Shenzhen Audio is currently selling the Musetec 005 at $2969.10 with free shipping and a 2 yr. warranty.
Musetec (LKS) MH-DA005 DAC
Some history: I was the OP on a four year old thread about the Chinese LKS MH-DA004 DAC. It achieved an underground buzz. The open architecture of its predecessor MH-DA003 made it the object of a lot of user mods, usually to its analog section, rolling op amps or replacing with discrete. The MH-DA004 with its new ESS chips and JFET analog section was called better then the modified older units. It has two ES9038pro DAC chips deliberately run warm, massive power supply, powered Amanero USB board, JFET section, 3 Crystek femtosecond clocks, Mundorf caps, Cardas connectors, etc., for about $1500. For this vinyl guy any reservation about ESS chips was resolved by the LKS implimentaion, but their revelation of detail was preserved, something that a listener to classic music especially appreciated. I made a list of DACs (many far more expensive) it was compared favorably to in forums. Modifications continued, now to clocks and caps. Components built to a price can be improved by costlier parts and the modifiers wrote glowingly of the SQ they achieved.
Meanwhile, during the 4 years after release of the MH-DA004, LKS (now Musetec) worked on the new MH-DA005 design, also with a pair of ES9038pro chips. This time he used more of the best components available. One torroidal transformer has silver plated copper. Also banks of super capacitors that act like batteries, solid silver hookup wire, 4 femtoclocks each costing multiples of the Crysteks, a revised Amanero board, more of the best European caps and a new partitioned case. I can't say cost NO object, but costs well beyond. A higher price, of course. Details at http://www.mu-sound.com/DA005-detail.html
The question, surely, is: How does it sound? I'm only going to answer indirectly for the moment. I thought that the MH-DA004 was to be my last DAC, or at least for a very long time. I was persuaded to part with my $$ by research, and by satisfaction with the MH-DA004. Frankly, I have been overwhelmed by the improvement; just didn't think it was possible. Fluidity, clarity, bass extension. A post to another board summed it up better than I can after listening to piano trios: "I have probably attended hundreds of classical concerts (both orchestral and chamber) in my life. I know what live sounds like in a good and bad seat and in a good and mediocre hall. All I can say is HOLY CRAP, this sounds like the real thing from a good seat in a good hall. Not an approximation of reality, but reality."
Meanwhile, during the 4 years after release of the MH-DA004, LKS (now Musetec) worked on the new MH-DA005 design, also with a pair of ES9038pro chips. This time he used more of the best components available. One torroidal transformer has silver plated copper. Also banks of super capacitors that act like batteries, solid silver hookup wire, 4 femtoclocks each costing multiples of the Crysteks, a revised Amanero board, more of the best European caps and a new partitioned case. I can't say cost NO object, but costs well beyond. A higher price, of course. Details at http://www.mu-sound.com/DA005-detail.html
The question, surely, is: How does it sound? I'm only going to answer indirectly for the moment. I thought that the MH-DA004 was to be my last DAC, or at least for a very long time. I was persuaded to part with my $$ by research, and by satisfaction with the MH-DA004. Frankly, I have been overwhelmed by the improvement; just didn't think it was possible. Fluidity, clarity, bass extension. A post to another board summed it up better than I can after listening to piano trios: "I have probably attended hundreds of classical concerts (both orchestral and chamber) in my life. I know what live sounds like in a good and bad seat and in a good and mediocre hall. All I can say is HOLY CRAP, this sounds like the real thing from a good seat in a good hall. Not an approximation of reality, but reality."
Showing 7 responses by budkine
I’ll save you the trouble of going there to look at it. It was my post. I had been shopping for a DAC to go with my ZMF Verite Open-back headphones and matching Pendant SE tube headphone amplifier made for ZMF by Justin Weber at AmpsandSound.com. I was seriously considering getting the Sonnet Morpheus ($3200) based upon reviews and people’s experiences in various forums and its ability to pair well with my headphones and amplifier and recommended by Zach of ZMF Headphones. With the Morpheus, the I2S is the preferred input. But, I would have needed to purchase a DDC ($300-$700) with USB input, I2S out, in order to utilize the I2S input on the Morpheus. However, with further research, I was leaning in the direction of the Holo May L2 ($4800) or the Holo Spring 3 KTE ($3l00) due to their compelling reviews and ability to deliver clean signals through the USB input.
Then I came across @dbb review comparing the Holo May (L2) DAC and the Musetec Audio (LKS Audio) MH-DA005 DAC ($3299 – I bought mine from Shenzhen Audio with a 10% discount $2969 and free delivery). I then read the threads regarding the Musetec DA005 here and at Head-Fi.com, both containing compelling experiences and comparisons from seasoned audiophiles. Within those threads, the Musetec is compared to several other DACs at varying price points, and the 005 holds its own or exceeds the performance of the comparisons. That, along with a substantial savings in price, convinced me to purchase the Musetec MH-DA005 rather than the Morpheus or either of the Holo’s.
After a considerably lengthy burn in time on the 005 and some tube rolling in the headphone amp, I have finally reached that pinnacle of detail, richness, smoothness and natural presentation that I have been seeking for over 1-1/2 years. I have a background in studio recording and live sound mixing, and the Musetec 005 is the real deal! I am completely satisfied with my purchase and would do it again without hesitation. Thank you to all of you who have contributed your opinions and experiences regarding this marvelous piece of engineering. The creator of this DAC, Jinbo Li, at mu-sound.com truly deserves international recognition and attention for this achievement. |
@lordmelton What 5v power supply unit are you using for the LKS 100? And, what is the amperage? Also, the I2s is noticeably better than through the USB input on the 005? I am currently running from my PC straight into the USB on the 005. It sounds very good through the USB, but if I can improve on that with the LKS 100 through I2s, I’m very likely to give it a try. |
I had the Denafrips Ares II before buying the 005 and I was terribly underwhelmed and disappointed with the Ares II. It is veiled and dark in its presentation and I found it lacking in detail and especially the upper-mids and treble. I couldn’t listen to it. I am unfamiliar with the other DACs in your list, but I’m sure you can do better than the Ares II. I have read where many like the Schiit Bifrost 2. Good luck! :-) |
ASR again? Please stop with this nonsense. "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass |