First impressions of new MH-DA006, Musetec flagship

For years I have been on search for a DAC to upgrade my Qutests but have found none on my price range (below $5K) that I felt would result to significant gain. Not until past year or so when top quality CHIFI DACs started to come out. Had my eye on  the Gustard X30 very highly reviewed and had been favourably compared with Holo May and Dave-Mscaler stuff. Was about to pull trigger till I read about Musetec brand which unlike the Gustard does not have any pro reviews. Had anyone a chance to compare the top Gustards - X30, R26, X26 Pro, A26 with either the 005 or 006. Thanks.

Denali 6000V2 > Aurender N150 > Jeff Rowland C500 > Qutest 1 > Dynaudio C1

Triton V1 > Aurender N100H > Plinius Hautonga > Qutest 2 > Harbeth P3 40th Anniversay

@dbb Based on what I read on X30 and 006 I am pretty sure either would give me a sizable gain from my Qutest so I figure can't go wrong. My Qutests had been w/ me since its release 2018 at that time Chord FPGA based DACs had no competition at their price range. I am in Philippines little chance of me dropping by thanks for the offer though. I did read your take with the 005-May and it was one of the reasons I am seriously considering a 006. If there was a local dealer of the Musetec or Gustard I would had got one of these already but the only place I can get one is Shenzenaudio a bit of an unknown risk. I had bought something from them before an inexpensive Singxer DDC and it was smooth transaction.

@dlevi67 I read those comparison of 005 vs A26 and X26pro. The X30 is also generally described as a league above these Gustard models. What DAC are you coming from the 006? Given the X30 quite a bit cheaper than 006 I might just go ahead w/ it and see how it gels w/ my setup. One thing that worries me w/ Chifi stuff is what happens should I need support w/ a malfunction either during or post warranty - how responsive would Shenzenaudio be. 

@dlevi67 Once your 006 settles I would be keen to hear your thoughts on how it compares with the HugoTT2 if you can still recall. Having owned and happy with the Qutest for many years the TT2 would have been a natural upgrade for me, but folks who have compared the two noted that the tonal balance of the TT2 was mildly warmer than the Qutest (my system already on warm side), and that the Qutest with a really good PSU (w/c I have) narrows the performance gap between the two. So I never bothered with it. On the other hand the Dave is more similar to the Qutest voicing, but out of my price range. I sent an email to Shenzenaudio asking them between Gustard and Musetec who they feel has better after sales support commitment and awaiting response.

I do believe a good percentage of so called pro reviews have some bias one way or the other and at varying levels, but as long as one is aware of this these can still be helpful especially when gears are compared. Like when the X30 is compared w/ the May it is often described as more open, incisive and detailed presentation while May bloomy, warm and spacious. This tells me in my system (mildly warm) the X30 will likely be a better match. It is from these reviews I eliminated the May as an option w/c I originally were keen. 
 

Musetec do seem to be a smaller outfit than Gustard w/ only 3 products. W/c could explain why they would rather sell units rather pass around for reviews. I sent them a couple of emails and got prompt decent response. My email to Gustard still no response. I buy lots of stuff all the time from Amazon but the X30 is not an option. In email Musetec advise they have been partners for years w/ Shenzenaudio and they are reliable.