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

@noelpastor I’m in south Florida in the winter where I have the 006. If you're nearby, I suggest buying the X-30 on Amazon, breaking it in, and bring it over to my house to compare. If the x30 lost the competition, you could return it within 30 days.

I can also offer you this (tortured)reasoning. I extensively compared the Holo May to the 005. I concluded they were similar and in the same class. The 006 more resolving and closer to live music, the May more vinyl like and sweeter. The 006 is better than the 005. Therefore, if the May is equal to the x30, the the 006 should be better.

@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.

@noelpastor FWIW, searching for ’Gustard’ and ’Musetec’ on the forum comes up with a few posts/threads where comparison of A26/X26 and 005 are made.

FWIW 2 - I just got a 006 10 days ago; still in burn-in period, but I'm very happy with the choice. However, I have zero experience of Gustard.

My 006 has come into its own.  I've got at least 500 hours on it (and the gaia) and it has become terrifically sweet and smooth with great resolution and nuanced expression.  Any hint of harshness and grain are completely gone.