2. digital
  3. 166933-4269

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
budkine's avatar
budkine
8 posts
 

I’ll save you the trouble of going there to look at it.  It was my post. 

I had been shopping for a DAC to go with my ZMF Verite Open-back headphones and matching Pendant SE tube headphone amplifier made for ZMF by Justin Weber at AmpsandSound.com.  I was seriously considering getting the Sonnet Morpheus ($3200) based upon reviews and people’s experiences in various forums and its ability to pair well with my headphones and amplifier and recommended by Zach of ZMF Headphones.  With the Morpheus, the I2S is the preferred input.  But, I would have needed to purchase a DDC ($300-$700) with USB input, I2S out, in order to utilize the I2S input on the Morpheus.  However, with further research, I was leaning in the direction of the Holo May L2 ($4800) or the Holo Spring 3 KTE ($3l00) due to their compelling reviews and ability to deliver clean signals through the USB input. 

 

Then I came across @dbb review comparing the Holo May (L2) DAC and the Musetec Audio (LKS Audio) MH-DA005 DAC ($3299 – I bought mine from Shenzhen Audio with a 10% discount $2969 and free delivery).  I then read the threads regarding the Musetec DA005 here and at Head-Fi.com, both containing compelling experiences and comparisons from seasoned audiophiles.  Within those threads, the Musetec is compared to several other DACs at varying price points, and the 005 holds its own or exceeds the performance of the comparisons.  That, along with a substantial savings in price, convinced me to purchase the Musetec MH-DA005 rather than the Morpheus or either of the Holo’s.

 

After a considerably lengthy burn in time on the 005 and some tube rolling in the headphone amp, I have finally reached that pinnacle of detail, richness, smoothness and natural presentation that I have been seeking for over 1-1/2 years.  I have a background in studio recording and live sound mixing, and the Musetec 005 is the real deal!  I am completely satisfied with my purchase and would do it again without hesitation. 

Thank you to all of you who have contributed your opinions and experiences regarding this marvelous piece of engineering.  The creator of this DAC, Jinbo Li, at mu-sound.com truly deserves international recognition and attention for this achievement.

budkine's avatar
budkine
8 posts
 

I just noticed an ad on Head-fi.org for a Musetec 005 for sale in Britain for 1950 British pounds and ships anywhere in Europe.  It’s the first used 005 that I’ve seen on the market so far.

jjss49's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
jjss49
6,612 posts
 

with all the chatter on this musetec piece i picked one up at a decent price to fool with, try it out

will report back with comparisons to other dacs on hand before too long

arafiq's avatar
arafiq
1,682 posts
 

@jjss49 i was really hoping you would pick one up for review. While I have a lot of respect for other posters in this particular thread, I value your opinion even more highly. You’ve gone through a ton of dacs and don’t suffer from the usual fanboy delusions. Awaiting your objective review with great anticipation. 

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 

Yes @jjss49 has an impressively large DAC data base and curious as to how the Musetec 005 differs/compares sonically from his Audio Note 4.1 UK-ANK and Weiss DACs. Should be informative and interesting. Listening is far more insightful than just comparing specifications and measurements.

Charles

More to discover