Hi audiophile friends.
I came across this threat and i know it is a bit old. But thought I'd respond in case anyone is looking for a new DAC. I bought sight unseen after discussing the feedback with a few others. My current system is highly resolving after years of cobbling together what I consider a reference system now:
Rega Planar 5 w Crown Jewel mc cartridge
Laptop feeding via USB mostly lossless FLAC and SACD iso and DSD files (I have over 3 TB of data in a mirrored array - please do this, I lost my entire collection at one time as I procrastinated to get a backup drive)
Jriver music server (works the best at serving up DSD and SACD iso files) feeding
Convergent Audio SL1 Legend black path edition preamp
Classe Omega Mono amps (the last of the production specs)
YG Anat upgraded to Sonja 1.3 status
cables are non descript
I was using a variety of DACS over the years and had settled on a MF 1A DAC tried both USB and using a Gustard U20 reclocker.
I thought my system sounded just great, until I just got my LKS 004 w upgraded Amanero USB input.
It would be hard to go into too many details, but I am certain the system has been brought to a level of resolution and clarity I did not think was possible. I've listened to the "best" DACs on the market at many audio shows in the past several years and it would be hard to find fault with this unit just out of the box. I'm still running it in but after about 5 days, I think I can confidently say that I no longer have a desire to pull vinyl off the shelf. Even PCM files via flac sound beyond what vinyl can reproduce.
The dynamic range is on par w records sans the clicks and pops.
The level of transparency allows for resolution and space to be determined in live recordings so that individual voices and instruments can be localized in both depth and height. What I was hearing as occasional glare and sibilance - especially w female voice and horns - has disappeared - I was blaming this on the speakers having been at a loss of what was causing this.
The phase information on the recordings is clearly being transmitted and this can be determined in the system's ability to convey sense of recorded space and time delays from room reflections on the recording and in a great sense of depth and overtones/harmonics after notes are struck especially percussive instruments like piano and drums.
I had been leaning toward PS audio's perfect wave DAC as a competing option but for the price of this DAC, I can't imagine anything besting it.
There are folks like Ric Schultz doing modifications on this unit, but Jinbo at the LKS production facility has been taking suggestions over the last year from such people and adopted some of the mod suggestions into the newer production. I wouldn't mess with what is an essentially perfect machine. The production quality is not to be believed at this price. look at the forums elsewhere at pictures of the chassis and boards.
I'm not one to write reviews on things here but I felt compelled given all the banter about it back and forth. If anyone is on the fence, please keep this unit in mind when making a consideration. I bought mine directly from LKS (muaudio) and Jinbo is quick to answer emails and questions. You will save a couple of hundred buying direct from him vs his distributor and will be assured to have the latest production model.
T
