Review and Measurements of SMSL VMV D1 DAC

[nikkon]

Is this dual dac setup running in sync or async mode? or both?

 

[Veri]

Is this dual dac setup running in sync or async mode? or both?

Re-clocking with Altera FPGA. USB is async.

 

[Oleg_Powerstroke]

Hello, guys!
Tell me, please, which of them would be better choice: smsl D1 or gustard x26?
Price about the same ~900$.
Thanks in advance.

 

[SMSL-Mandy]

which one has better sound quality, D1, D1SE, D90SE?

D1 is better. have the Independent split power supply design to avoid power supply noise pollution

 

[SMSL-Mandy]

which one has better sound quality, D1, D1SE, D90SE?

https://hifi-express.com/products/smsl-vmv-d1-dac

 

[phoenixsong]

D2 is out

 

[gvl]

AK4499? Interesting choice of a DAC chip. Given the M400 was in production all this time as far as I can tell, SMSL stocked up nicely before or shortly after the plant fire.

 

[Jimster480]

D2 is out

Surprised they can even improve on this really... I guess 112 SINAD has been blown away now just by the reviews I come to see on the front page...
Recently something hit 120 SINAD (I think it was a Topping product), just wondering what could be next now haha

 

[Veri]

AK4499? Interesting choice of a DAC chip. Given the M400 was in production all this time as far as I can tell, SMSL stocked up nicely before or shortly after the plant fire.

I guess they scrapped plans for the originally intended 'multibit' platform SMSL VNV D2:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1149247571275259904

SMSL

The SMSL VMV D2 sample firstly appeared in Canjam show. #canjam #smsl #vmv

www.facebook.com

 

[Jimbob54]

AK4499? Interesting choice of a DAC chip. Given the M400 was in production all this time as far as I can tell, SMSL stocked up nicely before or shortly after the plant fire.

One does have to wonder if the D2 is just an M400 in a pretty frock for $1000 more. Cue the hype train I reckon

 

[gvl]

I guess they scrapped plans for the originally intended 'multibit' platform SMSL VNV D2

Would be interesting to find out why, @SMSL-Mandy ?

 

[gvl]

One does have to wonder if the D2 is just an M400 in a pretty frock for $1000 more. Cue the hype train I reckon

Yeah, I can’t imagine what else they could have stuffed in there to command such a premium over the m400 which was already overpriced to begin with.

 

[Veri]

I guess they scrapped plans for the originally intended 'multibit' platform SMSL VNV D2:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1149247571275259904

SMSL

The SMSL VMV D2 sample firstly appeared in Canjam show. #canjam #smsl #vmv

www.facebook.com

Would be interesting to find out why, @SMSL-Mandy ?

It's alive!!

S.M.S.L D3 R2R Digital to Analog Convertor (DAC)

Description: Every detail of the whole machine is designed based on Hi-end's concept, and every detail is made as better as possible. - 4 pieces of American BB'S legendary R-2R chip PCM1704U-J! 2 chips per channel, fully balanced design, maximize chip performance! - USB uses XMOS...

shenzhenaudio.com

SMSL VMV D3 DAC R-2R PCM1704 DAC w/ MQA decoding
$3,499.99 is ridiculous though

 

[Rover]

Not bad!

 

[gvl]

$3,499.99 is ridiculous though

R2R/multibit label is not unlike a license to charge exuberant prices. 112db SnR is disappointing as the BB chip is rated at 120. Hopefully the ancient digital filter in it is defeatable via settings to please the HQ player crowd. I had a Denon DVD-5000 with a similar DAC configuration, it was a fine sounding unit, and in a direct AB comparison it sounded exactly like Topping DX3 Pro

 

[Veri]

I had a Denon DVD-5000 with a similar DAC configuration, it was a fine sounding unit, and in a direct AB comparison it sounded exactly like Topping DX3 Pro

All I need to know to not even remotely consider buying such a fancy one
Haha.

 

[gvl]

They are using the J-chips, perhaps this explains the lower specs. For that kind of money there’s already Holo Audio Spring, at least they have a custom designed DAC section as an excuse for the price.

 

[tcli]

- 4 pieces of American BB'S legendary R-2R chip PCM1704U-J!
2 chips per channel, fully balanced design, maximize chip performance!

- The clock system uses 2 American ACCUSILICON ultra-low phase noise crystal oscillators.

- Use 7 OPA1612 top op-amps from US TI

Proudly made FOR Americans.

 

[tcli]

Some news from 1998 :
https://www.stereophile.com/news/10221/index.html

 

[gvl]

TI should consider opening a boutique operation that will produce these chips in small batches and sell them at ridiculously high prices, considering where the D3 pricing is it should be successful