SMSL D-6S vs Fosi ZD3

[analogray]

I'm going to buy a DAC to be hooked into a laptop and CD player. It will then go to a vintage 2 channel stereo system. Either a Sansui 8080db or a Pioneer Spec 1 Spec 2. I haven't had any experience with a DAC except for one that cost about $15 so I call that no experience at all. My main goal is to make my music sound better than it does right now. Right now, the SMSL D-6s and the Fosi ZD3 are my two top contenders but others will be considered. The SMSL is a little more expensive but not by much.

I've read reviews and for the most part the SMSL comes out on top but probably not by much. I'm looking for real world reviews and hopefully by somebody who has experience with both. So which one of these would you all go with.

I'm open to suggestions of any other DACs that will fit my needs. I have to have the volume control, USB and coaxial inputs along with RCA outputs.

 

[Raiju]

I can only speak about the ZD3. Very high standby power (basically the same as on with display turned off). You can't dim the display, you can turn it off but every time you adjust volume it pops back up. That said SQ makes up for it.

I see SMSL has build in power supply, the Fosi has an adaptor. You should consider that too. Myself I like adapters with such light devices.

 

[RandomEar]

You won't improve the sound of your system with a new DAC. Generally, the limiting factor in almost all HiFi setups are the speakers and the room. In your case with those vintage amps, they look cool but also measure pretty mediocre. They are orders of magnitude worse concerning distortion and noise than any modern DAC.

If you insist in getting one, maybe just for the volume control, I would go with the cheapest one you can get from a decent brand. SMSL DS100 and Topping E30 II Lite come to mind or maybe a used SMSL M300 or potentially a Fiio K11 (not the R2R).