I recently compared my HAL MS-2 to a current MS-5 with an eye to upgrading my MS-2. I spent over a week doing so and I can't hear any difference between the two music servers. I specifically listened for any differences in sound stage height,width,depth or circumambience.
Both servers sound the same in this respect and vastly superior
my current noise ridden laptop, an ASUS GL703V gaming laptop. There is also no degradation of tonality, transient attack or the rendering of instrumental decay,(ie, the ringing of a triangle for instance). The reverberation present in recordings that are done in real spaces such as clubs or concert halls is also intact and not lost due to short comings in the server.
Given the aforementioned observations, I am opting for the upgrade and look forward to a future of excellent sound and increased utility given the greater processor power that the MS-5 has compared to the MS-2.
See specs in HAL's reply No.12 above (page 1 of thread).
It's a very good value for what is essentially a brand new HAL MS-5 music server using your old case.
Thanks again Rich for giving me the time to thoroughly evaluate the new MS-5 in my system.
Your forbearance is greatly appreciated.
Scotty