Topic: MOUSAI MSD192 DAC - A review. (Read 14886 times)

LFF · « **on:** September 29, 2014, 09:20:06 PM »

PIRATE REVIEW

Mousai MSD 192 DAC
SOUND:
Very good. Neutral.
No DSD.

PRICE:
$400

VERDICT:
NOT shit.

As good as some $800-$1700 DACS.

FULL REVIEW a la HF:
Sometimes first appearances can be deceiving. Many of us have heard the old phrase “Never judge a book by its cover” and, to this day, it’s a very true statement we should all heed.
LOOKS:
The Mousai MSD192 is a DAC with USB, Coaxial, and Optical ports. The USB input adopts 3X Clock asynchronous transmission design which claims to reduce jitter to an undetectable level. It also claims that an IIR digital filter eliminates pre-ringing from the pulse wave which will ensure most accurate and natural approach to the original sound.
The MSD192 DAC comes packaged in a box that’s probably bomb proof and sure to survive any negligence and wrath brought on by the various postal systems of the world. Upon opening the boxes, you find the MSD192 DAC. The MSD192 DAC doesn’t look impressive and is very simple in it’s appearance. Very minimalist indeed. Included are a power cord, a measurement spec sheet (not provided with my unit), and a set of interconnects.
The MSD192 DAC also has a nice blue LCD display that informs you what input i s selected as well as the input signal it is receiving. I found the display to be quite attractive and non-distracting. The minimal information it puts out is in line with the minimal design of the MSD192 DAC. It only gives you what you need and that’s always a great thing.
This simple appearance is in sharp contrast to the complicated circuitry held within. The MSD192 DAC boasts the following specs:
•   Standard Coaxial and USB input, 192KHz/24Bit.
•   Standard Coaxial output, compatible with other digital audio device.
•   3X clock structure for USB asynchronous transmission: 3 independent ultra-low phase clocks respectively control USB data transmission, multiples of 44.1KHz and 48KHz transmission, together with asynchronous technology, reduces Jitter to undetectable level.
•   The dedicated USB driver guarantees the stability and compatibility of the whole system
•   Wolfson WM8741 chip, with innovative circuit design for better application.
•   MSD192 DAC chipset power utilizes 4 level filters and specific voltage-regulating processor.
•   Dedicated OPA627+BJT hybrid LPF output stage ensures no TIMD (Transient
•   Intermodulation Distortion) when the traditional circuit works in ultra high speed.
•   Low pass and baffle utilize WIMA FKP2 capacitors, provides large dynamic and powerful sound
•   IIR (MP) Digital filter, eliminates pre-ring from pulse wave
•   Bespoke military ring-shape “Bingzi” transformer with full sealed and low noise, low magnet release, independent digital winding and analogue winding
•   Schottky rectifier, 9pcs 220uF Nichicon FG capacitors and 15 groups power regulators
As we all know, specs aren’t everything and it really comes down to how it sounds from your system.
SOUND:
(Set-up: Laptop -> FLAC -> Mousai MSD192 DAC -> CTH Amp, Cavalli Liquid Glass, Bottlehead Crack with Speedball -> Various Headphones, IEM’s)

This MSD192 DAC does require a custom driver to be installed. Once it’s installed, getting up and running is a breeze.
Upon cueing up my usual reference material, I found the MSD192 DAC to be surprisingly well mannered and giving a good, neutral presentation. The lows were low, and well controlled, the mids were liquid and highs were crystalline and extremely clear. The MSD192 DAC does well across the entire frequency range but it definitely stood out in the high end. Those of you who appreciate a crystal clear high end, without glare, might wish to look into this MSD192 DAC. Ambiance cues were unusually good and clear.
I found the sense of ambiance to be very accurate and the soundstage was accurately placed and very quiet. Any extraneous noise I noticed was strictly due to the recording. On high resolution material, the MSD192 DAC performed admirably, never failing to play any file I put on the playlist except for DSD material, which this MSD192 DAC does not support. The overall sound is transparent and accurate, which is what you should be getting from a quality DAC.
I was unable to test the coaxial input as my usual Denon CD player is currently out on long term load. However, If the coaxial performance is anything like the USB performance, then anyone using the coaxial input will be in for a real treat.

CONCLUSION:
I found the MSD192 DAC to be very good and equally as good (if not better) than much more expensive offerings from companies like Stello. I have access to a $1000 + Stello DAC and, honestly, I felt this DAC sounded much more neutral and natural than the Stello. If you’re looking for a stationary DAC you can keep on your desk or use for your home rig, then this MSD192 DAC is definitely a good, solid purchase at the quoted price of $400. I certainly wouldn't mind having it in my work rig.

DaveBSC · « **Reply #1 on:** September 29, 2014, 09:35:33 PM »

Nice to see that they splurged the $10 for the 8741. Way too many DACs that cost a fair bit more than that use the el-cheapo 8740.

ultrabike · « **Reply #2 on:** September 29, 2014, 09:56:20 PM »

Can't finds this DAC. Any linkys?

LFF · « **Reply #3 on:** September 29, 2014, 10:07:14 PM »

I believe it will be up for sale on MassDrop

purplegoat · « **Reply #4 on:** September 30, 2014, 12:35:58 AM »

I realize this is sort of a long shot but have you heard the Yulong DA8, LFF? It's highly recommended on HF but I'm becoming annoyed with how warm Yulong makes his gear..

(If you have, how does it compare?)

Anaxilus · « **Reply #5 on:** September 30, 2014, 12:42:23 AM »

Quote from: purplegoat on September 30, 2014, 12:35:58 AM

It's highly recommended on HF but I'm becoming annoyed with how warm Yulong makes his gear..

This is why myself or many of us have rarely recommended Yulong. It's like a Chinese version of Violectric sound.

Marvey · « **Reply #6 on:** September 30, 2014, 01:21:53 AM »

Yulong DA8 is both warm and strident. Mushy bass (thud thud) and coarse treble. It's sort of like a lesser version of the Invicta, another DAC Anax and I do not like.

DA8 is not horrible, just does a lot of little things wrong - and this does add up. Sort of like 8 - 1 - 1 - 1 = 3. Way too expensive for its price. X-SABRE is better.

Anaxilus · « **Reply #7 on:** September 30, 2014, 01:25:03 AM »

I guess I should give Violectric a little more credit lol.

Marvey · « **Reply #8 on:** September 30, 2014, 01:25:52 AM »

LOL, yes, Vioelectric at least has a cohesive sound - an approach.

LFF · « **Reply #9 on:** September 30, 2014, 01:26:54 AM »

Yup. I'll echo their comments. Yulong sounds too warm and off to me. It really comes down to preference for a lot of people but the Yulongs do not sound neutral to me at all. Then again, I didn't spend much time with it so take my comment with a grain of salt.

What do I know though...I know someone who loves the DA8 paired with a Leben and HD650's and LCD-2's[size=78%]. [/size]

Author Topic: MOUSAI MSD192 DAC - A review. (Read 14886 times)

LFF

MOUSAI MSD192 DAC - A review.

DaveBSC

Re: MOUSAI MSD192 DAC - A review.

ultrabike

Re: MOUSAI MSD192 DAC - A review.

LFF

Re: MOUSAI MSD192 DAC - A review.

purplegoat

Re: MOUSAI MSD192 DAC - A review.

Anaxilus

Re: MOUSAI MSD192 DAC - A review.

Marvey

Re: MOUSAI MSD192 DAC - A review.

Anaxilus

Re: MOUSAI MSD192 DAC - A review.

Marvey

Re: MOUSAI MSD192 DAC - A review.

LFF

Re: MOUSAI MSD192 DAC - A review.

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Author Topic: MOUSAI MSD192 DAC - A review. (Read 14886 times)