Musetec MH-DA006 DAC and MH-SA001 Pre-amplifier
Running In
I was advised that the Musetec components need a royal amount of running in, and that the DAC in particular can sound hard-edged and sterile for the first six weeks. Although the components had been used, I did not know how far along they were in their running in process. Thus, I took the advice to heart and gave the combo almost 4 weeks of continued use before listening critically.
Review Context
The Musetec components were listened to in the main system, which currently consists of the CH Precision L1 preamplifier, CH Precision A1.5 power amp, LAiV GAnM power amplifiers, and Apogee Centaur speakers. Digital sources were the Antipodes Oladra and Grimm MU1 music servers. All interlinks are Driade Flow Link Reference 808, and the speaker cables are Driade Flow Reference 808. All components, including the Musetec units, are powered by the PS Audio P20 PowerPlant.
Combo Comparisons
For my initial impressions, I wanted to evaluate the performance of the Musetec DAC and preamp combination in comparison to the LAiV HP2A preamp, uDDC reclocker, and Harmony DAC combination, and on the sideline, also to my reference CH Precision C1.2 and L1 combination. To ensure a fair comparison, I placed both setups on identical HRS EXR racks, using the components’ built-in footers.
I connected the Musetec components with the same cables I typically use for the CH components: a GigaWatt LC-2 EVO for the DAC and a custom-made cable (OEM tinned litz wire in PTFE dielectric) with OEM Rhodium-plated Schuko and Oyaide C004 IEC connectors for the preamp. For interconnects, I used Driade Flow Link Reference 808 throughout, utilizing both balanced and single-ended versions.
Between the DAC and preamp, I first tested with RCA connections and then switched to XLR. For the connection between the preamp and power amplifiers, I used XLR cables exclusively because the CH system performs best this way, and the LAiV GAnM power amplifiers only accept XLR inputs.
To enable fast comparisons during this listening session, I used the same Mogami 3080 AES/EBU digital cables for all three combos, connected to the Grimm MU1 music server’s double AES outputs two at a time. The Musetec DAC was delivered with the ‘Linear Phase Slow’ filter selected, and I left this unchanged until later.
The Driade Flow Link Reference 808 RCA and XLR cables sound so similar that they can be mixed in comparisons without affecting the outcome more than the components themselves. The choice between RCA and XLR connections often depends on the specific components being used, and I have frequently found that one can sound better than the other, or the inverse, at different times. It’s important to note that XLR is not always superior simply because it is considered a “professional” connection or because the components are genuinely balanced. It is always worthwhile to try both options to determine which one performs best. For CH Precision components, I have found that XLR cables work best. When reviewing equipment that can be connected this way, I prefer to use XLR cables. The LAiV system only accepts XLR connections, but I found myself one XLR cable short. As a result, I initially connected the Musetec DAC and preamplifier using an RCA cable. I mention this specifically because it turned out to be quite crucial!
After listening to the LAiV combo, I switched to the Musetec combo, still connected via RCA. I had no prior knowledge of how the components would sound, but I expected them to perform very well. While the Musetecs sounded good, they didn’t meet my expectations in this comparison. In some aspects, they performed better than the LAiV combo, but in others, the LAiV combo outperformed them.
For example, the Musetecs displayed excellent technical quality with remarkable neutrality, linearity, and a very natural timbre. However, their performance felt somewhat dark, congested, and restrained, and lacking emotional engagement. In contrast, the LAiV combo, while less crisp and incisive, was considerably more fluid and free-flowing, and much more involving. This was surprising: did the more affordable system really perform better?
After changing from RCA to XLR between the Musetec DAC and preamp and having re-adjusted the volume by -3dB, things completely turned around, and the difference was staggering. Now, the sound was much more free-flowing, no longer congested in the slightest, and instead engagingly open and expressive, and very dynamic. How about that?! I’ve always heard differences between XLR and RCA, but never to this extent. So, if you want to extract the most energetic and expressive performance from the Musetec combo, use XLR connections.
As I returned to the LAiV combo, everything suddenly made sense, and the puzzle pieces fell into place. In almost every aspect, the Musetec combo now performed at a higher audiophile level. I heard no difference in focus, and the soundstage is comparable in width and depth. However, the Musetec combo can appear more convincing and grander due to its more impactful delivery. The LAiV system still excelled in liquidity and flow, while exhibiting an overall “friendlier” demeanor, but it did not achieve the same level of robustness, propulsion, and expression of the Musetec combo.
In a way, the LAiV combo could be described as sounding relatively more “tube-like”, in the way this expression is used in combination with solid-state designs, while the Musetec combo is more clearly solid-state, done very well. Put briefly, the LAiV combo is lusher, but the Musetec combo is more precise. Of course, both renditions have their merits, and they will cater to different tastes.
When playing a range of slow and soulful music, the Musetec combo proves it can do this, too. Due to its very expressive and dynamic behavior with the first upbeat tracks, I feared for a minute that the combo might possess a little too much control, like a power amplifier with an extremely high damping factor. Fortunately, this is not the case. The Musetec combo can just as easily play it slow and relay soulful or brooding atmospheres.
At 10x the cost of the Musetec combo, the CH Precision combo is so far out of range that a comparison seems moot. Nevertheless, it can be helpful to know just how closely more affordable equipment comes to what I consider the current reference.
Getting straight to the point, neither the LAiV combo nor the Musetec combo performs at the level of the CH L1 + C1.2 connected with either RCA or XLR. The Swiss pairing remains superlative predominantly in terms of differentiation, incisiveness, dynamics, and expression, but also in natural flow and realism. However, fair is fair, in all sonic aspects except fluidity, the Musetec combo comes closer to the reference level than the LAiV combo.
DAC Comparisons
Now that we understand how the Musetec components perform together, let’s examine their individual performance. I will begin by comparing the MH-DA006 DAC to the LAiV Harmony DAC with uDDC. For this comparison, I will use the same GigaWatt LC-2 EVO power cable, Mogami AES/EBU digital interlink, and Driade Flow Link Reference interlinks.
Like the LAiV, the Musetec is very neutral and linear and neither warm nor cool. Tonal saturation, timbre, and even the behavior of the frequency extremes are all very similar. But there are definite differences. The LAiV is a little sweeter, more relaxed, and more free-flowing, while the Musetec DAC is tighter, crisper, and cleaner. Soft sounds are elevated by rendering them more clearly, which increases the perceived resolution. However, this also has the subjective effect of reducing the impact of loud sounds, resulting in a more measured, subjectively flatter, and more forward character. In short, the LAiV is more free-flowing while giving up a measure of resolution and crisp directness, while the Musetec provides a clearer and crisper rendition while giving up a measure of spontaneity.
Importantly, although the Musetec MH-DA006 is stricter than the LAiV Harmony DAC, it does not present the music in a dry or forced manner, and it remains very natural. A significant factor in this is that, despite being very precise, the Musetec possesses immense refinement and excellent treble air and fluidity.
After completing the comparisons using identical conditions, it was time for some experimentation. When replacing the Mogami AES/EBU cable with the Network Acoustics muon2 Balanced, the sound became much juicier, fluid, and spacious while retaining pacing, resolution, and expression.
Mustec paid special attention to the MH-DA006 DAC’s USB input, and it shows, as it sounds remarkably organic for a USB input. As regular readers know, I often find USB to sound mechanical or overly technical. However, in this case, comparing USB with a standard USB cable and AES/EBU with the Mogami cable, the USB input shows the expected advantages, such as improved pacing, articulation, and expression, while maintaining tonal richness and a smooth flow. As always, a difference remains, with AES/EBU sounding smoother and more organic and USB sounding more precise. When using the Network Acoustics AES/EBU cable, this difference is further increased.
Musetec includes a nice-looking USB cable in the box. This cable provides a smoother and fuller sound than a standard USB cable, with a tonality that is closer to AES/EBU. However, it also takes away a bit of speed, differentiation, and dynamic expression in the process, making it a less exciting listen than the Mogami or Network Acoustics AES/EBU connections. As such, I’d recommend this USB cable only for systems that require a bit of smoothing.
The MH-DA006 also offers I2S inputs, and instead of siding with one of the two popular connection methods, the DAC conveniently offers both HDMI and RJ45 variants. To assess the performance of this input, I changed from the Grimm MU1 to the Antipodes Oladra, which offers both AES/EBU and I2S. Importantly, both outputs are sourced from the same internal Reclocker Board, which assures a fair comparison.
In my experience, I2S typically sounds cleaner and more precise than AES/EBU, while also being more natural and organic compared to USB. There are some rare instances where I2S sounds just as good as AES/EBU, but most of the time, it outperforms it. This is also the case with the Musetec MH-DA006 DAC. Its IIS input provides an even crisper, purer, and more well-defined rendition while retaining the naturalness and flow, combining into the best performance the DAC has to offer.
Next: Preamp Comparisons, Musetec Power Cables, and Conclusion
