First impressions of new MH-DA006, Musetec flagship

Now that's some Dac.Enjoy....

After cooking for half a day, Harmony slaved to Gaia clock  via I2S far superior to usb directly out of computer, this is to be expected as Gaia acting as 'buffer' from noisy general purpose computer, clocking aspect playing large role as well\. Comparing this I2S chain vs optimized usb in main system will be much more formidable 'opponent'.

Just posted initial review of Laiv Harmony/Denafrips Gaia combo, 006 bested on virtually every parameter. I doubt 006 performance via usb likely to change much with burn in at a little over 300 hours. This means 006 would have to be advantaged by using it with Gaia via I2S, slave to Gaia clock or use internal clock?

Harmony/Gaia more natural or analog like presentation alongside all the audiophile sound qualities we look for, sorry, hands down loss for 006. Really quite surprised by this, I was very willing to accept present 006 sound quality  as a 'long term' reference. To have it so easily bested by Harmony combo is one of those rare eye opening experiences, I don't experience this kind of domination much anymore, usually far more subtle differences at this level of equipment.

I'm still reserving final judgment, however, 006 partnered with Gaia via I2S could be the magic bullet?

Where is the review?

I will be interested in your impressions of the Gaia with the 006 via i2S.

I'm still loving my 005 and feed it through i2S.

As I wrote earlier I am also enjoying my 005. With a couple of new components in the system, I am finding it has yet more to give. Knowng the designer, and the reviewer here, as I do, I am certain the 006 is a good step up.

But I write now about the I2S into the 005, and possibly into the 006 (or other DACs). And it’s easier with the 006 as it has pin-out selectivity, not available in the 005.

I have been a sceptic of the DDC kind of approach taking the USB to I2S conversion out of the 005 (or 006) into a stand alone unit, For I think that implimentation is very well done internally by Musetec. I have always thought that a network player taking you from ethernet directly to I2S had to be the answer, bypassing any use of USB or SP/DIF for that matter. But for me an appropriate unit, without a Swiss Army Knife approach, was hard to find. But with a new device having pin-out selectivity from Iancanada I found that at a very reasonable price I’m achieving a performance level that I thought was far more expensive than I was willing to pay. And I’m only beginning--using what I would call the company’s mid-level combo and a $2 HDMI cable. I used to think this was the direction to go, and I have now proven it to myself. And there are actually several ways I can upgrade this initial set-up. And so on to a new adventure.