Musetec (LKS) MH-DA005 DAC

DAC designers focused on USB that take advantage of the newest processors in their boards have taken this input to an exceptional level. Realizing bits are not just bits a good designer will render bit perfect processing regardless of the imperfect signal arriving. They will also cancel out any voltage carried.

After owning a HOLO DAC for 5 months I've come to appreciate the as good as it gets processing of USB signal. After a month of using this DAC, the cable experiment started. I apply changes for a month then revert to prior setup before accepting change as an improvement. Long story short is my system and this DAC took signal from any distance with any USB (limited to 1k, so not really any) cable quality I threw at it and never wavered. 

The really exciting feature is how 16/44k sounds when played. I use ROON and immediately appreciate when this format comes up. There is something remarkable about the original format that shines through when the signal path conversion is kept as close to native as possible. I'm not saying crap recordings sound great, they still sound like crap, it's the better ones that will amaze. I would recommend any DAC with a design focus on the USB input. Of Course, YMMV.

Has anyone used the AES/EBU input exclusively OR enough to know how it fares against the units ‘best’ input, which I’m assuming is the USB, since the majority of comments are with USB. But what about the XLR with a nice cable and nice transport? 

@lemonhaze as much as the DACs you mention may all consecrate on sound over features, from what I’ve read, they’ve all be described differently. Very smooth and bit of warmth with big bass for the Mojo, a healthy chunk of warmth but good detail balancing with the Merason, and a bunch of tubes for SW1X. The 005 neutral and ‘exciting’, to be very general with all… I can see the Merason and Mojo DACs maybe being comparable, going by their general descriptions, but the 005 reads quite different from forum descriptions. 
 

@lemonhaze 
You write: "the apparently amazing 005 which if it performs as described is at an equally amazing price."

I have to inquire why there's an "if" there.  Why would you think that the DAC does not "perform as described."  Do you have any reason to distrust a good number of listeners like yourself?

I can give you five reasons why the sum of what you will find here about the DAC, written by actual purchasers/users, is more reliable than any review by what you would call a "reviewer."

As for comparisons of the $3200 Musetec to the $5500 Merason or the $6000 SW1X or the $7500 Mojo Mystique, you're probably dreaming about a perfect world.  It's already been compared to the Holo May, the Mola Mola Tambaqi, Chord Hugo 2 with M Scaler and a host of DACs that it has replaced.  Apparently it will soon be compared to the Bricasti.

@melm as you have said so many times my friend, no one has EVER returned a 005 or even criticized it by finding anything lacking.

I really don't know why a lot of people find it so difficult to comprehend that here exists a bargain that seems to have been created by Chinese people that love music.

Most Westerners look down on Chinese products and believe they can't outperform what the West churns out. Well the over hyped stuff from Weiss, dCS et al has had it's day, save for the crusty scroats that insist that dollars equal audiophile reproduction.

This DAC allowed me to spend $$$ on cables which would have been a stretch if I'd spent $10k+ on a DAC.

Still most of it's components are imported.

I don't see this DAC as the Chinese want to take over the World DAC. I see it as what enthusiastic audiophiles from China have created at a great price.

It's not a Topping or whatever, it has been created with the upmost attention to detail.

BTW AES/EBU is great but DSD needs USB for whoever asked.

FACT - Hong Kong prices of Western DACs have never been lower. If you don't believe me check it out.

@melm, I think you need to relax a little. I am free to trust or distrust whomever I wish yet I have not uttered any derogatory comment nor cast any aspersions on 'your' thread.

Do you have any reason to distrust a good number of listeners like yourself?

You assume too much.

you're probably dreaming about a perfect world

This makes no sense to me.

I came here asking an innocent question because I trusted the positive comments, think about it!  Why are you getting bent out of shape over me using the word 'if' ?

There is no ? at the end of my sentence, read it again. It was a statement not a question!