First impressions of new MH-DA006, Musetec flagship


I have received the 006 almost a week ago and have been breaking it in. The price at Shenzhenaudio is $3,900.00 USD, $600 more than the 005. The ad copy states:

"DA006 is a new generation of flagship DAC developed by Musetec over three years and launched in 2024. During this period, it has undergone more than ten revisions and adjustments.

Compared to the previous DA005, the listening experience of DA006 has been improved in all aspects. DA006 has clearer and richer details, a stronger sense of texture, a more stable sound base, better detail control, a wider soundstage, fuller and more powerful, smoother and more natural. . ."

Some brief listening during break in has been very very positive. I will report back when it has run at least 300 hours.

dbb

I would like to ask you to share your experiences and advice on how I could significantly improve my system with the MH-DA. I am more of a performance-for-money :-)
I will also share my experiences with the 005 that have moved me forward.
- USB cable: I first tried the Inakustik Exzellenz, which told me that I was on the right track. Now I use the Supra Excalibur. It fits my 005 perfectly and is excellent. Now the sound is in a large 3D space, precise, natural and lively. Silver is not a problem at all and I use the BW01 as a digital filter, which I hear is the best.
- output signal cables: DIY RCA Mogami 2803 + Copper Link (RCA cinch) or XLR GRIMM TPR Mono XLR Balanced Interlink
Both have great spatial presentation and rich detailing of instruments or performers. Both play quite similarly and I haven't chosen one yet. Both are in the early stages and it's too early to judge.
- power cable: SUPRA LORAD SILVER SPC 2.5 (Isolation transformer 3k + no name medical filter).
Whole system: sms-200 ultra neo – Excalibur – MH-DA005 (upgrade) – XLR TPR / RCA M2803 – Accuphase P3000 – corrugated coax – DIY Avalon Opus.
I can see reserves, for example, in cables, in the filter, digital signal enhancement, I2S, streamer, etc. Enjoy listening :-)

 

@balos Sounds like your enjoying your system as is. The one thing I'd suggest first is try I2S with 005, this will require some outlay of cash, especially if you went with high end DDC and I2S cable, still there may be benefits with lesser DDC and cable. Upgrading cabling always a good thing in my book but you're ok for time being, hospital grade isolation transformer could be hindrance, I also use isolation transformer but ti uses transformer specifically made for audio use, this modified BPT 3.5 Signature, you can read about specialized audio use transformers in review articles, unfortunately BPT out of business today but there are other firms offering specialized transformers in their power conditioners.

@sns, thanks for the suggestion. Yes, I was considering the LKS USB-100, which is supposed to have quality components.

But I read somewhere that the LKS USB100 needs a driver to play from a PC and I don’t know if it will be compatible with W10, W11 and if it will work with the SMS-200, because I can’t get the driver there, is that right or am I wrong?

Does anyone know? Any other specific suggestions and experiences with I2S? Best device for the money?  Enjoy listening :-)

LKS  doesn't  need driver, it will work with SMS-200 . Issue I see with LKS is non-configurable pin assignments on I2S, but this need not be and issue if dac has configurable pin assignment. I assume having ability for pin configuration not an issue for LKS and 005 since are same manufacturer. As to what ddc to purchase, I'd try to go for a better unit than LKS. don't believe clock in that unit superior to 005 clock. Laiv just came out with DDC, reasonable price, should be superior to LKS. If you were willing to go higher price, Denafrips Gaia, which I use, their Hermes DDC also nice. All those mentioned have configurable pin assignment in which case they will work with 005.

Anyone looking to buy a 006 should act quickly because Chinese tariffs will be in excess of 100% soon.

Still rocking the 005, sounds great but I'll buy a 006 next time I go to Hong Kong.

I used a SR Purple fuse in my 005 for over a year and it was great but got a special on SR Master Fuse, different animal.

Go for it 30 free trial, you won't send it back. Superb.

I used an lks with lks power supply on my 005, i2s, it sounded excellent, good synergy, an improvement over USB in my system.  I have since moved on to an 006 and Gaia, definitely a move up.  I still have the lks and power supply, if interested pm me.