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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 2 responses by pt999

pt999
9 posts
 

I don't post online much. I'm adding a data point for those considering the Musetec 005 DAC. I have been using a May Holo KTE DAC for 5 months and ordered the Musetec 005 DAC thru Shenzhen Audio based on the enthusiasm around. The unit arrived 12/6, was burned in continuously for a week and after 3 days evaluation, I decided to return it. It's a personal choice, and I know people will ask why? what's the difference? what I like and don't like, etc... I just feel like the May Holo connects me with the music better. I'm not good at dissecting what I hear in words, so I'll leave it at that. That's not the reason for my post.

When I emailed Shenzhen Audio to request for return authorization, this is the reply I received after 2 days:

"Yeah, you can return it back to us, friend.

You should know that

1. The returned shipping cost and duties(if have) should be covered by you

2. We might charge 10% restocking fee if the usage time beyond 7days, and 20% restocking fee if the usage time beyond 15days but less 30days!

3. Be sure it's in good condition with all the accessories included, no damage, no lost, or we might charge extra 50% damage fee, and the cost of accessories will be deducted if lost.

4. Shipping address:

Consignee: Cloris Guo

Telnumber: 0086-17512019171

Address: Longguang Jiuzuan 5A- 2608, Longteng Rd, Minzhi St., Longhua District, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China, 518131

..."

The "10% restocking fee for 7 days of usage, and 20% after 15 days" is not expected, and Cloris confirmed multiple emails the 30 day no reason return policy on their website states "....we can arrange a partial refund...." means that.

I'm just passing on the data and will not post any more.

 

pt999
9 posts
 

This is my update on the Musetec 005 after 2 weeks. My Musetec now has more than 350 hours of playing time after 16 days. I decided not to return the unit to Shenzhen Audio.
In my first report after one week at about 150 hours on the 005, my experience with the May and Musetec DACs are: on the May DAC, the sound reaches out farther and more distinct in a 3D space, the Musetec is a little further back. The vocals seem more fluid, hanging in the air a little longer with the May, thus the sense of air and bloom around the instruments are thicker. The tone is crisper with the May. Overall the May presents the illusion of the band in the room closer and more realistically. I felt more engaged in the presence of the musicians.
Now at 350 hours on the Musetec, the difference has closed significantly. The 2 DACs sound very similar. Switching back and forth multiple times on the same music passage, some the differences I found before are no longer valid. The Musetec air and space are about the same as the May. I can’t say the Musetec soundstage is further back. There is still a slight difference in the tone of the 2 DACs; the May is crisper. Instruments and vocals appear a little more distinct and fluid in space, probably from a darker background on the May. At this point, I’m not sure I can pass a blind listening test identifying which is which.
My high sensitive system built around the Edgarhorns (Thank you Dr. Bruce Edgar, we love you, RIP): Router & Small Green Computer i5 Roon server -> TRENDnet switch -> CAT6 cable to EtherRegen side B with AfterDark external clock -> fiber -> Sonore Optical Rendu -> Inakustik USB cable to -> DAC -> balanced cables to Holo Serene preamp -> Wavelength custom 45 amp -> 107dB Edgarhorns with Seismic sub driven by James 1000 DSP amp; Shunyata Denali 6000S on components, PS Audio P500 on LPS and Roon server. I have the same Cerious Graphine Matrix power cables between the 2 DACs and the same Raven balanced cables from DACs to Serene Preamp. When switching DACs, I move only the USB cable from one DAC to the other in Standby, adjust the preamp volume +1dB for the Musetec.
Operational wise, the May can handle everything from the SGC i5 Roon server with HQPlayer upsampling (within limits of the i5 processing power). My Musetec has sound glitches at 96K (or above) sampling frequency using DPLL BW1. I disable Roon DSP to use native sampling rate, set the Musetec DPLL to BW3 during tests to avoid glitches. These random glitches are annoying during listening. I want to use HQPlayer but kept getting Roon "lost audio device" error when switching DACs. The Musetec USB input is limited to DSD512/PCM384K. The May USB supports up to DSD1024/PCM1.536MHz. I only use USB and PCM. I don’t want to spend endless time testing every different combinations. I’m not attached to equipment; they are just a means to listen to music. At this point, I prefer the May DAC for its smooth operation with Roon/HQPlayer, and my preference towards the May tone.
I don’t engage much in Forum conversations, for a very long time now due to personal reasons. Please treat this as a data point from a single user’s opinion.

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