Musetec MH-DA006 DAC and MH-SA001 Pre-amplifier
Preamp Comparisons
After comparing the Musetec combo to the LAiV combo and directly comparing the two DACs, my expectations were basically already primed. And indeed, the differences were largely as expected, the LAiV being sweeter and friendlier, and the Musetech being crisper and more direct. However, whereas the Musetec DAC leans to the stricter, more measured side, I did not find this to be the case with the Musetec preamp. Even without further comparison, I could tell that the MH-SA001 preamp is not only very linear, neutral, and revealing, but also allows the music to flow naturally.
To provide more perspective, I set up two other preamplifiers for direct comparison: the Audio-GD Master 1 and the Denafrips Athena.
The Audio-GD Master 1 has an initially pleasant full-bodied and powerful sound, but in context, it leans to being ponderous and is considerably less differentiated, darker, and so much less refined that it sounds comparatively rough. Sometimes, it is hard to pronounce one product better than the other, because everything is reaching higher and higher standards, with the differences often coming down to personal taste and system synergy. Between the Audio-GD and the Musetec, however, the case is crystal-clear. The Audio-GD offers an enjoyable performance, especially given its modest price, but the MH-DA001 is simply much more highly refined and very clearly on a much higher audiophile level.
As enjoyable as the Audio-GD preamp is, the Denafrips Athena goes significantly further. It’s more refined, crisper, cleaner, more detailed, and also airier. However, although it is tonally similar to the Musetec, it has a rather square-ish and business-like presentation. It has a full tonality and is not strictly tonally cool, but lacks juice and flow, and although it is quite a bit more refined than the Audio-GD, it is still far removed from the fluidity and refinement of the Musetec MH-DA001 preamp. While all four preamplifiers are solid-state designs, this is definitely most evident with the Denafrips. The Athena can actually be very satisfying with electronic and dance music, but the Musetec counters with much more naturalness and soul, and the ability to play anything convincingly.
It’s interesting to note this now, as the Musetec is so very neutral, clean, and even-handed that it does not really make a case for itself until you start comparing it to other preamplifiers. It is down-to-earth, maybe slightly sober. But otherwise, it is self-effacingly neutral, highly resolving, and very natural, but it also has excellent dynamic behavior and foot-tapping PRaT.
Musetec Power Cables
Musetec also includes a power cable in the box. Unlike practically all other manufacturers, this is not just a cheap pre-molded cable intended just to get you started, but an actual assembled serious offering using a thick, screened cable with quality Oyaide-branded connectors. These are not genuine Oyaide connectors, as can be easily seen from the color of the casing, the font used for the model designation, and the absence of a special holographic sticker, among other differences. However, I can attest from personal experience that these knock-off connectors, while not the same as the authentic ones, still easily surpass the quality of standard or molded-on connectors. Even without having heard this cable, it must be applauded that Musetec has gone through the trouble to assemble a cable for their products.
Upon a quick inspection, one might conclude that the cable is a Belden 19364. However, it is actually something different. Firstly, it has a diameter of 9mm instead of the Belden’s 10mm. Secondly, it feels significantly stiffer than a Belden cable. Lastly, upon examining the inside, I noticed that it uses braided screening rather than foil, and the sleeving material for the phase and neutral wires is clearly tougher, and possibly polyethylene (PE) instead of the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) commonly used by Belden.
Before listening to the Musetec cable, I swapped the GigaWatt LC-2 EVO for a Belden. Sure enough, there is a significant difference, and surprisingly, actually in favor of the Musetec cable. This is surprising, given that my Belden cable is fitted with a rather expensive Oyaide C-004 connector. The deciding factor in this case, of course, is the cable itself.
The Musetec power cable sounds cleaner, tighter, more articulate, and more expressive than the Belden, while retaining smooth and fluid treble. It’s no comparison with a standard “freebie” cable, which sounds very lean and barebones in comparison.
Conclusion
The Musetec MH-DA006 DAC and the MH-SA001 preamp both offer excellent build quality and performance, providing great value for money. Sonically, both the DAC and preamp are very neutral, linear, transparent, and refined, and tonally very well-balanced, neither over-saturated and warm nor cool and dry. Together, they provide excellent resolution and high precision, slightly favoring precision over flow. Between the DAC and preamp, I consider the latter the brightest star of the show. I cannot recall another preamplifier that ticked so many audiophile boxes while performing with such even-handed neutrality, anywhere close to this price class.
External Links
Manufacturer: Musetec
Available from Boelsz Audio
