Budget DAC recommendation

[sabih]

Hi,

I want to know the difference between SMSL D1 [ROHM DAC] and PS200 DAC.

Please guide me on budget DACs

Thanks.

 

[sabih]

Anyone?

 

[Adis]

This is what I bought for 140$. based on review:

Topping D10 Balanced Review (USB DAC)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the new Topping D10 Balanced. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $139. The D10 Balanced as the name implies, comes in my favorite USB DAC package with the same cute orange display: Back panel is where the difference is: Balanced...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Don't know about SMSL DAC and PS200 DAC.

 

[JSmith]

PS200 DAC

SMSL PS200 Budget DAC Review

This is a review and measurements of the SMSL PS200 stereo budget DAC. It is on kind loan from a member and costs US $89.99. The unit comes in a lightweight plastic package which allows my rather stiff RCA test cables to yank on it. A simple toggle switch changes inputs. There is an indicator...

www.audiosciencereview.com

https://www.smsl-audio.com/portal/product/detail/id/882.html

SINAD 118, uses a ES9039Q2M DAC

D1

Foshan ShuangMuSanLin electronics Co., LTD. founded in 2009 which located in Shenzhen, China. And our branch company VMV Technology(HK) Company Limited registered in HK in 2013. Our company is specialized in the audio DAC, stereo headphone amplifier, power amplifier, and with own R&D...

www.smsl-audio.com

This uses a ROHM BD34301EKV DAC, SINAD 108dB (manufacturer spec, not tested here) no BT in comparison, case is aluminum though compared to plastic on the PS200.

Both are transparent DAC's.


JSmith

 

[sabih]

has anyone tried ROHM dac?

 

[JSmith]

has anyone tried ROHM dac?

You won't get pointless subjective opinions here...


JSmith

 

[sabih]

means I have to try both to know what flavor is suitable for me.

 

[sabih]

At least I someone can recommend me something for my taste

I want a lean sounding DAC with holographic 3D sound. Since my amp and speakers are very warm sounding.

 

[JeremyFife]

Hi,
Well designed DACs (like the SMSLs, and pretty much everything else reviewed on this site) are 'audibly transparent'. They don't change the signal, just convert it accurately from digital instructions to analogue. That means they can't sound 'lean' or 'holographic' and you don't want them to.

Pick a DAC that has been reviewed *with measurements* that is in your budget and has the features (number and type of inputs, volume control, remote etc) that you want. Don't worry about DACs.

If you want to adjust the sound of your system you need something with tone controls or, better still, PEQ / room Correction. You could use a WiiM Pro PLUS as a streaming DAC with excellent room correction abilities. This is a bigger conversation though and it would help to know more about your system and what you actually want.

 

[Svend P]

At least I someone can recommend me something for my taste

I want a lean sounding DAC with holographic 3D sound. Since my amp and speakers are very warm sounding.

Obligatory reading for new members

How can DAC's have a SOUND SIGNATURE if they measure as transparent?

I know there are people out there that think cables affect sound, which is much worse, but there really is no response to something like that, but just to smile and nod. But what about people who talk about DACS as if they were headphone drivers or speakers, and talk about the SOUNDSTAGE...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Adis]

At least I someone can recommend me something for my taste

I want a lean sounding DAC with holographic 3D sound. Since my amp and speakers are very warm sounding.

What you need is lean sounding recordings with holographic 3D sound - and neutral DAC.

 

[rcstevensonaz]

Please guide me on budget DACs

Which features do you need?

• Volume control?
• Multiple source inputs? If so, which inputs?
• Multiple audio outputs? If so, which outputs?
• Headphone jack?
• EQ / Room Correction?
• Ability to adjust between various filters?
• Etc.

 

[sabih]

Which features do you need?

• Volume control?
• Multiple source inputs? If so, which inputs?
• Multiple audio outputs? If so, which outputs?
• Headphone jack?
• EQ / Room Correction?
• Ability to adjust between various filters?
• Etc.

I need only optical input and rca output.
sound tonality should be lean and detailed. [as digital sound as possible since my amp and speakers are too warm due to which overall sound is dull]

 

[JSmith]

sound tonality should be lean and detailed.

Bud you've already been told multiple times that you don't get this from transparent DAC's.

There is no difference between 108dB and 118dB SINAD DAC's... they have no "sound".

Further, on what basis is your amp warm sounding? Does it have high distortion, noise or a non-flat frequency response?


JSmith

 

[sabih]

Bud you've already been told multiple times that you don't get this from transparent DAC's.

There is no difference between 108dB and 118dB SINAD DAC's... they have no "sound".

Further, on what basis is your amp warm sounding? Does it have high distortion, noise or a non-flat frequency response?


JSmith

frequency response of my speakers emphasis low frequencies and have slight roll off at high frequencies.
One of my friend suggested me to buy ess sabre dacs as AKMs have warm sound.
Presently, I using cs43131 based dac which also emphasize bass

 

[JSmith]

One of my friend suggested me to buy ess sabre dacs as AKMs have warm sound.
Presently, I using cs43131 based dac which also emphasize bass

Sorry mate... this is all subjective nonsense. When level matched and compared without peeking, most DAC's sound identical unless "broken".

If you're having trouble interpreting measurements here in reviews, read this guide and watch this video;

Article: Understanding Digital Audio Measurements

EDIT: Kind translation to Spanish by member @RamiroColasurdo here: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/article-understanding-digital-audio-measurements.10523/page-8#post-1486638 A detailed tutorial on how one can characterize the true performance of DACs (whether...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Keep in mind this is ASR and such claims require evidence to be considered.


JSmith

 

[rcstevensonaz]

frequency response of my speakers emphasis low frequencies and have slight roll off at high frequencies.

1) I assume this is a troll post based on various "tells" scattered throughout the dialog.

2) It is absolutely possible for speakers and/or room configuration to have suboptimal frequency responses that does not match a preferred listening curve — e.g, over-emphasis at lower frequencies, roll-offs at higher frequencies, etc.

3) As everyone else has noted, the DAC chip is not element that will fix it ... but you already know that.

4) The "best" DAC for your use case is a WiiM Pro Plus — it matches the required input / outputs, has a highly regarded DAC, and will provide full room correction capabilities that will allow you to address the frequency response issues.

 

[sabih]

1) I assume this is a troll post based on various "tells" scattered throughout the dialog.

2) It is absolutely possible for speakers and/or room configuration to have suboptimal frequency responses that does not match a preferred listening curve — e.g, over-emphasis at lower frequencies, roll-offs at higher frequencies, etc.

3) As everyone else has noted, the DAC chip is not element that will fix it ... but you already know that.

4) The "best" DAC for your use case is a WiiM Pro Plus — it matches the required input / outputs, has a highly regarded DAC, and will provide full room correction capabilities that will allow you to address the frequency response issues.

any other budget option of DAC+room correction?

 

[JSmith]

any other budget option of DAC

1) I assume this is a troll post based on various "tells" scattered throughout the dialog.

Agree, including all the other threads.


JSmith