When is digital going to get the soul of music?

"Either they throw away dynamics, detail, and resolution but coax out a sweet tonal balance with much of the warmth of analog.

Or, they get resolution, drive and dynamics but the upper mid and high frequencies drive me from the room."

When I run my mhdt Paradisea with the NOS Tung Sol tube in my current rig, I would say it does extremely well in regards to delivering dynamics, detail and resolution with a touch of sweet tonal balance and nothing offensive in the highs.

With the stock RCA tube, more towards the first camp.

I also use an mhdt Constantine and it falls a notch or two more towards the second camp.

I've used these in several system configurations and can also say the specific results can vary greatly depending on what the rest of the system is.

Currently, these DACs are proving themselves to be amazing overachievers especially for the cost.

ALbert, if you are ever in Baltimore DC metro area with some time I'd be happy to give an audition if you are interested.

I am routinely blown away by both the artistry and sound these days in older recordings from the 50's, 40's and even 30's that I would never have enjoyed prior that now sound exhilarating (often in quite unique ways compared to most "modern" recordings) when I listen to CD remastered versions on my rig these days.

Most of these recordings are from before my time, and only recently have I discovered and enjoyed them. Part of this is probably due to my system being the best it has ever been in terms of being up to the task. The rest has to do with all the unique aspects to experience and explore with older recordings, including how these relate to or influenced things that came later, as well as the unique circumstances of the time that one can read about to help gain appreciation. I've always been somewhat of a history buff as well as music lover and audio kook.