Have New L.K.S. HM-DA9038 with Oppo95 won't play SACD's, HDMI input on DAC is for 12S data


Sorry, I'm new to the site and misquoted the product name of my new L.K.S. DAC HM-DA004 with the upgraded USB port. 
I purchased this new DAC , L.K.S. Audio HM-DA004 , I really liked the spec’s and what it had to offer with the intent on improving the CD/SACD experience. I’ve got hook up to my system: Sunfire TG IV preamp, 3 X-Carver m-500T’s Mkll’s , Oppo 95, dbx-360 venue for speaker mgnt./eq. , Snell’s C-7s tower fronts, Polk Lsim 707 back surround. I do like initially what it does with the redbook CD’s, But I can’t get it to play SACD’s.
I didn’t know that the HDMI input on the L.K.S. HM-DA9038 was not capable of recieving regualar HDMI input. The HDMI input has been converted to a 12S audio input, but I believe its states it’s capable to receive DSD files.
I’ve read some of the treads on the new DAC from the Forum, Has anyone found this an issue and is there any way to make the DAC Capable of receiving SACD info. When I play CD redbook, I play it through the Hi Def Coaxial cable input and it plays and show’s that receiving the data at PCM 44k, But as soon as I put in a true SACD , Steely Dan’s Aja, it show that it’s not receiving any data. Any help with would be Greatly appreciated. I’ve had this for a few days, and if it’s not able to SACD’s I’ll be returning it. Thanks for your info and help.

I've seen that there are now some nice Mods now available , is there a Mod available now to enable the DAC to work with Mac's IOS system.Thanks again
128x128dhollywood

Showing 4 responses by dhollywood

Thanks so much for the response. I do really like this DAC even only after a few days and a feel on tuning everything in with the different filters, and with my Dbx-360, etc... I Knew about that Sony's restrictions on SACD's, that why when I say the HDMI input, I thought perfect, I can now transfer the SACD Data from the Oppo to the DAC, and then have the ability to use the Balanced XLR's. Wth the use of the mono ESS9038's, and everything else they have done with the DAC
, I really saw a lot it had to offer. I really don't have that many SACD's that I couldn't do as you mentioned. But my other issue is a big one, I'm a Mac guy, and when I saw that streaming through L. K. S that "Need" 
10.6 IOS + I assumed that it would run with the latest running operating system of the IOS , which for me wasn't a issue. I can't get it to stream from my laptop "Tidal", or anything else. I then did some more researching and found that someone said that it Doesn't operate with the IOS platform, Mac's, and for me that all I use. I see that there are some Mod's being done with these new L.K.S DAC with what I read are some great improvements to already a great DAC. Is there anyone doing any kind of Mods to them, or do are you aware of what can be done to make it work with Mac's. I may need to return it. I may just go to a dedicated CD/SACD player with hopes I can find one that can match the quality of what this has to offer and stream music with Mac. Again, right now I'm using the Oppo 95 as the transport which I love the ease of operating with the remote and sound that I get with the Oppo 95 for now. I'm thinking a cd/sacd player like the Yamaha cd2000/2100 , Marantz hi end SACD/CD players, etc..
I really do like what this L.K.S. HM-DA004 sounds like, and what it has under the hood, Like the  twin mono ESS9038 . I just can't image what it can do after reading about some of the mods being done to it now.
Really appreciate the input.
That’s one big Collection!! And sounds like a very nice DAC.  Now that I have it running, I’m going to listen to it for a bit and learn how to use this new Dac. I do love how yours plays everything, monies are tight and I thought I heard they run a $2K more than the L.K.S, 
I’m sure that it’s very nice. So you feel that you don’t need a Network streaming player because of you large volume of CD’s,
SACD, etc.., or because you feel that they play as nice as the stand alone DAC’s.
Thanks Melm,
I appreciate the great info, and it is  really good to hear how well your music is working out for you. In regards to Running the IOS on  Macbook, I wasn't thinking. I finally check out the output and it was set up wrong on my computer, easy fix, and  is working fine now. I also had to change some setting in the Oppo 95 for the DSD /PCM files and then it all came together.  I've been reading and researching as much as I can  in learning, or catching up with the Digital DACs. I really do like the sound that I'm hearing. I have been playing my SACD's by running then through a different input on the oppo, so I have kind of worked out all those issues, but not running the SACDs through the L.K.S 2 channel DAC. 

It's really good to hear such positive feedback on the New L.L.S DAC from someone whom owns one. How are you running everything from your phone, I was under the impression that it had to run through the usb port by a computer. Did you install a USB Board for wi fi, or is the Oppo app  you mentioned running everything through it. I did,'t realize it could tie into my itunes music library. Looks like I have some more researching. 
The LK.S manual is so basic, it's difficult to get much out of it. Can you use the L.K.S also for network streaming. Right now I have my Laptop sitting on top of a shelve tied into it with the usb input and listening to Sirius, Tidal, right now. I just don't like the laptop having to be hooked up next to it. Unfortunately , my main computer is on the other side of the house. If I can't put everything together, and  I'm trying because I really think this Dac is really nice with so much potential.  I'm trying to learn about the different Fir Filters, like what best for certain sounds, and what they perform and such.  If I can't,  I was looking  at the possibility  of getting an All is one ,  the Lumin D2 Network streamer with the  Wolfson DAC 8741 running mono on each side as the L.K.S., But honestly I don't know how those DAC match up to the  ESS 9308, which I've alway been a big fan on the ESS DAC's. Any help and input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Thanks for a good input  Melm, and others. I do have everything running, and as you said for the CD’s, I am running through the L.K.S, and the SACD’ through the Oppo using the oppos Dac. Once I got all done, it’s really easy to toggle between two using the DVD for the L.K.S, and CD for the SACD’s.
Your right about hesitation on ripping the Disk, But I really don’t have so many that it would be such an issue. I do want to get the best SQ as possible, and if that’s running from a Hard drive, that’s really not to big of an issue. Just need to figure out how to tie it all in with using IOS, I’m sure there’s something out there. I would like to run everything off an IPad mounted from the wall, just need to find out the best way. 
What’s the option of the MODs being done to the L.K.S out curiosity. 
As you can see, I’m really new to the DAC world, and what can be done. With the different FIR filters on the DAC, how can I find data on what they all do, and what filters are used for the best results and purpose. I havn’t found any data on those so far. I do like the idea of having the music all on a Hard drive, I just need to researching that 
also and how it best done.
Thanks again