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SMSL D-6 DAC Review

Rate this DAC:

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 4 1.4%
  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 10 3.4%
  • 3. Fine (happy panther

    Votes: 90 30.8%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 188 64.4%

  • Total voters
    292

lc6

Active Member
Joined
Jul 19, 2022
Messages
183
Likes
276
So there is this Wadax Atlantic Reference DAC that is said to cost $157,000 or even $159,500, depending on who quotes it (I kid you not!). The device is said to have
"Total jitter is now 12 femptoseconds from 1-100 KHz, the lowest figure in the industry."
Yep, 12 "femptoseconds" [sic], bro. You can quote that to you fellow audiophools when bragging what you have! You can claim that you definitely hear the difference, even though the ADC used in the recording process had jitter in "nanposeconds" [sic intended].
Also:
"Real-time monitoring of PSU output makes Atlantis six-times quieter than the already outstanding Wadax Pre 1 Ultimate Trio."
So what happens if said "real-time monitoring" (via a dedicated hi-res ADC?) detects an excessive sag or ripple in the rail voltage -- does the entire DAC just shut off and refuse to play? Or is this "monitoring" merely a traditional linear feedback in the voltage regulator of the PSU?
Then:
"Completely discrete analogue output stage (a fully complementary design involving over 400 separate components) ensures that you lose none of the dynamic range, musical authority or bandwidth generated by the Atlantis DAC."
This reminds me of what Marantz does with Denon designs (since they are sister companies now): in AVRs, they replace some integrated elements with "discrete" circuits (so appealing to audiophools!), and in the process (according to Audioholics) make the performance worse.
I wish @amirm could measure this Wadax DAC and compare it to the much less expensive SOTA devices. Do you think it would it be worth 100-1,000x the price?
 

Bleib

Major Contributor
Joined
May 13, 2021
Messages
1,251
Likes
2,251
Location
Sweden
So there is this Wadax Atlantic Reference DAC that is said to cost $157,000 or even $159,500, depending on who quotes it (I kid you not!). The device is said to have
"Total jitter is now 12 femptoseconds from 1-100 KHz, the lowest figure in the industry."
Yep, 12 "femptoseconds" [sic], bro. You can quote that to you fellow audiophools when bragging what you have! You can claim that you definitely hear the difference, even though the ADC used in the recording process had jitter in "nanposeconds" [sic intended].
Also:
"Real-time monitoring of PSU output makes Atlantis six-times quieter than the already outstanding Wadax Pre 1 Ultimate Trio."
So what happens if said "real-time monitoring" (via a dedicated hi-res ADC?) detects an excessive sag or ripple in the rail voltage -- does the entire DAC just shut off and refuse to play? Or is this "monitoring" merely a traditional linear feedback in the voltage regulator of the PSU?
Then:
"Completely discrete analogue output stage (a fully complementary design involving over 400 separate components) ensures that you lose none of the dynamic range, musical authority or bandwidth generated by the Atlantis DAC."
This reminds me of what Marantz does with Denon designs (since they are sister companies now): in AVRs, they replace some integrated elements with "discrete" circuits (so appealing to audiophools!), and in the process (according to Audioholics) make the performance worse.
I wish @amirm could measure this Wadax DAC and compare it to the much less expensive SOTA devices. Do you think it would it be worth 100-1,000x the price?
There's really no need to test it. Some more expensive DACs have already been measured and it doesn't lead to any golden paradise.
 

Ralf Stocker

Active Member
Joined
Jan 22, 2019
Messages
147
Likes
90
I think we need a new way to dislpay the ranking. Even at full size, the device names are getting hard to read :)

index.php


I vote for a histogram!
Print this chart out vertically. Simple & easy.
 

srrxr71

Major Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
Jul 4, 2020
Messages
1,581
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1,243
I just download it and rotate it on my pc lol. I make screencaps to send people sometimes with just a segment if they ask me about performance.
I think it’s that some of us are using our phones and some are using PC. With a PC especially if you have an ultra wide monitor horizontal is fine. For phone users vertical is far better.
 

Jimster480

Major Contributor
Joined
Jan 26, 2018
Messages
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2,032
Location
Tampa Bay
I think it’s that some of us are using our phones and some are using PC. With a PC especially if you have an ultra wide monitor horizontal is fine. For phone users vertical is far better.
I use 4k monitors and it still sucks. Horizontal is much better. Especially since we don't read bottom to top naturally :)
 

Jimster480

Major Contributor
Joined
Jan 26, 2018
Messages
2,880
Likes
2,032
Location
Tampa Bay
So there is this Wadax Atlantic Reference DAC that is said to cost $157,000 or even $159,500, depending on who quotes it (I kid you not!). The device is said to have
"Total jitter is now 12 femptoseconds from 1-100 KHz, the lowest figure in the industry."
Yep, 12 "femptoseconds" [sic], bro. You can quote that to you fellow audiophools when bragging what you have! You can claim that you definitely hear the difference, even though the ADC used in the recording process had jitter in "nanposeconds" [sic intended].
Also:
"Real-time monitoring of PSU output makes Atlantis six-times quieter than the already outstanding Wadax Pre 1 Ultimate Trio."
So what happens if said "real-time monitoring" (via a dedicated hi-res ADC?) detects an excessive sag or ripple in the rail voltage -- does the entire DAC just shut off and refuse to play? Or is this "monitoring" merely a traditional linear feedback in the voltage regulator of the PSU?
Then:
"Completely discrete analogue output stage (a fully complementary design involving over 400 separate components) ensures that you lose none of the dynamic range, musical authority or bandwidth generated by the Atlantis DAC."
This reminds me of what Marantz does with Denon designs (since they are sister companies now): in AVRs, they replace some integrated elements with "discrete" circuits (so appealing to audiophools!), and in the process (according to Audioholics) make the performance worse.
I wish @amirm could measure this Wadax DAC and compare it to the much less expensive SOTA devices. Do you think it would it be worth 100-1,000x the price?
Prolly will lose to the SMSL D-6 DO100 or Topping E30 or JDS Atom+...
 

ABall

Senior Member
Forum Donor
Joined
Jan 5, 2020
Messages
329
Likes
159
Location
Reading (UK)
I took a beating selling a TEAC UD505 because of degraded pixels. It was 100% functional but I couldn't move it at anywhere near a reasonable price.
If anyone else has this problem and can solder I fixed my 501 with one of these, bought a spare too, i bet its the same display in the 505, regret selling mine.
 

hi30u

Member
Joined
Nov 24, 2021
Messages
5
Likes
7
I think we need a new way to dislpay the ranking. Even at full size, the device names are getting hard to read :)

index.php


I vote for a histogram!
Sorry to interrupt (this very useful discussion) and for being rude (as I am new here): can you guys open a dedicated thread to work on this matter?
It's kind of annoying to come here to get opinions on the D6 and get so many "out of topic" comments.
 

juliangst

Addicted to Fun and Learning
Joined
Dec 11, 2021
Messages
957
Likes
978
Location
Germany

Merifon

Active Member
Joined
May 3, 2022
Messages
286
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130
Location
Bulåggna
Is it worth 70€ more than the D-6?
That was the same question I had with the SU-6.
With D-6 it's harder, price diff was the same but the SU-6 have not balanced output.
I guess that I would choice the DO100 again, it's grounded chassis could help in noise reiection, pure ratings are a little better and antialias filter seems have more choices. Such filter is the thing that makes more differences, to eventually satisfy tastes and last but not least, I had those 70€ and was my birthday...
Just my opinion
 

juliangst

Addicted to Fun and Learning
Joined
Dec 11, 2021
Messages
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978
Location
Germany
I would consider so.
I would also say that it’s better but measurements are as good as you could want for both of them and the only real difference is XLR vs TRS
 

rob755

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Oct 24, 2018
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Here’s a note I left on the other thread “thoughts about the Smsl d-6” just for those that don’t read that now that there’s two active threads./ For those on the fence about this unit and the ESS versus AKM (new “velvet” series) debate I thought I would share my preferences (I’ve got to stress for my ears, through my system…;) I had my E50 here, which so far had been my favorite when I bought the D6 and after listening comparisons I sold the E50 and I am keeping the D6 . I am not a fan of MQA as well as far as needing the E50 for that. I actually have on order an E30 II for a second system that’s on its way from China. I will keep whichever one I like more in my main system. But I do use a balanced TI 3255 based amp, and also use the second set of outputs for my two sealed subs, So unless the topping sounds better I will most likely stay with the D6.
 
Last edited:

Kevinfc

Active Member
Joined
May 6, 2021
Messages
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198
Has anyone bought one of these and tried the remote? Wondering if it’s a good one in terms of not having to have it within a few feet and pointed exactly on level?
 

rob755

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Oct 24, 2018
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Has anyone bought one of these and tried the remote? Wondering if it’s a good one in terms of not having to have it within a few feet and pointed exactly on level?
D-6 here and I sit nearfield about 7-8 feet away and never feel I have to fuss with it. I just point towards the unit.
 

ampguy

Active Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2022
Messages
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152
Location
US
Yea I think the E50/D50 is the next cheapest. Or maybe DX3 pro+?
There's the Topping D10B, usb input only I think, and no BT/remote, but USB bus powered is nice, less power cables. Not sure if specs are as good as this.
 

Jimster480

Major Contributor
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Jan 26, 2018
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There's the Topping D10B, usb input only I think, and no BT/remote, but USB bus powered is nice, less power cables. Not sure if specs are as good as this.
There is this too. Quite a value. Was just on sale for $55. You could do worse for 5k VS this $55.
 

SHENZHENAUDIO

Active Member
Dealer
Joined
Sep 28, 2020
Messages
144
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298
Location
Shenzhen,China
Thanks @amirm , I also have this issue from USB input from my Windows 10 Laptop, as well as my Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra mobile (when audio signal is inactive for 5 seconds, there is a slight click sound. The click also happens when the audio signal comes back)

I circumvent this by using the Optical Toslink out from my Topping D10 Balanced into this.

Hope this helps you reproduce the issue!

I have also contacted @SHENZHENAUDIO support via email, but they cannot seem to reproduce this issue, even though I pointed them to this thread where many have encountered it.
Hi, You can contact [email protected] /[email protected] for confirmation or an after-service if there is any inconvenience. We'll try our best to satisfy you.
 

WhyNotHad

Member
Joined
Jun 21, 2022
Messages
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24
Hi, You can contact [email protected] /[email protected] for confirmation or an after-service if there is any inconvenience. We'll try our best to satisfy you.

When will the current firmware be updated?

The clicking issue is a problem that occurs across users of D-6. I assume that you received the report about this problem before, but there is no notification about when it will be updated.

Tell us your plan, please.
 
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