I currently have a SMSL M8 DAC sat in front of me. This unit is based on the ESS ES9018K2M chip, but I gather it has now been updated to the M8A with an ES9028K2M chip. It has USB, electrical and optical SPDIF inputs and single ended RCA outputs. The unit is powered here by a 9 volt linear power supply, Im guessing thats an optional upgrade and it would be supplied with a SMPS wall wart. The case is a nice compact aluminium affair with a teeny tiny, oh yes tiny display telling you input, sample rate and image filter type (assuming you have your glasses on to be able to read it ). Options are fast, slow and Mini (presumably minimum phase).
Available at Amazon for around $250
https://www.amazon.com/ES9018-Optical-Coaxial-Asynchronous-decoder/dp/B00PS0WLX6
Measurements
0dBFS - Output is 1.95V RMS. Pleasantly surprised with the low harmonic distortion! Note noise floor is higher due to use of -20dB attenuator on the QA401 input to minimise its harmonic distortion contribution. Yes I need a notch filter !
-6dBFS
-60dBFS - Noise floor drops to very low levels but as a consequence reveals a whole bunch of spuria. Has to be said it is difficult to see this as of any audible consequence at -140dBFS, but still I dont like to see it..
-90.31dB 24 bit Waveform - Very clean due to the low noise floor
Jitter - None of significance
IMD SMPTE - Extremely clean along with the correspondingly low HD
FR and Image filtering - FAST
SLOW - Early rolloff in FR
MINI
Linearity - Pretty good!
I havent listened to this unit yet, but technically its very good. Remind me, why do people buy expensive DACs????
Available at Amazon for around $250
https://www.amazon.com/ES9018-Optical-Coaxial-Asynchronous-decoder/dp/B00PS0WLX6
Measurements
0dBFS - Output is 1.95V RMS. Pleasantly surprised with the low harmonic distortion! Note noise floor is higher due to use of -20dB attenuator on the QA401 input to minimise its harmonic distortion contribution. Yes I need a notch filter !
-6dBFS
-60dBFS - Noise floor drops to very low levels but as a consequence reveals a whole bunch of spuria. Has to be said it is difficult to see this as of any audible consequence at -140dBFS, but still I dont like to see it..
-90.31dB 24 bit Waveform - Very clean due to the low noise floor
Jitter - None of significance
IMD SMPTE - Extremely clean along with the correspondingly low HD
FR and Image filtering - FAST
SLOW - Early rolloff in FR
MINI
Linearity - Pretty good!
I havent listened to this unit yet, but technically its very good. Remind me, why do people buy expensive DACs????
Last edited: