I made a mistake in my rating, and Audiogon still didn't suppress my review. This is to compensate the "3".

Powerful, deep bass ; Excellent soundstage ; Neutral ; No noise ; Highs soft AND detailed ; cable friendly ; Excellent reproduction of acoustic instruments, human voice

None, even if I bought it for $3,000 !

This is a follow-up of my review written 4 years ago. During that time, I tried to replace my combination CD-Player + Muse DAC to save space and simplify connections. Impossible. I bought maybe 5 (?) different CD-Players, to each time resale them after a few weeks of extensive listening, with different speakers (NHT, B&W Matrix 802, and home-made active tri-amplified) and Sennheiser HD-580 headphones. The transport used doesn't matter a lot, but the best were CAL Icon II and NAD S500i. I discovered, too, that Monster Cable M550i are less agressive, more tamed than Monster Cable 400 mk-II, but, believe it or not, the difference was smaller when used with the Muse than with CD-players ! I conclude that, on top of all its other qualities, the Muse doesn't require top-notch cables !

Similar Products Used:

2 NAD, Linn, Perreaux, 2 Musical Fidelity, Adcom, MSB, 2 Marantz, 2 CAL

Amazing, incredible detail, separation, soundstage

Not made anymore

Although I love music and electronics and insist on clarity and detail, I have never subscribed to some of the hype going around about high end equipment. I just don't believe in paying $2000 for an ac power cord or $20,000 for a cd player. I also didn't believe that outboard dacs were going to be any better than built in ones- especially like the Burr Browns built into my Denon 5700.

But in that elusive search for giving my system that something "extra". I decided to try an outboard dac.
First was the Art DI/O some people rave about. Nothing special to me at all. I ordered a CAL Sigma II 24/96 dac based on it's great reviews and while I was waiting ran across a used Muse 2 at a good price. I had barely heard of Muse but they do have a good "high end" reputation.

To make the story short, the Muse sale was delayed for weeks while the CAL Sigma arrived and sounded pretty damn good. While it was not mind bogling, it did impart a greater sense of detail to my system and I was pretty satisfied. The Muse 2 finally showed up and I only took it because I gave my word and planned on immediately selling it for my cost. Of course, I had to listen first, but it was a bother to unhook everything but oh well...

Yeah, when I heard the Muse 2 for the first time my jaw dropped! Never had any component except maybe speakers made such a profound improvement in the sound of music.

I'm sure anyone reading this has heard this a 100 times, all I can say is- try it yourself.

First, every nuiance, every plucked string, every swish of a cymbal is perfectly and absolutely clear and distinct.
Vocals are deep, well defined, and crystal clear.
Bass is tight, controlled, and never obtrusive.
But the most noticeable effect- NO NOISE, NO HUM, NO STATIC, no matter how high the volume. The backgrougd is black hole deep.

I take back every thing I said about expensive high end stuff. The Muse 2 turned my world upside down and completely changed my thinking. I am seeking out over Muse products: a Model 5 transport and Model 3 preamp.

This equipment is available for a steal.

Similar Products Used:

CAL Sigma II, Art DI/O

Quality, detail, separation

None

I had the opportunity to audition the ART DI/O along with a new CAL Sigma II with 24/96 upgrade and a used Muse Model 2 with Bessler filter this past weekend. Joining me were two friends, one an audio buff, and the other just a casual listener.
All 3 DACs were connected via coax digital cable to a Pioneer PD-59 except the CAL where an optical cable was used per mfg's recommendation. The DAC were then connected via direct analog connection to a Denon 5700 which fed a Bryston 4B-ST.

Music selections were Lorrena McKennit "The Visitor" - All Soul's Night.
Diana Krall "The Look of Love". Vanessa Mae "Storm". Chris Isaak "Wicked Games"

The ART came first and was impressive for it's cost. Various settings were tried and most agreed that the X2 sampling 88.2k sounded best. This DAC certainly equaled (and bettered on most tracks) the Pioneer's built in DAC, and the Denon 5700 built in DAC. Which is an accomplishment considering the Denon uses Burr Brown chips. To be completely honest however some people drifted back and forth on the Denon vs the ART.

The CAL Sigma was next and this unit clearly had it's favorites. The casual listener and myself both thought it superior to the ART but my other friend still liked the ART better. To me the CAL Sigma portrayed a clearer, cleaner, and more defined sound. I thought instruments were better separated and the soundstage wider by about a foot in my smallish listening room.

It appeared the CAL Sigma heavier power supply and tube circuitry gave a sweeter more pleasing sound.

There was more disagreement on other tracks. McKennit's seemed to favor the CAL Sigma while Krall sounded better on the ART DI/O. But still, considering the price difference $250 retail vs $750 retail it was interesting. I think tube proponents would choose the CAL Sigma though.

Then the Muse, which a friend had lent me, took it's turn. We all assumed this unit's age would hurt it (it was built in 97) and it's technology was behind the times. This unit retailed for $2000 in it's time, but was purchased used for $500- on a parity with the CAL Sigma.

What a surprise! The Muse just blew away the other two. The difference was nothing short of amazing. Everyone agreed without question it was clearly better. The casual listener pointed out the definition, the soundstage and how she could pick out every instrument across the width of the room, and I had to agree. The soundstage extended from wall to wall and seemingly from front to rear, but the detail was truely astonishing.

I have never heard a component (besides speakers) make such an improvement.

In conclusion, all the DACs were good, and I believe each would have their fans. The ART DI/O has a lot of features for someone who records a lot and for the price is certainly a steal. The CAL Sigma would be loved by tube fans. But for me the Muse uis a keeper. I will now have to figure out how to con it away from my friend (who hasn't actually heard it yet!)

This experience also taught me what good buys are out there in the used market. If you have a large cd collection, what difference does it make if the DAC isn't state of the art?

The Muse is truely a steal at $500 used, buy it and you'll never be sorry!

Similar Products Used:

CAL Sigma II, Art DI/O

I heard many good reviews about the original Muse Model 2 DAC and thoughtI would audition it in my system to see if it could live up to its hype...

Current System:

Theta Data Basic II Transport
Nordost Silver Digital "Moonglo" cable (AES/EBU)
Muse Model 2 Plus DAC
Nordost Quattro fil Interconnects
Audio Research LS7 (w/NOS tubset)
Audio Research VT100 Amp
Alpha Core Goertz MI3 Divinity Speaker Cables
Thiel CS2 2 Speakers
Shakti Stones, tube dampers, Audioprism Quiet Lines, ENACOM AC filters,
dedicated AC lines, Black Diamond Racing cones, "Things" and "Pits" in
MK3 and MK4 configurations, Nordost ECO3 spray, and soon to be VansEvers
Reference Balanced (RB5) Power Conditioner (after final "voicing" from MVE)...

Inserting the Muse Model 2 Plus into the audio chain immediately revealed an
extremely quiet soundstage, with much more "palpable" 3D imaging and excellent
transient response when compared to my old Adcom GDA600 DAC. Basically, the
Model 2 Plus simply "Whomped" the GDA600 in every respect. The GDA600 was
noted for its midrange and treble purity, but the Muse Model 2 Plus with its
4 Order Bessell filter processing simply created a more natural soundstage
with excellent base definition, micro dynamic/detail retrieval and an inner
harmonic purity and note decay that the GDA600 could never recreate. Reference
Recordings of grand piano, acoustic guitar, voice, etc. were rendered with a
finess and easy mastery of complex digital recordings, giving me another step
closer to the original musical event... I was so impressed about the Muse
Model 2 Plus DAC that I bought the audition sample as my new reference.

Furthermore, and maybe even more significant, is the fact that Muse has always
been noted for "upgrading" their components for a fair price (to me Price/Performance is important). When the new 24 bit /96 Khz PCM format
Audio CD source material arrives in quantity Muse will upgrade the Model 2 Plus
to their latest Model 296 digital processor (I2S, AES/EBU, balanced outputs and
single ended outputs, Motorola DSP upgrade processing, etc.)

If you are in the market for a reference quality, upgradable digital processor
that can grow to 24/96 digital for a fair price, then I recommend the
Muse Model 2 Plus DAC for an audition.

Highly recommended...

Art

p.s. next up Muse Model 296 processor and Muse Model 8 transport for audition.

To me, the epitomy of what digital should be. I bought Marv Halverson's (Kevin's dad) unit for a good price (in fact this unit was the one that was auditioned in Stereophile by Steven Stone)in a past issue.
When the formats and software for DAD get more settled, I plan to send this baby in for the 296 upgrade. Then the Model Eight Transport connected via I2S cable. Can't wait!

Everyone who is fortunate to have a Two Plus, enjoy it! It doesn't get much better than this for 16/44.1 playback.

When I was looking to upgrade my Rotel 5-disc to a CD source that would better match the caliber of the rest of my system, I read a lot of reviews and then went listening. My first hope was to go to the $1500 range. But I found not enough improvement to merit spending the money (Linn, Wadia, Monarchy, Micromega). I had tweaked the Rotel fairly well and dampened the case to great effect.

So before giving up, I decided to listen to the top single box players available at the time (Krell, Audio Research, Meridian, Classe, Wadia) and since I could find some great Theta on the used market, I listened to the Basic Transport with the DSP Pro IIIa. In my estimation, Muse 2 equaled the best of them. I listened to the Muse 2 fed by a Theta Basic Transport and had a Theta DSP Pro IIIa on hand for comparison. After extensive warm up, I listened for many hours and could find virtually no difference in the sound that was worth noting. I was shocked. I hear a difference almost every time I compare components or cables. The character of the two was very similar and I could find no way in which the Muse was bettered by the Theta. The Muse had a slightly more 3d stage with depth and space between the players—but it was so slight that I was really quibbling. The Theta was a little fatter and weightier in the mid-bass, but I found that to be unnatural, perhaps because my Classe amps tend to do that a little bit anyway. The extension and control of the Muse was just as good.

The Muse is very open and natural. It is extended in the highs with good decay and air, but a lack of spit or sibilance or edge. It has great dynamics pace and balance and can handle rock, jazz, folk or classical equally.

The Krell has more authoritative bass and draws more attention to its presentation of detail. But I found that to be slightly in-your-face and less musical. Some people like that; I tire of it. The Acoustic Research has the best micro-dynamics and leading transients. When a guitar string is plucked or a drum strike begins, you hear the natural sound of it’s beginning. It is not just ‘there’ like someone took the player off pause in mid sound. But it did not have the macro-dynamics and drive of the other players. The Wadia two-box that retailed for $5500 has the qualities of the Acoustic Research without its weaknesses and had the best of the other players; but I couldn’t justify the price. Can’t remember the models, but was 1996-97.

I heard the Meridian 508.20 in a poorly set up system. I couldn’t hear it in my system or next to one of the above, so I don’t feel confident about my impressions.

The Muse 2 with Theta Basic transport is the best combination I’ve heard under $5000. And you can find a used Theta Basic for a good price.

Classe 70
Classe 30
Muse 2
Theta Basic II
Von Schweikert Research VR4
MIT MH-750 bi-wire terminator
Vampire AI2/Goertz Alpha-Core Micro Purl

Similar Products Used:

Theta DSP Pro IIIa, Krelll KAV 300cd, Audio Research CD1

Sound Quality, 2 digital inputs, build quality

No RCA inputs (BNC only), look

I bought, used, a Muse Model 2 with HDCD digital filter and 4th order Bessel analog filter installed.
The sound ? Wonderful ! No weakness, and really exceptional for its neutrality and absence of agressivity. Everything else is excellent, anyway ! Was "Class B, borderline Class A" in Stereophile magazine.
The differences between Model 2 and Model 2 Plus :
- AES/EBU inputs : standart in Model 2 Plus, option in
Model 2
- Bessel Filter : standart in Model 2 Plus, option in Model
2. Highly recommended by Stereophile.
- I2S Digital input : Model 2 Plus only. Would be the
absolute weapon against jitter. You need a Muse transport
to use it.
- HDCD : optional with Model 2 and Model 2 Plus. I
recommend it : the PMD-100 digital filter is excellent
with AND WITHOUT HDCD CDs.
- Price : Model 2 without options, $ 1700. Model 2 Plus
with HDCD, $ 2700
I love it !

Similar Products Used:

CD-Players Philis, Technics, Nad 5100, Marantz CD-67SE, Marantz CD-17-II, Musical Fidelity E624/A3CD, CAL Icon II ;
DACs Adcom GDA-700, MSB Link II