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LKS MH-DA004 Dual ES9038pro DAC
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LKS MH-DA004 Dual ES9038pro DAC
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Product Description
Looking for a no-compromises DAC to be the centerpiece of your high-end audio setup? Put the LKS MH-DA004 at the top of your list Read More
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erickong
7412
Audiophile Moderator
Dec 18, 2019
Very productive conversation everyone. I'm locking this thread :)
CollectiveMind
95
Oct 30, 2018
Reading all the messages in this treat, i do realice that apparently, even people searching for a good DAC, that as gone thought the effort of wide and carefully technical research, is having trouble deciding what to get, and Massdrop (to my humble knowledge )is not providing some clear options on the USD1000 prices, ( i dont even know if money regarding DACS is really a parameter)... heck .. i do ( we do ) need some help... ( and yes i know about chord, ifi IDSD BL... Topping dxx, Audio GD, and a lot of schiit... .
I imagine my AAA amp arriving in february looking at my eyes in tears .... whyyyyy goddd whyyy, you had 6 months to get something ¡¡¡¡ ..... Sooomethingggg........ (absence of sound on the back)
SureSh0t
43
Jan 2, 2019
"Or are you just sticking with that line because it happens to be what you read on the internet, and it supports a preference that electronics and audio should be cheap and simple?"
What about audio electronics is not cheap and simple in comparison to almost every other domain of electronics? Your framing suggests you don't know much about Audio vs RF circuits, SoC or even some basic test equipment. Would you tell me the price of a McIntosh has more to do with it's cost to manufacture than marketing/branding + demand? What a joke.
An EE friend of mine had an ABX setup for some amps as part of an undergrad project. All you need is a splitter to output to all the amps, a box with a relay to switch between amp inputs to loudspeaker, and a way to measure the output power (wattage meter) so you can set the amplifiers to same output level. The ABX switch is the only component that can't be easily bought, but it was trivial for him to make his own and randomize it with an arduino board.
I can tell you from my own results, the results of his project, and everything I've ever read about ABXing amps that the only time null results don't occur is when one or both amps are driven to their clipping point.
If you think what an amp sounds like when it clips should factor into a purchase decision then that's all you've got.
(Edited)
RockyMountains
478
Jan 4, 2019
SureSh0tThat's actually pretty interesting- what gear did you compare via ABX?
I have not ABX tested because the setup is pain in the ass to up for DAC testing. I'm looking to set up at least a convenient AB switch for DAC comparisons which is proving sufficiently troublesome already- simply splitting coax appears to be problematic with digital, and I do not use USB.
Amp comparisons are easier as you can just split the analog signal from the DAC. My amp comparisons have always been sighted as I wasn't using an assistant. Personally, I didn't find much difference between most amps I've tried, at markedly varying price levels. But of my two current amps, they are different enough that I'll be listening to familiar passages and a difference will suddenly jump out at me. I and am not actively listening for differences either.
There's a section on an Innerfidelity report where high end stuff was being blind tested on unfamiliar gear. Some of the participants had incredibly accurate hearing.
https://www.innerfidelity.com/content/big-sound-2015-roy-romaz-nails-it
RayF
22220
Jan 1, 2019
You know, for about the same price, you could buy a 28 piece set of Laguiole En Aubrac Flatware in a lovely gift box. A lot of people don't know it but, Laguiole En Aubrac Flatware sets are made by a craftsmen in the historic Aubrac region of France, Laguiole knives carry a legacy of tradition that dates back to 1829, and all knives in the set are made with a buffalo, juniper wood, or solid horn handle. Sharpened, hardened, assembled, and finished by hand, every knife in the set is a work of art in and of itself. The steel used for the blades is Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel, which is polished to a mirror finish, like you’ll find on most of these iconic knives. The steel boasts excellent edge retention, resistance to corrosion, and strength—like you’d expect in a knife of such painstaking detail--and they make a great gift. Where as, with this LKS MH-DA004 Dual ES9038pro DAC, all get are dual ESS flagship ES9038pro chips.
You know, just say'n...
Niro
36
Aug 30, 2018
Isn't this rather overpriced? You could get a PS Audio Stellar Gain Cell DAC for $1700, or really, at this price point, it'd be insane to not consider the most affordable FPGA DAC on the market today, the Chord Mojo for $600. The Mojo really sets in perspective the cost of DACs based on off-the-shelf components. The next cheapest FPGA DAC would be the Chord Hugo 2 for $2700.
akosinskiy
1
Oct 28, 2018
I'm on the same page here. Always use my ears if product could be auditioned.
ElectronicVices
2937
Oct 28, 2018
I don't trust anyone in the review segment (yes ASR is in that segment), all of them have their biases. Spend enough time with any of their information and you will learn to pick the truth out of the BS.
On the tech advancement front that is one of the reason's the Directstream product lines are so popular. Their use of FPGA in their Directstream designs allow them to provide additional functionality and refinements over time.
If you want to completely discount the possibility of liking some products solely based on a former microsoft executives hobby site it's certainly no skin off my nose.
RayF
22220
Oct 28, 2018
Ever wonder what thirteen hundred and fifty less dollars in your checking account sounds like?
Sounds like a snake in China who's laughing so hard he can't put his teeth together to make that hissing noise ;- )
(Edited)
vad007
10
Aug 7, 2018
Only heard good things about this DAC. Kills the Gustard and Schiit stuff according to many folks. The discount through mass drop is OK. If this was another $50 or $100 cheaper, this would be a no-brainer. Definitely thinking about jumping on this one though...
vad007
10
Aug 8, 2018
Thanks! I've done it once before with Eastsound CD-E5 and it did. Hopefully this one will too.
FatDoi
193
Aug 10, 2018
vad007with p/h to Australian, it's literally same as Shenzhen with free shipping.... so will sit this one out
Also Audio-gd has 1 cheaper and 1 more expensive models of dual ES9038 pro, I'm looking at it's D-77 if it's worth the plunge.
http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/dac/D_77/D_77EN.htm
RayF
22220
Jan 2, 2019
I have DACs; the internal DAC my iMac came with, and a Jotunheim DAC/Amp sitting next to it. They both do a nice job with headphones but the Jot provides a balanced connection for headphones and preamp outs, that let me connect XLR cables to a pair of MD flavored JBL monitors , so sound quality aside, the external arrangement is certainly more convenient--so I guess I'm covered either way.
My first comment was really a back-handed reference to an ongoing MD conversation. Maybe you haven't come across it yet?
https://www.massdrop.com/talk/341/if-you-have-a-mac-you-don-t-need-a-dac
ElectronicVices
2937
Sep 1, 2018
Your motherboard has a single ESS 9023P... a two channel DAC, aimed at mobile applications and built for cost effectiveness/footprint constraints. This DAC includes two of the 8-channel ESS flagship DAC chips. Not really an apples to apples comparison... LOL
ElectronicVices
2937
Dec 11, 2019
Jedi_ITI came back to this thread due to notfication. I find it quite intriguing that you purchased a D1 which is earily similar to a device you openly mocked not 18 months prior.
(Edited)
dcguy73
25
Aug 9, 2018
Many of you have questioned the value proposition of purchasing this DAC versus a less expensive and/or more versatile and/or more compact component.
The LKS was the first DAC on the market that used dual 9038PRO chips. A lot of you have mentioned DACs that use the 9028 chips, and I'm not sure which of those are the pro models versus the lower tier chips, but the 9028s are from the last generation of chips. Are the newer chips better? Spec-wise, sure (especially for DSD -- up to DSD512), but ultimately, the sound you get from the DAC comes down to the implementation of the chips rather then the specs.
The LKS DAC sounds good. Is it better than a dual-9028 chip DAC? I can't really say, as I haven't done any direct comparisons.
The 9038PRO chips generate a lot of heat, which is why the LKS DAC has large heatsinks and vents to dissipate it. It also has large torroidal power supplies and is a fully balanced design with balanced inputs and outputs. It's built like a tank for a reason.
The LKS is an upgrade that is intended to be used as a dedicated DAC for a home system with a dedicated amp and headphones and speakers. If you're happier with a portable or transportable system or a DAC/AMP combo unit, then this is not for you.
As far as comparisons to other DACs, you can check the HeadFi LKS thread for that: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/l-k-s-audio-mh-da004-dual-es9038pro-dac-van-dammes-double-impact.840938/
If you're happy with what you've got and don't want to spend a lot on a DAC, then there is no reason to upgrade. Stick with what you know.
Buying this DAC unheard is a risk, especially for the price, but I've been pretty happy with it. There are many other audio components that aren't available to demo locally, either.
**It does not support MQA.
The LKS was the first DAC on the market that used dual 9038PRO chips. A lot of you have mentioned DACs that use the 9028 chips, and I'm not sure which of those are the pro models versus the lower tier chips, but the 9028s are from the last generation of chips. Are the newer chips better? Spec-wise, sure (especially for DSD -- up to DSD512), but ultimately, the sound you get from the DAC comes down to the implementation of the chips rather then the specs.
The LKS DAC sounds good. Is it better than a dual-9028 chip DAC? I can't really say, as I haven't done any direct comparisons.
The 9038PRO chips generate a lot of heat, which is why the LKS DAC has large heatsinks and vents to dissipate it. It also has large torroidal power supplies and is a fully balanced design with balanced inputs and outputs. It's built like a tank for a reason.
The LKS is an upgrade that is intended to be used as a dedicated DAC for a home system with a dedicated amp and headphones and speakers. If you're happier with a portable or transportable system or a DAC/AMP combo unit, then this is not for you.
As far as comparisons to other DACs, you can check the HeadFi LKS thread for that: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/l-k-s-audio-mh-da004-dual-es9038pro-dac-van-dammes-double-impact.840938/
If you're happy with what you've got and don't want to spend a lot on a DAC, then there is no reason to upgrade. Stick with what you know.
Buying this DAC unheard is a risk, especially for the price, but I've been pretty happy with it. There are many other audio components that aren't available to demo locally, either.
**It does not support MQA.
dcguy73
25
Jan 4, 2019
I've never heard a topping d10, so I can't say for sure. From what I've read online, the ESS9038 measures better and is less "digital sounding" than the ESS9018...but the sound of a DAC really depends on the implementation of the chip. Also, consider the size and build differences between the topping and the LKS DAC. So maybe?
dcguy73
25
Jan 4, 2019
The comments on this thread about the LKS DAC being a Chinese-run scam compelled me to write this. I can say for certain that it is not a scam. I like this DAC a lot.
I totally understand why so many comments on this thread question the value proposition here. The LKS DAC is pretty ugly to look at and it's made in China through a (mostly unknown) builder, as opposed to a well-known company with a bigger presence like PS Audio, etc.
But take a good look at the build (and the insides) of this DAC (the pictures on Massdrop don't do it justice). It's built like a tank. Solid metal chassis, giant toroidal transformers, a linear power supply, dual mono ESS 9038PRO chips (which are expensive and run very hot) and large heatsinks to handle the heat, two Crystek femtosecond clocks, and high-quality internal parts.
It sounds like I'm shilling for the company, but I'm just pointing out that what you're really paying for is the DAC's build and internal components, not the whims of some Chinese guy scamming everyone [ maybe a little of that ;-) ]. Are there cheaper, smaller DACs out there that sound better? Probably. This DAC was released in March 2017 as one of the first DACs to use the ESS9038PRO chips. There have been many DACs with 9038 chips that have followed since then. Should this DAC be selling at a larger discount in 2019? Maybe, but what about the competition? A lot of other "audiophile" DACs out there stay at their retail price until they're discontinued.
Finally, take a look on Head-Fi at the thread about this DAC (https://www.head-fi.org/threads/l-k-s-audio-mh-da004-dual-es9038pro-dac-van-dammes-double-impact.840938/) A lot of people have had this DAC in their homes and have posted their opinions. Not many people commenting on this Massdrop thread have actually heard it.
I don't claim to be an expert on other DACs comparable to the LKS. I'd suggest you do your research before buying. Look at the choices you have available to you and ask yourself how much you're willing to pay.
(Edited)
jswriter
83
Aug 7, 2018
This is one of the top rated DACs right now and the price is the best I've seen. I recently bought a dual 9028 Gustard DAC. I love the sound, but must admit that I'm tempted to jump on this one.
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