Musetec (LKS) MH-DA005 DAC

I just received my 005 from Jason at Midwest Audio.  He is a great guy, highly responsive, earnest and knowledgeable.  I highly recommend him.  He sent me a letter thanking me for my business and included a battery for the remote, which the manufacturer oddly doesn't include.

Given all the rave review by real users here and on head fi, I thought I'd give one a shot.

While I've only got a few hours on it, and haven't played much with the DPLL settings, all I can say is holy cow, this DAC is spectacular.  I concur with what everyone is saying about it.  It is extremely accurate and detailed, yet extremely natural and non-fatiguing.  I find myself being happily immersed in the music and able to shift my focus between musicians and vocalists even during complex passages.

What has stood out thus far is the presentation of details I've never heard before on familiar recordings as well as the extremely natural sounds of wood and steel strings when listening to acoustic guitar.  For example, the subtle interplay between Julian Lage and Chris Eldridge on For Critter and Cattle in the Cane (Alternative Take) from Close to Picture is evident as they play off each other and exchange lead and rhythm duties.  I've never quite heard Chris tease his strings with strokes that move slightly up and down the strings, bringing out a zingy and slightly percussive quality.  I thought to myself, I'm glad Chris is playing new strings!  That's how much information is presented.

Listening to I'm With Her play Hannah Hunt allows me to easily distinguish between the voices of Aoife, Sarah and Sara, which can be difficult to do on even a spectacular system.

In any event, I could go on.  But, if your system is resolving enough, this DAC will not disappoint.  It's early in my relationship with it but I will say I am frankly quite astonished at what it brings to my system.       

@car123 what DAC were you using before ?

Aurender A10 for streaming and a musetac bidat for redbook CDs.

@lordmelton 
Nice post.
About a month ago when some of us early users were being criticized as "salesmen" my response was that most of the favorable comments these days were coming from those who had purchased recently and were sharing.  So thanks.  For a component without advertising or commercial reviews Audiogon forum exposure has often been a means of sharing information about some terrific products.  

@charles1dad 
I appreciate your post.  I hadn't heard of the Merason DAC.  Looking at what I can find about it the DAC seems both a lot more expensive and a lot less sophisticated than the Musetec.  But you never know, and the proof will always be in the listening.

@car123 
I enjoyed reading what you wrote.  It has the elements of a terrific review, but you must write again after a full break-in.  Remember, the break-in may not be in a straight line.  I responded particularly to your comment that Chris Eldridge obviously put new strings on his guitar and that was made apparent in your listening.  Well, for a recording he most likely did, and that's exactly what you heard.  As I wrote before, classical soloists will often borrow a great instrument for a recording.  Kind of the same thing.  Well, I have probably bored some readers writing about classical, but your comment may have brought them back in.

Thanks, melm.  I will report again after break in.  Thus far, it hasn't been a straight line.  Some moments, it seems to sound better than others.  But you know how that goes, it could be my ears, electric load on the lines or the grid, a new DAC, or a host of other issues. 

After listening to the Critter/Jules recording again, I also realized that Chris is playing heavier strings than Jules, likely medium and light.  I've definitely never heard that before.

Fans of acoustic guitar who don't know about Chris and Jules should seek them out.  These young guys are world class players, with a special synergy between them.