Chinese Brand L.K.S. Audio MH-DA002 ESS9018 * 2

[alan_un]

I have also checked with Soundaware about DSD128 for the D100Pro, but they indicated that there was no market and hence had no intention to provide DSD128 support

[CKKeung]

I have also checked with Soundaware about DSD128 for the D100Pro, but they indicated that there was no market and hence had no intention to provide DSD128 support

 

Hi Alan,

Yes, Soundaware in fact didn't want to provide firmware upgrade to enable even dsd64 initially.

[juliocat]

Any news or opinion about this DAC, looks good

[alan_un]

My first impression when comparing the LKS to the Mytek with DSD feeds was that the LKS sounded slightly more detailed and provided a somewhat fuller sound.

This was when I fed the Mytek through its USB2 input.

Meanwhile, I am using the Mytek's SDIF DSD (Mastering version) input. This is a new ball game and very hard to beat sound wise for DSD.

I have also been trying to feed the LKS via its I2S connection from a Soundaware D100 Pro which is externally clocked by a rubidium clock, thinking that it may levels the playing field a bit more. Unfortunately I am having issues with the I2S input and only get distorted sound from the Soundaware D100. Hopefully Soundaware will have a solution later this week.

I have not listen much to the LKS DAC fed with PCM.

[CKKeung]

My first impression when comparing the LKS to the Mytek with DSD feeds was that the LKS sounded slightly more detailed and provided a somewhat fuller sound.

This was when I fed the Mytek through its USB2 input.

Meanwhile, I am using the Mytek's SDIF DSD (Mastering version) input. This is a new ball game and very hard to beat sound wise for DSD.

I have also been trying to feed the LKS via its I2S connection from a Soundaware D100 Pro which is externally clocked by a rubidium clock, thinking that it may levels the playing field a bit more. Unfortunately I am having issues with the I2S input and only get distorted sound from the Soundaware D100. Hopefully Soundaware will have a solution later this week.

I have not listen much to the LKS DAC fed with PCM.

 

Volent Audio in Hong Kong is the Hong Kong dealer of L.K.S. products.

VOLENT Audio - VOLENT Speakers, L.K.S DAC

 

It has launched a femto clock mod for the L.K.S. Dual-ESS9018 Dac.

A Crystek 575 Series femto clock chip is used on a proprietary small clock board with discrete-component psu circuit for the 575.

The cost is not high but improvement quite obvious in all aspects.

This femto clock mod can be used for other gears that employ ESS9018 chip (such as Oppo BDP...etc).

 

[bibo01]

Volent Audio in Hong Kong is the Hong Kong dealer of L.K.S. products.

VOLENT Audio - VOLENT Speakers, L.K.S DAC

 

It has launched a femto clock mod for the L.K.S. Dual-ESS9018 Dac.

A Crystek 575 Series femto clock chip is used on a proprietary small clock board with discrete-component psu circuit for the 575.

The cost is not high but improvement quite obvious in all aspects.

This femto clock mod can be used for other gears that employ ESS9018 chip (such as Oppo BDP...etc).

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]10749[/ATTACH]

Have you heard LKS DAC with this new femto clock? Impressions?

 

I have just ordered one for me

[Esprit]

This was when I fed the Mytek through its USB2 input.

Mytek must used with FW

[alan_un]

Been there done that. SDIF is better by miles

[alan_un]

Hi CK, I have been in touch with Ben Lau who was very helpful and have ordered the Femto clock upgrade too. Hope I could put it all together

[CKKeung]

Hi CK, I have been in touch with Ben Lau who was very helpful and have ordered the Femto clock upgrade too. Hope I could put it all together

 

Hi Alan,

 

Yes, Ben is very friendly.

You may ask him to send you photos of the jumper positions and clock wire connection for you to follow.

BTW the femto clock needs burn-in.

 

Last but not least, replacing the original IEC socket by a Furutech gold-plated one can give richer mid & treble. This is not difficult too.

 

Cheers,

CK

[alan_un]

Hi CK,

That is very helpful info. Will contact Ben asap. Thanks also for the IEC socket hint. Will source this when I'm back in Hong Kong.

Cheers

[CKKeung]

Hi CK,

That is very helpful info. Will contact Ben asap. Thanks also for the IEC socket hint. Will source this when I'm back in Hong Kong.

Cheers

 

Hi Alan : Please check your inbox : some additional info for you.

[zerung]

The Femto clock and the Furutech upgrade was easy and worth the little extra. I hope there are more upgrades available for this wonderful DAC.

A different tube PS would be a great upgrade. Perhaps the Ifi Iusb would be a good addition also?

 

 

Hi Alan,

 

Yes, Ben is very friendly.

You may ask him to send you photos of the jumper positions and clock wire connection for you to follow.

BTW the femto clock needs burn-in.

 

Last but not least, replacing the original IEC socket by a Furutech gold-plated one can give richer mid & treble. This is not difficult too.

 

Cheers,

CK

[CKKeung]

The Femto clock and the Furutech upgrade was easy and worth the little extra. I hope there are more upgrades available for this wonderful DAC.

A different tube PS would be a great upgrade. Perhaps the Ifi Iusb would be a good addition also?

 

Yes, the LKS has great potential for further mod.

This is one of the seriously modded LKS that I have listened to :

 

 

 

[MINORISUKE]

Hi, I am new in this forum.

My DAC is under a different brand "ArcadiaDA" with permalloy transformers for I/V conversion.

I also own Soundaware D100 Pro Deluxe with Musical Paradise rubidium clock generator.

The information in this forum is very useful.

[kazcou]

There is another copy of this DAC, the front plate is different

T46v3

[MINORISUKE]

My ArcadiaDA is with v4 DAC board, not v3.

http://www.facebook.com/ArcadiaDigitalAudio

[Esprit]

Been there done that. SDIF is better by miles

False.

[kazcou]

One think is odd, the output connectors are inverted.

 

Someone know if the firmware can be upgraded ? I have one with version 3.4 from october 2013.

[fmak]

Yes, the LKS has great potential for further mod.

This is one of the seriously modded LKS that I have listened to :

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]10789[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]10790[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]10791[/ATTACH]

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Two LT1086s??? These are eay too noisy can blow the whole board with their current rating!!!

 

Not a serious mod that is guided by principle!

[4est]

I count six in the bottom photo.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Two LT1086s??? These are eay too noisy can blow the whole board with their current rating!!!

 

Not a serious mod that is guided by principle!

[fmak]

I count six in the bottom photo.

 

Yes, I only looked at the clock jpg.

 

The mod is not worthwhile unless much better regulators are used. By using the large LTs, there is a risk of total

burn out as the current limit level is way too hard.

[fmak]

Sorry I wrote that wrong ... Meant to say 220v at 60Hz.

 

 

Wrong, 50 Hz and 220 and 230V is neither here or there; any difference depends on the +- band which is wide for the 230V standard. My UK voltage can be 245V and utilities are lousy in keeping mains standards.

[atterbud]

I am considering this DAC and have been in contact with Ben Lau at Volent in HK. Could anyone give me an idea of how it sounds, the build quality, Op Amp combinations, etc. I currently have an Audio-GD NFB-7 fed through a Sotm USB/SPDIF converter from my Mac Mini and am looking to add DSD capability and try something new. My system is tube based and I am looking for a sound closer to my VPI Classic 1 turntable and Triode Corp tube phono stage. I have some concerns about moving to all OpAmp based output stages as I have read greatly varying reviews of their sound.

 

Additionally, it has been suggested that the two large transformers be replaced with 3 smaller encapsulated ones, does anyone have any experience of this mod?

 

Lastly, I have been trying to contact ArcadiaDA to ask for details on their version of this DAC, but have received no reply. Does anyone know if they are still in business?

 

Thanks to all for your help.

[xllms]

Hi everyone,

I have just purchased this DAC out of curiosity and have been using it for some 2 weeks now. This DAC is paired with the Mac Mini (source), Classe CAP-80 integrated amplifier & KEF Q300. The introduction of the DAC has made the vocals and midrange more forward-sounding and covering some of the subtle background instruments in some of the music. Can anyone advise which upgrades to the DAC can I achieve a better sonic balance and have a smoother and lush sound? Will the Femto clock upgrade helps? I am using the stock USB cable at the moment. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thank you.