SMSL D1 - ROHM DAC for everyone

[Toku]

These are my recent thoughts on ASR.
ASR started as a forum for analyzing audio equipment from a purely technical and electrical perspective, eliminating the vague subjective evaluations that are prevalent in the audio community.
However, recently the number of audiophiles participating has increased, who do not understand ASR's purpose and philosophy and who find value in traditional subjective evaluations, and ASR has recently been straying significantly from its intended direction.
For an audiophile like me who agrees with ASR's purpose and participates, this is deplorable.

 

[oldpainless]

These are my recent thoughts on ASR.
ASR started as a forum for analyzing audio equipment from a purely technical and electrical perspective, eliminating the vague subjective evaluations that are prevalent in the audio community.
However, recently the number of audiophiles participating has increased, who do not understand ASR's purpose and philosophy and who find value in traditional subjective evaluations, and ASR has recently been straying significantly from its intended direction.
For an audiophile like me who agrees with ASR's purpose and participates, this is deplorable.

Thank you, as this provides some context as to some attitudes around here.

Probably not the place for me to engange.

 

[sabih]

Engineers want to drink as pure water as they can.
But we audiophile like to enjoy Juices.

From purely a musical enjoyment point of view I never trust ASR reviews. Because this website is providing high ratings to ****** class D equipment.
Class D never sounded good to my ears when directly compared with class A/B.

Just see the DAC reviews on this forum which are quite helpful.
For amplification trust your ears and experience of what sounds good.

I would any day buy a great sounding Pioneer /Marantz / Denon amp rather than spending money on ****** class d amps.

 

[oldpainless]

Class D never sounded good to my ears when directly compared with class A/B

!00%, which is why I only use my A/B amp for music.

 

[JSmith]

Good grief, this has to be one of the most toxic forums I've visted/joined - what is it with the superiority complex around here?

Nope it isn't and you misunderstand. Comments are posted for your benefit, as in members are trying to help you learn and understand the reality of how these devices work.

It's not personal... just use the forum info, of which there is plenty, to understand how you have been conditioned to believe in myths. We're all human and thus are all susceptible to bias.

I understand no one likes to be told they're incorrect, which again is human nature. My advice is to look into in detail and learn more about the subject matter, not get defensive and start carrying on about your ears.

we audiophile

Every member here loves their music... so not sure what you mean here.

I'd rather you both try and understand what we're all trying to tell you and help with, but if you're not going to do that and keep posting crap then maybe it's better you move on to one of those subjectivist forums where everyone posts subjective nonsense and gets patted on the back for it, while acting as unpaid shills.


JSmith

 

[MBO]

I would like to explain, there is one serious problem with class AB amplifiers that is constantly overlooked. If you look at modern and complex acoustic systems and their parameters across the entire reproduced frequency range, you will see huge jumps in electrical resistance, as well as phase twists, the speakers are a very complex complex load for AB amplifiers. And since the amplifier has its own problems of output impedance depending on the frequency, then together with the speaker, various peaks and dips, phase phenomena are obtained during the playback of the complex signal that is music. That's why many AB amplifiers have their own unforgettable style These problems are partly solved by very good power supplies, but that's another topic...
It is extremely interesting that AB amplifiers on integrated powerful chips like LMxxx, TDAxxx, behave much better, let's remember at least LINN amplifiers, etc.
But returning to class D amplifiers like Hypex or Purifi, unlike class AB, they are almost absolutely stable when working with an unstable load like speakers, and this is their huge superiority over AB. That is, with class D you hear the real quality of the speakers, and this is again a separate topic...

 

[oldpainless]

I would like to explain, there is one serious problem with class AB amplifiers that is constantly overlooked. If you look at modern and complex acoustic systems and their parameters across the entire reproduced frequency range, you will see huge jumps in electrical resistance, as well as phase twists, the speakers are a very complex complex load for AB amplifiers. And since the amplifier has its own problems of output impedance depending on the frequency, then together with the speaker, various peaks and dips, phase phenomena are obtained during the playback of the complex signal that is music. That's why many AB amplifiers have their own unforgettable style These problems are partly solved by very good power supplies, but that's another topic...
It is extremely interesting that AB amplifiers on integrated powerful chips like LMxxx, TDAxxx, behave much better, let's remember at least LINN amplifiers, etc.
But returning to class D amplifiers like Hypex or Purifi, unlike class AB, they are almost absolutely stable when working with an unstable load like speakers, and this is their huge superiority over AB. That is, with class D you hear the real quality of the speakers, and this is again a separate topic...

Cool points - I run my A/B amp with my BK sub using the Neutrik connection to hand off 50hrz and under, but yeah, I get the counter argument, class D do seem to be easier to dial in.....but, I'll stick with my never ending obession for music playback.

 

[Liberal Democracy]

These are my recent thoughts on ASR.
ASR started as a forum for analyzing audio equipment from a purely technical and electrical perspective, eliminating the vague subjective evaluations that are prevalent in the audio community.
However, recently the number of audiophiles participating has increased, who do not understand ASR's purpose and philosophy and who find value in traditional subjective evaluations, and ASR has recently been straying significantly from its intended direction.
For an audiophile like me who agrees with ASR's purpose and participates, this is deplorable.

If I had a pound for every time I read this kind of thing here , yet ....

 

[quocheiser]

Update Touch Mod!

If the Tesafilm Mod was too mundane for you, there's the PETG Touch Mod.
3D printed from PETG, which simply clips onto the spring.
D1 PETG Touch Mod STL file
It's printed with PETG and a 0.4 mm or 0.2 mm nozzle. Make sure that only one layer of 0.2 mm is printed in the slicer for the surface.
The clip is first placed over the end of the spring and then clipped on with light pressure. You may need to gently push the last part of the spring in with your fingernail.

It worked perfectly for me right away.

View attachment 462304View attachment 462305

Very awesome work. Thank you so much.
The D1 is looking like a winner for me now, probably gonna get a couple, or three .

 

[dlovesmusic]

The D1 can be powered via the USB data cable if the computer provides sufficient power, which most do.
If you only want to power the D1 via USB power, the V+ port on the data cable must not be connected.

Hello. I just ordered this dac and will receive in the next couple of days. I am a bit confused about this dual usb c configuration. I understand one is for connecting to a 5v power supply and the other port labeled “usb” is for data. Will it also work if I choose to use a separate 5v power to power the unit and use the “usb” port to connect to a computer?

Thanks

 

[oldpainless]

Hello. I just ordered this dac and will receive in the next couple of days. I am a bit confused about this dual usb c configuration. I understand one is for connecting to a 5v power supply and the other port labeled “usb” is for data. Will it also work if I choose to use a separate 5v power to power the unit and use the “usb” port to connect to a computer?

Thanks

If using USB audio in, then you don't need to connect USB power as well, at least I don't on my setup - one USB cable to be Zidoo provides the power and data.

 

[dlovesmusic]

If using USB audio in, then you don't need to connect USB power as well, at least I don't on my setup - one USB cable to be Zidoo provides the power and data.

Thanks, but can I connect both a psu and a usb cable at the same time tho? I don’t know if using a raspberry pi 4 would provide enough power to the dac …

 

[oldpainless]

Thanks, but can I connect both a psu and a usb cable at the same time tho? I don’t know if using a raspberry pi 4 would provide enough power to the dac …

Yes, you can connect both at the same time.

 

[dlovesmusic]

Yes, you can connect both at the same time.

So I read on this thread all these issues with firmware not available for download and touch control. Have these been addressed by now? Or I will need to find the firmware somewhere?

 

[oldpainless]

So I read on this thread all these issues with firmware not available for download and touch control. Have these been addressed by now? Or I will need to find the firmware somewhere?

I've not seen any firmware. Someone posted that there was a release sent out, but I can't find it, so who knows. Re Touch screen - not eveyone has/had the issue, so I guess you'll find out when you get it.

 

[dlovesmusic]

I've not seen any firmware. Someone posted that there was a release sent out, but I can't find it, so who knows. Re Touch screen - not eveyone has/had the issue, so I guess you'll find out when you get it.

Thanks. I suppose if I only use usb connection and don’t touch the unit, there shouldn’t be any issues?

 

[oldpainless]

Thanks. I suppose if I only use usb connection and don’t touch the unit, there shouldn’t be any issues?

Like I said, you may not have any issue, as I didn't. It could be the touch screen issue only effect a limited batch (maybe initial release?).

 

[kevinn]

So I read on this thread all these issues with firmware not available for download and touch control. Have these been addressed by now? Or I will need to find the firmware somewhere?

I only use the USB connection function, just like you, and I haven't had any problems so far.

 

[dlovesmusic]

Thanks guys. I look forward to testing the d1. It’s for my 7 year old son’s system.

 

[Music1969]

The seller sent me the firmware update files.

After the firmware the situation was fixed. The device is no longer stupid. In terms of sound quality the product is really very successful. Unlike the Sabre chip it has a very musical warm tone. Now everything works without problems. After the firmware everything was fixed.

Guys can you please share the firmware update ? Send Google Drive link? And instructions how to update