Based on melm's investigation that dac may be overpriced. With more acceptance of Chinese forays into higher end audio we may see more new Chinese products come onto market at inflated prices in order to maximize profit margins. Price doesn't always reflect actual value, this holds true for equipment manufactured in all countries.
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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Now that my new DA005 is selling down and the sound is somewhat stable after about 40 hours of playing time, I decided to ask my wife if she would be interested in listening to the system with the new DAC. Normally she has little interest and claims that she can't hear the subtle differences that I listen for but has placated me in the past and despite her denial she has very acute hearing. I played two songs from Alison Krauss and Union Station "New Favorite" CD that she has heard many times before without my saying a word. Afterwards I asked her opinion and half expected her to say it sounded good but couldn't really tell if it was better. Without hesitation she replied "it sounds much clearer." Leaving well enough alone, I didn't press her for opinion on soundstage depth, width, well defined and fleshed out images, tonality, etc. which I feel are also improved with this DAC. What stood out for her was the clarity which also struck me on day 1. I am very pleased with the performance of the Musetec DA005 and can now turn my attention to streaming and discovering new artists! Thank you to those who posted here and turned me on to this great DAC! |
@jc4659 |
I am waiting to hear back from The Repair Shop, the only authorized Meridian repair location in the U.S. I really like the Meridian. It has a solid feel, smooth drawer mechanism, and is built like a tank but if repairs are too costly then I will look at alternatives. The Pro-ject transport gets rave reviews but I am also looking to get away from using my laptop as a streamer. It's good to know that there is more to be had from the DAC whether spinning CDs or streaming. The Musetec DAC is a keeper. |
I am wondering if DAC stands for “Drive Anyone Crazy” !! I am educating myself on forums and YouTube vids in my quest to upgrade from my Bel Canto DAC2 and a Monarchy DIP fed by a BLUESOUND Node2i via Cat8 Supra. I have a MFA MAGUS A2 recapped by Scott Franklin and I sure enjoy it and definitely want to keep it in my system. So now I am going “crazy” with all my choices ( budget up to 5K if need be but prefer 2-3K) but actually I am enjoying all the threads and being retired I have ample time to listen to music while reading. An interesting note is that I was able to actually speak on the phone to a gentleman at Bel Canto which was refreshing and when I called Benchmark twice I spoke with Rory who answered all my questions and was very patient. Rory to his credit volunteered their return policy and suggested I try it and return it if not happy. That is standing by your product and displays confidence in the product(s).
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