahaha!!!!! Just buy a cheap CD player with a digital out!!!! What SNOBS!!!!!! Hahaha!!!!!
Almost as brilliantly STUPID as the old slobby FAT ASSES who have special cable supports, so their precious cables don’t touch the floor!!!! Hahaha!!!!! YEAH!!!! THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE BRO!!!!!!!! Hahaha!!!!!! Idiots.

Hi Thomas ,
I’m thinking of buying the paradise tube Dac to go with my Yamaha as 2200 and the klh model 5 , whenever it gets here , do you think that set up will blend well ,

Thanks for the review, I subscribed to this channel.

Question: hmHave you reviewed the musical paradise preamp or nay other preamp with remote which are tubey sounding?

Thanks in advance.

Would you recommend this over the Denafrips Ares ii?

No reason to bodder with odder channels, Thomas is the bestest !!!

Great video. It sounds like a winner. I just purchased it’s bigger brother the D2 mkiii (akm 4497 version).
In your opinion, does capacitor swapping or tube swapping make the biggest differences? Or do each tackle a different aspect of the sound?
Anyone welcome to chime in, thanks!

Drop me an email if you ever decide to sell this DAC.

Thank you Thomas!
Has anyone had any luck finding these out in the wild!?

How about reviewing the MP-D2 MK3 DELUXE?

Man this guy is pushing all kind of Chinese stuff 😀

Thinking of getting this DAC. Want to pair with Linton Heritage and Yamaha A-S1100, do you think I might have too much midrange with the Linton's? Thanks

Hi Thomas, I watched this video, my amp is Hegel h95, speakers are focal 806, looking for a tube dac, I think this would be good but I need 2 toshlink and 2 coax, is there some type of selector box for more inputs that I can buy??? Thx for any advice( I did have Denafrips areis 2 but after I got the Hegel I find no difference in Hegel dac so I sold Denafrips

Hi, Thomas. Where can I purchase it? It seems discontinued item. But it is the item what I am looking for.

Can’t locate MP dacs. Discontinued or out of stock. Is MP still in biz? I want a D1 MK 3. Keep up the great reviews.

Why can't Asians pronounce t's ? Why do you say mudder instead of mother?

all of this "mr. x," "mr. s**t, "mr. f**k" is soo annoying...

I really appreciate this review. This DAC gets little attention.

Hi Thomas, you make me curious which 10$ cd player mr vintage likes more over the 10K Krell setup

With 100k views it is too bad they don't make it anymore.

I have owned this DAC for 2 years, good price and sounds beautiful, but poor parts quality, broke 2 times in the first year.

I’ve had the MP-D1 since their beginning and I’ve never considered selling it. If someone is looking for that analog sound with the convenience of digital, then it’s great budget solution.

The new version supports 6sn7 and it is recommended to upgrade to 6sn7 with an adapter. Have you tried that? Is that even possible? With the new version you can switch between 6.3 Volts and 12.6 Volts. Is that the reason you cannot put in 6sn7 with the old version?

Every week come a new more amazing DAC then last week, amazing 😅

What about the D2 Thomas?

Changing from stock tubes to 6922 made a significant difference for me. The gain was low with the stock tube. I did try for a few hours with stock tubes but once I put the 6922 tubes in, I could not go back. My friends did comment that the 6922 tubes I put in are mediocre tubes (I just grabbed whatever I found) and I should have tried higher end tubes. The problem is time, too many things to test and too many possible tube combinations (I even have access to 6H30). I am sure you can get better sound from it than I did if you are into tube rolling.