SMSL D-6s Balanced DAC Review

[antcollinet]

Just so I understand what you are saying: regardless of speakers or amp, I will not be able to "hear" any difference between the filters - is that correct?

I believe that to be the case, based on the plots taken here. The lines of the filters you reference basically overlap, except at inaudible attenuations round about -90dB or lower, and even that is at 24kHz plus - way outside the audible range. It is difficult to see how there can be any audible differences.

It is possible you might prove me wrong - with an exceptionally well conducted (double) blind test with 10+ comparisons of each pair and at least 8/10 correct for each comparison.

But I doubt it - which is why I will be (am) very sceptical of the standard of testing carried out.

 

[antcollinet]

I wonder if what i'm hearing (even in a blind test) is becuase the filters were cyclyed through quicklly, causing slight jumps in volumes/ranges perhaps.

That is possible - the brain is very good at picking up subtle cues - even if you are not consciously aware of them - which could include jumps or level differences - or just the way your wife looked at you when she made the changes.

And any detectable cue, and your brain will make stuff up. Here is an example of how significant differences in perception of sound can be based on identical sound - but a difference in what you see. Even when you know exactly how you are being fooled, you can't stop it happening.

 

[stadsbeplanner]

From what I read the RCA output on this unit is 2.5Vrms.
Would that be fixed or is it adjustable?
I'm thinking of the WiiM pro plus that allows the user to set the output voltage.

 

[masterhw]

From what I read the RCA output on this unit is 2.5Vrms.
Would that be fixed or is it adjustable?
I'm thinking of the WiiM pro plus that allows the user to set the output voltage.

that’s a max, voltage is always pending the volume knob

 

[stadsbeplanner]

that’s a max, voltage is always pending the volume knob

What I mean is that with the wiim I can adjust the output voltage like shown below.
This feature is very useful if you use amps with high input sensitivity. On my vintage valve amp it gives my volume knob a wider range.
With the SMSL D-6s the output would be fixed at 2.5vrms?

 

[trungdtmc]

What I mean is that with the wiim I can adjust the output voltage like shown below.
This feature is very useful if you use amps with high input sensitivity. On my vintage valve amp it gives my volume knob a wider range.
With the SMSL D-6s the output would be fixed at 2.5vrms?


View attachment 490307

Volume on D-6s adjust by knob or remote, max level is fixed 2.5Vrms

 

[stadsbeplanner]

I guess the question isn't understood

 

[stadsbeplanner]

Let me ask it like this.
With an external DAC like the SMSL the WiiM Pro Plus will act as a "transport" only? And the output level setting on the pro plus is disabled?

 

[staticV3]

With an external DAC like the SMSL the WiiM Pro Plus will act as a "transport" only? And the output level setting on the pro plus is disabled?

WiiM volume control still works with SPDIF out.

In that case, the WiiM's volume will control the D-6s output voltage, as will the D-6s volume.

 

[antcollinet]

Let me ask it like this.
With an external DAC like the SMSL the WiiM Pro Plus will act as a "transport" only? And the output level setting on the pro plus is disabled?

Correct (I think) - the output level setting applies only to the built in DAC of the Wiim.

But if so, when you use the D6S - you can use the wiim volume control to set a lower output level - then use the D6S volume full range - or vice versa.

See @nanook's post below

 

[nanook]

Let me ask it like this.
With an external DAC like the SMSL the WiiM Pro Plus will act as a "transport" only? And the output level setting on the pro plus is disabled?

The output level setting of the WiiM indeed only affects the analog output. I have not seen any circuitry that would scale the gain in the output stage (like RME does in the ADI-Pro afaik). As far as I understand, it's just another "knob" that uses the digital volume control inside the DAC chip.
Edit: i.e. using this setting does reduce the available dynamic range of the DAC just like using the volume control. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Switching the gain in the analog output stage would "not" do that.

I'm using the WiiM Pro together with a SMSL D-6s and a pair of active Genelecs. When listening at low levels, the volume control of the WiiM is just too coarse and the minimum volume too loud. I do now use the volume limit functionality in the audio settings menue as a "pre-gain" in that situation (low level listening).
Using the "volume limit" functionality makes a lot of sense in case you are using the EQ and heavy "boost" anyway because this keeps the DRC (Dynamic Range Compression) from stepping in when running close to 100% volume.

I'm afraid many users of the WiiM are not familiar with this limiter-functionality inside the WiiM and do run everything at 100% leaving the volume control to the DAC or to some analog equipment. Doing this, this limiter will engage when you boost frequencies in the WiiM EQ - this is not what you want, except you like this somewhat "exhausted" sound that limiting produces ;-) . At the same time you can allocate 2 or 3dB for Intersample-Peaks (ISPs).
Running into this limiter can be avoided using an appropriate "pre-gain" (-> volume limit in the audio settings).
Don't get me wrong, the implementation of the DRC is clever and a clean limiting (without added distortion) is in any case better that clipping.

See here for details: https://forum.wiimhome.com/threads/does-using-eq-degrade-sound-quality-in-wiim-pro.6534/post-149817
This basically does the volume scaling for all outputs including the digital SPDIF and Toslink.

I'm using the D-6s at Vol = 96 (so just 2dB down from max) and do all volume control in the WiiM using Volume limit (stupid naming) and the normal Volume control accessible via Android or whatever. The digital data is transferred 24 Bit , so there are no concerns.

Edited heavily 9:51am

 

[stadsbeplanner]

 a

The output level setting of the WiiM indeed only affects the analog output. I have not seen any circuitry that would scale the gain in the output stage (like RME does in the ADI-Pro afaik). As far as I understand, it's just another "knob" that uses the digital volume control inside the DAC chip.
Edit: i.e. using this setting does reduce the available dynamic range of the DAC just like using the volume control. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Switching the gain in the analog output stage would "not" do that.

I'm using the WiiM Pro together with a SMSL D-6s and a pair of active Genelecs. When listening at low levels, the volume control of the WiiM is just too coarse and the minimum volume too loud. I do now use the volume limit functionality in the audio settings menue as a "pre-gain" in that situation (low level listening).
Using the "volume limit" functionality makes a lot of sense in case you are using the EQ and heavy "boost" anyway because this keeps the DRC (Dynamic Range Compression) from stepping in when running close to 100% volume.

I'm afraid many users of the WiiM are not familiar with this limiter-functionality inside the WiiM and do run everything at 100% leaving the volume control to the DAC or to some analog equipment. Doing this, this limiter will engage when you boost frequencies in the WiiM EQ - this is not what you want, except you like this somewhat "exhausted" sound that limiting produces ;-) . At the same time you can allocate 2 or 3dB for Intersample-Peaks (ISPs).
Running into this limiter can be avoided using an appropriate "pre-gain" (-> volume limit in the audio settings).
Don't get me wrong, the implementation of the DRC is clever and a clean limiting (without added distortion) is in any case better that clipping.

See here for details: https://forum.wiimhome.com/threads/does-using-eq-degrade-sound-quality-in-wiim-pro.6534/post-149817
This basically does the volume scaling for all outputs including the digital SPDIF and Toslink.

I'm using the D-6s at Vol = 96 (so just 2dB down from max) and do all volume control in the WiiM using Volume limit (stupid naming) and the normal Volume control accessible via Android or whatever. The digital data is transferred 24 Bit , so there are no concerns.

Edited heavily 9:51am

Ah thanks this is very helpful!

 

[Pearljam5000]

Is it possible to connect it directly to active studio monitors with a built in DAC and control the volume from it?

 

[staticV3]

Is it possible to connect it directly to active studio monitors with a built in DAC and control the volume from it?

The D-6S has only analog outputs.

If the monitors that you want to use have an analog input, then yes: you can plug the D-6S directly into the monitors and use the D-6S volume knob/remote control to control volume.

 

[Pearljam5000]

The D-6S has only analog outputs.

If the monitors that you want to use have an analog input, then yes: you can plug the D-6S directly into the monitors and use the D-6S volume knob/remote control to control volume.

Thanks I felt uncomfortable asking you again after I did it so many times so I asked here
So thanks again.

 

[redjr]

Another point too... The D-6s DAC is likely better than the DAC built-in to your active speakers. (No offense to your speakers.) As you probably already know, the D-6s is a wonderful sounding DAC. Next to my SMSL DO300EX in my main system, the D-6s is number two in sound quality.

 

[umeng2002]

Someone give me a tl;dr of why the review was done at volume level 96 instead of the maximum of 99.

 

[oldpainless]

Someone give me a tl;dr of why the review was done at volume level 96 instead of the maximum of 99.

I seem to remember it was output voltage (96 equal to 2v), but I might be mistaken.

 

[Bleib]

Someone give me a tl;dr of why the review was done at volume level 96 instead of the maximum of 99.

To test at 2v and 4v so it's comparable to other DACs at the same output level
Some go to 5.2v but not all equipment can receive so much, it'll distort

 

[Kosmonaut]

General information for all:

The Probable Corrected List of the ESS Filters

The reality for your D6S likely looks like this:

• FL1 (Incorrect): Labeled as "Minimum Phase", but is actually Minimum Phase Slow (ESS #8).
• FL2 (Correct): Linear Phase Apodizing (ESS #2).
• FL3 (Correct): Linear Phase Fast (ESS #3).
• FL4 (Correct): Linear Phase Fast Low Ripple (ESS #4).
• FL5 (Correct): Linear Phase Slow (ESS #5).
• FL6 (Correct): Minimum Phase Fast (ESS #6).
• FL7 (Correct): Minimum Phase Slow (ESS #7).

the original ESS #1 filter is missing from the selection.

The ES9039 chip technically offers 8 different filters (ESS #1 through ESS #8). Since the SMSL D6S menu only provides 7 slots (FL1 to FL7), one filter had to be omitted.

SMSL decided to assign ESS #8 to the FL1 slot. As a result, the original ESS #1 ("Minimum Phase Fast Roll-off") is not available in the menu.

Does this matter?Not really, because:The filter FL6 (ESS #6) is also a "Minimum Phase Fast Roll-off". In terms of technical performance and sound characteristics, ESS #1 and ESS #6 are extremely similar. Both offer no pre-ringing, a sharp impulse response, and a steep roll-off.

If you are looking for the sound that the missing ESS #1 would have provided, simply use FL6. You aren't missing out on any specific sound signature; the labeling is just confusing.

Alrigthy?