@sns Thank you very much for a comprehensive reply. I think I will go with 006, for the reasons you mention and also because by the time I have factored in shipping from US to UK, customs clearance, VAT (UK - 20%) and all the rest, the price difference vs. getting a 006 from the European importer/representative is well below $1000. So much for 'free trade'.
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.
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Very quick update, the system continues to evolve for the better at about 200hrs on the 006 and Gaia. Incredible detail and stage but the sound, particularly vocals, continues to develop more realism and involvement.
I’m very happy with the upgrade and look forward to receiving my tubulus and a few other upstream changes I'm going to try. |
@car123 I haven't been keeping close track to hours recently but somewhere around 350 for Gaia and 250 for Tubulus and sound continues to evolve. Mostly gains in harmonic structure and more natural attack and decay. Mostly what I love with my present setup is the honesty of how it portrays each and every recording. Sometimes I can perceive my setup as sounding just a bit darkish, but then I play a recording with more air up top and that perception disappears. Same with all other parameters of sound quality, recordings should be presented in the exact manner they were recorded.
Very interested in hearing your perceptions of Tubulus cable, some claim they don't hear differences with I2S cables, I easily heard difference from my initial I2S cable. |
I'm fairly certain I will hear the difference with the tubulus and will report my impressions when it arrives. In incorporating the 006 and gaia, I temporarily downgraded the power cord on my N200 just out of convenience. This morning, I went back to one of my better power cords on the N200 and was quite shocked at the improvement even though I know the difference cords can make. It reinforces that everything matters.
The system is sounding exceptional. |
When I first installed Gaia was using an inferior power cord and sitting on stock feet. Added one of my diy power cords (these replaced pc's up to $7k throughout system) and placed on Stillpoints, easily heard improvement.
I wish everyone with Musetec or Laiv Harmony dac could hear these dacs with Gaia via I2S, extracting max potential from these dacs is well worth it! |
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