SMSL D-6s Balanced DAC Review

[DeDovla]

Guess the drivers have fixes, too bad there is no changelog.

Since JDS Labs uses the same Thesycon driver here is the changelog. Apart from the security issue that's been fixed there is also "Fix: Deadlock during wake up".

 

[DeDovla]

They didn't mention any bug fix (for noise issue with v5.58)

It is 100% reproducible. Whenver I installed v5.58, my DAC become a radio receiver . It was only fixable by removing the driver (and use the stock windows driver) <== I tried at least 5 times (with the unstalling of other programs on my PC)

I have a C200 and I am on the latest version of the driver (v5.68) and I didn't notice any noise introduced by any driver version so far (I started on 5.50 I think then 5.58 and now 5.68). What DAC do you have (d6-s?) and what version of windows?

At the end of the day if these newer updates break your setup, just use what works.

 

[antcollinet]

It's SMSL M300SE. I am using windows 11.

Probably I didn't state it clearly. It is 100% reproducible for my windows 11 setup and I have no way to fix it (until i found the lastest v5.68 driver yesterday).

However, I found a old windows 10 PC to test and it works without any issue with v5.58.

Looks to me it is specific for this particular DAC as other users were mentioning similar noise issue in the M300SE thread here. I bet it may be related to the fact that SMSL push the DAC chip to the limit (as the datesheet of CS43131 state that it supports up to 384k but SMSL push it to 768k). May be together with Win11's new task scheduling policy, I guess these combinations may cause the noise issue.

My wild guess is that the new driver change the buffering so that it can feed data to the DAC w/o issue

One of the rules you agreed to when joining here was "not arguing with, or discussing moderation decisions"

Puting your argument in your signature (and also bypassing the moderation in that way), is not compliant with that rule. I suggest you remove it before you find yourself perma-banned.

(I'm not a mod here, no-one special. Just take this as friendly advice)

 

[antcollinet]

Thanks for your friendly reminder. I have no intention to argue or discuss his decision as I just want to show my status.

I change it to just show my status. Looks good to you?

Yep - that looks fine to me. Hopefully the mods agree.

 

[Rednaxela]

Instant forum SNR boost:

Highly recommended. Can't believe I ever went without.

 

[A P Rule]

The RCA output indeed just sums up (precisely speaking subtracts) the XLR output. If the XLR 'pops' the RCA will 'pop' too.
The RCA outputs do have their own muting switch, but I suspect all of the outputs get muted with the same signal.

I'm actually wondering, why SMSL missed the opportunity to mute XLR and RCA separately. The Topping E50 e.g. does allow to activate RCA or XLR or both, which is a nice feature if you have the speakers connected to XLR and the headphone amp to RCA.

Does the fact that the RCA and XLR outputs are not able to be muted separately cause harm to the system, or is this just a nuisance that one has to manually turn off the headphone amp or active speakers depending on use? I have purchased this DAC and awaiting delivery, but I intend to use it with the RCA to headphone amp and XLR to active speakers.

 

[antcollinet]

Does the fact that the RCA and XLR outputs are not able to be muted separately cause harm to the system, or is this just a nuisance that one has to manually turn off the headphone amp or active speakers depending on use? I have purchased this DAC and awaiting delivery, but I intend to use it with the RCA to headphone amp and XLR to active speakers.

Well you either have to manually mute the output you don't want, or you manually have to turn off (or mute) the device you don't want. Not a huge difference I think.

 

[nanook]

No problem at all.
It is just that I have active speakers connected to the XLR and a HPA to the RCA and it would be convenient to have the choice at the D-6s.

 

[A P Rule]

No problem at all.
It is just that I have active speakers connected to the XLR and a HPA to the RCA and it would be convenient to have the choice at the D-6s.

Thanks. I had not fully considered the ramifications of moving to a DAC with volume adjustment. Thought perhaps I had missed something. My current DAC just has RCA out no volume control into HPA which has volume for headphone/active speakers. The suggestions in this thread for setting volume control for the active speakers are helpful. Also, good to know others are happy with this solution. Thanks again.

 

[krappo]

I have a D-6s connectes to computer by optical and XLR to actives.
I have come across this, when i power down my computer the dac goes into stand by mode, which is what i want but displays these 3 dashes, which is very annoyinhg,
Is there any way for DAC to remain in standby mode without those 3 dashes displaying.
Thanking you very much

 

[Bleib]

I have a D-6s connectes to computer by optical and XLR to actives.
I have come across this, when i power down my computer the dac goes into stand by mode, which is what i want but displays these 3 dashes, which is very annoyinhg,
Is there any way for DAC to remain in standby mode without those 3 dashes displaying.
Thanking you very much

Hold the FN button for auto display off?

 

[krappo]

Hold the FN button for auto display off?

Problem is, it wipes out all display.
If possible, i want display on while signal is being received and no display when i shut off computer.
While DAC is in standby
Is that possible at all.

Many Thanks

 

[trungdtmc]

That's not standby mode, it's just that the DAC has no input signal. Currently D-6s does not have an automatic standby function

 

[krappo]

That's not standby mode, it's just that the DAC has no input signal. Currently D-6s does not have an automatic standby function

It that case it makes sense, i will just leave it on and put up with the 3 dashes.

Many Thanks to all for your help

 

[krappo]

The only other concern would be, If i do leave it on 24/7.
Any concerns

Many Thanks : )

 

[nanook]

Why leave it on 24/7, waste energy and wear out the electrolytics in the SMPS?

I have my D-6s (plus TV, amplifier, etc) connected to a switchable power strip. Standby currents are fairly low with todays equipment, but I also want to rule out the potential fire hazard when having lots of equipment in standby.

The D-6s remembers all settings (incl. volume); it even remembers if it was switched on or off when the mains was removed. I have shut down mine once in on state and since then I just use the switch of the power stripe.

 

[Esprit]

I connected all the speakers (Adam Audio), the DAC plus other devices to two switched power strips.
It is the most common solution.

 

[nanook]

I connected all the speakers (Adam Audio), the DAC plus other devices to two switched power strips.
It is the most common solution.

In the other room the active speakers (a pair of old Genelec 1030A) the D-6s and a WiiM Pro are connected to one power stripe that is plugged into a socket that is wired to an additional light switch at the door. That's the most convenient solution for me - I don't even have to bend over

 

[krappo]

A bit confused about these power strips.
In Australia they are called, switched power boards/strips.
Which is basically a power board with individual switches, Nothing mentions here about switching.
Are they the same, Could some possibly she more info or even put a link to what i need yo buy.

Thanking you very much

 

[Toku]

I have a D-6s connectes to computer by optical and XLR to actives.
I have come across this, when i power down my computer the dac goes into stand by mode, which is what i want but displays these 3 dashes, which is very annoyinhg,
Is there any way for DAC to remain in standby mode without those 3 dashes displaying.
Thanking you very much

Unfortunately, I don't think SMSL has the behavior you want.
I'm currently using Topping's E30ll and E50 connected to my PC, but with these products, when the PC is shut down and there is no input signal, it goes into sleep mode after a certain period of time and the display turns off.
If you restart your PC, it will return to normal operation.