SMSL D1 - ROHM DAC for everyone

[anonyless]

Created an account finally, after being a silent reader for a while on ASR.

Considering the insignificant difference in pricing between the SU-1 and D1, and considering both seem to perform good enough that my human ears won't have much chance of hearing a difference, can I just choose either of them based on price or availability and be happy with it?

Or are there some actual differences to consider for my decision?
I had previously wished to "check out ROHM signature" but I suppose there isn't much of a signature to be had with a well performing DAC

the real difference you should consider is the functionality of the D1 which is simply awful with its touch capacitor buttons that don't work properly - just go back a couple of pages in this thread

 

[KurtKlötentreter]

the real difference you should consider is the functionality of the D1 which is simply awful with its touch capacitor buttons that don't work properly - just go back a couple of pages in this thread

Thanks for the input, I did indeed read about that, tho I also read that newer batches apparently have fixed the issue (along with some potential fixes mentioned by users in this thread in case I receive an old batch).

The order for the D1 and a set of short RCAs is placed, should be here by Saturday, along with a monitor riser that I intend to use as a basic rack shelf.

Truth be told, I'm looking forward to the D1 very much, the only desktop DAC I own currently is my old SoundblasterX G6, not sure how much of an improvement I can really expect.

But I'm liking the dual V3 Mono + P4 Setup i received today, so I'm having fun in any case

 

[VientoB]

I don't have to, it just caught my eye.
Currently, I'm using my Gustard A18 and SMSL DO400 along with a Violectric HPA 200 at two different workstations.
Where the DO400 is located, I also tested the D1, and for some reason, I preferred it.

You will surely understand that I will not write much about the completed blind tests here in the forum.

It caught your eye?

 

[Roland68]

the real difference you should consider is the functionality of the D1 which is simply awful with its touch capacitor buttons that don't work properly - just go back a couple of pages in this thread

That's outdated information. SMSL fixed the problem in the current generation a long time ago.
And even with the first generation, the problem can be completely fixed with two strips of tape.

 

[Roland68]

It caught your eye?

That's how we say it colloquially, but maybe it loses its meaning in English.
I changed it especially for you, though.

Why do I get the feeling you're only here to stir things up?

 

[anonyless]

That's outdated information. SMSL fixed the problem in the current generation a long time ago.
And even with the first generation, the problem can be completely fixed with two strips of tape.

i've been following this thread for a while, i haven't seen any owner here of D1 saying the problem is completely gone with his device

 

[KurtKlötentreter]

i've been following this thread for a while, i haven't seen any owner here of D1 saying the problem is completely gone with his device

I think I did read one reply saying that the tape fix essentially solved all issues on the respective device if memory serves correctly. But not to worry, I'll make sure to report any and all issues I run into with my unit, should I have any, before potentially sending the unit back

 

[billbillw]

My D1 arrived from Amazon today as well. With MacOS, there is a much improved response compared to my older SU-1. I now hear the system sounds immediately. The only faint click I hear is when I start playing something new from Foobar2000 due to the bitrate changing. Maybe it's time to find another playback software? I'm just so used to it from 10+ years of using it on Windows. No issues with the capacitance touch on my particular example of the D1.

I don't do very much critical listening on the computer, so this is just fine. With price drops and coupons, I basically paid about the same for the D1 as I did for a used SU-1 last year.

 

[amanieux]

My D1 arrived from Amazon today as well. With MacOS, there is a much improved response compared to my older SU-1. I now hear the system sounds immediately. The only faint click I hear is when I start playing something new from Foobar2000 due to the bitrate changing. Maybe it's time to find another playback software? I'm just so used to it from 10+ years of using it on Windows. No issues with the capacitance touch on my particular example of the D1.

I don't do very much critical listening on the computer, so this is just fine. With price drops and coupons, I basically paid about the same for the D1 as I did for a used SU-1 last year.

Have you tried powering the d1 with your phone charger plugged in the ac, my amp had the same problem when the 5v was coming from my computer usbc , i solved it this way

 

[KurtKlötentreter]

Alright, so my D1 came in on Friday so I've had a few days of listening to it thus far, with a little caveat;

Essentially, I had the line out of my SoundblasterX G6 connected to the first set of inputs on my Fosi P4, and when I received the D1, I simply plugged that into the second set of inputs and began listening. Did a little AB testing between the too (which is a bit hard as the D1 doesn't have volume control but outputs more than the G6 on full volume) and I definitely liked the output of the D1 more.

On Sunday I noticed a weird noise from the D1 when nothing was playing, and lord knows it took me way to long to figure out the culprit: it was the G6 being connected to the P4, as the noise went away after scratching my head for 15 minutes and finally trying to unplug the G6.

So I don't fully know if that noise simply wasn't there before, or if I didn't hear it. Regardless; I do actually have a. Fosi K7 coming in today, which I will AB test against the D1, if my ears can't discern a difference between the too, I might end up returning the D1 afterall, despite liking it so much. The K7 seems to measure really well, and would allow me to get rid of the SoundblasterX (and creatives software suite along with it), so I'm hoping it doesn't disappoint.

Edit: I guess it might be interesting to add: I have not had a single issue with my unit. No touch issues, no sound anomalies (at least nothing caused by the D1 itself). It performs quite nicely & if my unit is anything to go buy, the issues of the early batch D1's can be considered ironed out.
I am powering the D1 only through the USB from my PC btw.
The only small gripe I have is that it does not have any sort of auto standby, so if I power down my PC and forget to turn it off, it stays on indefinitely. However it doesn't get any more than very slightly warm, so I don't have any concerns regarding that.

 

[kazuviking]

On Sunday I noticed a weird noise from the D1 when nothing was playing, and lord knows it took me way to long to figure out the culprit: it was the G6 being connected to the P4, as the noise went away after scratching my head for 15 minutes and finally trying to unplug the G6.

Ground loop created by the G6 and D1 in the switcher/preamp.

The only small gripe I have is that it does not have any sort of auto standby, so if I power down my PC and forget to turn it off, it stays on indefinitely.

You should be able to turn off power to the USB ports when the pc is turned off from the bios.

 

[conuss]

The only small gripe I have is that it does not have any sort of auto standby, so if I power down my PC and forget to turn it off, it stays on indefinitely. However it doesn't get any more than very slightly warm, so I don't have any concerns regarding that.

So, touch the right touch button, and the standby mode light will turn red, indicating power consumption (<0.1W). Then, when you touch it again, the active white light (<5W) will turn on again for the input from which it was turned off. Everything is great there.

 

[KSJ]

SMSL has released the XMOS USB DAC driver 5.74.0! Has anyone tried it yet? On my D1 it feels a bit worse compared to the previous version… maybe it’s just my imagination. Has anyone else updated and has impressions to share?

 

[fkam]

I have the D1 bought new about a month half no touch problems and nothing that I can say bad. For me, rohm sounds great. One of my best DAC.

 

[KurtKlötentreter]

You should be able to turn off power to the USB ports when the pc is turned off from the bios.

Yeah I had to enable S4 and S5 sleep states first, so I could disable USB power during S5 state. D1 can now be left on as it will simply power up and down with the system.

That being said, my Fosi K7 came in, and I am left contemplating if I should maybe return the D1 now - don't get me wrong, there ain't nothing wrong with it, but the RCA outs of either trade blows with one another from what I can tell, and the K7 is a much more versatile device overall (and I didn't pay that much more for it in comparison).

I'll give it a few days as my return window is far from over, but I'm finding the K7 more useful right now.

So, touch the right touch button, and the standby mode light will turn red, indicating power consumption (<0.1W). Then, when you touch it again, the active white light (<5W) will turn on again for the input from which it was turned off. Everything is great there.

It's not a very in your face LED even when on - which don't get me wrong, is a good thing. But it means it's not unlikely for me to forget about it when going away from my PC. Regardless, toggling S5 sleep state in UEFI and disabling USB power in that state mitigates this "issue" entirely

 

[billbillw]

Have you tried powering the d1 with your phone charger plugged in the ac, my amp had the same problem when the 5v was coming from my computer usbc , i solved it this way

I finally had the chance to hook a separate USB-C for power and it does improve things. Not really hearing anything other than music now! Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[sabih]

has anybody tried to swap opamps on this DAC?

 

[JSmith]

has anybody tried to swap opamps on this DAC?

Why would anyone bother doing that?


JSmith

 

[sabih]

Why would anyone bother doing that?


JSmith

to get better objective performance numbers

 

[JSmith]

to get better objective performance numbers

Why do you think that would be the case by randomly inserting another opamp? This DAC already has 108.42dB SINAD... what performance gain are you expecting and how are you measuring (probably not at all)?


JSmith