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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
metaldetektor
148 posts
 

Sorry if already answered, but what kind of break-in period did folks experience?

auxinput
2,920 posts
 

Supposedly, the latest M1 mini will only use a max of 39 watts power (which is 3.25A at 12V):

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201897

The previous mac mini's used up to 122 watts, which is 10.1 amps.  You really need the huge Teradak 13A power supply for this (only game in town that provides that much current).

If' you are running a M1 Mini, I think you can get away with a lower sized power supply and end up with a much better result than the Teradak.  You could get the internal power filter:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/184685135284?hash=item2b001785b4:g:ICcAAOSwMmhelgMm

Then look at a much nicer LPS.  I suppose the Uptone JS-2 would work here if you like that model.  You can also look at the Keces P8.  The Keces has a very large 35,200uf capacitor bank and uses 4 transistors in parallel to supply the output current. (the Uptone looks to have a huge capacitance as well).  DO NOT buy the 4A Teddy Pardo for this application as it is very inefficient and will get extremely hot!  Teddy Pardo is really only good for loads up to 0.6A.

Even though the M1 mini will run with a 4A linear power supply, I would highly recommend getting a much larger one to allow for smoothest current delivery and regulator heat dispersion.

auxinput
2,920 posts
 

My take on even 004 modded to your level, can't replicate 005 ultimate sound quality.

I would agree.  The specific list of modifications that fmzip listed out will definitely help the sound quality of the 004, but it doesn't address all design problems.  The Crystek 957 clock is an improvement over the stock clock, but it is somewhat laid back in sound (more like a McIntosh sonic signature).  Accusilicon clock is much better if you cannot work in an OCXO.  The bumped up 10,000uf Mundorfs will definitely help, but in my opinion, Mundorf Mlytic are already compromised as they essentially place a "veil" over the music.  Upper mids/highs lack attack and speed, bass is not as strong/full.

The further problems are all on the digital power supplies where the stock caps are severely undersized.  This presents higher ripple on the regulator outputs and also weakens bass response.

 

sns
3,003 posts
 

The Uptone JS2 won't work with M1 mini, internal power supply not compatible, its designed to accept SMPS. Uptone would have to produce internal power supply, like MMK for earlier minis to work. I presume the Teradak LPS requires their internal filter to work correctly. All the internal mini ps are designed for SMPS, won't work with LPS. https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/topic/60969-apple-m1-chip-for-music-server/#comment-1093146

 

I do agree running higher amp LPS than called for is always good thing.

sns
3,003 posts
 

@metaldetektor I believe some have reported as much as 400 hours. I never started serious listening below 100 hours. Easy to burn in dac, just leave on with signal flowing through, don't need music playing through speakers.

 

@sonic79 This is assuming one is using HQPlayer. Certainly, if one wants to use HQPlayer to full potential extreme processing power needed, Roon DSP doesn't require as much. I believe even Roon Nucleus or any NUC with I5 and above is sufficient.

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