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New SMSL M300
- Thread starter Alfie
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BillG
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They're probably just using a $5 TI chip for the headphone amp anyway.
True, but they don't charge us $5.
I wouldn't expect any audible difference...
This should be an interesting device... Preorders available on Apos if anyone is interested.
So how they going to expect anyone will buy the D1 now then?
Maybe they were already losing to the RME, price is around the same...
This $300-500 place seems to be where many are focusing, so why not compete with the best product you can put together in that category.
Veri
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Well with the upcoming resister ladder VMV D2 they are competing with the likes of Yggdrasil and Holo spring so... going for that niche top dollar segment I suppose.
I certainly don't have a problem with them making a product that sounds the same as their flagship at a third of the price, but I just wonder where the price difference comes from? Must be build quality then, thicker and stronger boards, casing etc? Tougher connections? It must cost more to build the D1 than the M500, but if that extra cash doesn't result in better sound, then what's the point as the M500 still seems well built enough.
Veri
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Yes well. Any budget 'above average' performer would probably do, we're buying into features and luxury, aesthetics and engineering.
"Better sound" is pretty hard to quantify.
I would assume these are priced more to the market than as a pure function of cost of parts/assembly. Trying to correlate them like that may not be useful.
As time goes on, you put together the best product for whatever segment you are going after, based on current knowledge and process, and price it within the segment to be competitive.
As DAC's have gotten well beyond the point of vanishing audio returns, consumers are going to expect more and more additional quality and features for less and less. This +/-$500 area has a lot of value being offered, with more coming all the time.
I have a different take on this. The only thing shared between the D1 and M500 is the chip. Everything else is vastly different. Most importantly, the product concept. The D1 with a quasi-separate power unit and dual chips will sit in the audio rack, while the M500 is a desktop unit that will sit next to your laptop. With three different available colors, the M500 doubles as a lifestyle component.
Despite having the $1300 official price tag, the D1 can be had for $800 at drop. Not to mention, the 9038 pro chip is already a couple of years old. I think the initial pricing of $400 is correct for both customers and the company. We will see if the Nov 11 sale or the drop listing further brings down the price. All I need now is Amir’s measurement.
Despite having the $1300 official price tag, the D1 can be had for $800 at drop. Not to mention, the 9038 pro chip is already a couple of years old. I think the initial pricing of $400 is correct for both customers and the company. We will see if the Nov 11 sale or the drop listing further brings down the price. All I need now is Amir’s measurement.
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August
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It is only used to describe the USB interface chip specifications, and has nothing to do with SINAD.
So it is purely for chip specifications, and has no practical relevance, right?
August
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yep
By the way, it is funny, as in the email notification I got, the part of what I wrote that you quoted came out as "不确定“真正的32位”部分是什么，如果SINAD是117 dB - 相当于20位。"
August
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Because I am using chrome for automatic translation(/▽＼)By the way, it is funny, as in the email notification I got, the part of what I wrote that you quoted came out as "不确定“真正的32位”部分是什么，如果SINAD是117 dB - 相当于20位。"
That is what I assumed, but it is funny how the email notification shows it in a different language and script than the web version.
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That is what I assumed, but it is funny how the email notification shows it in a different language and script than the web version. By the way, my wife spent 8 years in Tokyo and I used to do Kendo and Iaido, and still do Kyudo.
hmmmmm....
Julf. Did you think August translated your post to Japanese? As a Japanese native, I am a little bit confused here, as Kendo, Iaido, and Kyudo are all Japanese martial arts (and Tokyo is in Japan, needless to say).
Or, if you knew it was Chinese and you thought China and Japan were close enough, I would not strongly argue against you, but still....
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