SMSL D-6s Balanced DAC Review

[Saponetto]

Woah.
Have to say, I wasn't ready to see this performance level on a so tiny and affordable device.
Testing is mandatory.

 

[martijn86]

Fantastic package.

Internal power supply
USB-C
Balanced output
State of the art transparency
< $200,-

Since the controls are limited, but it is an ESS chip, does anyone know if you can play with the sound modes?

 

[renaudrenaud]

Fantastic package.

Internal power supply
USB-C
Balanced output
State of the art transparency
< $200,-

Since the controls are limited, but it is an ESS chip, does anyone know if you can play with the sound modes?

- no EQ: done
- I don't like the screen: done.

Waiting for the others...

 

[Zensō]

Wow, what a value. Pretty soon SOTA DACs will come free with each box of cereal.

 

[dogmamann]

- no EQ: done
- I don't like the screen: done.

Waiting for the others...

EQ at this price ? Probably bass treble controls is what you can get at the best.

I don’t like the screen above the body either. Cannot stack anything on the top of it easily.

 

[Boxermotor]

Okay, I'll throw in a complaint. I'm assuming based on the pictures that this unit's display, like all SMSL DAC's, will always revert to the sample rate reading rather than the volume (or some other user-selectable option). Yes, you adjust the volume and the display will show it for a few seconds, but then back to the sample rate. Honestly I love SMSL's stuff (sound and construction quality, looks), but this seems like a no-brainer function to include in all their products.

 

[Boxermotor]

Sorry, I'm not a complainer...really. But with the release of the DL200 two months ago and which includes a balanced headphone amp for $10 less, isn't the D-6s obsolete from the start?

 

[Bleib]

Sorry, I'm not a complainer...really. But with the release of the DL200 two months ago and which includes a balanced headphone amp for $10 less, isn't the D-6s obsolete from the start?

Smaller device, some don't need a headphone out. But yeah, DL200 gives more for the money, hopefully they will send it too for testing.

 

[IanRoberts]

I've been thinking about upgrading my topping E50 to the an E70 for the 5v output and improved jitter performance over spdif (which is my main connection) but this seems to offer the same performance and functionality for a lot less money! Thanks for the review Amir!

 

[surroundman]

Sorry, I'm not a complainer...really. But with the release of the DL200 two months ago and which includes a balanced headphone amp for $10 less, isn't the D-6s obsolete from the start?

If the DL200 indeed shows the measurements we expect (expectations based on comparing it with similar specs of other DACs/headphone amps) I think it has a chance to elevate SMSL to another level (like the Fosi did with the V3 in the amp section). The DL200 will, hopefully, end up being THE best price to performance DAC/headphone amp. Which really makes me wonder why the company did not send Amir a unit to measure LONG time ago.

 

[Veri]

EQ at this price ?

Well, I mean... Qudelix can do it...

 

[BeQuietZen]

Thanks @amirm for this long awaited review.
Any particular reason for using FL2 filter, except it's default? FL4 filter looks more effective one and probably will give much better THD+N vs frequency measured result (especially at the higher frequencies).

So, if you have some free time to spend...

 

[Veri]

Dual AKM AK4493 chips !!! And therefore no ESS hump.

SMSL D-6S | MQA Audio DAC

Crystal-clear Hi-res Audio Welcome to the realm where digital music transcends boundaries, delivering an aural experience reminiscent of live performances. With the SMSL D-6S MQA Audio DAC, every subtle nuance of sound is captured and reproduced with impeccable clarity, transporting you to the...

www.linsoul.com

Elite Performance with ES9039Q2M

 

[dtaylo1066]

I am presuming with the remote having a + and - that the analog output is variable and not fixed, thus the unit can somewhat function as preamp. Can someone pls confirm?

I don't see how the price/performance of DACs can get any lower at this point. Astounding. Margins must be paper thin on this thing.

 

[phoenixdogfan]

Does everything for l.t. $200, so a no brainer. Only reservation that I can see is glued on front display. I have to wonder if someeone could snag it with a shirt cuff and maybe pull it off the case entirely which would probably ruin the unit. Don't understand the aesthetics of the design choice either. A simple nondescript box would have been perfect.

Like some others here, I'm also starting to wonder why these units can't include PEQ. Maybe just have a piece of software on the PC, and load the filter on the unit. Should be a no cost part of all the basic feature set for all new DACs going forward rather than some hyper premium feature found only on super expensive units like the RME ADI-2.

 

[IAtaman]

Yep, nothing wrong here and priced well too. Thanks for the testing @amirm and to SMSL for sending one for testing.

JSmith

Do you have the product physically? If you do, is there room in there to squeeze in a Pi Zero 2W?

 

[fricc]

Looking at the board pictures, this is a really nice design. I am impressed by how they have segmented the already tiny board in three sections (PSU, Digital, Analog) with deep ground "trenches" separating them.
It is interesting to notice how the DC power lines literally bridge over the trench. They have taken noise isolation very seriously.

 

[Talisman]

Sorry, I'm not a complainer...really. But with the release of the DL200 two months ago and which includes a balanced headphone amp for $10 less, isn't the D-6s obsolete from the start?

I would like to point out that the SMSL C200
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/aoshida-smsl-c200-review-dac-amp.36850/

provides the same absolute transparency performance (118db sind instead of 121), the same input package, the same balanced outputs (in trs format instead of xlr), the same internal power supply, the same bluetooth LDAC with the addition of a well implemented headphone output and has consistently cost around 155 euros for months

 

[totti1965]

Thanks @amirm for this long awaited review.
Any particular reason for using FL2 filter, except it's default? FL4 filter looks more effective one and probably will give much better THD+N vs frequency measured result (especially at the higher frequencies).

View attachment 319961

So, if you have some free time to spend...

Maybee I am the typical audiophoooool, but I would go for FL 5 because of it´s slightly higher output / lower attenuation at 21 kHz....... . But the behaviour for FL 5 in the ultrasonic frequencies is not as good as FL 2.......

Would be quite interesting to see this graph for FL 2; FL 4; AND FL 5 -
and to see whether there will be big differences in the 5 kHz to 20 kHz range between the different Filters!

But I don´t dare to ask.... because..... is there anything less important?

 

[dogmamann]

Okay, I'll throw in a complaint. I'm assuming based on the pictures that this unit's display, like all SMSL DAC's, will always revert to the sample rate reading rather than the volume (or some other user-selectable option). Yes, you adjust the volume and the display will show it for a few seconds, but then back to the sample rate. Honestly I love SMSL's stuff (sound and construction quality, looks), but this seems like a no-brainer function to include in all their products.

For me it should be the way it is. Before hitting play button, I need to know how bad is going to be the damage.