@sns Sorry if I missed it, but did you decide on an i2s cable you like with the Harmony?
First impressions of new MH-DA006, Musetec flagship
I have received the 006 almost a week ago and have been breaking it in. The price at Shenzhenaudio is $3,900.00 USD, $600 more than the 005. The ad copy states:
"DA006 is a new generation of flagship DAC developed by Musetec over three years and launched in 2024. During this period, it has undergone more than ten revisions and adjustments.
Compared to the previous DA005, the listening experience of DA006 has been improved in all aspects. DA006 has clearer and richer details, a stronger sense of texture, a more stable sound base, better detail control, a wider soundstage, fuller and more powerful, smoother and more natural. . ."
Some brief listening during break in has been very very positive. I will report back when it has run at least 300 hours.
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Not sure I understand the value of fpga on a streamer, which should be a very simple device. The unit I am now using also has a fifo buffer and uses 2 clocks, but I'm not sure they qualify as OXCOs. They are easily user replaceable and I am now using two Accusillicon clocks, a 45 and a 49. Though the Accusilicons are very good, I may very well move on to even better clocks. The Accusilicons, and any other clocks I may use, publish their phase noise data, which gives at least a hint as to their quality. What is known about the clocks in the Gaia? Also the PS in the unit I'm using is much like that on the digital side of the 005 and is further upgradeable. In any event the first thing a DDC has to do is clean up the USB stream. |
@melm This will explain, https://www.denafrips.com/gaia Hans B. also has youtube video.
Custom termination I2S cables available at https://audiolund.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooxNn3WUk6YELU-7beiANY2By6w0AmymaEPdGRGGa84ZK9NN_Y2 These are I2S cables, only 9 pins wired, no video use.
OXCO clocks are temperature control in enclosed ovens, these highest quality femto clock, next comes TXCO, temperature control, no oven, then plain femto clock, no temp. control. Even within these clock types, quality varies. The OXCO clocks require relatively complex power supplies in order to supply constant temp control of clock, stability and precision of these clocks requires constant precise control of temp., this not easily or cheaply implemented. You may be able to upgrade your clocks with better non temp control femto, perhaps TXCO femto, the OXCO would require power supply upgrades.
@audiostick I originally ordered Tubulus Concentus I2S, @audioman58 gave me heads up on new reference Tubulus Ximius which I went down the rabbit hole with, this $1500 cable, Concentus $700. All Tubulus cables hand made in Netherlands, pure silver, air dialectic, no dialectic best, air closest to no dialectic. For more down to earth, presently using Jieotwice oxygen free copper $70 I2S. Obviously no complaints with this cable, Harmony/Gaia combo with this cable beat out 006. |
First off, I'm a relatively seasoned, somewhat jaded audiophile, decades of changes has informed me vast, vast majority of changes are only incremental, they can be negative, lateral, in that change is simply that, or positive. The way it normally works is many positive incremental changes add up to sea changes, these happen almost without notice. And then we have the rare change so profound it imposes an entirely fresh perspective. Adding the Gaia has been one of these rare changes that results in new insights.
The first thing I'll mention is the sheer resolving power of what I'm hearing, a noise floor that seems to subside into infinity or the blackest of black holes. I now hear the slightest inflections of voice, the touch of strings and the movement of the bow across those strings, with woodwinds the slightest intonation of breath. The result is a newfound intimacy with performers which brings about greater emotional involvement with the music. Allied to that is a more expansive sound stage with these fully developed dimensional ethereal images. Hate to use this word, but organic is what comes to mind. The illusion of live performers in my room comes so easily, no need for trickery of the mind to get here.
Crash tab break, in troubleshoot mode in order to try to alleviate. |
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