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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."

melm
melm OP
1,057 posts
 

@jeony

Although it seems not everyone will agree, my own thoughts on this subject, specifically for the Musetec, is that using a DDC that converts USB to I2S is not an optimal way to increase SQ. Musetec has put a lot of engineering and quality parts into doing that very same function extremely well. It is one of the outstanding features of the DAC. The devices spoken of merely duplicate what is already being done. IMO there are other proven ways of boosting SQ into Musetec inputs. See what @sns has written, for ex.

Theoretically, but questionable as to practicality, would be using a DDC that has an RJ45 as an INPUT and I2S as the output thereby bypassing the USB stage entirely. This eliminates all concerns whatever about USB limitations including those of USB cables. There are such DDCs. Do a search if you think it worthwhile to pursue this path.

That being said, IIUC the Denafrips Iris has no dip switches or other manner of adjusting for the lack of I2S standard in cables. However, unlike some other DDCs, it allows both for HDMI and RJ45 cable outputs matching the input side of the Musetec. A custom RJ45 cable is relatively easy for anyone to make.

car123's avatar
car123
88 posts
 

I ordered the sonore because folks seem to like them.  I'll see how it works for me and have the option to return it if I find it less than satisfying.

I am a fan of joule products and also have an la 150 and a vzn 80.  

 

I really love the Sit-3.  I got a hankering to try a solid state amp in my new music room and bought a pass X150-8.  It is a nice amp but has too much gain for my speakers, which are complex but extremely efficient.  I wanted something very special and, after research, thought a Sit-3 might match perfectly with my speakers, which are efficient but drop to 4 ohm.  The sit-3 is designated as 18 watts into 8 ohm and about double into 4 ohm.  After hooking up the sit-3, I realized it is a perfect match for my system.  Smooth, detailed, spacious, sense of ease, quite dynamic, really an amazing amp.  I need to sell the X 150-8; its a superb amp but is bettered in my system by the little Sit.

I will report on the sonore after I receive it and have a chance to run it in. 

sns
3,003 posts
 

For extremely efficient speakers and SS, First Watt would be my first choice. Many choices of color, trusted designer, minimal circuitry, which is important for super efficient speakers, higher power ss has far too much wasted excess for these speakers. This is straight wire concept at work, same principle applies to my preference for my 300B SET vs my 845SET with Khorns.

 

Return to usb vs I2S. While I've seen usb bettered by I2S, this has been rather rare occurrence. Why this so, I can't state with absolute authority. The most compelling reason I can find is that manufacturers not committed to it for good reason, that being they didn't find it superior. I've seen exactly two manufacturers committed to high end I2S, those being Pink Faun I2S bridge and Euphony Summus latest model server, Pink Faun I assume best. One should ask themselves why the major server manufacturers not pursuing I2S product development. I believe we're at point where most dacs have I2S, so this not the issue. If I saw more development and products from major manufacturers, along with standardized interface/connectors, and finally, far more positive reviews, I'd be much more open to belief I2S superior to other protocols.

debjit_g
247 posts
 

I own a FW SIT3 as well and its a wonderful sweet sounding amp. Another SS Amp that gets my recommendation and sounds very similar to my SET is the Enleum 23R. Very impressed with it.

debjit_g
247 posts
 

@sns I don’t think i2s is the solution to all the problems. The only reason why i2s is provided in today’s DAC is just because its a native interface to the DAC chip and hence easier to implement. Something along the lines of MSB pro-isl might be the way to make the DAC almost independent of the server/streamer noise or implement a true usb galvanic isolation, including the ground plane. Another option is Opto USB

https://audiowise-canada.myshopify.com/products/opto-usb

I just recently completed a new choke filtered double regulated (using many other things and boutique parts like Mundrof caps, active rectifier, high quality wiring) dual output LPS for my JCAT XE USB and Net - the LPS just started burning but the sound is already leaps and bounds ahead of what I was using before (which is also an lps with substantial quality). What I am trying to say here is there is still a lot to be had from USB alone when implemented correctly. Anything I insert in between the server and dac is a step backwards. Today’s usb board, like XMOS, JL Sound, are also far superior than what they used to be two yrs back.

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