Emm Labs DV2 versus Tambaqui

I totally get it ... but the fact that he is a dealer is an important point and something that must be disclosed when sharing quotes from the review since there is a financial interest at play here. And like I said, it does not negate or diminishes anything the reviewer said about the comparison. I don't know why you're implying that I find his conclusions 'insincere'. Never said that.

@arafiq

To add to your store of information and knowledge, IIUC the reviewer is a manufacturer of, among other things, an ethernet filter held in very high regard on this board. He continually needs and uses a DAC of very high quality to test his products as they develop and are improved. He used to use the Tambaqui. He sold it after hearing the Musetec.  Apparently (and you’ll see this if you read the head-fi thread) it wasn’t a close call. As he sells other, related, items and as there was no one selling the Musetec in the United Kingdom he arranged to become a dealer there.

@dbb The Benchmark HPA4/LA4 preamps (I had both) are amazing to hear OTHER gear. It usually is something else at fault if the sound is problematic.

I am open to listening to anything, however I have never heard a dac that uses the ESS chip that I have really liked. I find the mid range really lacking. "Yes", I am aware that manufacturers can do do heavily modify chips, but still.....

If you like silky smooth mid-range I suspect you like tube amps. The 005 doesn't, as most solid state products, emphasize any particular part of the music.

What you do get is detail in abundance, not sharp mechanical detail but the breath on a microphone, the vocalist's true voice, the accuracy of piano, the real sound of cymbals (not metallic crashes) etc.

If you still found the 005 not to your liking you have a 30 day return option.

Maybe couple it with a tube pre-amp?

But you could buy a 005, Holo May and Holo May pre-amp for the price of a Mola Mola.

Happy Listening