@metaldetektor
Thank you for your offer to review my DAC, but I would decline. If you want to evaluate the DAC you'll have to buy one like everyone else. As yyzsantabarbara comments it comes with a 30 day return privilege. Who knows, that may cost you less than the round trip of mine. Yes, the gentleman who rated the Musetec above the Mola-Mola Tambaqui makes cables, but he also makes the respected Eno Ethernet Filters. He is quite knowledgeable when it comes to a DAC's place in a system.
Now I remember my comment about the Sonnet; actually it was not about the Sonnet. My point was simply about the value of an accommodation purchase by the Stereophile reviewer and the A+ category there. IMO, not much value. So I looked at the Sonnet. Seems you "owned" it for less than a month. Really? Not much good hardware there IMO. More expensive than the Holo Spring 3, but the Spring shows a far better insides than the Sonnet. As between the two I would choose the Spring. That is explained by its European manufacture; they simply can't do it. And, of course nothing inside approaches the Musetec.
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@melm
I figured out why the CD player digital output shows up as 96kHz on the musetec. The digital output is running through a W4S Remedy reclocker which outputs the signal at 96kHz. When it is removed and the optical output is directly connected to the Musetec it shows the correct sampling rate as 44kHz. After the DA-005 stabilizes sonically I will listen with and without the W4S reclocker to see which way I prefer the sound.
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@melm I owned the Sonnet and I wrote about it here. You responded. You were riled up about the Stereophile review, because conspiracy, etc.
Someone here prefers the Musetec to an outdated Holo Spring, and a guy who makes cables and listens with headphones preferred the Musetec to the Mola Mola Tambaqui, a DAC that requires thoughtful system matching.
I'm happy to write about your Musetec vs. the various 10k DACs I've owned/home-auditioned. Send it to me, we'll split shipping costs, and I'll write about it here. I'd love to find a reasonably priced DAC that is as good as you say it is.
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@wharfy
Now that it is broken in somewhat, you're getting its full flavor. I'm glad that you are enjoying the DAC. As for the "DAC topology" it's all laid out in the pictures and descriptions on the Musetec home page. No mysteries here. That picture is a virtual map of the DAC (though the analog part, 8 FETs and associated stuff, is mostly hidden). It's accomplished without any Supercalafragalistic FPGA chip, just a pair of chips that went through 3 generations and decades of development, an honest power supply and discrete analog stage, all with superior parts. I don't care how long you have it; every so often there will be a recording that will surprise and astonish.
I spent most of today listening to my analog rig. I've had enough of the: some DACs sound like analog. Truth is a really good analog rig does NOT sound like analog. It sounds, as does a good digital rig, like the instruments it's supposed to sound like. When a DAC is called "analog sounding" it is, in reality, a coloration. People are free to like it, or not.
Sorry you can't get the I2S pin-out configuration for the Pro-ject. I think it's outrageous that they don't give it to you, unless it is something other than a true I2S out..
@jc4659
I remember sending my money away (and without a return option). Could it be as good as I was told? Days of trepidation. Well, it seems to have worked out for us. I'm happy it seems to please. As for the 96K problem. First question, is the DAC OK? When you feed it files from your Mac and Audirvana is it correctly identifying the sampling rate? If it is, and I hope so, then there is the issue of your CD player. It is an old one. Is it possible that it is signaling a spurious rate? If everything else is OK you might have to live with it. Perhaps better to get on with your CD ripping.
@metaldetektor
Our wandering philosopher. You haven't told us anything about your own DAC experience except you've heard the Sonnet, a DAC I never before heard of. I don't know about the Sonnet, but one contributor here has told us that the Musetec is outperforming the Holo Spring, and a review here has compared the Musetec favorably to the Spring's big brother, the May. And a respected audio engineer has told us it outperforms a Mola-Mola. Truth is that the Musetec seems to play on the court with the bigger boys. As for not on the "organic end." I'm not certain what you mean by that, but if you mean that instruments and voices are large, and round and have body to them, the the Musetec is right there. Why don't you write of your DAC experience rather than what you have read, for we've all read the same stuff.
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That 005 wouldn't compare favorably with dac at whatever price is what I'm waiting to see. I'd honestly like to understand what it's deficiency or deficiencies may be, I'd likely be interested in purchasing dac that outperforms it.
Having said that, I believe this dac not best for everyone. Per metaldetektor, there are dacs with flavoring others may prefer. Still, I'm really having a really hard time describing this dac as lacking warmth, it just may more easily found with inherently more forgiving, intentionally warmer dacs. I'd suggest that would be dac with less resolving capabilities. Or could be one with equally high resolving capability, but rounder, more prominent bass or rolled off highs.
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Anyone know why the sampling rate is 96k when I run optical out from a CD player? Is this a default value, can it be changed? Just wondering why it's not 44k. It sounds incredible already. Female vocals to die for. And I only have about 4 hours on this thing!
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In this $3k price range, seems like folks are very happy with the Musetec, the Sonnet Morpheus (i2s) and the latest edition of the Holo Spring (which is v3 I believe). I’ve only heard the Sonnet. Based on listener impressions, seems like the Musetec is on the clean/resolute/detailed end, the Holo is on the organic end, and the Sonnet splits the difference.
When I first read about Musetec, I was keen to try it out of curiosity but I was pretty certain I’d send it back. So ultimately didn’t see the point (I really love my current DAC and I’ve compared it to many other things). This is a great time to be in the DAC market. Lots of wonderful choices out there. At one point I wanted to try everything, but the saner thing might be to find something you like at whatever price point makes sense to you, and then simply enjoy the music.
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@sns -"After a little over a year with this dac, and being very attentive to other's impressions, still waiting to hear a single criticism. I wonder how long this can remain the case?"
My Polish grandmother often said, "Don't call the wolf to the door." LOL
With that said, it's very hard to find fault with the 005. If there is a criticism, down the road, perhaps it's build quality, with parts failing or falling off. Though that is hard to imagine.
Of course, this being A'gon, someone will complain that while it sounds like a DAC 3 or 4x its price, it doesn't sound like a DAC 5 or 6x its price.
One more thing-you appear handy with upgrades and mods-impressive.
David
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Continuing estimations of 005 flavor. Coming to end of burn in of Psvane Acme 300B, Linlai Elite 101D in Statement pre. And I've long heard Shunguang Black Treasure 300B, Psvane WE and Linlai Mesh plate 101 in pre, and finally my Coincident 845 and modded Prima Luna Dialogue Four. All these amps and configurations of tubes with 005.
And now, experimenting with Takman carbon film resistors and Audio Note Seiryu coupling caps vs. carbon comps and metal films in Statement pre. Also added Texas Component TX2575 resistors and Duelund Silver Bypass in 300B, and same in modded Klipschorn crossovers previously.
So, through all these changes, 005 clearly exposed each and every change, resolving capabilities not in question. Flavor of each and every change has also been exposed, I've been in near analytical territory to what at this very moment may be slightly skewed to warmth side of scale. With 005 it appears I can flavor my system without touching the 005. What this points to is 005 can be considered reference piece, a truly neutral component. Up until latest changes with the Takman carbon resistors I'd never heard the 005 move toward warm side, considered it inherently neutral to analytical voiced.
One thing that never changes with 005 in my system is this highly involving sense of live performers in room. Amazing thing is never having sense of annoyance during burn in of all of these various components, I suffered listening fatigue a few times, but only after minimum four hours in.
After a little over a year with this dac, and being very attentive to other's impressions, still waiting to hear a single criticism. I wonder how long this can remain the case?
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005 listening update-
It's been 3 weeks since receiving my 005 DAC. For the first 2 weeks I had it on 24x7 to burn-in because I wanted to get a good sense of what this DAC would sound like, within the 30 day return window.
By the second week, the satisfaction I derived listening to music through it exceeded the Holo Spring KTE DAC I replaced. The SQ of the 005 is neutral and revealing, without sounding harsh. Soundstage, space between instruments, placement within the recording are all qualities I want when listening, mostly to jazz. The other night, I played the Stones' "Exile on Main Street" and really noticed the sound smear that's integral to the album's production.
One thing I was concerned about, and this was based on my earlier experiences with ES9038 pro chips, was digital glare in the upper frequencies. That's not an issue for me, even though the 005's ability to play upper sound frequencies exceeds what my R2R DAC was able to do.
I'm very pleased with this DAC. Tomorrow I'm scheduled to receive a Pro-Ject CD Box R2S T transport. I'm excited by what I expect to hear.
Thanks again to everyone who has been sharing the listening experiences, and extensive knowledge about DAC topology. I've learned a lot.
David
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@arafiq I had a few hours on the previous top of the line Luxman CD/SACD/DAC player. The new one is $16K and one I heard on an all Luxman stack was around $8K. Since that all Luxman stack sounded so good I was considering the DA-06 DAC when I was looking at the AMT.
The 005 is not overly warm, less so than the AMT and the Gustard X26 Pro I have owned. An interesting effect of the 005 on my system is that I am listening to music that I in the past I was not all that crazy about. I am finding I like a lot music that I may have passed over in the past.
I am going to be able to listen to the 005 with a Class A (tube like) KRELL XD amp in a few weeks. That likely will be great with my RAAL SR1a headphones, the intended purpose. The AMT was very good with the KRELL K-300i integrated and the RAAL SR1a, though a bit warmer than my ideal preference. The 005 should just be right.
BTW - did you read the thread comparing the Halo May KTE and the 005. One of the best reviews I have read.
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@yyzsantabarbara
We had a DAC in common in the past, which we both liked. The 005 is a different animal. Incredible sound, it just keeps sounding better with more hours. I must be around 200 now. Give it a much burn-in as possible in your 30-day trial. I noticed it was a great DAC at under 100 hours but it does sound even better now, especially the bass.
I bet the 005 is sound sublime now that you must have put more hours on it. I presume the common DAC that you're referring to is the Audio Mirror Tubadour III, right? Well, my reference DAC as of now, believe it or not, is the Luxman DA-06. This DAC has proved to be quite a bit better than the AMT and a few other sub-2K dacs that I have tried in the last 18 months. I can't believe this is an 8 year-old design!
However, your impressions of the 005 are super helpful. I know you have tried a bunch of DACs in the past, so the high praise from you is duly noted. I am going to order the 005 next month. If it proves to be better than the Luxman, I will keep it. Otherwise, I will avail the 30 day return policy.
The other contenders on my list include Denafrips Terminator 2 and Holo Audio May. I've always had an affinity for the R2R sound. I wish there was a way to audition them without having to buy them first, but that's simply not possible nowadays.
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I received my Musetec DA-005 today less than 2 weeks from ordering and installation was straightforward. I changed my Audirvana settings to straight PCM with no upsampling and listened via usb from a MacBook Pro running Audirvana Plus and optical from a Meridian CD player. Obviously the new DAC has a ways to go but I am hearing more precise localization of instruments, wider soundstage, more realistic sounding - less hifi, great bottom end, yet still some fuzziness in the upper frequencies which was expected in the first few hours of burn in. I suspect this DAC will really open up when fully burned in. In many ways it already exceeds my expectations. I look forward to playing around with the settings.
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@jc4659
In my setup I don’t have DoP 1.1 so I choose DoP 1.0 (my audirvana is old 1.5.x and my mac for audio is an old mini 09 running snow leopard). I upsample pcm only by 2^x factors. (My audirvana seems to recognize the dac’s max sample rate as 768k, I don’t know why, maybe because the former dac’s max was 768k? So I use the custom upsample rates option.)
When I used ADI-2 pro I prefered converting to pcm and using audirvana(izotope)’s software volume than feeding dsd to dac via DoP (I think that was because ADI-2 pro itself converted DSD to pcm internally). And at that time I prefered 0db boost and turning up the main volume. But that’s another story...
I'll wait for your impression and operation result, thank you!
@bill_k You’re right. The problem comes from that I prefer izotope’s noise shaped volume over 005’s internal volume for pcm, while I prefer 005’s native dsd (DoP for mac) playing over converting to pcm regarding dsd. Analog volume control might be the solution...
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I should add that I do not yet have the DA-005 and so don't know if the Audirvana software will alter the default settings/choices when it sees the new DAC. I'll let you know how I set mine up and if I get volume pops.
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@gracky
In Audirvana there is a "Native DSD Streaming Method" setting. You can choose from the following 3 choices (in my set up): 1) None: convert to PCM, 2) DSD over PCM 1.0, 3) DSD over PCM 1.1 What do you have that set to? If you have chosen "None: convert to PCM" then you are asked "DSD convert to PCM with boost of" and your choices are 0dB to +6dB in 1dB increments. If you chose either of the other two DoP settings then the volume boost is not an option.
Under the Upsampling category, what do you have the "Safe volume reduction before DSD upsampling" set to? Choices are None thru -6dB in 1dB increments.
Under the Audio Volume category, I chose "No leveling" and software volume control turned to "Off"
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Not specific to this DAC, but in general digital volume controls can cause issues with data flag recognition (i.e. PCM, DoP, or native DSD) since the digital data is modified which may impact the selected format identification.
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I think I found the condition of DoP glitch, setting Audirvana volume option to ’software only’ seems to turn the DoP mode of 005 off. Changing volume control method between pcm and dsd requires some care.
PS/Edited: I tried again but I couldn't reproduce it! My applogize for confusions. @jc4659 Would you try yourself and report your result with Audirvana volume options and DoP when 005 arrives?
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@melm
I think track pops have reduced by adding ground connection to my mac mini which was lost when its power was changed to an LFP battery (formerly used with ADI2 pro). Not sure if they vanished completely but after that pops didn’t bother me. Amanero is more delicate than other USB interfaces?
Re DoP, I think 004 didn’t have an option to turn off DoP, while 005 has. DoP glitches continue, but I think turning off and on DoP function again solve it in most cases. Another glitch with DoP/Audrivana is it produces a loud pop (quite high fq, while the not working DoP pop is low) in only right channel when playing DSD file is stopped and Audirvana loses its grab of the audio device. I think these glitches with DoP due to Amanero, maybe that is why it is not so commercially popular in spite of its reputation of great sound?
Regarding 005’s tone and texture, IMO being not silky is by no way its shortcoming. Its sound is completely opposite to ostensibility or intended splendor in spite that it is extremely detailed. I think this is the most interesting point in 005’s performence, but its tone is changing (so I don’t worry about its coarseness much) and it’s too early to be determined about its tone.
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@gracky
@jc4659
I use windows and JRiver and am neither an expert on Macs nor Audirvana, and if this doesn’t help I’ll inquire at the thread at head-fi where there are users of both. Or you can. First I would suggest to @gracky that he set the DPLL a bit higher so there is no popping, and then forget about it for a while. The ability to lock on using a narrow setting, like DPLL=1, is dependent upon the digital signal fed to the DAC. I can’t. It is not a number to obsess over. Most users, I think, just drop in the DAC where their old one was and it works right away like the old one. Windows users just have a new driver to install. Your own installation seem a bit more complicated. Have you used the DAC with your CD player using spdif or optical? I don’t understand the need for attenuation. Digital volume control will cost you SQ. Don’t you run the analog through your preamp?
If I understand Audirvana correctly it does not support DSD in native format. Rather it converts the DSD files into PCM resulting in a DoP file. When that conversion is done in the computer, the DAC should just see PCM. Does it? It may recognize it as DoP but you should not have to do anything. That’s how it was on my 004 which did not have the internal DoP function. I used to use an Oppo as a DLNA server and it did not support native DSD digital output. DSD was seen automatically by the DAC as DoP files. No intervention on my part. [The function in the 005 DAC does the conversion there. I have never understood why it’s needed or made available.] IMO if you have a substantial collection of DSD files, as from ripping SACDs or from downloads as I do, you might want to send them to the DAC in native format, rather than PCM or DoP, for with one less conversion the results are stunning. JRiver will do that as will the free program foobar2000.
@jc4659, when you get your DAC you’ll find plenty of support over at the head-fi thread where many difficulties are resolved. As I wrote, Mac and Audirvana are in use by some of 005 owners participating there.
Finally I would say to @gracky that with break-in the linen texture will turn to silk. Instruments will sound more liquid and have more body. How fine the silk will depend on the digital signal fed to the DAC, and what comes after (as sns is finding). I’m talking here about a very high level of refinement. The DAC continues to surprise.
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@jc4659
I turn off and on DoP mode everytime before playing a DSD file (especially when it lost locks to the files in Audirvana). I'm not sure if it guarantees working but it looks raise the chances.
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Anyone else running audirvana and using usb from a mac? I hope I don't have compatibility issues with my DA-005 when it arrives.
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Popping on DPLL due to some issue in your network, try 2 and up, if nothing here for sure network issue. Coarsness will go away in time. System willing, 005 extreme resolving capabilities will provide inherent sound staging and imaging abilities giving illusion of performers in room. Even without the refinement that comes later, and can be added to one's system, this dac extremely engaging. I've never been able to play this dac while multi tasking, even at low volumes attracts my attention.
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After 005’s arrival, first day I just checked it works properly. Yesterday I made some power cords and interconnects to put 005 in my system and make one empty inlet in my Stella P3 regenerator. Partly because its predecessor was ADI-2 pro whose audio io is phone jack, it took some time and labor. I had to rearrange gears and cables. It took some time to make it sound and some aspects of the setup are changed.
One minor trouble was that I once failed to update 005’s firmware. Pushing the flash erase button makes the unit not recognized as an USB audio device. After the firmware rewritten it is detected by computers again. But according to Jinbo, 005 is delievered with the latest firmware already so update is needless!
So I had some hours of listening session today and I’d like to say shortly. Its details and soundstage is great. It renders depth and layers and fills the whole space behind speakers even at quite low volume. Microdetail is superb, as many said you’ll very frequently notice what you haven’t heard yet in your familiar tracks. Dynamic constrast is also great, I can turn down the voulme further than I used to with ADI-2.
Sound color is very composed, doesn’t glitter excessively. Texture is not silky, in analogy sometimes it reminds me very high quality linen fabric. Sometimes it felt coarse, but after several hours it began to be more liquid I think. Is its sound accurate? I’m not sure yet, but I think its sound is of very high caliber and taste.
Some glitches, sometimes DoP does not work and it makes very loud pop. I coundn’t find the right routine to make it sure to work yet. (It’s partly because I use digital volume with my old mac mini and Audirvana. DSD works better with 005’s internal volume while pcm is better with Audirvana’s noise shaped volume. So switching between DSD/pcm is quite complex and some danger there. Right now I’m attenuating about -20db with 10k resister divider and further -6~-20db with digital volume. A passive attenuator might work in my case.) Another glitch is that some tracks pop with DPLL level 1, it is not consistant and the same track is sometimes ok and sometimes it pops, I don’t understand why...
So it will be a long way to put everything right, but I think it’s promising.
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@arafiq We had a DAC in common in the past, which we both liked. The 005 is a different animal. Incredible sound, it just keeps sounding better with more hours. I must be around 200 now. Give it a much burn-in as possible in your 30-day trial. I noticed it was a great DAC at under 100 hours but it does sound even better now, especially the bass.
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@arafiq -"Also, since I'm using a tube integrated amp anyways (Audio Hungary Qualiton a20i), I think the 005 will provide the perfect yin for my yang :)"
I have a tube based system and you are spot-on.
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@sns
I agree with you that the 005 is probably at or near sota. In terms of comparing current sota to live music, I think we have a long way to go. On a 10 point scale, I suspect we are at a 5. There’s something about live music that doesn’t even let you apply sustained audiophile analysis. For me it is like the sound is entering your brain from a different door. Many times I have closed my eyes during a live concert and asked myself how is this different from the best reproduced music I have heard. I just don’t have a complete answer, but it is different and usually better (not always) is many ways, most of which I don’t even think I could articulate.
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Also, since I'm using a tube integrated amp anyways (Audio Hungary Qualiton a20i), I think the 005 will provide the perfect yin for my yang :)
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Thank you for the valuable input! I have thought long and hard (for about 20 minutes, which is my upper limit nowadays it seems :)) about it and based on what I'm hearing it will be hard to justify spending an extra $2k+ on Holo Audio May. I like the fact that Shenezen Audio provides a 30-day return policy. So not much to lose if I don't ed up liking it. I'm going to purchase a 005 next month. I'm assuming they accept Paypal.
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Since getting 005 just over a year ago, I've made number of changes in system, not because 005 injection of some unwanted coloration, rather solely increasing resolving capabilities of entire system. And this to system that's long been pretty damn revealing.
With recent boutique tube insertion, burn in nearing completion, and subsequent resolution increases, I'm at point where I can make some conclusions in regard to 005.
There are components that commit sins of omission, others sins of commission. Sins of omission easy to achieve, less than maximal resolution may hide unheard sins of commission. On the other hand, sins of commission often committed, difficult thing here is determining which component causing it.
Of course one issue with determining sins of omission is, how do we know we're suffering this if we have never heard the unheard. So, this is inherent problem with my nearly final conclusions in regard to 005. I can only say I've heard many other systems in nearing thirty years building systems/audiophile. I've heard best of best at shows, admittedly not best conditions, also many nice systems at other's homes.
Point of above, I've heard sins of commission and omission over long term. So, conclusion I'm coming to in regard to 005. This is one of those rare components that suffers no known sin of omission, this thing uncovers much previously unheard information, I presume 005 at or near SOTA here. And what about sins of commission, this I had been less sure of up to now. While resolving capabilities never in doubt, I had bit of doubt in regard to timbre specifically. I detected a bit of what I'd call whitewashing, lack of color with 005, sense of performers in room, just lacking flesh and blood presence. With recent boutique tubes this lack of color nearly totally gone, flesh and blood performers in room, reach out and touch palpability, And so, try as I might, have not been able to find sins of omission or commission with 005, quite an achievement in my book.
It will be up to others to provide more context with 005, therefore, direct comparisons with other SOTA dacs. We already have that with favorable comparisons to Holo May and Mola Mola Tambaqui. While only anecdotal, it is what it is. Until more come along we only have this. As for me, I have no intention to provide that context as my pleasure with 005 instigates no motivation for this. At this point, all my near term efforts will be on analog side, my analog far behind digital.
In conclusion, while my experience totally positive with 005, may not be dac for everyone, in wrong system I could see how one could perceive it as analytical, 005 doesn't hide the warts. I can see it overwhelming one's senses with sheer resolving powers, but perception as analytical in long run. I can only say, one has problems elsewhere if this perception of 005 held, 005 capable of high resolution with natural, true to life texture and color.
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@arafiq
Hi there. I hope it doesn’t look like the Musetec owners are piling on.😉
The Musetec uses what is sometimes call a Delta-Sigma chip, the ESS9038PRO, in fact two of them. Such a chip converts all incoming data to a DSD like format making its response to DSD files a perfectly natural function. They sound great.
R2R DACs don’t do that and some of them simply don’t respond to DSD at all. Schiit, for ex. That’s why the Holo DACs have a separate function. Beekhuyzen in his video review of the May says its DSD conversion is a bit less successful than its PCM conversion.
I would add only that I see the Musetec as a truth machine. It will not hide the poor SQ of poor recordings. As I read what the Holo DACs do, it seems that they will round off the harsh edges of lesser recordings. That means to me that they may not reveal all the glory of great recordings. Which you prefer is a matter of taste, and no one can substitute their judgment on that for your own.
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@arafig
The May and 005 are more similar than different. Both have excellent 3-d palpalpability. The 005 is more like the sixth row. The May is less detailed but has a blacker background. I did not think the DSD mode was particularly better than the NOS mode in DSD. It had different sound. DSD is similar to pcm in the 005 but arguably may have a touch more solid texture. The 005 too my easr hhas elevated all sample rates to DSD sound as p÷rceived a few years ago.
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@arafiq -I purchased the 005 and had the same concerns you did about 3rd row vs 1st; a bit smoother, and more analog, too revealing or unforgiving (and I don't have DSD albums). In my system (ARC, ProAc, Cambridge CXC and Aurender server) the differences between the 005 and the Holo May house sound are subtle and to my ears more pleasing-the articulation, fullness and staging are "all that". If you purchase from Shenzhenaudio you also have a 30 day return window.
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@sns @melm thank you for answering my question. I was almost set to get the Holo Audio May Dac, but now I’m wondering if Musetec is a better buy. From what I’ve read so far I feel the May Dac is going to be more to my taste — bit more laid back (third row vs first), a bit smoother, and more analog-like. But is it worth an extra $2k? I know this is something no one can answer on my behalf. Another thing I like about Holo Audio is that they have a dedicated DSD engine. I have quite a few DSD albums which I play often, so this might be a deciding factor.
my other concern is if the Musetec might be too revealing or unforgiving compared to the May. Tough decision!
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@gracky
Please post your impressions as the new DAC breaks in. I am hoping to get mine by next Monday or possibly earlier based on your experience.
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My 005 has arrived this afternoon. Ordered on 29th Nov., was dispatched on 4th Dec. So I think Shenzhenaudio is not slow. Shipping was via DHL and very smooth.
It replaced my RME ADI-2 pro, and today I could barely recognize it is not a faulty unit. At least I think its channel separation is better than ADI-2 pro (in spite that it was used in balanced phone mode which was clearly better than its normal line level outputs). Finding the best setup will take time, but I think it is promising...
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@melm
"Always a bit of normal anxiety when ordering from far away."
I admit I was a little jumpy. Thanks for talking me off the ledge!
I might need some guidance when setting up the new DAC. Currently using Audirvana Plus software on a MacBook Pro into a Codex so not sure which settings I'll need to change but looking forward to experimenting. Any suggestions from you and others are welcome. Eventually I will look at dedicated streamers.
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@jc4659
In my "Buying Direct from China" thread (before it was commandeered by the Audiogon Politicos*) I commented on the high ethical standard I have always found when buying from China or Japan. If you ever need support from the factory, based on my own experience, I think you will also find it is there. Always a bit of normal anxiety when ordering from far away.
*An unfortunate indicator of what has befallen the US in the last several years.
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@jc4659 Your experience with Shenzhen Audio is exactly like mine when I bought my Gustard X26 Pro last year. They also gave me a discount after I missed a sale by 1 week. I returned the Gustard X26 Pro due to an issue I had, and they sent me a replacement unit very quickly. It cost me $115 to send back the unit by USPS. I have no problem buying from these guys.
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I have very positive feedback to share about Shenzhen Audio. Initially I had concerns about lack of email correspondence but this may have been due to problems communicating via their web portal email/chat links. When I contacted them directly, I promptly received several emails answering my queries. When I had ordered the 005 I originally paid full price thinking I had missed the black friday sale. This morning I received a notification of 10% refund along with a tracking number thanking me for my patience. This is excellent customer relations that you just don't see much of anymore. I hope the Musetec DA-005 DAC also exceeds my expectations! Thank you very much, Shenzhen Audio!
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For all possible future purchasers of 005, expect to hear the previously unheard. And not in a clinical, analytical manner, assuming one's present system not voiced in this manner.
I just wish I had bought a 2nd 005 instead of the Topping D90SE which is still excellent for $900 in my "noisy" room system. The 005 would be even better.
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@arafiq Melm mentioned pretty much what I was going to say. I believe we know virtually everyone having purchased 005. See if you can find Holo May vs Terminator review, extrapolate from there. Based on my observations Holo May has generally come out ahead of Terminator. With each new iteration of Terminator, resolving powers seem to improve, Holo May always top notch here.
I have to say I may be biased against Denafrips, had Denafrips Hyperion amp in system couple years ago, very disappointing. I just thought anyone voicing a component that way is playing flavors off one another trying to balance out sound. I prefer more neutral components. This may have absolutely no bearing on Terminator sq, as usual YMMV.
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@arafiq
No. However, it's been compared to the Holo May in great detail on this board, It's also been compared to the Mola Mola Tambaqui at head-fi.
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Has anyone done a direct comparison of this dac with Denafrips Terminator 2? Sorry if this was mentioned earlier and I missed the post.
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@melm This hearing of the formerly unheard continues to amaze me with 16/44, 005, network and general system improvements. My recent boutique tube purchases uncovered another layer of the lowest level details, performers in room becoming flesh and blood, more timbral color. This cannot happen if source obscures, 005 is amazingly resolving piece.
My analog setup only fell further behind with 005 in system, now presume it will take minimum $3.5K cartridge and planned mods to phono stage to get back in running. For all possible future purchasers of 005, expect to hear the previously unheard. And not in a clinical, analytical manner, assuming one's present system not voiced in this manner.
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@wharfy
"One more update--played my better half her CD copy of The Nutcracker. She remarked that she heard instruments she did not know were there."
How reminiscent of the golden analog days. We used to purchase a new cartridge, perhaps our first moving coil (expensive and consumable), and rush to hear what it does on familiar disks. What would we hear that was formerly hidden in those grooves?
I trust all still goes well with the DAC.
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@jc4659
For wharfy it was 12 days from ordering until delivery. That doesn’t mean it will be the same for you, but it looks good.
Shenzhen seems often to give a longer expected delivery date so as not to be bothered with Where’s my stuff? emails.
Good luck. As you can see by the responses, it’s worth the wait. Could be the last DAC for many people, including me.
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I finally received a reply from Shenzhen Audio when I emailed them directly and not via their website. Nothing definitive as far as the wait time from the manufacturer but others here have posted several weeks so I am guessing this will be the case here. I pulled the trigger and ordered a Musetec DA-005 and anxiously await the new DAC. I'll post my impressions here at the appropriate time. Thanks to all above who have chimed in on their experiences!
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