@turcoda Looks like ASR's big plan to scupper the 005 has failed even if you were the only one who couldn't figure out how to work it.
Musetec (LKS) MH-DA005 DAC
Some history: I was the OP on a four year old thread about the Chinese LKS MH-DA004 DAC. It achieved an underground buzz. The open architecture of its predecessor MH-DA003 made it the object of a lot of user mods, usually to its analog section, rolling op amps or replacing with discrete. The MH-DA004 with its new ESS chips and JFET analog section was called better then the modified older units. It has two ES9038pro DAC chips deliberately run warm, massive power supply, powered Amanero USB board, JFET section, 3 Crystek femtosecond clocks, Mundorf caps, Cardas connectors, etc., for about $1500. For this vinyl guy any reservation about ESS chips was resolved by the LKS implimentaion, but their revelation of detail was preserved, something that a listener to classic music especially appreciated. I made a list of DACs (many far more expensive) it was compared favorably to in forums. Modifications continued, now to clocks and caps. Components built to a price can be improved by costlier parts and the modifiers wrote glowingly of the SQ they achieved.
Meanwhile, during the 4 years after release of the MH-DA004, LKS (now Musetec) worked on the new MH-DA005 design, also with a pair of ES9038pro chips. This time he used more of the best components available. One torroidal transformer has silver plated copper. Also banks of super capacitors that act like batteries, solid silver hookup wire, 4 femtoclocks each costing multiples of the Crysteks, a revised Amanero board, more of the best European caps and a new partitioned case. I can't say cost NO object, but costs well beyond. A higher price, of course. Details at http://www.mu-sound.com/DA005-detail.html
The question, surely, is: How does it sound? I'm only going to answer indirectly for the moment. I thought that the MH-DA004 was to be my last DAC, or at least for a very long time. I was persuaded to part with my $$ by research, and by satisfaction with the MH-DA004. Frankly, I have been overwhelmed by the improvement; just didn't think it was possible. Fluidity, clarity, bass extension. A post to another board summed it up better than I can after listening to piano trios: "I have probably attended hundreds of classical concerts (both orchestral and chamber) in my life. I know what live sounds like in a good and bad seat and in a good and mediocre hall. All I can say is HOLY CRAP, this sounds like the real thing from a good seat in a good hall. Not an approximation of reality, but reality."
Meanwhile, during the 4 years after release of the MH-DA004, LKS (now Musetec) worked on the new MH-DA005 design, also with a pair of ES9038pro chips. This time he used more of the best components available. One torroidal transformer has silver plated copper. Also banks of super capacitors that act like batteries, solid silver hookup wire, 4 femtoclocks each costing multiples of the Crysteks, a revised Amanero board, more of the best European caps and a new partitioned case. I can't say cost NO object, but costs well beyond. A higher price, of course. Details at http://www.mu-sound.com/DA005-detail.html
The question, surely, is: How does it sound? I'm only going to answer indirectly for the moment. I thought that the MH-DA004 was to be my last DAC, or at least for a very long time. I was persuaded to part with my $$ by research, and by satisfaction with the MH-DA004. Frankly, I have been overwhelmed by the improvement; just didn't think it was possible. Fluidity, clarity, bass extension. A post to another board summed it up better than I can after listening to piano trios: "I have probably attended hundreds of classical concerts (both orchestral and chamber) in my life. I know what live sounds like in a good and bad seat and in a good and mediocre hall. All I can say is HOLY CRAP, this sounds like the real thing from a good seat in a good hall. Not an approximation of reality, but reality."
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@lordmelton - FWIW, I knew that review was out there but pay absolutely no attention whatsoever to ASR's opinion on anything... The site is anything but interested in furthering the pursuit of high end audio reproduction. They make as much sense today as Stereo Review did in the 80's. |
For generic FMC optimization need lps on both, along with nice power cords on each lps, and going through nice power conditioner. I've tried generics with stock switching power supplies on one or both FMC, cheaper power cords into lps, no power conditioner, all don't reach full potential of FMC. And even with FMC, ethernet cables retain critical importance, anything less than Audioquest Vodka has resulted in diminished sound quality
005 potential such that every single weak link in network will be exposed. Continuing improvements to network have paid off handsomely for me. Most recent network upgrade was two more generic FMC, both with lps, VH Audio Airsine power cords on both, both going to BPT 3.5 Sig (modified) power conditioner, still retain all AQ Vodka ethernet cables. This addition goes between my modded router and modded server (already had FMC post server). Further lowering of noise floor, 005 simply sublime! Previously, through many changes over two years of ownership, always perceived 005 as neutral to slightly analytical. With the lowered noise floor, refinement of 005 has gone up a notch, greater harmonic development.
I continue to be amazed by 005, never lets me down, continuing to explore it's full potential.
I leave 005 in standby when not in use. I have tube pre and amps so system turned off when not in use, tube warm up masks any possible 005 warm up time. |
@sns - Which LPS are you using for FMC optimization? |
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