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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."

melm
sirnui
83 posts
 

@americanspirit I will see/hear if the LKS DDC is better or worse.  If I've learned anything in this hobby it is to take everything reported online with a grain of salt and reserve my own judgement until I demo the gear in my own system against my own musical preferences.  For this reason, I have a constant monthly flow of new gear/ideas coming in and out.  My wife can attest to this.

It was indeed @lordmelton who had great results with the LKS DDC.  At the time he first reported his good results, I was using the MU1 streamer which I was very happy with so I stayed put.  Now that the MU1 is gone, this is a good opportunity to demo the LKS DDC.  I will report back what I find.

Speaking of new gear, I also bought a Shunyata Typhon T2 power conditioner and it should be leaving the factory this week.  I'm hoping I can get back the resolution and low level details I lost after selling my Shunyata Everest with Omega XC cable.  I plan to test the Typhon T2 connected to my Puritan PSM 136 conditioner via the umbilical cable.  The Typhon T2 has two AC outlets itself so I will try putting the 005 and other components into the Typhon T2 directly and also into Puritan PSM 136.  For anyone that cares, I can report back the results.  But I doubt anyone else plans to use a Giandel 5000 inverter with battery feeding a Typhon T2 feeding a Puritan power conditioner.  This is the kind of journey I'm on...

lordmelton's avatar
lordmelton
877 posts
 

Yes, I am no longer using the LKS 100 although I expect to revisit it later. I used it to great effect for many months but I decided to re-try the USB with some different cables. Some were much more expensive than a solid silver cable, but that's what broke in the Amanero board.

My 005 is fully broken in now and will be one year old next month. I have heard many DACs in the meantime and I can honestly say I absolutely no desire to change it.

The 005 uses ESS 9038 Pro chips, some cheap Chinese DACs are already implementing the latest ESS 9039 Pro chips. I look forward to Musetec implementing this chip which will provide full MQA unfolding.

I can confidently promise that there isn't a better DAC unless you start getting into stupid money.

lordmelton's avatar
lordmelton
877 posts
 

@americanspirit  It is not necessary to cut and solder USB cables, just use electrical tape to cover the contacts.

You can do this on even very expensive cables.

lordmelton's avatar
lordmelton
877 posts
 

@sirnui Good luck on your journey, it makes sense to start with power supply and power cables.

I would suggest you also experiment with Audioquest PCs and the Niagara Power Conditioners.

I am embarking on that journey now. Start with your power amp.

sns
3,462 posts
 

@sirnui I went through a period of auditioning power conditioners a few years ago, Shunyata, PSAudio, Audience, some others forgetting at this point. I settled on transformer based solution, self modified BPT 3.5 Signature.

 

Power amps should go direct into wall, every single PC I tried diminished transients to some degree. I like your idea of the Giandel inverter, have been following the battery thread here. I did try battery pack power at one time for Auralic Vega dac, interesting results, went back to BPT for power. Higher quality inverter should help, I'll get around to it some day. Quality batteries would also be important if I end up trying it.

 

I also went through years of auditioning cabling of all types some years ago, power cables are easily most important.

 

Footers for the 005 also have fairly large impact on SQ, as they are for all components. I've gone no footer route with 005, no footer is best footer, more natural SQ vs stock, various Aurios, Finite Elemente, any soft footer, BDR cones, Stillpoints Ultra SS with and without UltraBases. Really amazing sound from my system at this point, 005 not going away any time soon.

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