Digital Drive: REVIEW: Muse Electronics 296 DAC Processors by EdM

Model:	296
Category:	DAC Processors
Suggested Retail Price:	$3500
Description:	24 bit DAC with 96 khz processing
Manufacturer URL:	Muse Electronics
Manufacturer URL:	Muse Electronics

Review by EdM on November 27, 2001 at 15:51:10
IP Address: 160.79.220.130

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for the 296

I recently upgraded from a Muse Model 2 to this new Model 296. The 296 appears identical in design and size and in sound to the Model 2. This is not a bad thing since the incredible detail forthcoming from the 2 is not lost in any way, shape, or form in the 296.
I began my audition with the 296 connected via a balanced AES/EBU input from a Muse Model 5 CD transport. The 296 is then connected via Synergistic Research balanced cables to a Muse 3 Preamp and onwards to a Bryston 4B-ST- also via balanced Synergistic cables.
Loreena McKennitt's "All Souls Night" actually brings chills and an occasional tear.
The detail the 296 extracts from regular 44.1/16 cds is nothing short of completely amazing.
All these years I was listening to CDs and only hearing a small portion of the music actually available.
Strings are especially well reproduced as are piano and most of the wind instruments, but don't get me wrong, bass is well represented also. Vocals to me are much more a function of speakers so I don't notice any difference or improvement over the Model 2.
I spent all day listening on a Saturday and thrilling to every note, only to realize late in the evening that I had not heard any of the 296 extended processing since I had only listened to 15 bit disks. So the following day I connected my Panasonic RP-91 DVD player to the 296's second input. Since the RP-91 is only single ended, I used a bnc cable and adapter to the SPIF input on the 296.
First up, one of Chesky records 24/96 samplers. Whoa! It was pretty awesome in high resolution 2 channel. I'm thinking: who needs multi channel when 2 channel sounds this good!??
I threw in a couple of DVD-Audio disks and they sounded great as well, but somehow the Chesky just really hit me where I live emotionally.
I played "All Soul's Night" again, but this time through the RP-91, and it sounded just as good if not better than through the Muse 5; so I put it back in the 5 and listened again. Hard to tell any difference but the Panasonic may have a slight edge. (The nice thing about the Muse though is it's so quick acting- no reading delay, no waiting for play or skip; it just does it now!)
So to sum up, the 296 just plain extracts every bit of information on any cd or dvd, including music you probably didn't know was there. Notes are clear and completely defined. Soundstage is wide and 3D (although I don't believe this is a function of the DAC- but at least the 296 does not diminish them at all).
The 296 is not quite the bang for the buck that the Model 2 is on the used market but it certainly is no slouch. If you are anyway interested in 2 channel, high resolution sound and DVD-Audio, then for goodness sakes, audition the 296 for yourself.

Product Weakness: A little high priced
Product Strengths: Extracts everything a CD or DVD is capable of

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Bryston 4B-ST
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Muse 3
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Muse 5 and Panasonic RP-91
Speakers:	Alon Capri
Cables/Interconnects:	Synergistic Research Kaleidescope Phase I With Active Shielding
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Loreena McKennit "All Soul's Night"
Room Size (LxWxH):	12 x 12 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments:	DIY Accoustic Panels
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2 days
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Dedicated circuits
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	A little high priced
Product Strengths:	Extracts everything a CD or DVD is capable of