SMSL D1 - ROHM DAC for everyone

[Roland68]

SMSL has introduced the new D1, a Volks ROHM DAC with the BD34352EKV for a retail price of approximately €/$ 89.
Already available to order from HiFi-Express.

Adopt a piece of ROHM new BD34352EKV,and carefullytuned to make its THD + N reached 0.00038%
XMOS XU-316 program support to32bit768kHz and DSD512
Support optical, coaxial input, maximum support to24bit/192kHz
Anodized CNC aluminum alloy case
Looks like the SU-1 case, so very small and cute.
The name is a little unfortunate, as SMSL has used D1 several times.

 

[Luciferium]

Is there any info on op-amp models?

 

[Roland68]

Is there any info on op-amp models?

Unfortunately, nothing is known so far, only "audiophile-grade components." If the OPAmps are made unrecognizable, it will be difficult to get rid of it.

Addendum:
ROHM uses three TI NE5532s for both channels of the analog RCA output in the evaluation application/board.
Since SMSL bases many devices on such manufacturer suggestions and optimizes the measured values, it's possible that NE5532s are actually installed, but of course, other inexpensive op amps could also be used.
It's also important to remember that a relatively expensive DAC chip is installed in a very inexpensive device. Cost savings have to be made somewhere.

 

[Toku]

The SMSL D1 is a product that replaces the DAC chip of the SU-1 with the ROHM BD34352EKV. Like the SU-1, it does not allow volume adjustment or any internal settings. However, a USB-C port has been added for external power. The price is low, so you can try out the ROHM DAC chip without hesitation.
The BD34352EKV is the same as the BD34301EKV and is divided into two model numbers depending on the selection.

 

[ahl]

The SMSL D1 is a product that replaces the DAC chip of the SU-1 with the ROHM BD34352EKV. Like the SU-1, it does not allow volume adjustment or any internal settings. However, a USB-C port has been added for external power. The price is low, so you can try out the ROHM DAC chip without hesitation.
The BD34352EKV is the same as the BD34301EKV and is divided into two model numbers depending on the selection.

I think, BD34352EKV costs lot cheaper than BD34301EKV.

 

[Roland68]

I think, BD34352EKV costs lot cheaper than BD34301EKV.

You didn't seriously expect to find an €/$80 DAC chip in a €/$90 DAC, did you?
It's amazing they were able to squeeze in a €/$12 DAC chip. The DAC ships used in the SU-1 and C100 cost less than half.

 

[Toku]

I think, BD34352EKV costs lot cheaper than BD34301EKV.

Yes, that's correct.
The two ICs have exactly the same specifications, with only slight differences in THD+N etc. Therefore, I believe there is no distinction made during the manufacturing stage, and they are then sorted into two types during subsequent product inspections.

 

[Roland68]

Yes, that's correct.
The two ICs have exactly the same specifications, with only slight differences in THD+N etc. Therefore, I believe there is no distinction made during the manufacturing stage, and they are then sorted into two types during subsequent product inspections.

And the BD34352EKV is up to 85% cheaper? That's intense.
If these are really the same chips in production, then there might be a significant surplus of the BD34352EKV.

 

[Toku]

And the BD34352EKV is up to 85% cheaper? That's intense.
If these are really the same chips in production, then there might be a significant surplus of the BD34352EKV.

The same applies to CPU chips, but in IC manufacturing, model numbers are frequently separated when checking the final product. However, it is not clear whether the pricing for the BD34301EKV is appropriate. I think the company ROHM's sales strategy has also resulted in challenging pricing. In fact, the first one to use this chip was a product of over $10,000 in Japan. As a result, ROHM's BD34301EKV has become recognized among audiophiles as an ultra-high-end DAC chip. When the SMSL D300 using the BD34301EKV was released, many Japanese audiophiles were attracting attention and bought it. But that rating wasn't very high.
In my opinion, it seems to be inferior in performance to ESS and AKM.

 

[Bleib]

Specs worse than PS200 and no BT, but at least it's not a plastic housing

SMSL D1 High-Res Pure Audio DAC 768kHz/32bit BD34352EKV

ROHM BD34352EKV Flagship DAC chip for audiophile-grade signal processing. Touch Control Buttons Intuitive tactile interface for seamless operation. Miniature Footprint Sculpted Beauty Compact, space-efficient design with refined aesthetics.

hifi-express.com

 

[Toku]

Specs worse than PS200 and no BT, but at least it's not a plastic housing

SMSL D1 High-Res Pure Audio DAC 768kHz/32bit BD34352EKV

ROHM BD34352EKV Flagship DAC chip for audiophile-grade signal processing. Touch Control Buttons Intuitive tactile interface for seamless operation. Miniature Footprint Sculpted Beauty Compact, space-efficient design with refined aesthetics.

hifi-express.com

The SMSL D1 case is made of aluminum, which is better than the plastic of the PS200.
The specs are inferior to products equipped with AKM or ESS, so I think ASR members will give it a lower rating, but since it is not detectable by the human ear, I don't think it's a big problem.
The SMSL D1 is cheap, so it's perfect for trying out ROHM's sound quality. I'm planning to buy this product too.

 

[Roland68]

The SMSL D1 case is made of aluminum, which is better than the plastic of the PS200.
The specs are inferior to products equipped with AKM or ESS, so I think ASR members will give it a lower rating, but since it is not detectable by the human ear, I don't think it's a big problem.
The SMSL D1 is cheap, so it's perfect for trying out ROHM's sound quality. I'm planning to buy this product too.

Rohm's pricing is also a bit strange. I know that the BD34301EKV doesn't cost any more for manufacturers than other flagship DACs.
Why Rohm keeps its prices so high with distributors is beyond me, except perhaps for marketing reasons, or to keep DIY enthusiasts and small manufacturers away.
ESS, however, has been trying something similar for some time and has already scared off several distributors.

 

[amanieux]

I think, BD34352EKV costs lot cheaper than BD34301EKV.

exactly the BD34352EKV costs 17 euros and the BD34301EKV costs 102 euros, it is clearly not the same

 

[amanieux]

Yes, that's correct.
The two ICs have exactly the same specifications, with only slight differences in THD+N etc. Therefore, I believe there is no distinction made during the manufacturing stage, and they are then sorted into two types during subsequent product inspections.

one has the trademark "MUS-IC" the other not, if difference is only in SND+THD performance sorted out of the production line then the cheap one is a bargain because the difference between 130 db and 126 db is both under the human hearing threshold of 100db, i guess we'll have to wait for reviews to compare the actual sound that is not only coming from the rohm dac chip but also from the quality of the other components around it

 

[amanieux]

The SMSL D1 case is made of aluminum, which is better than the plastic of the PS200.
The specs are inferior to products equipped with AKM or ESS, so I think ASR members will give it a lower rating, but since it is not detectable by the human ear, I don't think it's a big problem.
The SMSL D1 is cheap, so it's perfect for trying out ROHM's sound quality. I'm planning to buy this product too.

my advice is to resiste the buyer impulse and wait for reviews to come out, common sense tells use that a 17 euros dac chip will not sound like a 102 euro dac chip from the same company

 

[amanieux]

And the BD34352EKV is up to 85% cheaper? That's intense.
If these are really the same chips in production, then there might be a significant surplus of the BD34352EKV.

i remember the same thing out of grado driver production that are sorted by human ear and put in the different grado products that also have a 10x price difference. what is strange is the products numbers are completely different instead of for example BD34301EKV-126 and BD34301EKV-130 so not sure what the "MUS-IC" trademark cerification difference implies, my 2 cents is that there is more to it that just a difference of 4db in thd+n

 

[amanieux]

The SMSL D1 case is made of aluminum, which is better than the plastic of the PS200.
The specs are inferior to products equipped with AKM or ESS, so I think ASR members will give it a lower rating, but since it is not detectable by the human ear, I don't think it's a big problem.
The SMSL D1 is cheap, so it's perfect for trying out ROHM's sound quality. I'm planning to buy this product too.

smsl also have a quad cs43131+700mW amp with 4.4mm for $130 coming out, they are very active in the dac business at the moment

 

[Roland68]

my advice is to resiste the buyer impulse and wait for reviews to come out, common sense tells use that a 17 euros dac chip will not sound like a 102 euro dac chip from the same company

Oh yes, then you would say that a good implementation of an AK4493, e.g. in the RME ADI-2, Topping E30 II, SMSL SU-1 etc., sounds significantly and audibly better than an AK4499 based DAC, e.g. E70 Velvet, D400 Pro etc.?

The measurements from SMSL, Sabaj, Loxjie, and Topping were all recorded with an APx Analyzer. So far, Amir's tests have been so close or consistent that these measurements can be trusted.

 

[amanieux]

i also notice this rohm low cost dac chip came out 3 years ago, why haven't it been more used https://audioxpress.com/news/rohm-announces-new-32bit-d-a-converter-ic-for-high-end-audio-products

 

[Roland68]

i also notice this rohm low cost dac chip came out 3 years ago, why haven't it been more used https://audioxpress.com/news/rohm-announces-new-32bit-d-a-converter-ic-for-high-end-audio-products

This question would be easy to answer, but I would also like to hear your answer to my question.