First impressions of new MH-DA006, Musetec flagship

Correction:  Singxer UIP-1 PRO

@dbb That's fine to use quotes.

 As to why I'm choosing 006 over Harmony. Two overarching reasons. First is 006 simply more resolving than Harmony, the added resolution makes all the difference in the world for me. This added resolution wasn't simply perceived as mere information or detail, rather it brought performers/performances to life, I had much greater sense of actual living breathing humans making music. As I stated in prior post, with 006 I hear the slightest inflections in voices, the slightest changes in touch and breath with instruments, these are all things that make recordings, performers and performances unique and individual, and because they become unique and individual they reach into my emotions and/or soul and move me. I'll have to admit some special recordings brought a tear to my eyes, others were chilling what with the immense pleasure and joy they brought. I simply bought into what the performers and performances brought to my listening room, recordings I've listened for for decades became fresh and new. I could go on and on, listening to my system has become an anticipated event, something I've not experienced since early years as an audiophile when large changes came easy. My experience has been that as my system has incrementally improved over many years, consequential change harder to come by. In earlier days when I was exploring and experimenting with  a far wider array of equipment I was more easily moved when changing out a piece. For instance, one peak experience was when I replaced a litany of solid state amps with tube Conrad Johnson MV-55 amp,simply awestruck. Many other experiences of this sort over the years. 006 via usb was  incremental upgrade, Harmony via usb very similar, unique presentations had me wanting to keep both. At this point I could have lived with both as my reference dacs, but having long heard about ladder dac being extremely sensitive to inputs, I knew I was going to get another ddc in order to try I2S. (prior attempt with Singxer SU6 and 005 half hearted as I had other things on my plate at that time), so I went deep with Gaia. Harmony/Gaia combo rose above 006, similar level of resolution as 006, superior ladder dac presentation. Then 006/Gaia combo brought that extra measure of magical resolving power. So then we finally come to second reason to make 006 my reference dac, this being how  the Gaia brought Harmony presentation to 006, the 006 now sounds much like the Harmony, sublime, refinement, ease, very holistic presentation.  My digital now easily exceeds my vinyl setup, very similar presentation only with higher resolution. Haven't said much about transparency since this has long been  excellent, even 005 excellent in this regard.

  As for financials and evaluations of worth, you can likely get used 005 for something around $1700, used Harmony going for around $2400, new $2700, 006 around $3900. Going with usb and something less than high to highest system resolving powers, 005 and Harmony would be relatively close in resolution/transparency, Harmony more holistic presentation, extra resolution of 006 won't be fully realized. With I2S equation changes, 005 goes bye bye, extra money Harmony costs worth it, we're now above 006 via usb level, Harmony is your reference dac and can remain reference dac as you build up rest of system. The HarmonyGaia combo is one great digital source! So now lets say your system high resolving and have I2S solution, 006 your dac all day long. Invest more in first class i2S such as Gaia, Hermes may do, now you may have your dream dac! I'd also add any weak links in your entire streaming setup will take away from reaching full potential of 006, this means everything from modem to dac needs to be looked at and optimized. 006 capabilities are high, no sabre chip or any chip dac liabilities I can hear, Harmony in NOS mode is well respected ladder dac with ladder dac  presentation, if 00t6 doesn't have this level presentation blame something other than 006. Add amazing level of resolution and you may have your dream dac. No sins of commission or omission I can detect. Only thing missing in estimation of 006 worth is long term listening impressions, sorry  I still haven't learned time travel.

@jc4659 005 is a fine dac, it can serve as reference dac in many systems. I have a very mature system, every i dotted, t crossed and I didn't feel like 005 was a liability. My next dac was going to be Mola Mola Tambaqui, also had long term itch to try R2R dac.

Thanks, sns, these are very interesting conclusion and may well cost me some money!

As I've said previously, I settled many months ago on feeding my 005 through I2s using the LKS usb 100 with matching power supply as my DDC.  It beats usb in my system, which is quite incredible.  But, I sense there is more available and I may buy a Gaia after returning from an international trip I am taking next week.  That may be followed by an 006.

Please continue to offer you impressions as you listen more.  Your reports are much appreciated.

The LKS 100 uses relatively low level femto clocks, power supply meh, doubt the usb isolation really that good, you can do better. Still I could see a cheaper alternative to Gaia working if the i2s internal clock in 006 is of sufficient quality. I don't see this as long term solution, 006 deserves the best you can feed it, still it could provide some financial relief in short run if finances are a question. It wont apply to every situation, but I'll try local clock next time I listen, thus far only slaved/sync to Gaia clock.

I'm sure I can do better than the lks 100.  It provided a very happy stopping point a couple years back.  But, now that we are moving into the winter, and I am developing an itch to see about improving the system, I will likely get the Gaia.  I learned long ago that there getting a lesser quality alternative always costs more in the end.