That was a quote I got on the USPS web site.
Silver in color
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 $$ by research, and by satisfaction with the MH-DA004. Frankly, I have been overwhelmed by the improvement; just didn't think it was possible. Fluidity, clarity, bass extension. A post to another board summed it up better than I can after listening to piano trios: "I have probably attended hundreds of classical concerts (both orchestral and chamber) in my life. I know what live sounds like in a good and bad seat and in a good and mediocre hall. All I can say is HOLY CRAP, this sounds like the real thing from a good seat in a good hall. Not an approximation of reality, but reality."
Meanwhile, during the 4 years after release of the MH-DA004, LKS (now Musetec) worked on the new MH-DA005 design, also with a pair of ES9038pro chips. This time he used more of the best components available. One torroidal transformer has silver plated copper. Also banks of super capacitors that act like batteries, solid silver hookup wire, 4 femtoclocks each costing multiples of the Crysteks, a revised Amanero board, more of the best European caps and a new partitioned case. I can't say cost NO object, but costs well beyond. A higher price, of course. Details at http://www.mu-sound.com/DA005-detail.html
The question, surely, is: How does it sound? I'm only going to answer indirectly for the moment. I thought that the MH-DA004 was to be my last DAC, or at least for a very long time. I was persuaded to part with my $$ 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."
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@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. |
Thanks Charles, may I return the compliment in that I find your posts generally thoughtful and insightful. Your a rare consistent asset to AG forums.
I should also add individual sensory perceptions are extremely variable. While I suggested I may not like 005 in SS system, I understand others may find the pairing complimentary. We all have our natural inherent biases, add to those ones formed from experience, result is there may be extremely different perceptions as to sound quality of any particular audio component. I'd expect diverging opinions on 005 sound quality. The one parameter of this dac I'd suggest is unquestionable is it's ability to resolve, I can't imagine this dac not being involving, this level of resolution is inherently involving, assuming system up to it. I accept color is somewhat variable here. |
@benzman Thanks for the update, the cost of oil must have caused the increase in shipping. I am looking for a black 005. In fact I need to get one soon since I bought my ultimate headphone amp this afternoon and will likely use my Benchmark DAC3B with it and not the 005. I will need another 005 to fill in where the DAC3B currently resides. The amp I am getting is a tube amp and I demoed it with the DAC3B, which is a little brighter than the 005. This is likely a better match with those tubes..
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- 1537 posts total