It's like a loaf of audio bread.Nice unit although the shape of the box is going to be love or hate. Thank you @amirm
It's like a loaf of audio bread.Nice unit although the shape of the box is going to be love or hate. Thank you @amirm
Yes, the other way around. On your second question, what levels do you want me to check for? Everyone's amplification gain is different so it is hard to know what DAC output is typical of usage. I could do quarter, half and full or something like that.increases? or both?
Wouldn't dynamic range specs at different gain levels be more telling of a DAC' performance?
I ask about the DynamicRange in relation to DACs as my (little) understanding of them tells me that as the digital volume is decreased; the DR suffers equal amounts of dB decrease. Resulting in the noise floor acting like quicksand; as levels are decreased.Everyone's amplification gain is different so it is hard to know what DAC output is typical of usage.
DR suffers in any method of lowering the volume control due to absolute noise levels of the device and my analyzer. So that is not avoidable.I ask about the DynamicRange in relation to DACs as my (little) understanding of them tells me that as the digital volume is decreased; the DR suffers equal amounts of dB decrease. Resulting in the noise floor acting like quicksand; as levels are decrease.
Letting the amps do the volume control rather than the internal DACs.
you won't hear a difference via line out (be it XLR or RCA).This SMSL Device seems to be a bargain. The question is: Is it worth to update from my Benchmark DAC2D to this system? Is there any audible difference to be heard? The headphone amp is rarely in use, most of the time as frontend to my Yamaha A-S2100.
Happy new Year,
Walter
Yeah, but I would pick the one that later had the channel flaw…Yes, if you have purchased highly recommended DACs from me in the last couple of years, there is no reason to upgrade to this unit. These reviews are aimed at people making new purchases giving them the data to find the best performing ones within their budget. It is not a call to upgrade. This is why I don't upgrade my own everyday system either.
They will change the board and then it's V2.Yeah, but I would pick the one that later had the channel flaw…
Still haven’t sent it in
they are not digital filters but utilizes es9038's thd compensaion.They will change the board and then it's V2.
There is 3 different sound profiles that several reviewers has appraised on other SMSL dac's.
Rich, Tube and Clear 1,2,3.
I can't hear any difference in my unit either in HP amp or line out.
Could someone else also try those those out to confirm it's not working.
Or maby those filters are so subtle that I just don't hear it.
SW ver: 1.0
P.S. I did test for one channel being active which was an issue with the original M500 and the bug is not here so all is good.
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Here’s the info you need to be able to make a comparison: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/e1da-9038d-review-portable-dac-amp.21556/I am considering to buy a SMSL M500 mk2 to upgrade from the DAC I am using now, the E1DA 9038D.
But I am wondering if it really is an upgrade, because the quality of the E1DA 9038D is outstanding.
I never tested an other DAC before, so I don't know if the quality of the SMSL M500 mk2 is better or
comparible with the E1DA 9038D. Is there someone that did a comparison of the E1DA 9038D with other DAC's
or someone that can give me advise.
I saw this thread before, but technical specs of the latest DAC's are so good and so close to eachotherHere’s the info you need to be able to make a comparison: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/e1da-9038d-review-portable-dac-amp.21556/
How would you rate vs JDS Labs element 2 and DX7 Pro? Love the work!This is a review and detailed measurements of the SMSL M500 MKII DAC and Headphone Amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $440.
View attachment 175493
I really like the look of the new SMSL UI. It is more modern and nicer to look at. I am surprised though that they still show the input data type in large letters (PCM) rather than volume level which is far more important. Most people play nothing but PCM anyway. Would be nice to also see the selected DAC filter on the home screen.
Another nit is that the 4-way arrow in the remote control does nothing unless you are in the Menu. Would have wanted a set of those to control which input is playing.
Otherwise, the unit is nice and easy to navigate and use. Here is the back panel showing the usual connections:
View attachment 175494
The unit is based on ESS ES9038Pro DAC chip.
SMSL M500 MKII Measurements
Let's adjust the output to get 4 volts nominal output and run our dashboard:
View attachment 175495
This is excellent performance and easily lands the M500 MKII in our top 20 DACs ever tested:
View attachment 175496
Output capability is higher though and with it, better SINAD can be had, matching company advertising:
View attachment 175497
RCA output as usual drops performance a bit but still superb:
View attachment 175668
Dynamic range is exceptional showing great attention to keep noise at absolute minimum:
View attachment 175499
Note again that the output is at 4 volts. It does get better if you allow full output.
Multitone test shows the exceptionally low distortion again:
View attachment 175500
Linearity is textbook perfect as one would expect in this class:
View attachment 175501
USB Jitter is as good as it gets:
View attachment 175502
And rather surprisingly, so is Coax and Toslink which tends to not be as good in other products:
View attachment 175503
IMD distortion is kept at minimum with almost no sign of classic "ESS IMD Hump:"
View attachment 175504
You have the usual choice of filters:
View attachment 175505
Fast linear is the default from factory.
Finally, here is our THD+N vs frequency with that filter:
View attachment 175506
Other filters produce different results due to different levels of attenuation as you see in the previous measurement (but still very good).
SMSL M500 MKII Headphone Output Measurements
You can select to turn headphone on and off through remote and it has its own volume control which is nice. Let's measure its power output relative to distortion and noise:
View attachment 175508
View attachment 175509
These are very respectable power levels for an included headphone amplifier with superbly low noise and distortion.
Dropping the level way down to 50 mv to see noise for very sensitive IEMs and we get very good performance but shy of state of the art:
View attachment 175510
View attachment 175511
Sorry but have not had time to listen to it. I expect it to sound superb though.
Conclusions
The tests I run probe audio devices from different vectors to attempt to find weaknesses in them. Often one or two tests show something. Not the case here. It is clear SMSL engineers have meticulously tested and optimized this design as to leave nothing for me to complain about. You have a superbly performing DAC with more than good enough headphone amplifier in one box. And price is reasonable compared to anything higher performance.
It is my pleasure to recommend SMSL M500 MKII.
P.S. I did test for one channel being active which was an issue with the original M500 and the bug is not here so all is good.
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There won't be audible difference.How would you rate vs JDS Labs element 2 and DX7 Pro? Love the work!
Yes different DACs measure different. But those differences are very small and all way beyond what humans can hear. Those differences are not audible as for perhaps some exceptions at the absolute bottom every DAC measured by Amir is considered audibly transparent. It doesn't matter if you get a DAC from the top 3 or a DAC from position 200+.I saw this thread before, but technical specs of the latest DAC's are so good and so close to eachother
that I am wondering if these small differentials are audible. So I would like to hear from someone that
did a hearingtest to compare DAC's like these.
I’m also curious about if this one will beat the ex5. I’m going buy a dac/amp for hd660s and better have balanced out for ao200 and Polk r100. After read many review I still can’t decide which one to buy.This or ex5 is my question for an aio unit. What's better for iem's in your opinion ? Does anyone know if this can output xlr and rca at the same time ? Would like to connect it to a sub down the line. I know ex5 can do that.