DAC for TV sound.

[Nick Squire]

I have an old SMSL Q5 PRO for our TV.audio.and it sounds great with Omicca RB42 speakers, I also have a CD player plugged into it.The LED readout is faulty so I decided to replace it and went with a Fosi HT4S .It didn't compare to the old SMSL in my mind, muffled speech , low volume,.so I have sent it back, can anyone recommend a DAC preferably with optical and one RCA input, or auxiliary,Bluetooth would be nice , and it must have a remote. And be around $250 Canadian.Thank you

 

[kyuu]

The SMSL Q5 Pro and Fosi HT4S aren't just DACs, they are also amplifiers. Do you need amplification, or just a DAC? If you need amplification, what will it be driving (the speakers)?

I find it difficult to believe the Fosi could actually perform worse than the SMSL, given that the Q5 Pro was measured and found to be quite poor with high distortion, poor channel matching, and not much power. The Fosi HT4S is a 5-channel amp; do you need 5 channels? It also has tone controls and some other functions that could have been improperly set, either by accident or from the factory, that might have made it sound poor.

 

[Nick Squire]

I need amplification yes, the ears don't lie though.

 

[kyuu]

the ears don't lie though.

Yes they do. Or rather, the brain through which the stimulus from the ears is processed does. There's no need to argue that here, though do be aware that this is not a forum that caters to subjective audiophilia.

In any case, your budget of $250 Canadian is pretty rough. I might suggest the Topping MX3s, if available within your budget in your market. And assuming you only need stereo.

 

[Timcognito]

This and any decent DAC even a dongle. This thing lets you add a sub

Ampapa D1 Stereo Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Ampapa/Douk Audio D1 stereo class D amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $199.99. The D1 implements one of the best graphic emulation of VU meters I have seen! The OLED display looks nicer in person than the above picture...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Nick Squire]

Thank you I will check it out

 

[kemmler3D]

Placebo effect is pretty strong, but if there was a not-subtle decline in sound quality there was probably something wrong with the amp itself or how it was connected.

Anyway, how many channels of amplification do you need? The $250 budget definitely limits the mulitch options.

 

[linuxfan]

@Nick Squire it's worth understanding that the SMSL Q5 PRO and Fosi HT4S represent two different amplifier topologies -
the Q5 PRO is a class D amplifier with a digital processing input (TAS5508) - so no additional DAC is required for digital sources - such as optical S/PDIF, which I presume you are using from your TV.

The Fosi HT4S is a conventional analogue class D amplifier, which includes an inbuilt DAC for digital sources. It's difficult to obtain technical information on exactly what type of DAC it contains, but I have a suspicion they use a combined Bluetooth receiver/DAC - probably the ATS2853 - since that chip is used in several of Fosi's other products.
If my suspicion is correct, the HT4S's conversion of optical S/PDIF to analogue will be mediocre-to-terrible - and this might explain what you are hearing.

I have 2 suggestions:
i) the equivalent of your SMSL Q5 PRO today is probably the Aiyima D03 - presently US$130 on AliExpress.
ii) but a better option - get a good quality DAC plus good quality amplifier - and keep these two functions separate;
Fosi V3 amplifier - presently on sale with 32V power supply for US$70
plus SMSL PS200 PRO DAC - US$80

 

[linuxfan]

Oh, while I was writing my previous post Timcognito recommended the Ampapa D1.
Sure, that's another TPA3255 amplifier, up-spec from the Fosi V3 I mentioned.
If you want to go up-spec you might also consider the Aiyima A20, 3e Audio A5, or Topping PA5 II
... but for TV listening with a pair of Micca speakers, the Fosi V3 will suit you just fine.

 

[Soundproof]

Appologize for suggesting beyond your stated budget, but I have looked around for a "placeholder" alternative covering a very similar usage, and found the SMSL AL 400 to be the most interesting option. Believe it has the features needed for this kind of usage including HDMI eArc, Toslink, Rca and USB C. 2x165w @ 4 ohm. Believe it is CAD 430 to the door from Amazon, thus again appologize for that.

SMSL AL400 Integrated Amplifier 2.1 DAC Black

The SMSL AL400 is an integrated amplifier and DAC featuring high-performance architecture based on a TPA3255 amplifier chip and a Cirrus Logic CS43131 converter

www.audiophonics.fr

 

[kyuu]

If my suspicion is correct, the HT4S's conversion of optical S/PDIF to analogue will be mediocre-to-terrible - and this might explain what you are hearing.

Given that we have measurements of the SMSL Q5 Pro, and its output was found to be mediocre-to-terrible, I doubt that the Fosi performs worse and that its DAC explains the perceived difference. Few, if any, DACs have been found to perform worse than that particular SMSL.

 

[john61ct]

I have an old SMSL Q5 PRO for our TV.audio

SMSL Q5 PRO was an integrated AMP that included digital input

whereas "a DAC" usually stays at line level, and may not even have preamp volume controls, much less tone / EQ etc

For an "all in one" solution I highly reco Wiim Ultra Amp, really strong power amp section to drive nearly any stereo speakers

plus all the preamp + input switching you might want, HDMI ARC compatible from TV but not eARC.

Plus streaming from your own files, all the internet services...

Plus future proofing, solid bass management for 2.1 if you want to add a sub

Plus strong PEQ, even basic DRC "Roomfit".

Great measurements here by Amir, solid reputation in the community.

Master "deals" (massdrop, ebay, Amazon, etc.) Thread on Audio Product Sales

Linkplay's outlet store on Ebay is now selling refurbished WiiM Amp Ultra devices with a one year warranty for $385. https://www.ebay.com/itm/128021566292? Mine offered me a coupon too. See image.

www.audiosciencereview.com

But personally my reco is Wiim Ultra + separate amp for future flexibility

even if that costs a little more.

If your budget is very low, check out Fiio Jade "Level 1"

 

[linuxfan]

I doubt

By your own words, that's speculation.
My speculation is that if the Fosi HT4S was measured - via its optical S/PDIF input, not its analogue input - the results would be terrible and, indeed, worse than the Q5's. That's entirely plausible when dealing with a sub-standard DAC implementation, which is the case with virtually all Bluetooth receiver chips, even those from Qualcomm.
But sure, it's my speculation versus your speculation.

My two equipment replacement suggestions for Nick Squire remain relevant, and bypass that issue, in any case.

 

[Wolf11Man]

It is hadly possible to give any advice which product might fit the task. Those companys put new products on the market every month or so.
I can't keep up with all these new devices with their cryptic product names. They must keep a whole herd of developers chained up in dark dungeons, driven by the whip to work faster and faster. No one can afford all these "new developments" churned out by supposedly reputable developers; there is no other way to explain this flood of "innovation". Unless, of course, they are just the same basic designs in new combinations, cobbled together by interns. That would explain why software updates exist only in sales brochures, and why the only way for a customer to fix certain bugs is to buy a new device.

 

[Wolf11Man]

For the thread opener, it would be helpfull to know in what condition the speakers are. There sure is no "dull" amp. Maybe he is looking for improvement on the wrong side?

 

[linuxfan]

If your budget is very low, check out Fiio Jade "Level 1"

I advise against the Jade LEVEL 1 for the same reason that the Fosi HT4S is flawed - it has a combined Bluetooth/DAC chip - in this case Google reveals the exact chip - Bluetrum BT8961B. The use of such "cost-effective" components is clearly how Jade can offer such good pricing.
The Jade LEVEL 1's amplifier section is most likely fine, and if you use its analogue inputs it should sound OK/good/great. It's the digital inputs which are flawed.
Of course you can add an external DAC to overcome/bypass this problem, but now the LEVEL 1 loses its competitive pricing compared to some of the other TPA3255 amps mentioned earlier.

Regarding the WiiM Ultra - sure, great suggestion.

 

[linuxfan]

Hey @Nick Squire please let us know what you buy and if you're happy with it.
When you post a question on a technical forum there are often many other people who are interested in the answers ... but they will typically end up unsure about the suitability of those answers if the original poster does not report back.