{"id":41557,"date":"2025-08-08T21:06:02","date_gmt":"2025-08-08T19:06:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/?p=41557"},"modified":"2025-08-08T21:06:02","modified_gmt":"2025-08-08T19:06:02","slug":"musetec-mh-da006-dac-and-mh-sa001-pre-amplifier","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/spdif-dac-reviews\/musetec-mh-da006-dac-and-mh-sa001-pre-amplifier\/","title":{"rendered":"Musetec MH-DA006 DAC and MH-SA001 Pre-amplifier"},"content":{"rendered":"

Review samples provided by Boelsz Audio<\/a><\/h4>\n

Retail prices in the Netherlands\u00a0at the time of review, including 21% VAT:
\nMH-DA006 DAC –\u00a03.995 Euro
\nMH-SA001 Pre-amplifier – 4.395 Euro<\/h4>\n

About Musetec<\/h3>\n

Known initially as L.K.S Audio and building on several years of experience, Musetec was founded in 2013. In the following years, the company gained recognition for its series of acclaimed audio DACs, including the MH-DA002, DA003, DA004, and DA005. In 2019, the company officially launched the Musetec brand, of which I will review the current Flagship Preamp and DAC.<\/p>\n

MH-DA006 DAC Description<\/h3>\n

The MH-DA006 is Musetec’s Flagship DAC, developed by Musetec over three years and launched in 2024. It has a two-layer structure, with 6 transformers on the lower layer and the DAC main circuit on the upper layer.<\/p>\n

The Digital part of DA006 has a two-stage power supply design. The first stage is the AC to DC rectifier and super low noise regulator circuit, and the second stage contains multiple sets of LDOs (low-dropout regulators) to supply power to each functional circuit.<\/p>\n

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The DAC contains a total of 22 circuit units, powered by a total of 6 power transformers for different circuits with high-current silicon carbide rectification diodes and selected high-grade metal foil capacitors as power supply bypass filters. The ESS ES9039pro DAC is controlled by a total of four high-quality customized clocks and features an FPGA to rebuild the input audio data, following a high-performance USB DDC with USB2.0 bus isolation. The clock of the USB interface is completely synchronous with the DAC chip. For the input I2S signal, the DAC supports both synchronous and asynchronous clock modes. As the input chip, the DAC features an IIS-E CMOS, IIS-H LVDS digital input that supports up to PCM768KHz and DSD1024, and the IIS-H port for which the pin assignment is adjustable.<\/p>\n

The analog signal is created by a newly designed, fully symmetrical and discrete high-current analog output circuit comprised of high-quality transistors, highly stable thin-film resistors, with the entire circuit working in Class A mode. Considerable time was spent on the selection of critical components such as capacitors, resistors, and solder. For example, electrolytic capacitors from Mundorf, copper foil capacitors from Duelund, 5N pure silver wires in many places, and even the solder and solder paste have been selected by listening comparisons.<\/p>\n

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The MH-DA006 DAC offers two Coaxial, one Optical TOSlink, USB, AES\/EBU, IIS RJ45, and IIS HDMI inputs. Outputs are available as RCA and XLR.<\/p>\n

MH-SA001 Pre-amplifier Description<\/h3>\n

Musetec has been working on preamps for 8 years, and the result is the flagship MH-SA001 preamp. The preamplifier uses a vertically separated chassis design, with the amplification circuits located in the top layer of the chassis, separated by thick metal plates in the middle from the power supply in the bottom of the chassis.<\/p>\n

As with the DAC, the power supply has received special attention. Musetec has tried dozens of power supply decoupling capacitors in extended listening sessions to finally confirm the right match in Duelund. The SA001’s pre-stage uses three power transformers. The power supply of the left and right channels, along with the control part, is separated from the transformer, thereby avoiding crosstalk caused by magnetic coupling.<\/p>\n

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As Musetec notes, the volume adjustment circuit is an essential part of any preamplifier. Various types of volume potentiometers are available, including the common ALPS 16\/27 carbon film, mid-range options like AN or TKD, and high-end precision models such as Elma and Seiden. The choice of potentiometer greatly influences the listening experience due to its high impedance and varying material characteristics. In the process of developing the preamp, Musetec has tried various types of high-end potentiometers, even including voltage divider potentiometers made of AN silver resistors, and electronic volume chips, such as NJRC’s MUSE72320 series.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, the company arrived at a fully discrete circuit design, using a low-impedance current transmission mode, that completely avoids the downsides of the mechanical potentiometer and electronic volume chips that were tried before. The low resistance path current mode volume control offers 256 volume levels, with 0.25dB step resolution for the most used level ranges. The output stage is Class-A throughout.<\/p>\n

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The MH-SA001 Preamp offers three RCA and two XLR inputs. Outputs are available as RCA and XLR. Although RCA and XLR share part of the circuit, each output is equipped with an independent buffer output resistor, so they can generally be used simultaneously.<\/p>\n

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Infrared Remote Controls. Left: DAC; Right: Preamp<\/em><\/p>\n

Observations<\/h3>\n

Both components feel very solid and well-built, with thick aluminum panels, high-quality, well-laid-out connectors, and a clean design. The displays are immediate eye-catchers: crisp and clear, and with very high resolution as well as very dark black backgrounds, they appear almost OLED-like, but are in reality LCDs. The upside, of course, is that LCDs do not burn in. The layout of the displays’ contents is smartly done in multiple rows, and the most essential variables are in extra-large fonts, which are readable even from 6 meters away. The units offer several color schemes to choose from, including plain white on black, but I prefer the default white and purplish red.<\/p>\n

Volume control is independent for each input source, which can be useful in certain situations, for instance, to adjust for a source with a deviating output level. However, it can be inconvenient that this behavior cannot be changed. When switching between inputs to compare different sources, you have to adjust the volume for each source repeatedly. This can also lead to unexpected and unpleasant experiences if you leave a previously used input at a loud level, switch to another source, and then lower the volume. In this case, you might be caught off guard by the sudden loudness when you return to the first input.<\/p>\n

The inputs for the Preamp and DAC can only be toggled through from the front panel, so only up\/forward, not down\/back.<\/p>\n

The volume can be adjusted in 0.25 dB steps, which is a rare but very welcome feature. However, the volume adjustment operates at a single speed and does not increase when the volume dial is turned quickly or the remote control’s volume button is pressed for a longer duration. This means that more turns are needed to achieve the same level change as with the more common volume controls that use half-dB or whole-dB steps.<\/p>\n

The MH-DA006 DAC offers several digital filters to choose from. Such filters can provide worthwhile differences to tailor the DAC to personal preferences, for instance, with relatively smoother or crisper sounding filters. However, they are sometimes implemented such that their effect is extremely subtle, and this is the case with the Musetec MH-DA006. The DAC’s settings can be controlled in the menu via the front panel, as well as conveniently via the remote control. I ran through all options several times, but could not reliably tell them apart, so I left it at the ‘Linear Phase Slow’ setting at which it was delivered.<\/p>\n

I’ve noticed on several occasions that I’m not a huge fan of ESS Sabre-based DACs and tend to prefer ladder DACs instead. Naturally, the implementation of a DAC chip plays a large role in the component’s ultimate performance. Nevertheless, since the MH-DA006 DAC uses an ESS Sabre chip, this might have influenced my assessment.<\/p>\n

Next: Running In, Review Context, Combo Comparisons, and DAC Comparisons<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Running In<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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Review Context<\/h3>\n

The Musetec components were listened to in the <\/span>main system<\/a>, which currently consists of the <\/span>CH Precision L1<\/a> preamplifier, <\/span>CH Precision A1.5<\/a> power amp, LAiV GAnM<\/a> power amplifiers, and Apogee Centaur speakers. <\/span>Digital sources were the Antipodes Oladra<\/a> and Grimm MU1<\/a> music servers. All interlinks are Driade Flow Link Reference 808<\/a>, and the speaker cables are Driade Flow Reference 808<\/a>. All components, including the Musetec units, are powered by the PS Audio P20<\/a> PowerPlant.<\/p>\n

Combo Comparisons<\/h3>\n

For my initial impressions, I wanted to evaluate the performance of the Musetec DAC and preamp combination in comparison to the LAiV HP2A<\/a> preamp, uDDC<\/a> reclocker, and Harmony DAC<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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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!<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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?<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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<\/em> 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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DAC Comparisons<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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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<\/a>, the sound became much juicier, fluid, and spacious while retaining pacing, resolution, and expression.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Next: Preamp Comparisons, Musetec Power Cables, and Conclusion<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Preamp Comparisons<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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To provide more perspective, I set up two other preamplifiers for direct comparison: the Audio-GD Master 1<\/a> and the Denafrips Athena<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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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.<\/p>\n

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Musetec Power Cables<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Associated Equipment<\/a><\/p>\n

External Links<\/h3>\n

Manufacturer: Musetec<\/a>
\nAvailable from Boelsz Audio<\/a><\/p>\n

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