Musetec (LKS) MH-DA005 DAC

@sns Yes, I agree the streaming possibilities today are numerous and endless. Endless too is our individual climb up the audio mountain. At certain stops, we may decide the view is too nice and stay put. Other times, we continue the climb up to seek a new view. We all have done both and both are perfect choices for the moment. Right now I’m on that next climb but I plan to stop and enjoy the view once the Fiber Box II arrives and is inserted into the system. I need to "rest" and just enjoy because I’ve been moving up at breakneck speed. Regarding optimization of particular digital input types, I don’t think we can say one type is definitively better than any other type. Based on my own experience, I believe the optimizations that one can do is limitless for any digital input type. We can just pick what we think is best and optimize (endlessly if desired).

@lordmelton I would like to describe the same type of test I did almost a year ago to provide another perspective. The DAC under test was my Benchmark DAC3 DX. The AES setup was the MU1 but the AES cable this time was a $56 Grimm TPR cable. The USB setup used an $8K USB solution whose main components were the opticalRendu, ISO Regen, Phoenix USB, and Shunyata Alpha cable. This test would decide if the MU1 would be heading back to the Netherlands or not. As we know, I kept the MU1 and sold most of the USB solution. Of all the musical qualities that I cared for, this AES setup was preferred roughly by 80%. So I still thought the USB setup did some things better. Having decided MU1 AES was my future, I replaced the TPR cable with the Omega cable. I’m going by audio memory here but the MU1/Omega combo then tipped the scales nearly to 100% AES. I had sold most of the USB solution by the time I received the Omega cable so I couldn’t repeat the test. Lesson reaffirmed: digital cables matter greatly. Regarding DOP, the MU1 does support it. I believe I have an album or two that is DSD so I may give DOP a try, if anything, to learn something new about the 005 and the system as a whole.

@melm I was aware of what that head-fi user did but I was not aware of how easy it is to remove and re-insert the USB board. Thanks for sharing this info. I’ve replaced the DSP boards on my Kii Three active speakers so removing circuit boards from high end gear would not be new to me. I will remove the USB board from the 005 and have a listen and then report back. I’m expecting to hear a difference because the main premise of removing any piece of circuitry (if it can be done and is not needed) is to not suffer the noise/distortions caused by that circuitry.  Side note: If removal is not an option then reducing the activity level of any circuitry should also reduce the noise level.  This has been my experience.

@kclone 

You have a unique set-up so It will be fascinating to read of your impressions.  Just as interesting might be a comparison with the Denafrips Terminator, if you still have it or remember it well.  Welcome to the conversation.

Thanks melm.   I need to put some vibration control on my racks and treat my room to complete my set up.  Hopefully I will accomplish that in the next couple of months.  

It was a truly difficult decision in buying another DAC. I purchased a Gustard X26 Pro and found such an amazing improvement that I thought, hmm.... what am I missing out on with an even better DAC. I was living in a cocoon I guess as I'm a pretty tech savvy guy, or at least I used to be. Regardless, I ended up purchasing the 005 over the May as I felt I could return it with a minimal rental fee if needed.

My ONLY stop gap was this thread. I found the most prevalent people here to be more than evangelists, but rather salesmen. Do some of you get $$$ from Musetec? I post and have questions, but mostly move on to listen to music. I follow forums now to be better informed and try and share info, but found the obsession on some people's parts to be disconcerting. I just found it weird.

So, I got the 005 after PM'ing a few folks that seemed to be a little less intense about it...

My take, yup, the 005 is the real deal. At least for neophyte me. I started with Logitech streamers, Logitech Transporter, Cambridge 200m, then Gustard X26 Pro and 005. A little stop with my Krell Vanguard DAC... I find my subjective opinion to be that I am getting a lot more detail out of, especially, my red book discs than previously wit the 005.

I like the DAC. PM me if you have any questions. However no evangelist here. I apologize, but I found it weird and off putting and almost made me not buy it.

@btscott No one is getting paid or rewarded here to give their opinions on the 005. It is just such a quality DAC for such a reasonable price, I believe the recommendation becomes contagious.

It goes well beyond R2R vs Chip DACs and Western vs Chinese DACs. It's just superb.

The only issue here is Musetec doesn't support it in any way, whereas most other Chinese DACs seem to have quite a bit of representation.