First impressions of new MH-DA006, Musetec flagship

@car123 Not really a complete review, rather more impressions, more thorough review earlier. Thread is under Laiv Harmony.

I agree an I2S directly out of streamer, avoiding usb altogether would be a simpler solution. Issue is the quality of that I2S in streamer, does it have FIFO buffer FPGA logic and dual OXCO clocks like Gaia?  I don't doubt you can diy build many streaming components, I've done and still do, just don't believe qualities of Gaia easily duplicated, I acknowledge there is steep price to pay with Gaia. I considered purchasing Pink Faun I2S card for my custom streamer (at present use only as server, Roon core), this would negate use of Sonore OpticalModule, OpticalRendu (this is my streamer/Roon endpoint) (optical conversion) and usb. The lesser quality implementation of I2S vs Gaia and loss of great benefits I hear from the optical conversion dissuaded me from going this route.

@melm I visited some cable site, somewhere in Asia, that builds I2S cables to spec, I'll try to recall site  later today. Both Gaia and 006 allow custom pin configuration, my Gaia is 12th generation.

I now have Gaia connected to 006 via I2S, plan listening session soon.

Thanks, interesting review/impressions of the Gaia-Harmony combination.  I will also be very interested in your impressions of the 006-Gaia combination.  

@sns Sorry if I missed it, but did you decide on an i2s cable you like with the Harmony?

@sns 

Not sure I understand the value of fpga on a streamer, which should be a very simple device.

The unit I am now using also has a fifo buffer and uses 2 clocks, but I'm not sure they qualify as OXCOs.  They are easily user replaceable and I am now using two Accusillicon clocks, a 45 and a 49.  Though the Accusilicons are very good, I may very well move on to even better clocks.  The Accusilicons, and any other clocks I may use, publish their phase noise data, which gives at least a hint as to their quality.  What is known about the clocks in the Gaia?  Also the PS in the unit I'm using is much like that on the digital side of the 005 and is further upgradeable.

In any event the first thing a DDC has to do is clean up the USB stream.

@melm  This will explain, https://www.denafrips.com/gaia Hans B. also has youtube video.

Custom termination I2S cables available at https://audiolund.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooxNn3WUk6YELU-7beiANY2By6w0AmymaEPdGRGGa84ZK9NN_Y2 These are I2S cables, only 9 pins wired, no video use.

OXCO clocks are temperature control in enclosed ovens, these highest quality femto clock, next comes TXCO, temperature control, no oven, then plain femto clock, no temp. control. Even within these clock types, quality varies. The OXCO clocks require relatively complex power supplies in order to supply constant temp control of clock, stability and precision of these clocks requires constant precise control of temp., this not easily or cheaply implemented.  You may be able to upgrade your clocks with better non temp control femto, perhaps TXCO femto, the OXCO would require power supply upgrades.

@audiostick I originally ordered Tubulus Concentus I2S, @audioman58  gave me heads up on new reference Tubulus Ximius which I went down the rabbit hole with, this $1500 cable, Concentus $700. All Tubulus cables hand made in Netherlands, pure silver, air dialectic, no dialectic best, air closest to no dialectic. For more down to earth, presently using Jieotwice oxygen free copper $70 I2S. Obviously no complaints with this cable, Harmony/Gaia combo with this cable beat out 006.