My initial impressions. This wonderful hobby is first and foremost about music and its reproduction. Making music your new hobby can heal your body and your soul, making you a happier, well-rounded person. Years ago I had a LUXMAN power amplifier M-06a and this sound still haunts me and tried all things to get that same sound. Recently I bought a Denafpris Pontus II, Chord Qutest and sold it in just a week as I was really tired and fed up with the physical pain and financial loss incurred. I again gained courage and got SMSL D300 Dac. It turned out to be a very good decision. Much more dynamic with a better high-end response. The sound stage is fuller with more definition and detail.
Folks believe me it has the same Luxman sound signature as is their top-of-the-line range D10 CD player and costing $16000. The SMSL uses the Rohm chip BD34301EKV for $399 seems like a bargain. It has a cult following as they were very few that were manufactured. What mesmerizing vocals, seductive tone, a little bass shy, but all that disappears as the music continued to play all night I couldn’t turn it off.