SMSL D-6s Balanced DAC Review

[ICIETDIYEUR]

Hello Thomas Savage

Subjectively, I couldn't dress like your avatar because it's not my favorite outfit....

In fact it's the pink color that doesn't 'look' good on my skin

 

[Thomas Savage]

In fact it's the pink color that doesn't 'look' good on my skin

Let's make a deal , if you show me what you think looks good do so on PM .

Hello Thomas Savage

Subjectively, I couldn't dress like your avatar because it's not my favorite outfit....

In fact it's the pink color that doesn't 'look' good on my skin

c'est toujours agréable de rencontrer mes frères français, ma famille européenne

 

[ICIETDIYEUR]

 

[ICIETDIYEUR]

Hello again Thomas

All that said: which DAC do you use and what led to your decision towards it ?

 

[Thomas Savage]

Hello again Thomas

All that said: which DAC do you use and what led to your decision towards it ?

For my TV i have a SMSL device for my listening room everything eventually goes through a Anthem STR pre amp , via a WiiM streamer . But I do own a TAD D1000 , I just now chose not to use it unless I need to play physical media.

 

[ICIETDIYEUR]

a SMSL device...

It's a NO-NAME ?

 

[Yannis Georgopoulos]

Ο συνήθης τρόπος ρύθμισης της έντασης σε αυτά τα DAC είναι ο λεγόμενος "ψηφιακός έλεγχος έντασης". Πρόκειται για μια εκ νέου κλιμάκωση του ψηφιακού σήματος εισόδου πριν φτάσει στην πραγματική ψηφιακή/αναλογική μετατροπή. Με εξασθένηση 0,0 dB τα bit υποτίθεται ότι περνούν χωρίς τροποποίηση, έτσι ώστε η εξασθένηση 0,0 dB είναι βασικά χωρίς έλεγχο έντασης.
Η χρήση αυτού του ψηφιακού ελέγχου έντασης θα οδηγεί πάντα στο γεγονός ότι το τσιπ DAC χρησιμοποιεί μικρότερο αριθμό bit. Η εξασθένιση π.χ. κατά 12dB θα μετατοπίσει απλώς τα δεδομένα κατά 2 bit και το τσιπ DAC θα χρησιμοποιήσει "μόνο" 22 bit από τα 24 bit του (στην πραγματικότητα ακόμη λιγότερα επειδή τα Λιγότερα σημαντικά Bit θα καλυφθούν από το επίπεδο θορύβου.
Εξαιτίας αυτού, προσπαθώ να χρησιμοποιώ μόνο μέτρια εξασθένηση με τον ψηφιακό έλεγχο έντασης.

Ακολουθεί η διαδρομή σήματος από το φύλλο δεδομένων ES9039Q2M:
View attachment 327163
Μπήκα στον πειρασμό να πάρω το FiiO K7-BT επειδή έχει αναλογική είσοδο και αναλογικό εξασθενητή (NJU72315, μέχρι στιγμής το καλύτερο τσιπ αναλογικού εξασθενητή που έχω δει. Το NJU72315 μπορεί να εξασθενήσει μόνο κατά 62 dB σε βήματα 2 dB, αλλά σε συνδυασμό με ένα ψηφιακό τσιπ ελέγχου έντασης ήχου DSOAC). Με αυτόν τον τρόπο το τσιπ DAC λειτουργεί σχεδόν χωρίς εξασθένηση στον ψηφιακό τομέα και έτσι δεν χάνει την ανάλυση. Δυστυχώς το K7-BT δεν μπορεί να ελεγχθεί με τηλεχειρισμό από το τηλεχειριστήριο FiiO (αυτό τουλάχιστον μου είπε η γερμανική διανομή). Είναι πραγματικά κρίμα γιατί αυτή θα ήταν μια πολύ ωραία λύση Όλα σε Ένα για μένα, αλλά η επιλογή εισόδου και ο έλεγχος της έντασης ήχου μέσω τηλεχειριστηρίου είναι απαραίτητα για μένα.

Μπορώ να φανταστώ ότι τα DAC με ενισχυτή ακουστικών παρέχουν 2 τρόπους λειτουργίας.
Μόνο DAC: Η έξοδος γραμμής δεν εξασθενεί, αλλά η έξοδος ακουστικών εξασθενεί (είτε η έξοδος γραμμής είτε τα ακουστικά ενεργά κάθε φορά, επειδή το συνηθισμένο τσιπ DAC 2 καναλιών μπορεί να χειριστεί μόνο μία έξοδο και επομένως μια ρύθμιση εξασθένησης)
Προενισχυτής: Η γραμμή εξόδου και τα ακουστικά υπόκεινται σε εξασθένηση έτσι ώστε να μπορείτε να χρησιμοποιήσετε τον ψηφιακό έλεγχο έντασης για να ρυθμίσετε την ένταση με τον ενισχυτή και τα ηχεία συνδεδεμένα

Ελπίζουμε ότι αυτό διευκρινίζει λίγο το θέμα "ψηφιακός έλεγχος έντασης" έναντι "αναλογικός έλεγχος έντασης".

In a desktop pc system, with a NAD C316Bee class AB amplifier and a D6S dac (usb connected) to the computer, where did I turn their volume (dac & amp) for everyday use, low or high volume? I listen by Spotify & Tidal
Now I have dac's volume in -93 and I use the amps knob for up and down. Is that right?

 

[JIW]

In a desktop pc system, with a NAD C316Bee class AB amplifier and a D6S dac (usb connected) to the computer, where did I turn their volume (dac & amp) for everyday use, low or high volume? I listen by Spotify & Tidal
Now I have dac's volume in -93 and I use the amps knob for up and down. Is that right?

You could further increase the volume on the DAC to 95 which is 2 V RMS output for a 0 dBFS input. Going above that above may overload the input of the amp.

 

[Jimster480]

I just looked around for the D-6 and it is discontinued; so unless someone found one used somewhere.... they should be ideally buying the newest product.

 

[Yannis Georgopoulos]

Jimster, take a look these links,

SMSL D-6S DAC ES9039Q2M XMOS XU316 Bluetooth 5.1 32bit 768kHz DSD512 MQA - Audiophonics

SMSL's D-6S is a compact, high-performance DAC featuring an ES9039Q2M chip, four dual OPA1612 AOPs, a Bluetooth 5.1 chip and an XMOS XU316 USB interface. It can decode 32bit 768kHz PCM, DSD512 and MQA/MQA-CD streams.

www.audiophonics.fr

https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0CJM6QFVF/?coliid=I3R8K3MNHRO56V&colid=23W9QMM2Q1H9T&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

[Jimster480]

Jimster, take a look these links,

SMSL D-6S DAC ES9039Q2M XMOS XU316 Bluetooth 5.1 32bit 768kHz DSD512 MQA - Audiophonics

SMSL's D-6S is a compact, high-performance DAC featuring an ES9039Q2M chip, four dual OPA1612 AOPs, a Bluetooth 5.1 chip and an XMOS XU316 USB interface. It can decode 32bit 768kHz PCM, DSD512 and MQA/MQA-CD streams.

www.audiophonics.fr

https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0CJM6QFVF/?coliid=I3R8K3MNHRO56V&colid=23W9QMM2Q1H9T&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

I am in the USA! Thanks for the links though, I guess it is good to know that there is some stock in the EU.

The price seems to be very close to that of the DO100 here; if not the same after conversion rates.

 

[Yannis Georgopoulos]

I am in the USA! Thanks for the links though, I guess it is good to know that there is some stock in the EU.

The price seems to be very close to that of the DO100 here; if not the same after conversion rates.

Ohh sorry I didn't knew...
Very similar and better to D6S is DO100 PRO, with 2 chips ES9039 Q2M plus arc input, in EU with only 20€ more

 

[Jimster480]

Ohh sorry I didn't knew...
Very similar and better to D6S is DO100 PRO, with 2 chips ES9039 Q2M plus arc input, in EU with only 20€ more

Yea here it is around $200 for a DO100 PRO. Which looks quite good considering the D-6 isn't available.
I am considering to get one for my church.

 

[ICIETDIYEUR]

@ Yannis Georgopoulos:

In terms of functions it is more complete but in terms of measurements, you are a little ahead of ourselves: wait until Amir has reviewed it and you will be able to confirm it

 

[Yannis Georgopoulos]

Man, I have the D6S and I m goin to buy a Topping E70 velvet but I have heard my best's friend DO100 Pro and i think is better. As a sound comparison in my own system.

 

[staticV3]

Man, I have the D6S and I m goin to buy a Topping E70 velvet but I have heard my best's friend DO100 Pro and i think is better. As a sound comparison in my own system.

It's easy to hear differences between fully transparent DACs, up to the moment you use proper controls.

With controls, all differences suddenly vanish because the underlying sound quality was identical in the first place.

Perceived differences are caused by volume, OS filtering, and placebo.

 

[ICIETDIYEUR]

I won't comment on listening, but I told you about the measures, so I say: we'll see...

If the SMSL D100 PRO is your preference then don't hesitate and buy it: it's you who listens, not the others

Any other kind of discussion about sound would be futile here, and that's not the point.

 

[Yannis Georgopoulos]

It's easy to hear differences between fully transparent DACs, up to the moment you use proper controls.

With controls, all differences suddenly vanish because the underlying sound quality was identical in the first place.

Perceived differences are caused by volume, OS filtering, and placebo.

I wish I had met you earlier, I would have saved a lot of money and a lot of dacs but beeter late than never, I listen carefully to what you say although I mostly trust my ears. I mean I watch guys who are obsessed with data, like Erin, but I prefer to decide by what exactly I listen to of my speakers.

 

[ICIETDIYEUR]

Look at the following table knowing that the colors used mean nothing ->

You can get an idea of the 'value for money' according to your needs (but also your aesthetic preferences), knowing that 1 point difference in the SINAD measurements cannot be perceived by a human ear.

Now it's up to you

 

[staticV3]

I wish I had met you earlier, I would have saved a lot of money and a lot of dacs but beeter late than never, I listen carefully to what you say although I mostly trust my ears. I mean I watch guys who are obsessed with data, like Erin, but I prefer to decide by what exactly I listen to of my speakers.

It's fine to trust your ears, under the right conditions: https://youtu.be/vRG8TaxGcbU

Uncontrolled listening tests however will lead you nowhere. You're only tricking yourself.