SMSL D-6s Balanced DAC Review

[daniboun]

People hi .

Has anyone 'tested' the SMSL D100 PRO compared to the SMSL D6s ?

Amir has not (yet) reviewed the SMSL D100 PRO, although they must have excellent results, and I can't find any measures other than those proposed by SMSL regarding this DAC...

My question here is not only 'aimed' at a comparison of measurements because I doubt that we cannot differentiate at this level between these two models but some people 'perceive' differences when listening (subjective, etc, etc,...) and I would like to know their impressions because I am one of those who (despite the precise measurements known and made) are convinced that there are still differences, even if they are (very) subtle.

NB: I am not trying to create a 'subject' of endless controversy but simply to know the impressions that users have perceived

Thank you

You mean the DO100 pro ?

SMSL DO100 Review (Stereo DAC)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the SMSL DO100 stereo balanced DAC with Bluetooth. It was sent to me by Aoshida Audio and costs US 239. Sorry about the fuzzy front panel picture. It looks better in person. The rotary control makes it nice to adjust volume. Back panel is the...

audiosciencereview.com

 

[ICIETDIYEUR]

Yes Dany', sorry:
I correct my previous text

 

[dsnyder0cnn]

The SMSL D0100 Pro probably pretty similar in performance to the D0100 and D0200 Pro.

SMSL DO100 Review (Stereo DAC)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the SMSL DO100 stereo balanced DAC with Bluetooth. It was sent to me by Aoshida Audio and costs US 239. Sorry about the fuzzy front panel picture. It looks better in person. The rotary control makes it nice to adjust volume. Back panel is the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

SMSL DO200 Pro DAC Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the SMSL DO200 Pro balanced stereo audio DAC. It was sent to me by Aoshida Audio and costs US $399. The small curve on top of the display distinguishes this DAC from myriad of others from SMSL and adds a bit of class to it. Otherwise, the user...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[JIW]

The SMSL D0100 Pro probably pretty similar in performance to the D0100 and D0200 Pro.

SMSL DO100 Review (Stereo DAC)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the SMSL DO100 stereo balanced DAC with Bluetooth. It was sent to me by Aoshida Audio and costs US 239. Sorry about the fuzzy front panel picture. It looks better in person. The rotary control makes it nice to adjust volume. Back panel is the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

SMSL DO200 Pro DAC Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the SMSL DO200 Pro balanced stereo audio DAC. It was sent to me by Aoshida Audio and costs US $399. The small curve on top of the display distinguishes this DAC from myriad of others from SMSL and adds a bit of class to it. Otherwise, the user...

www.audiosciencereview.com

It is a dual ES9039Q2M so should be closest to the SMSL RAW MDA1.

SMSL RAW-MDA 1 DAC & Headphone Amp Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the SMSL RAW-MDA 1 stereo DAC and headphone amplifier. It was sent to me by SMSL and it is a collaboration with Shenzehenaudio (available elsewhere as well) and is on sale for $246. The first thing I noticed was the much more polished display. It is...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[ICIETDIYEUR]

Thnaks a lot

In summary, for the moment, here is what I can remember:

- SMSL RAW MDA1 has two coaxial and optic inputs that I don't need as well as a headphone jack that won't be of any use to me either.

- The SMSL RAW MDA1 is offered at the same price as an TOPPING E70 VELVET nowadays so I don't see the point...

- SMSL DO100 PRO seems to produce a slight 'Hiss' in the speakers as indicated by a member in another post, which does not happen with the SMSL D6s.

Both DACs have a thin metal cover ('soft') which looks a bit 'CHEAP' while the SMSL D6s has a rigid ('solid') aluminium cover.

In addition, it seems that the display of the SMSL DO100 PRO can be 'improved' due to its 'bad' implementation.

SMSL DO100 PRO has an HDMi ARC socket that doesn't really look good but I wouldn't use it anyway.

The SMSL D6s costs less, takes up less space and its basic functions are very easy to use:

I think I have found a 'winner' (only 1 little point of SINAD 'inaudible' compared to the models mentioned here).

The only 'criticism' I have is that it uses a USB type C socket which is way too fragile compared to the USB type B sockets (such as printers) that TOPPING usually (rightly) uses.

 

[dsnyder0cnn]

it uses a USB type C socket which is way too fragile

Congrats. I've had no significant issues with my D-6s, and after a year or so, it's still the DAC that I recommend most often to friends.

I'm not a huge fan of the USB type C input, but it is what it is. My Google Pixel 7 Pro has a USB C jack that I've probably plugged and unplugged over 1,000 times since I bought it (daily charging plus USB cable in our cars for Android Auto). I've also forgotten that it was plugged when I picked it up a dozen or so times, yanking the charger out of the wall. So far, the smartphone and charger are no worse for wear.

All of that to say that I think USB type C jacks are tougher than they look. Unless you have an industrial use case, you'll be fine!

My only criticism of the SMSL D-6s is that the XMOS software supports MQA decoding and rendering. I think the DAC would perform better if this had not been baked in. For example, I often hear a faint "click" when switching formats between MQA or DSD and PCM. This is a pretty common symptom of MQA-enabled DACs that is conspicuously absent in my DACs without MQA support. The reason is that the processor has to look for an MQA signature during the first second or so of playback to decide if it needs to engage MQA firmware. In a post-MQA world, this is unnecessary processing and mildly irritating.

 

[ICIETDIYEUR]

Thank you for your participation in my question dsnyder0cnn

In terms of listening, did you 'feel' anything different compared to other DACs, especially those that don't have the same chip ?

I know that some will say that there are none, while I would say that it depends on the implementation and the quality of the components used and that I have preferences for certain chips in DACs that in my opinion do not bring the same thing for sound reproduction in terms of feeling.
(NB: I remind you that I don't want to create controversy but just to have opinions, thank you).

PS: just to 'illustrate' my words, it was obvious to me by looking only at the PCB of the FOSI audio ZD3 DAC that it would get a worse rating in SINAD than the SMSL D6s and even the SMSL PS200 (which impressed me at its launch)...

I am even convinced that it must be understood even if nowadays we refer to the measurements that we carry out which would conclude that it cannot be heard:

in my opinion, there must be something that we have forgotten somewhere...

 

[Rednaxela]

(NB: I remind you that I don't want to create controversy but just to have opinions, thank you).

Please note that what you seek is controversial in itself. In fact your entire post is.

 

[dsnyder0cnn]

did you 'feel' anything different compared to other DACs, especially those that don't have the same chip ?

Hmmm... difficult to say. At one point, I thought I was hearing more pronounced or engaging bass impact from the SMSL D-6s than my Gustard X16. But it may have been just the track I was playing, volume level differences, or what I ate for breakfast that day. Both DACs have ruler-flat frequency responses. And both sound great. In a level-matched blind test, I doubt I could tell them apart.

Context: I'm using an old THX AAA 789 headphone amp and Focal Radiance closed-back headphones. There are more revealing setups out there, but this is pretty good.

Bottom line: the D-6s is very good.

 

[Jimbob54]

Thank you for your participation in my question dsnyder0cnn

In terms of listening, did you 'feel' anything different compared to other DACs, especially those that don't have the same chip ?

I know that some will say that there are none, while I would say that it depends on the implementation and the quality of the components used and that I have preferences for certain chips in DACs that in my opinion do not bring the same thing for sound reproduction in terms of feeling.
(NB: I remind you that I don't want to create controversy but just to have opinions, thank you).

PS: just to 'illustrate' my words, it was obvious to me by looking only at the PCB of the FOSI audio ZD3 DAC that it would get a worse rating in SINAD than the SMSL D6s and even the SMSL PS200 (which impressed me at its launch)...

I am even convinced that it must be understood even if nowadays we refer to the measurements that we carry out which would conclude that it cannot be heard:

in my opinion, there must be something that we have forgotten somewhere...

Note to members . Either engage with the question asked or (as I think most should ), avoid . I do not want another load of posts to move to the generic dac debate .

@ICIETDIYEUR I think you know this is provocative here and not really the kind of post that goes down well. As for the PCB comment , you are very close to trolling there . Don't prove that to be true .

 

[dogmamann]

People hi .

Has anyone 'tested' the SMSL DO100 PRO compared to the SMSL D6s ?

Amir has not (yet) reviewed the SMSL DO100 PRO, although they must have excellent results, and I can't find any measures other than those proposed by SMSL regarding this DAC...

My question here is not only 'aimed' at a comparison of measurements because I doubt that we cannot differentiate at this level between these two models but some people 'perceive' differences when listening (subjective, etc, etc,...) and I would like to know their impressions because I am one of those who (despite the precise measurements known and made) are convinced that there are still differences, even if they are (very) subtle.

NB: I am not trying to create a 'subject' of endless controversy but simply to know the impressions that users have perceived

Thank you

No matter how you polish it, you are still asking a subjective opinion here. I am also one of those who has „heard“ the differences in the past. However this forum is not the place to ask it unless you want to start for the 1000th time the same placebo, blah blah again!

 

[dogmamann]

Thnaks a lot

In summary, for the moment, here is what I can remember:

- SMSL RAW MDA1 has two coaxial and optic inputs that I don't need as well as a headphone jack that won't be of any use to me either.

- The SMSL RAW MDA1 is offered at the same price as an TOPPING E70 VELVET nowadays so I don't see the point...

- SMSL DO100 PRO seems to produce a slight 'Hiss' in the speakers as indicated by a member in another post, which does not happen with the SMSL D6s.

Both DACs have a thin metal cover ('soft') which looks a bit 'CHEAP' while the SMSL D6s has a rigid ('solid') aluminium cover.

In addition, it seems that the display of the SMSL DO100 PRO can be 'improved' due to its 'bad' implementation.

SMSL DO100 PRO has an HDMi ARC socket that doesn't really look good but I wouldn't use it anyway.

The SMSL D6s costs less, takes up less space and its basic functions are very easy to use:

I think I have found a 'winner' (only 1 little point of SINAD 'inaudible' compared to the models mentioned here).

The only 'criticism' I have is that it uses a USB type C socket which is way too fragile compared to the USB type B sockets (such as printers) that TOPPING usually (rightly) uses.

If it produces hiss, it’s already not having a good SNR. You should not be hearing any hiss from speakers with a SNR above say 90Db even! It must be the amplifier itself that’s producing the hiss. Not the DAC, or else the DAC should be broken

 

[delta76]

Thnaks a lot

In summary, for the moment, here is what I can remember:

- SMSL RAW MDA1 has two coaxial and optic inputs that I don't need as well as a headphone jack that won't be of any use to me either.

- The SMSL RAW MDA1 is offered at the same price as an TOPPING E70 VELVET nowadays so I don't see the point...

- SMSL DO100 PRO seems to produce a slight 'Hiss' in the speakers as indicated by a member in another post, which does not happen with the SMSL D6s.

Both DACs have a thin metal cover ('soft') which looks a bit 'CHEAP' while the SMSL D6s has a rigid ('solid') aluminium cover.

In addition, it seems that the display of the SMSL DO100 PRO can be 'improved' due to its 'bad' implementation.

SMSL DO100 PRO has an HDMi ARC socket that doesn't really look good but I wouldn't use it anyway.

The SMSL D6s costs less, takes up less space and its basic functions are very easy to use:

I think I have found a 'winner' (only 1 little point of SINAD 'inaudible' compared to the models mentioned here).

The only 'criticism' I have is that it uses a USB type C socket which is way too fragile compared to the USB type B sockets (such as printers) that TOPPING usually (rightly) uses.

I think you already made your decision and just wanted to justify it. which is fine. but beware that you might be biased

 

[Zek]

Note to members . Either engage with the question asked or (as I think most should ), avoid . I do not want another load of posts to move to the generic dac debate .

@ICIETDIYEUR I think you know this is provocative here and not really the kind of post that goes down well. As for the PCB comment , you are very close to trolling there . Don't prove that to be true .

Even though you are the moderator here, that is not the way to address people who have their own observations on a matter.
If this is an open forum, then this kind of ban should not happen.
If this is a forum for only certain people, then it should be emphasized at the beginning so that new members know what to expect here.

 

[redjr]

We always want to hear 'some' difference. Especially if we are trying to justify a purchase. Believe me, I do too. I've concluded it's simply expectation bias. We WANT to hear something different, so we make up some nuance of the music that we think we hear to reconcile it.

 

[Jimbob54]

Even though you are the moderator here, that is not the way to address people who have their own observations on a matter.
If this is an open forum, then this kind of ban should not happen.
If this is a forum for only certain people, then it should be emphasized at the beginning so that new members know what to expect here.

And you too are entitled to your opinion. But saying you are not being provocative in a place where you know what you say is provocative is very much still baiting. Per the initial post :

"(NB: I remind you that I don't want to create controversy but just to have opinions, thank you)."

You noticed the ocular SINAD assessment? The "something missing" comment at the end?

Youve been here long enough to know what that is likely to create. Hence me warning the poster that he was likely to get grief and my plea for people to either not engage or to actually answer the question posed. As in someone who has some listening observations between the DUT and other DACs.

Next time you want to debate a moderation comment / decision, do it in DM.

 

[ICIETDIYEUR]

@Jimbob54:

I would like to apologize for what I wrote previously because it seems that the translation does not reflect my thinking and therefore seems to be misinterpreted

I'm an objective person but that doesn't stop me from having subjective feelings (Amir himself has them during tests of some device reviews and he doesn't explain it either).

Just to say that some manufacturers take into account the feelings and/or subjective observations of the 'users' that they try to transpose as best they can, in an objective and measurable way, to meet their various expectations

Subjectivity exists, it allows the creation of devices that ASR will review later and that is expected by its readers: without this element of the equation, the 'rest' does not exist.

Amir's opinion and reflection would be welcome on this point to 'clarify' this unfortunate 'situation'.

Thank you.

 

[Jimster480]

People hi .

Has anyone 'tested' the SMSL DO100 PRO compared to the SMSL D6s ?

Amir has not (yet) reviewed the SMSL DO100 PRO, although they must have excellent results, and I can't find any measures other than those proposed by SMSL regarding this DAC...

My question here is not only 'aimed' at a comparison of measurements because I doubt that we cannot differentiate at this level between these two models but some people 'perceive' differences when listening (subjective, etc, etc,...) and I would like to know their impressions because I am one of those who (despite the precise measurements known and made) are convinced that there are still differences, even if they are (very) subtle.

NB: I am not trying to create a 'subject' of endless controversy but simply to know the impressions that users have perceived

Thank you

DO100 was tested here though?

SMSL DO100 Review (Stereo DAC)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the SMSL DO100 stereo balanced DAC with Bluetooth. It was sent to me by Aoshida Audio and costs US 239. Sorry about the fuzzy front panel picture. It looks better in person. The rotary control makes it nice to adjust volume. Back panel is the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Here is a discussion thread about what you are asking.

SMSL SU-1 vs D-6S vs DO100 Pro

So I was looking for a sub to pair with my Adam T5Vs, discovered that the matching T10S sub has a horrible standby mode, so I was recommended the JBL LSR310S instead. I'm considering it, but my DAC is a SMSL SU-1, which doesn't have balanced inputs to support the JBL sub. Perhaps it's time to...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Ropeburn]

If it's any indication, the DO100 (and presumably the Pro model as well) is damn near perfect in daily use. No hiss at all (thanks to really low noise floor as confirmed by measurements), transparent sound, no (for me) audible difference between inputs, even blutoof LDAC sounds the same as any other.

The sometimes reported "clicking" when changing inputs or waking up from sleep mode does happen, but it's super faint and barely noticeable. USB latency is very small, I use it for timing-critical fast action gaming where being a few milliseconds late means permadeath - no problems, it's fast enough. Perhaps the only minor annoyance is a rather slow wake up time from auto-standby, a few seconds.

Other than that, a real steal. Regular price was 200, I got the last one from Amazon.de when it was discontinued, for 120.

 

[Thomas Savage]

@Jimbob54:

I would like to apologize for what I wrote previously because it seems that the translation does not reflect my thinking and therefore seems to be misinterpreted

I'm an objective person but that doesn't stop me from having subjective feelings (Amir himself has them during tests of some device reviews and he doesn't explain it either).

Just to say that some manufacturers take into account the feelings and/or subjective observations of the 'users' that they try to transpose as best they can, in an objective and measurable way, to meet their various expectations

Subjectivity exists, it allows the creation of devices that ASR will review later and that is expected by its readers: without this element of the equation, the 'rest' does not exist.

Amir's opinion and reflection would be welcome on this point to 'clarify' this unfortunate 'situation'.

Thank you.

Subjectively I think le man's poc rillettes is the best rillettes in the world .., my personal favourite..

Subjectivity is how everything starts. Any other recommendations would be warmly received.