SMSL D-6 DAC Review

[Music1969]

When they are decoding PCM, a Delta-Sigma DAC chip has to first convert it into DSD, the chip's native .

So are you saying that the chip does not process everything internally as DSD, as he indicates ?

saying PCM is processed as DSD internally is wrong because DSD is 1-bit SDM

 

[decomo]

Can anyone enlighten me what PCM Filter Range FL1 to 6 and Setting the Tone SC1 to 4 are for?

The manual says for Filter Range as below;

FL1（Sharp Roll-off filter)
FL2（Slow Roll-off filter）
FL3（Short Delay Sharp Roll-off filter)
FL4（Short Delay Slow Roll-off filter)
FL5（Super Slow Roll-off filter)
FL6（Low Dispersion Short Delay filter )

Not what what these are mean and does it makes noticeable difference among each other?

The manual does not say anything about Setting the tone SC1 to 4 so not sure what these are for.

Thank you very much in advance.

 

[LGD_]

Can anyone enlighten me what PCM Filter Range FL1 to 6 and Setting the Tone SC1 to 4 are for?

The manual says for Filter Range as below;

FL1（Sharp Roll-off filter)
FL2（Slow Roll-off filter）
FL3（Short Delay Sharp Roll-off filter)
FL4（Short Delay Slow Roll-off filter)
FL5（Super Slow Roll-off filter)
FL6（Low Dispersion Short Delay filter )

Not what what these are mean and does it makes noticeable difference among each other?

The manual does not say anything about Setting the tone SC1 to 4 so not sure what these are for.

Thank you very much in advance.

I have not been able to hear any difference, when playing PCM files, with any of these (FL1 - FL6) so I just leave it in the default (#1).
The SC 1 - SC4 selections, however do make a (slight) audible difference so I do use them.
But I haven't seen any explanation of exactly what they're changing. The manual is useless, no info there.

 

[decomo]

I have not been able to hear any difference, when playing PCM files, with any of these (FL1 - FL6) so I just leave it in the default (#1).
The SC 1 - SC4 selections, however do make a (slight) audible difference so I do use them.
But I haven't seen any explanation of exactly what they're changing. The manual is useless, no info there.

Thank you. I had this unit for over a month now and did not even realise there were setting until last night.

Yes, manual does not say anything about Setting the Tone option SC1 to SC4. I believe that someone in this thread mention that SC2 and FL6 sounds more like hifi setting (?).

My guess is that all of recent SMSL DAC may have these features (default feature in their dac) so another manual may have explanation what SC1 to SC4 are for..

 

[xeizo]

Thank you. I had this unit for over a month now and did not even realise there were setting until last night.

Yes, manual does not say anything about Setting the Tone option SC1 to SC4. I believe that someone in this thread mention that SC2 and FL6 sounds more like hifi setting (?).

My guess is that all of recent SMSL DAC may have these features (default feature in their dac) so another manual may have explanation what SC1 to SC4 are for..

It's not an SMSL feature, it's built into the DAC chip by AKM. SMSL has just allowed the user to change those settings in the UI.

The six different digital filters have different sharpness which can be seen in a frequency curve, only the sharpest kills everything above 22kHz. But filters do not only affect frequency response but also ringing/pre-ringing of the waveform, some are sensitive to this and will hear a difference, others will not. AKM describes it as a too sharp filter will make fast transients to have less spatial definition, meaning a less controlled stereo image and they mean some will take the disadvantages with less sharp for the better stereo definition. All this is described on the AKM website.

The "scenes" SC1-SC4 is more of a mystery, it's sort of like a tone control but a extreme slight one. I suppose it's the AKM response to ESS various "tube" sound and such. Maybe some added harmonics or something like that, still a mystery but should be regarded like a "tone control" meaning not transparent in all settings.

 

[decomo]

It's not an SMSL feature, it's built into the DAC chip by AKM. SMSL has just allowed the user to change those settings in the UI.

The six different digital filters have different sharpness which can be seen in a frequency curve, only the sharpest kills everything above 22kHz. But filters do not only affect frequency response but also ringing/pre-ringing of the waveform, some are sensitive to this and will hear a difference, others will not. AKM describes it as a too sharp filter will make fast transients to have less spatial definition, meaning a less controlled stereo image and they mean some will take the disadvantages with less sharp for the better stereo definition. All this is described on the AKM website.

The "scenes" SC1-SC4 is more of a mystery, it's sort of like a tone control but a extreme slight one. I suppose it's the AKM response to ESS various "tube" sound and such. Maybe some added harmonics or something like that, still a mystery but should be regarded like a "tone control" meaning not transparent in all settings.

Thank you for your explanation. Those digital filters are mystery tone control are too confusing to a novice like myself. I will just discard them and use as #1 option for both and forget that they exist.

 

[rentaclaus]

Those sc1-4 settings seem to switch the sound color of the AKM Dac Chip
See https://velvetsound.akm.com/eu/en/technology/

But as long S.M.S.L gives no explanation what is what, foregetting it's existance is surely a good strategy

 

[LGD_]

Those sc1-4 settings seem to switch the sound color of the AKM Dac Chip

Yes, that's mentioned in the datasheet, but no clear explanation there of how or what it's actually doing.

See https://velvetsound.akm.com/eu/en/technology/

..
.. Interesting info, but it doesn't seem to apply to the chip in the D-6 (AK4493). At least there's no mention of it.

But as long S.M.S.L gives no explanation what is what, foregetting it's existance is surely a good strategy

Respectfully disagree:
Listening to Classical music, I do hear a change between SC 1 - 4 settings, some sound better than others depending on program material.
Try them, and let your ears be your guide .

 

[xeizo]

.. Interesting info, but it doesn't seem to apply to the chip in the D-6 (AK4493). At least there's no mention of it.

Oh yes it is mentioned, it is listed as a Velvetsound-chip:

Home Audio | PRODUCTS | VELVET SOUND | AKM - Asahi Kasei Microdevices

Home Audio. All for the ultimate Real Live Sound. lead a new era of High-resolution audio. A new circuit is designed to, balance the amount of information and intensity, and, focus on the original sound to achieve rich musicality and high performance. This circuit contains specifications and...

velvetsound.akm.com

Premium D/A Converters​

		bit	dB	dB	kHz	MHz
Part Number	Ch #	Res.	S/N	THD+N *	Max fs *	DSD Input *	Sound Color *
AK4499EX	2	-	135	-124	-	-	-
AK4191EQ	2	64	156	-153	1536	45.2	7 types
AK4493SEQ	2	32	123 (126 *)	-115	768	22.4	6 types
AK4490REQ	2	32	120 (123 *)	-112	768	11.2	6 types
AK4452VN	2	32	115	-107	768	11.2	5 types
AK4454VN	4	32	115	-107	768	11.2	5 types
AK4456VN	6	32	115	-107	768	11.2	5 types
AK4458VN	8	32	115	-107	768	11.2	5 types

Audio D/A Converters

 

[rentaclaus]

Listening to Classical music, I do hear a change between SC 1 - 4 settings, some sound better than others depending on program material.
Try them, and let your ears be your guide .

A longlong time ago (in the 60ies...) Acoustic Research did a blind-test. A live playing band against the same track recorded and played via tape/electronics (tubes at that time)/and naturally AR speakers. Most people voted for the recorded track as sounding better/more natural/live. So much to: trust your, my or any others ears.

 

[xeizo]

A longlong time ago (in the 60ies...) Acoustic Research did a blind-test. A live playing band against the same track recorded and played via tape/electronics (tubes at that time)/and naturally AR speakers. Most people voted for the recorded track as sounding better/more natural/live. So much to: trust your, my or any others ears.

Trust or not trust, our ears are not total worthless otherwise we would think everything sounds the same which it do not LoL

 

[Music1969]

A longlong time ago (in the 60ies...) Acoustic Research did a blind-test. A live playing band against the same track recorded and played via tape/electronics (tubes at that time)/and naturally AR speakers. Most people voted for the recorded track as sounding better/more natural/live. So much to: trust your, my or any others ears.

That sounded like more of an ad for their speakers than a scientific test

 

[LGD_]

Oh yes it is mentioned, it is listed as a Velvetsound-chip:

Home Audio | PRODUCTS | VELVET SOUND | AKM - Asahi Kasei Microdevices

Home Audio. All for the ultimate Real Live Sound. lead a new era of High-resolution audio. A new circuit is designed to, balance the amount of information and intensity, and, focus on the original sound to achieve rich musicality and high performance. This circuit contains specifications and...

velvetsound.akm.com

Premium D/A Converters​

Part Number	Ch #	Res.	S/N	THD+N *	Max fs *	DSD Input *	Sound Color *
		bit	dB	dB	kHz	MHz
AK4499EX	2	-	135	-124	-	-	-
AK4191EQ	2	64	156	-153	1536	45.2	7 types
AK4493SEQ	2	32	123 (126 *)	-115	768	22.4	6 types
AK4490REQ	2	32	120 (123 *)	-112	768	11.2	6 types
AK4452VN	2	32	115	-107	768	11.2	5 types
AK4454VN	4	32	115	-107	768	11.2	5 types
AK4456VN	6	32	115	-107	768	11.2	5 types
AK4458VN	8	32	115	-107	768	11.2	5 types

Audio D/A Converters

I stand corrected, thank you.

 

[PrzemeeK]

Hi, I'm considering buying this dac, the budget still includes m200 (260eur) and m300 mk2 (200eur) D6 (180eur), I'm looking for something with akm and a balanced output to connect to Monolith THX. Will there be any visible differences in audio quality between these devices, apart from the functionality, which is very similar anyway? I saw that the m200 was the worst in the tests and the m300 goes head to head with the D6. Any hint what to buy?

 

[doug s.]

Hi, I'm considering buying this dac, the budget still includes m200 (260eur) and m300 mk2 (200eur) D6 (180eur), I'm looking for something with akm and a balanced output to connect to Monolith THX. Will there be any visible differences in audio quality between these devices, apart from the functionality, which is very similar anyway? I saw that the m200 was the worst in the tests and the m300 goes head to head with the D6. Any hint what to buy?

whichever has the looks, ergonomics and features you want. if it's a tie, then whichever you can get the best deal on.

 

[Music1969]

Hi, I'm considering buying this dac, the budget still includes m200 (260eur) and m300 mk2 (200eur) D6 (180eur), I'm looking for something with akm and a balanced output to connect to Monolith THX. Will there be any visible differences in audio quality between these devices, apart from the functionality, which is very similar anyway? I saw that the m200 was the worst in the tests and the m300 goes head to head with the D6. Any hint what to buy?

D-6

Cheaper and just as good ?

 

[usafa77]

Not sure, what clip are you referring to? I don't like his whole video, but i Guess its a format for people who don't like to read.... most of the video is him just going over the actual products specs...

I'd love to tune into your YouTube channel to hear what you have to say. We need more informed information out there. What's the link?

 

[Jimster480]

I'd love to tune into your YouTube channel to hear what you have to say. We need more informed information out there. What's the link?

I don't make YouTube videos. I write content. If only you knew.

 

[halcyonian]

Adding some more context to the FL "filters" and SC "sound colors" below.

Based on the manual and AKM technology site, I'm able to correlate filter/FL settings to "DAC Sound Colors", however not sure about mapping SC to the four ADC/SRC sound colors, although I assume they correlate.

Filter (FL) setting	AKM Sound Type	AKM Description == SMSL D6 user manual
1	Traditional Sound	Sharp Roll-off filter
2	Traditional Tone	Slow Roll-off filter
3	Acoustic Sound	Short Delay Sharp Roll-off filter
4	Acoustic Tone	Short Delay Slow Roll-off filter
5	Natural Tone	Super Slow Roll-off filter
6	Harmonic Sound	Low Dispersion Short Delay filter

Will try out SC2 / FL6, as mentioned earlier.

If anyone knows how the sound colors relate, please post. Hopefully I didn't miss something there. I may contact SMSL to seek clarification on those, and I'll update if I hear something back.

 

[xeizo]

Totally unscientific I just flipped through the colors/filters and picked the ones I liked the most. It happened to be SC2 / FL6 , but I wont be able to defend that in a debate.