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

Someone at another forum just purchased 005 from Clear Components out of Germany,

When I bought my 005 maybe 3 weeks ago from Shenzhen they said that Musetec was building my unit. They did not have any DACs in stock.

I have to assume they still do not have any in stock. It would be nice to know how long it will take until shipping, a week, a month... No communication is an easy way to redirect potential buyers to competitors such as Denafrips, etc.

@jc4659 

The chat function on Shenzhen seems not to be working.  That's quite unusual.  I suggest you try it tomorrow.  They can also be reached by email.  I don't think that has anything to do with availability of the product.

A couple of weeks ago I contacted the factory about an order for someone.  I was told that even if not in stock, they could produce one within a week.

If Shenzhen fails to come alive soon, you can contact the factory by email and inquire there.  All things being equal you might prefer Shenzhen for their 30 day no question return privilege.  I don't know that anyone has used it though. 

@jc4659

I just received an email reply from Young at Shenzhen:

"The Musetec DAC might take 3-5 days before shipping. We could help to match the Black Friday sale price for you"

There you go . . . and the price is right!

I suggest an email to Shenzhen directed to Young with this quote.  support@shenzhenaudio.com