LKS MH-DA004 DAC......modified and stock.

Ric Schultz

Well-Known Member
Jun 21, 2013
227
56
333
Soquel, CA
As far as I know this is the first and only DAC in the world with two ESS9038 DAC chips running in dual mono. But it has so much more: discrete shunt regulators for the output stage, completely discrete output stages (no op amps), serious rectifier diodes, two 40 watt transformers, I2S input, digital volume control, DSD512 capable, Furutech AC inlet, 7 digital filter choices, Cardas output jacks, serious parts, etc. Even the remote is a hunk of aluminum. This thing is huge.....and it sounds amazing....even stock. The simple $425 mods I do take it to another level. If you are using anything besides usb it sounds best with the usb board removed. I personally think that usb should always be done externally with a modded Singxer running I2S into the DAC.

A single ESS 9038 DAC is essentially 4 ESS9028 DACs in parallel. So running two of them in mono mode means you essentially have 32 9028 channels in parallel. The more DACs in parallel the better the resolution....this is a know fact.

This is much better than the Gustard but it is more money. $1450 with cheaper usb board and $1600 with better usb board (including DHL delivery from China).

We should get see some feedback from owners of stock and modded LKS DACs very soon. This is one exciting product.
 

nc42acc

Member Sponsor
Nov 10, 2015
609
40
165
North Carolina
Unfortunately mine came unable to play DSD. Now trying to get a replacement or refund. On another note the Oppo Sonica works without a hitch all the way to DSD512.
 

MasH

New Member
Aug 16, 2015
2
0
0
After much discussion with Ric Schultz, I decided to get an LKS MH-DA004, so I was sort of his guinea pig. Before sending it off to him for mods, I compared it to my modified Schiit Ygdrassil. Right out of the box I found it to be better with improved detail, dynamics, and bass punch. After mods, it has improved in all aspects. It sounds much more like real music. Live recordings are especially lifelike. I just bought a Singxer SU-1, so I intend to try upsampling both PCM and DSD. I don't know how it will sound a lot better, but you never know until you get there.
 

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