L.K.S Audio MH-DA004Mini DAC Review
A desktop DAC built around a single ES9038pro chip, with RCA and XLR outputs and a Bluetooth module, listed from $999 in Black or Silver. It suits buyers who want a choice of Standard or Upgrade USB edition; the page lists PCM from 44.1K to 384K and DSD64 to DSD512 (Windows).
Our verdict
Suits buyers who want a desktop DAC with a single ES9038pro, RCA and XLR outputs and a choice of Standard or Upgrade USB edition, from $999. Look elsewhere if you need one consistent input list (the page's lists differ) or conditions behind the distortion and dynamic range figures (the page text gives none). The page says Windows needs a proprietary driver, and every spec figure here is the store's own.
- Best for
- Buyers who want a desktop DAC with a single ES9038pro chip, RCA and XLR outputs and a choice of USB edition.
- Skip if
- You need one consistent input list, or conditions behind the page's dynamic range and distortion figures.
Why 3.6/5: Lifted by the specification figures the page text lists; held back by the store's own terms that contradict each other, and because no independent test was checked for this review: every spec figure is the store's own.
Listed from $999, the L.K.S Audio MH-DA004Mini is a desktop DAC built around a single ES9038pro chip, per the page. The page text gives RCA and XLR outputs, a Crystek CCHD575 master clock, PCM from 44.1K to 384K, DSD64 to DSD512 (Windows) and a built-in Bluetooth module. Two USB editions are offered, a Standard edition at $999 and an Upgrade edition with two Crystek CCHD-957 clocks at $1,099.
Specifications
| Spec | Page says |
|---|---|
| D/A converter | ES9038pro (single chip decoding mode) |
| Master clock | Crystek CCHD575 ultra low jitter clock (82fS) |
| USB module and drivers | Italian Amanero USB module; proprietary driver on Windows; none on Mac OS 10.6+ and Linux UAC2 |
| PCM sampling frequencies | 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352.8, 384 kHz; 32-bit word length |
| DSD sampling frequencies | 2.8224 MHz (DSD64), 5.6448 MHz (DSD128), 11.2896 MHz (DSD256), 22.5792 MHz (DSD512) |
| Inputs (attribute list) | Coaxial; Optical (SPDIF); USB Type-B |
| Inputs (specification 4) | USB, I2S/DSD single-ended (RJ45), I2S/DSD balanced (HDMI), coaxial, AES/EBU balance, fiber-optic |
| Outputs | RCA single-ended 2Vrms; XLR balanced 5Vrms |
| Digital volume | 0dB~-127dB, 0.5dB level |
| Dynamic range, distortion, resolution | Dynamic range above 134dB; distortion below 0.0002%; stereo resolution above 120dB |
| Bluetooth | Yes; built-in CSR8670 module supports APTX; WIFI: No |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 385x85x290mm |
| Weight | 5.8kg net |
| Power supply | Two toroidal transformers; 12 sets of linear power supplies |
Options and pricing
The page lists four options, Black or Silver each with Bundle 1 at $999 or Bundle 2 at $1,099, and all four were orderable when it was read. The page names Bundle 1 the Standard USB Edition, with an Amanero USB module using a common active crystal, and Bundle 2 the Upgrade USB Edition, with two Crystek CCHD-957 active clocks. It says the two differ only in the USB receiving part and recommends the upgrade for computer use over USB. Its package list names a remote control, a manual, a product certificate, a power cord and a USB cable.
How it compares
The TOPPING D90 III Discrete Fully Balanced HiFi DAC and the TOPPING Centaurus Fully Balanced R2R DAC are both $999, the same as Bundle 1 here, and their names say fully balanced; this page lists a single ES9038pro with RCA and XLR outputs. The Gustard U26 USB Digital Interface is $999.99 and its name says USB digital interface. The MH-DA004Mini suits buyers who want coaxial, optical and USB inputs with a Bluetooth module in a desktop DAC; the two TOPPING DACs suit those who want a model whose name says fully balanced.
Shipping, returns and warranty
HiFiGO sells from hifigo.com and says every order leaves its warehouse in China, usually 1-3 business days after it is placed, and says its delivery times are estimates, not promises. Its shipping policy gives the United States 1-2 weeks (about 10 days on average) by Priority and 6-10 days by Premium, both with duties and taxes prepaid by the store; Canada 2-3 weeks; the United Kingdom 1-2 weeks; and Australia 10-15 days. Express couriers (DHL, UPS, FedEx) take 3-7 days, but then the buyer pays any duties and taxes. No shipping page names New Zealand, PO boxes are not accepted, and the free-shipping thresholds differ between the store's own pages, so check the cart. One of its two shipping pages adds that a lost parcel on an order above $50 gets only a 50% refund. A US buyer reported a $40 tariff charge in August 2025, after which HiFiGO said it had added a customs notice at checkout.
Read the return terms before you order. The homepage advertises 7-day returns. Both of HiFiGO's policy pages offer a 7-day dead-on-arrival cover (a replacement or a full refund, with the return postage refunded) and also describe 30-day returns, but a request made 7 to 30 days after delivery loses 30% of the MSRP as a restocking fee (10% more if the packaging is incomplete), plus shipping both ways and duties, and the FAQ on the same pages says there is no refund or exchange once 7 days have passed. One version recommends reselling an opened product locally. Custom IEMs and custom cables cannot be returned, no return address is published, and buyers describe sending items back to China.
HiFiGO's warranty runs one year from the order date for parts and labor; its policy names desktop DACs and amps, IEMs and dongles at one year and gives cables and adapters three months. HiFiGO decides between repair and replacement, the buyer pays the shipping, and faulty items go back for service, not for a refund. Claims go to [email protected], the only contact the store lists: its pages name no company, street address or phone, and its terms are governed by the laws of China.
On Trustpilot, HiFiGO had 4.6 out of 5 from 378 reviews when we checked on 2026-10-28 (91% five-star, 5% one-star), and it had replied to about 75% of negative reviews; Trustpilot notes the store has not invited customers to review recently. The one-star reviews mostly concern the short return window and the deductions on returns, items listed in stock that turned out back-ordered, slow email support and a tariff charge on a US delivery in 2025. HiFiGO says its products are genuine and come in the brands' retail packaging; it does not claim to be an authorized dealer.
What we liked
- A single ES9038pro DAC chip, a Crystek CCHD575 master clock (82fS) and an Amanero USB module are named in the page text
- Both RCA single-ended (2Vrms) and XLR balanced (5Vrms) outputs are listed
- PCM from 44.1K to 384K and DSD64 to DSD512 (Windows) are listed for the USB module
- Standard and Upgrade USB editions are both offered, and the page says they differ only in the USB receiving part
- A size, a net weight of 5.8kg and a package list are listed
Worth noting
- Inputs are listed differently in different places: three in the attribute list, six in specification 4, and a further sentence names BNC
- Bluetooth is listed (attribute list; CSR8670 module supports APTX) but is not among the six sources in specification 4
- Dynamic range above 134dB, distortion below 0.0002% and stereo resolution above 120dB are given without measurement conditions
- DSD512 is listed with '(Windows)', and the page text does not say whether it applies on Mac OS or Linux
- Windows needs a proprietary driver, per the page
Questions before you buy
What is the difference between Bundle 1 and Bundle 2?
The page names Bundle 1 the Standard USB Edition, using an Amanero USB module with a common active crystal, and Bundle 2 the Upgrade USB Edition, using two Crystek CCHD-957 active clocks. It says the two differ only in the USB receiving part. Bundle 1 is $999 and Bundle 2 is $1,099, in either color.
Which inputs does the MH-DA004Mini list?
The attribute list names coaxial, optical (SPDIF) and USB Type-B. Specification 4 names USB, I2S/DSD single-ended (RJ45), I2S/DSD balanced (HDMI), coaxial, AES/EBU balance and fiber-optic, and says all ports support DSD input. The attribute list also says Bluetooth: Yes, and the description names a CSR8670 module that supports APTX.
What sample rates does the MH-DA004Mini list?
The attribute list gives PCM at 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352.8 and 384 kHz with a 32-bit word length, and DSD64 to DSD512. The USB paragraph says the Amanero module supports PCM from 44.1K to 384K and DSD64, DSD128, DSD256 and DSD512 (Windows); the page text does not tie the attribute-list rates to one input.
Where does HiFiGO ship from, and how long does it take?
From its warehouse in China, usually 1-3 business days after the order. The shipping policy gives 1-2 weeks to the US by Priority (6-10 days by Premium), both with duties and taxes prepaid, 2-3 weeks to Canada, 1-2 weeks to the UK and 10-15 days to Australia. Express couriers take 3-7 days, but the buyer pays any duties.
Can I send it back if I change my mind?
HiFiGO gives 7 days to report an item that arrives dead, damaged or wrong. Its policy also describes 30-day returns, but requests 7 to 30 days after delivery lose 30% of the MSRP plus shipping both ways and duties, and the FAQ on the same page says no refund or exchange after 7 days. Ask [email protected] before you open the box.
What warranty does HiFiGO give?
One year from the order date for parts and labor, for faults in build or materials (the policy names desktop DACs and amps, IEMs and dongles; cables and adapters get three months). HiFiGO chooses repair or replacement, the buyer pays the shipping, and a faulty item is serviced rather than refunded. Claims go to [email protected].
Sources & verification
What this review is based on and the day we last read it. Specs and claims from the maker are the maker’s own; the verdict and the rating are ours.
From the store
- L.K.S Audio LKS MH-DA004Mini DA004 ES9038pro Flagship DAC Audio Decoder product page: specs, options and priceSpecs, options and the listed priceRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO shipping policyShips from China in 1-3 business days; US 1-2 weeks by Priority or 6-10 days by Premium, duties prepaid; Express buyers pay dutiesRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO shipping and order tracking pageA second shipping text: Premium also for Canada and Australia, Canada free shipping from $99.99, lost-parcel rulesRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO refund policy7-day dead-on-arrival cover; 30-day returns minus a 30% restocking fee; its FAQ says no refund after 7 daysRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO warranty and refund policyWarranty by product class (1 year; cables and adapters 3 months); 30% fee for resealing an opened productRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO terms of serviceOperator named only as HiFiGo; governed by the laws of China; contact [email protected]Read October 28, 2026
Independent
- HiFiGO reviews on Trustpilot4.6 of 5 from 378 reviews (91% five-star, 5% one-star); the store has not invited reviews recentlyRead October 28, 2026
What we couldn’t verify
- The page gives inputs in several lists that do not match: three in the attribute list, six in specification 4, AES, coaxial, optical, USB and two I2S in the description, and BNC in one sentence; Bluetooth is not among the six sources in specification 4.
- Dynamic range above 134dB, distortion below 0.0002%, stereo resolution above 120dB and the 82fS clock figure come with no stated measurement conditions. Specification 18 gives the size as '290* deep 385* high 85mm', which does not match the attribute list's 385*85*290MM (W x H x D).
- Sound claims, such as the upgrade improving the sound field and the sound, and a 'very good sound base', are the page's wording with no measurement behind them in the page text.
- HiFiGO's policy pages contradict each other: 30-day returns with a 30% restocking fee in one place, no refund or exchange after 7 days in the FAQ.
- HiFiGO's pages name no company, street address or phone number; the only contact given is [email protected].
Spotted an error or something out of date? Tell us and we’ll fix it and update the date.
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