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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."

melm

Showing 3 responses by midwesternaudio

midwesternaudio
7 posts
 

Hi, I just wanted everyone to be aware that Midwest Audio is a dealer/distributor for Musetec. Shipping is fast and free. The special offer right now is $3199 as long as I have no other fees. Customers are getting their 005 DACs usually in about 10 days. (I don't know if this type of post is allowed but since this DAC is $3299 on Ali Express, I thought people should know about the option in the USA).

Thank you!

Midwest Audio

574 329-1850

midwesternaudio
7 posts
 

@jc4659 Hi, yes I may be able to answer questions. Glad to help if I can. The DACs that I have compared the Musetec 005 directly to are the Gustard X26Pro, The Holo Audio Spring 3 and the PS Audio Directstream. The Gustard is not really in the same league in my opinion. It sounded smaller and less engaging.

I was enjoying the Holo Audio Spring 3 and couldn't fault it but I always felt that there was something missing. When I first got the Musetec 005, I brought it in from my icy porch and connected it stone cold. I immediately thought, I like this better. Of course it improved over time but the big differences to me were the increased transparency of the Musetec as well as better PRAT and dynamics. It just sounded more real to me, and allowed a better connection to the music. So, I sold the Holo Audio and became a US Dealer for Musetec.

A customer traded in the Direcstream for the Musetec so I did a comparison between the two DACs. The Directstream is a great DAC and one that I like a lot because it has great musicality and tone. The Musetec also has great musicality and tone, but again, it had a little extra transparency so that I felt that I could hear a little more into the "space" of the recording. I think the Musetec might have been a little more dynamic as well, which to me always makes the music seem more real.

I did have the Holo Audio May KTE a while back and I thought it was really good. I didn't have the Musetec at that time but from what I remember, I believe the two DACs are on par. The one thing that I like about the Musetec that I couldn't do with the May, is connect straight to my power amp. The Musetec has a volume control on the remote and it sounds really good connected direct. I know a lot of people say that a good preamp always improves the sound, but I could definitely live without a preamp with the Musetec.

 
midwesternaudio
7 posts
 

This is an update on the Musetec 005 DAC. Jinbo, the owner and designer at Musetec has this response about the measurements at ASR:

"We use a low-gain output stage on the DA005, which is the main reason for poor test data, but it sounds good. 
The same is true for many vacuum tube amplifiers. Low gain, low feedback or even no feedback, the test data is also poor, but it does not prevent them from providing first-class listening sense."

 

Also I wanted to let you know that if want to elevate the performance of the Musetec to get ultimate performance, you could use the I2s input which allows a pure digital stream to go directly to the DAC chip giving a more transparent sound. Something like the Jay's Audio transport connected with an HDMI cable to the I2s input will provide exceptional performance.(I have tried the Jay's Audio with other DACs over I2s and there wasn't the big leap in clarity and transparency that you get with Musetec 005 I2s input.) 

Or if you have a server that outputs USB, you can either connect it directly with a USB cable or you can use the LKS 100 USB converter to swicth to I2s if you desire, which will give you better performance provided you use good cables.

Thank you,

Jason at Midwest Audio

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