Musetec (LKS) MH-DA005 DAC

I don't post online much. I'm adding a data point for those considering the Musetec 005 DAC. I have been using a May Holo KTE DAC for 5 months and ordered the Musetec 005 DAC thru Shenzhen Audio based on the enthusiasm around. The unit arrived 12/6, was burned in continuously for a week and after 3 days evaluation, I decided to return it. It's a personal choice, and I know people will ask why? what's the difference? what I like and don't like, etc... I just feel like the May Holo connects me with the music better. I'm not good at dissecting what I hear in words, so I'll leave it at that. That's not the reason for my post.

When I emailed Shenzhen Audio to request for return authorization, this is the reply I received after 2 days:

"Yeah, you can return it back to us, friend.

You should know that

1. The returned shipping cost and duties(if have) should be covered by you

2. We might charge 10% restocking fee if the usage time beyond 7days, and 20% restocking fee if the usage time beyond 15days but less 30days!

3. Be sure it's in good condition with all the accessories included, no damage, no lost, or we might charge extra 50% damage fee, and the cost of accessories will be deducted if lost.

4. Shipping address:

Consignee: Cloris Guo

Telnumber: 0086-17512019171

Address: Longguang Jiuzuan 5A- 2608, Longteng Rd, Minzhi St., Longhua District, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China, 518131

..."

The "10% restocking fee for 7 days of usage, and 20% after 15 days" is not expected, and Cloris confirmed multiple emails the 30 day no reason return policy on their website states "....we can arrange a partial refund...." means that.

I'm just passing on the data and will not post any more.

Wow! Thank you for sharing the information @pt999  I was ready to pull the trigger on the 005. The plan was do compare it to my Luxman and return if it didn’t cut the mustard. Surprised no one else bothered to mention this important fact. 

For me, connecting with the music is paramount and significantly more important than detail retrieval. This was my main issue with Topping D90 and Chord Qutest. If the 005 is cut from the same cloth, regardless of the quality of parts, it’s basically a no go for me. Too expensive to audition. Moving on. 

Lots of haters..from Aurender to Musetec and beyond...lol.

Been waiting 10 days for mine already and it hasn't shipped yet so there must be quite a long queue.

After I've run my Musetec in for a month I'll give you my thoughts.

@pt999

@arafiq

I respect the fact that pt999 might prefer the May over the Musetec and would be willing to pay the difference. One cannot argue taste. In one of my recent posts I have said the same. By the way, IMO it needs more than a week of break-in due to some very special capacitors in the analog section.

However, about your purchase and return. Sorry to hear of your dilemma. To my knowledge this is the first reported return of a Musetec. I have never bought from Shenzhen. They seem to have been in business for a long time; they seem to do a lot of business. Up until now we have only heard positive things about them like honoring Black Friday prices beyond the sale dates and pretty reasonable shipping times.

Their "30 Days No Reason Return" policy reads as follows: "After returning the product to the address provided by our customer service team, we can send you a new item free of charge (we will reimburse you the return shipping cost), or you can choose to receive a full refund. Please contact us for Return Material Authorization within 30 days of the order being received." It is pretty simple and pretty clear.

If they don’t honor that policy TO THE LETTER, then that’s what credit card charge-backs are for. Communicate with your credit card bank. Just make sure that you have not already paid your credit card bill for that item until after you challenge the charge and deduct it from your payment. With a 30 day return period that should be easy to do.

All of this seem pretty straight forward and, personally, I would have no problem ordering from them. I have learned to deal very effectively with situations like that. But I can understand if others would avoid.

Finally I would say to pt999 that if Shenzhen persists in these charges you might want to report this to the FTC, and tell Shenzhen you plan to do so. The FTC takes reports like this on-line.

I've never considered return policies from overseas sellers as most efficient way to audition equipment. Between shipping, possible custom fees, time constraints, restocking fees, always sold my audition equipment.

No surprising someone finds 005 dac not for them, no dac is for everyone. 005, assuming one's systerm capable of exposing it's resolving capabilities would never be less than engaging, however, its not a flavored component. Some will perceive that as analytical, not soul stirring. There are many recipes available in getting to soul stirring systems, 005 may not be right ingredient for all recipes.

pt99 experience is the one criticism I presumed would arise at some point. The recurring thought I have is the person considering tube dac or R2R dac for their reported flavorings will be those most likely to not like 005.

Some want digital to sound like vinyl, a futile effort in my opinion. I do accept digital can be more or less forgiving, but analog, no. I have pretty nice analog setup, and grew up listening exclusively to analog so I think I have pretty good idea of what analog sounds like. For me, digital doesn't have the TIMING of analog, analog has a sense of relaxation, ease I've never heard from digital. Highly resolving dacs only accentuate this difference in systems not optimized for digital. The same dac that sounds analog like in one system may sound harsh, analytical in another. 005 requires every single aspect of system to be optimized for digital in order to show it's full capabilities. One shouldn't expect it to sound just like vinyl, for some thats no go, reason they don't care for any digital. As for sense of actual performers in room, this is reachable for digital, and 005 in particular. For me vinyl is romantic, warm and fuzzy feelings, 005 digital totally engaging, exciting, both satisfying in own way.

From my perspective, 005 is nearly last piece to put in already digital optimized system. Streaming needs to have top notch network, usb renderers, cabling, etc. home AC cleaned up, no grounds issue, room treatments, and of course sympathetic amp, pre, speakers, top notch transport for cds. If 005 purchased prior to full system optimization very likely one will be working on rest of system to obtain full capabilities of 005 or selling unit.

In this, I don't think 005 different from any highly resolving piece, it will show the warts. One has to pay steep cost to get both highest resolution and soulful presentation, all the t's must be crossed, i's dotted.