DACs — Musetec Audio MH-DA006 Lite

Musetec Audio, the Chinese brand whose earlier products carried the L.K.S name, builds the MH-DA006 Lite converter. It is derived from the MH-DA006 and keeps that model's multi-clock system and FPGA data processing, while the power supply, the analogue output stage and some digital algorithms were redesigned to lower the cost. The maker positions it below the MH-DA006 and at a much lower price than the older DA004 and DA005, and it sells for USD 1,800 with a remote control, a power cable and a warranty of two years.

Key specs that matter

Conversion uses two ESS ES9039PRO chips. The USB input, a differential I2S port called IIS-H with adjustable pin sequence and a standard I2S port all accept PCM up to 768 kHz and DSD1024. Two coaxial inputs, one AES/EBU input and one optical input accept PCM up to 192 kHz or DoP64. Outputs are RCA at 2.8 Vrms and XLR at 5.6 Vrms. THD+N is below -117 dB A-weighted, dynamic range above 127 dB and frequency response 20 Hz to 20 kHz within 0.2 dB. Power consumption stays under 30 W, with 100 to 120 V or 200 to 240 V mains. The case measures 430 x 320 x 90 mm and weighs 8.3 kg.

Engineering and use context

The FPGA reorganises the audio data before it reaches the DAC chips, and a high-speed isolator separates the USB bus from the rest of the circuit. Four custom low-noise clocks run the unit in synchronous or asynchronous mode, and one of them is reserved for reclocking the USB signal. Power comes from two custom toroidal transformers feeding seven AC windings, seven first-stage and fourteen second-stage regulators, and three LT3045 low-noise regulators rated at 0.8 uVrms output noise, with silicon carbide and Schottky rectifier diodes. The ES9039PRO delivers its output as a current of up to about 60 mA peak, so Musetec built the current-to-voltage and output stage from discrete parts in Class A, with eight circuit units for the two channels. Resistors are 0.1 percent film types with low temperature drift, and electrolytic capacitors come from Mundorf.

Pairing

The two I2S ports suit a streamer or digital transport with I2S output over HDMI or RJ45, and the USB input takes a computer directly. With 5.6 Vrms from the balanced output, the input sensitivity of the preamplifier or integrated amplifier should be checked to avoid overload.

Alternatives

The Musetec MH-DA006 is the fuller version with the original power supply and output circuit in a 430 x 380 x 122 mm case weighing 13.9 kg.