Digital Drive: REVIEW: MHdt Laboratory USB Plus Constantine DAC Processors by djprobed

Model:	USB Plus Constantine
Category:	DAC Processors
Suggested Retail Price:	$359
Description:	Non-oversampling DAC
Manufacturer URL:	MHdt Laboratory
Model Picture:	View

Review by djprobed ( R ) on April 11, 2007 at 19:25:48
IP Address: 74.98.61.77

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for the USB Plus Constantine

This is a great piece of gear: sounds great, looks great.
The sonic presentation is very detailed but not artificially so--it sounds very clear, with a realistic amount of air, all the while maintaining a rounded, liquid quality. Midrange has good presence and bass is weighty and well controlled. Stereo image is solid and coherent, with convincing depth.
Remastered analog recordings that are partially veiled by tape hiss are clarified to a degree (e.g. 'Grand Opera' CD editions of TRISTAN UND ISOLDE, Nilsson/Uhl/VPO/Solti; AIDA, Tebaldi/Bergonzi/VPO/Karajan).
Good analog remasters and good digital recordings shine all the better (e.g. IL TROVATORE, Pavarotti/Sutherland/NPO/Bonynge; THE PLANETS, MSO/Dutoit; latest remasters of Led Zeppelin, Queen, Steely Dan).
Pop and electronica come through with all their glossy sheen and thumpy beats intact plus a new degree of involvement (Madonna's RAY OF LIGHT and CONFESSIONS ON A DANCE FLOOR; Fischerspooner's #1 and ODYSSEY; Ladytron, Morcheeba, Mylo, Peaches, etc.

Product Weakness: None at this price point
Product Strengths: Sound, build quality, looks

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Rotel RA-931 Integrated
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	None
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Shinco DVD-8100 (as transport)
Speakers:	Mission 732
Cables/Interconnects:	Ultralink Videophile 75 ohm, Cardas Crosslink w/Eichmann bullet plugs
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	See review
Room Comments/Treatments:	Irregularly-shaped small condo living room
Time Period/Length of Audition:	Over the last month
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Monster HTS2000
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	None at this price point
Product Strengths:	Sound, build quality, looks