Musetec (LKS) MH-DA005 DAC

Ok a few Caveats though:
 

I had a problem with one of my mono blocks that had to go in for repair  I received my Musitec with nothing to listen with till the Coda Csib arrived. Cost me over a week of my trial. 
The Musitec was fed by my current Cary DMS 700 thru coax streaming Qobuz,Tidal and files from the HD and SD.  No way of optimizing the USB input of the 005 which I am sure is it’s best input. Gave it about 8 days and figured I would try the Bricasti M3 using the same inputs. It was not even close. The Bricasti was on such a higher level there was no amount of break in time or input challenging that would get the 005 near the level of the Bricasti. 
The M3 is so refined, just another animal , soundstage depth, layering of instruments, delicacy of cymbals and percussion. Just in another league. 
The Bricasti was a demo w/network card ( which I didn’t use during the comparison) for 40% off list with full 2 year warranty.  So the numbers also worked in the Bricasti’s favor. 
I am sure the 005 is a great value but certainly at least in my system could not compete with the Bricasti which is 6500 list price so it’s really not a fair comparison.   
I had already ordered the 005 when the Bricasti came available or I would not have tried it. It just cemented how good the Bricasti is. 

@benzman Ship it from USPS. It should be half that price. I did a replacement back to China with USPS and it went perfectly (a Gustard X26 Pro).

What color is the 005 you have. I sold my CODA #8 amp today and was planning on buying a second 005, just not so soon, but a gift horse.

That was a quote I got on the USPS web site. 
Silver in color 

@benzman I'd agree you didn't hear 005 through it's best input, that being usb, especially if optimized at server and/or network level. Having said that I can understand your preference based on a number of things. First, 005 certainly not what I'd describe as forgiving. Over the two plus years of my ownership, component and/or parts changes have resulted in what I'd characterize as only analytical to neutral overall gestalt of 005. Analytical when breaking in/settling of new components or parts, return to the neutral or mean rest of the time. All my system improvements have been solely dedicated to greater resolving/lower noise floor since 005 purchase, and this tonal character has never changed.  During these break in times there has been a lack of refinement and/or lack of color, but going back to the mean or state of neutrality has always brought about a great sense of live performers to my room. The sheer resolving capabilities of the 005 always brings about a heightened sense of this with every system resolving upgrade.

So, on color/timbre/tonality, texture, refinement issue. My basic system is SET, DHT so high in 2nd order harmonic distortions, SS is going to be higher in odd order harmonic distortions. I'd suggest this plays role in my perception of 005 color. I'd not think, and based on my experience with various SS amps and pre's over the years, including Class A, and even battery powered SS, 005 wouldn't play as nice.

Bottom line for me is 005 has yet to commit any long term sins. My systematic upgrades in overall resolving capabilities have yet to uncover some undesired coloration. Now, I have often wondered about whether 005 is performing some sin of omission, perhaps the most salient one in my mind being the very issues of refinement, delicacy you bring up with Briscati. Perhaps there is more of this to be found in some of the highest echelon dacs, in fact I'd expect it and demand it. I can't say I've found the 005 lacking here ,at least in digital realm, however,  when I compare  present overall sound quality to my aural memory of the highest echelon vinyl setups (talking 100K to multiples of 100K), I can hear a slight lacking here.

@sns 

Thoughtful and insightful post. Synergy and compatibility aspects of audio products reign supreme in my opinion. 

Charles