SMSL D1 - ROHM DAC for everyone

[kazuviking]

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

The touch issue was related to the earlier FW making it way to sensitive and ofc SMSL using way to big springs. One thing i theorized that it malfunctioned in peoples homes where there is a lot of magnetic interference that caused the phantom switching.

 

[KSJ]

I did some mods on my SMSL D1. Out of the box, it already sounds quite good (using an external LT3045 linear power supply), and for the price, it’s excellent value.

But, as mentioned in earlier forum posts, the touchscreen is a real headache. From my testing, if the connected device has grounding, just touching the chassis makes the screen go crazy. When connected to my phone, it works perfectly fine. …So after adding spacers, I decided to tweak it a bit more. Here’s what I did:

I followed the BD34352EKV evaluation board and used the same ELNA RFS (Silmic II) caps, but only on the VREF for the L and R channels (don’t ask why —I just followed ChatGPT’s suggestion… plus I only had two caps anyway, haha).

I also swapped the third op-amp with either an OPA2134 or AD827. I’ve got both on hand, so I could try them out. (Again, ChatGPT’s advice: keep NE5532 for the I/V stage, then replace the differential-to-SE + LPF stage with AD827/OPA2134 to strike a balance—warm front end + high-res back end. Sounds reasonable enough to me.)

Honestly, I have no clue about the actual theory!! And since this is ASR, these changes obviously won’t show up in measurements or really change the sound. This is purely for fun (and a bit of a challenge). Swapping SMDs for DIP8 chips is torture for my eyes and patience, but hey—I got them installed and working! That alone made me happy… so yeah, a good mood definitely makes the music “sound better”

 

[JSmith]

Again, ChatGPT’s advice: keep NE5532 for the I/V stage, then replace the differential-to-SE + LPF stage with AD827/OPA2134 to strike a balance—warm front end + high-res back end. Sounds reasonable enough to me.)

And since this is ASR, these changes obviously won’t show up in measurements or really change the sound.

So how did that read as reasonable to you?


JSmith

 

[Vosya]

keep NE5532 for the I/V stage

Are you sure this is NE5532? This is not visible in any photo.

 

[KSJ]

Are you sure this is NE5532? This is not visible in any photo.

I can’t say for sure it’s an NE5532, but that’s my guess based on the BD34352EKV board. The first two I/V stages should be paired, so the only swappable one is the third. For a entry-level unit, if they even bothered to sand off the markings, it’s hard to believe it would be anything better than an NE5532.
In the end, I went with the AD827.

Honestly, I’m super happy with this little guy right now — total bang for the buck.
Just to stress again: this is all just for fun, don’t take it too seriously.

 

[JSmith]

this is all just for fun

If you find wasting your time fun, all the props to you.

Personally I find time precious.


JSmith

 

[sabih]

You are wasting your time friend.
You will not be able to find a better opamp than NE5532 [original]
Its better to search for new movies and enjoy your time.

 

[kazuviking]

You will not be able to find a better opamp than NE5532

The OPA1656 would like to say hello.

 

[Vosya]

The OPA1656 would like to say hello.

Like, by the way, OPA1612, which SMSL is very well aware of.

 

[Roland68]

You are wasting your time friend.
You will not be able to find a better opamp than NE5532 [original]
Its better to search for new movies and enjoy your time.

I think that's a rumor.
In terms of measurement technology, there were better ones 25 years ago, or even earlier.
But that doesn't make the original NE5532 any worse, and it's still a good op amp.

 

[sabih]

I have used opa1612 and found it to be marginally better than ne5532.
Not worth the effort and time.

 

[Svend P]

I have used opa1612 and found it to be marginally better than ne5532.
Not worth the effort and time.

Also measurements have shown there are no differences

'Does Op-amp Rolling Work?'

Mar 16, 2025

When I post my last video on review of Douk A5 amplifier, I mentioned that rolling (changing) op-amp ICs in there is fruitless. I got have a dozen comments under that video in youtube asking why so I thought I experiment again with the A5. Note that I have done the same testing with both DACs and Power Amplifiers and found the change to not make a difference. But let's see if the results are different this time.

The Douk A5 makes this job both easy and hard. It is easy because you can just lift the plexiglass and replace the op-amps. The difficulty was...

• amirm
• Replies: 1,014
• Forum: Stereo and Multichannel Amplifier Reviews

• 

 

[kazuviking]

Also measurements have shown there are no differences

Single OPA1656 can do the same distortion as a compound NE5532. Its a nice little chip when you need ultra low distortion with little to no additional parts.

 

[dlovesmusic]

So I might be the lucky one. Been using the d1 for about a week, it does not seem to have the touchscreen issue. Surprisingly connecting the d1 to my mini pc network endpoint makes the d1 like having an input trigger!! When I turn on my mini pc, the d1 will power up on its own and when I turn off the mini pc the d1 turns off on its own too.

 

[Bleib]

I guess I'm going to join the club and try this one out even with perhaps the need to modify it for proper function.
Bought through Amazon so if it's too much of a hassle I'll simply return it in top shape.

 

[anonyless]

i'm interested in getting the D1 as well. here's what the official SMSL shop on Amazon US wrote me

 

[Blockader]

i'm interested in getting the D1 as well. here's what the official SMSL shop on Amazon US wrote meView attachment 472689

"I don't see how firmware upgrade would solve a hardware issue"

As a firmware engineer, I must say that hardware is just a bunch of silicon and conductive metals without software. Most of the hardware issues are fixed with firmware software updates even in medical appliances. (and that's fine). From my experience, most of the hardware problems are timing and scheduling oriented which is a responsibility for the firmware.

 

[kazuviking]

"I don't see how firmware upgrade would solve a hardware issue"

By reducing the sensitivity of the touch sensor chip. The issue with early D1's is the large touch coil acting as a nice EMI antenna which goes haywire in a unstable magnetic environment.

 

[anonyless]

By reducing the sensitivity of the touch sensor chip. The issue with early D1's is the large touch coil acting as a nice EMI antenna which goes haywire in a unstable magnetic environment.

are you happy overall with the D1?

 

[kazuviking]

are you happy overall with the D1?

Yeah if i ignore every single downside and usb not working properly.