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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
jc4659
524 posts
 

@sns 

I am aware of the limitations of Toslink but I have a suspicion that the CD player leaks current. I have tried coax out in the past and twice I had a reclocker go out.  I have not had any problems since switching to optical out.  I believe the galvanic isolation is helping.  The CD player is an older Meridian 508.20 factory updated to 508.24 status and the IEC connection has no ground prong.  I don't want to risk passing extraneous voltage/current into the new DA005 DAC.  At some point I should have the CD player checked out since it is built like a tank.  I recently discovered that certain digital power cords when connected to a Furman power distributor cause the CD player to frequently display "No Disc".  Changing power cords and plugging into the wall enables the CD player to play that same disc.  Clearly, the Meridian has some power issues.  Despite these, CDs sound great using Toslink into the DA005.  I'll eventually retire the Meridian.

sns
3,003 posts
 

@jc4659 Sounds like cd player may be on last legs. I gave up cd's when couldn't find adequate replacement for my Mark Levinson  #37. If you're considering replacement transport you should check out  Pro-Ject CD Box RS2T, tons of great reviews, mechanism designed by same guys who designed Phillips Pro, one of the all time great transports, and used in my still missed ML 37. I'd pick this up in a minute if still playing cd's, Also has I2S output, if someone could figure pin out configuration on Pro-Ject could be used with I2S in on 005, that would be a killer combo.

dbb
155 posts
 

@pt999 

I agree with you on the sound of the May except I found that the black background and instrument separation was achieved by omitting detail. To my ear the May provided less detail and more separation.  This is to me a contrived but pleasing effect. In reality, detail and separation decrease as your seat moves back in the hall. The May, as I heard it, gave less detail as if you were seated further back in the hall, but, paradoxically, more separation. That is contrary to reality and reality is my bias.

high-amp
508 posts
 

Check out my new thread here:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/for-all-you-musetec-mh-da005-dac-fans

melm OP
1,057 posts
 

Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for a Great New Year to all.

@arafiq 
Thanks for the kind words.  All of these are terrific components.  You were lucky to find a used one in good condition because they are all considered to be keepers.  I didn't lose much sleep over the very small benefits I might have gotten by choosing something else.  My strong belief is that what comes before the DAC and the rest of the system afterward can have far more impact.

@pt999 
Terrific post comparing to your Holo May KTE.   As you say, another data point, really next to what @dbb  has written.  Very different set of surrounding components, probably different kind of musical samples.  Valuable information for anyone contemplating purchase of either unit.  

@jc4659 
Nice to know that the 005 is working out for you.  I'm not in total agreement with @sns .  I found, at least when playing disks from my Oppo, that I preferred a Toslink even over an Oyaide silver spdif.  An optical cable was recommended by a cable guru that is inexpensive and VERY good.  It is called "Cable Matters Toslink Cable" and available from Amazon. 

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