@sns I have the Aurender N20 which as you can see in the pic has it's own USB solution, which is contained in the box marked Aurender behind the USB output. I don't know what isolation or optimisation has been used but thought has gone into it.
Musetec (LKS) MH-DA005 DAC
Some history: I was the OP on a four year old thread about the Chinese LKS MH-DA004 DAC. It achieved an underground buzz. The open architecture of its predecessor MH-DA003 made it the object of a lot of user mods, usually to its analog section, rolling op amps or replacing with discrete. The MH-DA004 with its new ESS chips and JFET analog section was called better then the modified older units. It has two ES9038pro DAC chips deliberately run warm, massive power supply, powered Amanero USB board, JFET section, 3 Crystek femtosecond clocks, Mundorf caps, Cardas connectors, etc., for about $1500. For this vinyl guy any reservation about ESS chips was resolved by the LKS implimentaion, but their revelation of detail was preserved, something that a listener to classic music especially appreciated. I made a list of DACs (many far more expensive) it was compared favorably to in forums. Modifications continued, now to clocks and caps. Components built to a price can be improved by costlier parts and the modifiers wrote glowingly of the SQ they achieved.
Meanwhile, during the 4 years after release of the MH-DA004, LKS (now Musetec) worked on the new MH-DA005 design, also with a pair of ES9038pro chips. This time he used more of the best components available. One torroidal transformer has silver plated copper. Also banks of super capacitors that act like batteries, solid silver hookup wire, 4 femtoclocks each costing multiples of the Crysteks, a revised Amanero board, more of the best European caps and a new partitioned case. I can't say cost NO object, but costs well beyond. A higher price, of course. Details at http://www.mu-sound.com/DA005-detail.html
The question, surely, is: How does it sound? I'm only going to answer indirectly for the moment. I thought that the MH-DA004 was to be my last DAC, or at least for a very long time. I was persuaded to part with my $$ by research, and by satisfaction with the MH-DA004. Frankly, I have been overwhelmed by the improvement; just didn't think it was possible. Fluidity, clarity, bass extension. A post to another board summed it up better than I can after listening to piano trios: "I have probably attended hundreds of classical concerts (both orchestral and chamber) in my life. I know what live sounds like in a good and bad seat and in a good and mediocre hall. All I can say is HOLY CRAP, this sounds like the real thing from a good seat in a good hall. Not an approximation of reality, but reality."
Meanwhile, during the 4 years after release of the MH-DA004, LKS (now Musetec) worked on the new MH-DA005 design, also with a pair of ES9038pro chips. This time he used more of the best components available. One torroidal transformer has silver plated copper. Also banks of super capacitors that act like batteries, solid silver hookup wire, 4 femtoclocks each costing multiples of the Crysteks, a revised Amanero board, more of the best European caps and a new partitioned case. I can't say cost NO object, but costs well beyond. A higher price, of course. Details at http://www.mu-sound.com/DA005-detail.html
The question, surely, is: How does it sound? I'm only going to answer indirectly for the moment. I thought that the MH-DA004 was to be my last DAC, or at least for a very long time. I was persuaded to part with my $$ by research, and by satisfaction with the MH-DA004. Frankly, I have been overwhelmed by the improvement; just didn't think it was possible. Fluidity, clarity, bass extension. A post to another board summed it up better than I can after listening to piano trios: "I have probably attended hundreds of classical concerts (both orchestral and chamber) in my life. I know what live sounds like in a good and bad seat and in a good and mediocre hall. All I can say is HOLY CRAP, this sounds like the real thing from a good seat in a good hall. Not an approximation of reality, but reality."
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I am feeding signal only USB to the L.K.S. USB/I2s DDC and I2s over RJ45 to the 005. This sounds better than USB or XLR or HDMI into the 005. It's very natural, detailed and dynamic to name just a few. This is a very strong testament to the 005 because according to Aurender XLR and SPDIF outputs are superior to USB. I'm extremely happy with this setup. The best sound I've ever had in my system and I've still got five SR Purple fuses to fit. All comparisons were done using the SSD of the Aurender N20, not streaming, for repeatable accuracy. |
@lordmelton I only went by Aurrender's own literature is describing their usb out port. I'd think they'd give us some more information if they were doing any more than what they state. Tell us what type of clocking and whether discreet powered. I suspect the power issue is weakest part of implementation. You've heard the positive impact of quality power with the I2S unit, you should provide same for usb prior to concluding one is preferable to other. By the way, I'm not concluding I2S COULD not be superior to usb, both have inherent liabilities, and I've not heard all possible connections and equipment. Far too many variables in streaming to come to many hard and fast conclusions. It would be nice if you could get something like the Phoenix usb renderer for a more equitable comparison, I for one would be very interested. |
@sns Yes, It would be nice if Aurender gave us more info about their USB but once I taped over the +positive in the USB cable the sound got a real boost. Of course this will depend on what DAC you are using. However from a technical perspective and I've had a lot of experience with clocks and re-clockers, the Phoenix does look interesting. I have only proven so far that a pristine separate power supply for the USB board can make a tremendous difference. If the onboard USB board in the 005 was supplied independently with a LPS that would make a similar or better difference, I'm sure. I can only imagine what we would get if the so modified 005 was also fed by a Phoenix too. I'm sure it would be incredible. If I can get a Phoenix on demo or at least hear one I'll report back. With it's USB frequency timed 24Mhz clock and top end LPS it's gotta sound good. |
@lordmelton Taping over the power leg on usb has had variable results in my experience. I've continually heard less effect as my entire network has evolved, to the point where today I couldn't reliably tell you if taped off or not.
The idea of powering usb boards in dacs off external ps is intriguing, don't believe I've ever seen it done. Regardless, I2S has same liability, if indeed it is liability.
Whatever way your favored connection turns out, we do know from many users usb provides very fine sound quality from 005. If I2S sounds fine, just great, gives us another route to go with.
All 005 users also owe it to themselves to try optical solutions. |
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