Musetec (LKS) MH-DA005 DAC

I received a singxer SU-6 yesterday and immediately put it in the system in place of the sonore ultradigital between my aurender and my 005.  Immediately, I noticed what I can best describe as a strident, edgy and "bad digital" character.  The system remained very detailed but the realistic and pleasant character of instruments and vocals was diminished.   The joy and involvement seemed sucked out of my system.   I let it burn in overnight by playing music continually through it.  I sat and listened late morning today.  My system was better than yesterday but still not particularly engaging. 

A couple hours ago, I swapped back in the sonore and my system was immediately better and far more enjoyable than using the singxer.  I'm going to listen to the system for a couple days and swap back in the singxer.  But, I'm relatively certain I still will prefer the sonore.

I may order and try an LKS USB 100.  I do prefer my system using the sonore feeding the 005 through HDMI over running the aurender through USB directly into the 005.

What I believe I'm learning is there are solutions that provide better sq than straight usb out of the aurender into the 005.

Are there recommendations for USB renderers less costly that the innuos phoenix?   I may want to go in that direction.

@car123 Hi, What you're hearing is break-in associated noise. I had an awful time when I first installed the LKS 100.

What I suggest is plug HDMI I2s and RJ45 I2s simultaneously into the 005.

It's going to 4-5 days for the break-in to resolve itself but you can then compare the differences between HDMI and RJ45.

My LKS is a great performer now, so much so that I'm auditioning a new USB cable.

@fl_guy Amir's tests are not normal test conditions. They are Amir's test conditions. For example he couldn't even be bothered to put batteries in the remote, download the manual or the correct driver from the website.

He sees anything priced above a couple of hundred bucks as the spawn of Satan.

@toddk31 Well you got a real feeding frenzy going over at ASR, you should be very proud of yourself. However if you really are a seeker of truth and not just a smart a$$, why not break the DAC in (ASR doesn't believe in break-in) have a listen, see what you think and then for a real review send it to Goldensound.

I know it's complicated but that's how great things are achieved through transparency and honesty.

@car123 Your impressions of SU6 allign with my presumptions of what I'd have heard if I had cared to even try my Singxer SU6. You do owe it further burn in just to be sure. Trying out LKS would give you one more point of reference.  Your usb experience not surprising in least, I'd bet on many usb renderers beating out server usb. Can't give you info on good one for less money than Phoenix, not up to date here.

As for the NON-CONTROVERSY of measurements vs listening in rating 005. Non-controversial in the sense the objectivist vs subjectivist divide only continues into the infernal. There have actually been some pretty informative arguments on this subject at this forum, believe everything that could ever be said in regard to this issue has been addressed in this forum.

I only know 005 will continue to have exact same sound as prior to ASR review. Jimbo addressed issue of O vs. S in stating 005 tuned by listening, no misdirection there. I haven't looked at 005 marketing measurements vs ASR, if they are not accurate he should be called out on that.

Going at it big time over this one at ASR, 11 pages and growing. Lots of people over there referring to some bashing of ASR and objectivists from this forum. There are some defenders of subjectivism on the thread.