Has Anyone Auditioned an LKS MH-DA004 DAC?

@hfaddict wrote "I’m quite happy with my purchase and can only hope it is as reliable as my Chord has been!"

I think I've read just about everything written about this DAC, and with the help of Google in 3 languages.  I have not yet read of anything going wrong with the DAC.  There were some issues of possible overheating in the analog area.  Early adopters addressed the problem in a few different ways.  The factory has since resolved the issue.

One thing I think that makes the LKS easy to assemble without issues and even keep running well is the large amount of real estate that you get with the unit.  It is large and laid out very simply with plenty of space around components.  You have put up a lot of pictures, but my favorite is of the insides: https://cdn.head-fi.org/a/9938884.jpg  Your unit, if of recent manufacture, differs from this picture in that the 8 FETs in the analog section are now on the underside of the board.

In fact, should anything go wrong, and as you can see, it would be fairly simple to disconnect a few plugs, remove a few screws and the Amanero board and lift out the circuit board to send in for repair if necessary.  

@auxinput  Seems you've got a very good understanding of what's under the hood of these components.  Way over my head but I enjoy learning and doing research. 

@melm Haha I did the same thing and used a lot of Google translate as well. I also didn't find any reliability problems. And yes, tons of room under there! 

You guys are killing me.  I'm just finishing 10 days of work here and have another 2 weeks off to enjoy my rig again.  And the new Curious USB cable should be waiting patiently in the mail box...

I just wish LKS sent a demo unit out to a major reviewer like innerfidelity or earphiles so we could get an official review. I asked them to do this but they didn't reply. It would help my confidence.

How does the LKS sound with USB input?

Oh and do you guys like the upgraded USB amenero board? Would you recommend another input instead or Schiit EITR to convert to coax?

@smodtactical
The upgraded Amanero board is excellent with its own power supply (though drawing about 5V from one of the 50W transformers). It also has two femto clocks on board.

The Schiit unit is not at all comparable as the Amanero board is a USB to I2S board, not a USB to coax. Major difference, and much in favor of the Amanero.

As for the input, you use the Amaero board if you want to go in via USB. That would depend upon your source.

As for a US review, I believe that they can sell all that they make and mostly in Asia. It’s supposed to be a favorite in Hong Kong. So no American marketing. Anyway, why would you believe an "official" reviewer more than the dozens of users who offer opinions on the various ’net sites? I don’t think a commercial reviewer would write that a $1500 Chinese DAC could compete with the major players who offer a lot of advertising. Just my personal $.02. Also US mags usually don’t review components that don’t have US distribution.