SMSL Sanskrit 10th MK II DAC Review

[MondoAudio]

He said that it is the mk2 but didn't have the box or anything, the price a little bit low so I'm tempted to buy it replacing my M100 .

According to @silverD in post #92 here (with photos), the Mk II will display "V2" on bootup.

 

[nathan]

This is a very tempting unit. I hesitate because I will be feeding it with toslink. So am cross shopping the Topping E30. (Both have a remote control for volume which is critical in my application.) But the Topping, while having notably less jitter on Toslink, has multiple reports of being very sensitive to the USB power feeding it. That seems a little fiddly and finicky for my world, and indicates a marginal power supply stage in my un sophisticated opinion.

I don't see any mention of power supply impacts with the SMSL unit. Are there any? Am I splitting hairs?

 

[Veri]

But the Topping, while having notably less jitter on Toslink, has multiple reports of being very sensitive to the USB power feeding it.

Where do you get this from? Any random apple or samsung one will do.. there's so many very decent 5V chargers out there.
Here a universal $11 charger https://allo.com/sparky/5v-power-supply.html

 

[nathan]

Where do you get this from? Any random apple or samsung one will do.. there's so many very decent 5V chargers out there.
Here a universal $11 charger https://allo.com/sparky/5v-power-supply.html

Maybe it's just a few users?

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/topping-e30-desktop-dac.24342/reviews

But I see it even happens with this unit, too:

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...0th-mk-ii-dac-review.12148/page-4#post-362042

Just want to make sure I am using all available data points (that matter for my use case: toslink in, variable volume output via remote control) to choose between the two.

 

[Veri]

But I see it even happens with this unit, too:

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...0th-mk-ii-dac-review.12148/page-4#post-362042

Just want to make sure I am using all available data points (that matter for my use case: toslink in, variable volume output via remote control) to choose between the two.

This user though experienced a bad/faulty USB cable. That is another thing altogether. When you have a malfunctioning USB cable, yes it can cause problems

About power, head-fi people will always think better power = better sound. No such thing has ever been proven:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...o-you-need-linear-power-supply-for-dacs.7021/
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-measurements-of-the-hdplex-200w-supply.7713/

 

[frogmeat69]

I run my stuff through a powered USB hub, never had problems with any of my DACs through the years..

And like Veri said, Head-Fi people will spend a Grand on a power source for a $130 DAC to make it sound "better".

 

[nathan]

This user though experienced a bad/faulty USB cable. That is another thing altogether. When you have a malfunctioning USB cable, yes it can cause problems

About power, head-fi people will always think better power = better sound. No such thing has ever been proven:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...o-you-need-linear-power-supply-for-dacs.7021/
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-measurements-of-the-hdplex-200w-supply.7713/

Okay, thanks for the info.

Now I gotta find another reason to choose one versus the other. Maybe it'll come down to price. The less expensive one has more jitter on toslink, but probably still not audible for me...

 

[Veri]

Now I gotta find another reason to choose one versus the other. Maybe it'll come down to price. The less expensive one has more jitter on toslink, but probably still not audible for me...

This Sanskrit seems really good choice for USB. For non USB I would definitely save up for the E30. my opinion!

 

[frogmeat69]

E30 looks nicer, too. Worth the extra $20, at least to me.

 

[nathan]

This Sanskrit seems really good choice for USB. For non USB I would definitely save up for the E30. my opinion!

Because of the jitter on Toslink?

 

[Veri]

Because of the jitter on Toslink?

See Wolf's review here: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...t-of-smsl-sanskrit-10th-ak4493-edition.10830/
There is a pretty obvious difference between USB and Coax/toslink in. The digital receiver is not of a very high class, because this is a budget product. It is 'fine', but on USB it is 'very good'. I would personally go for 'very good' in its class because why not.

It could be perfectly fine though. Up to you

 

[nathan]

See Wolf's review here: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...t-of-smsl-sanskrit-10th-ak4493-edition.10830/
There is a pretty obvious difference between USB and Coax/toslink in. The digital receiver is not of a very high class, because this is a budget product. It is 'fine', but on USB it is 'very good'. I would personally go for 'very good' in its class because why not.

It could be perfectly fine though. Up to you

Fair enough. In other words, the E30 is better when using Toslink. That is a key factor since I'll be using Toslink.

 

[Veri]

Fair enough. In other words, the E30 is better when using Toslink. That is a key factor since I'll be using Toslink.

I think so. It's just that "better" is hard to justify spending money on when "adequate" will do. But the E30 is better in this regard, yes.

 

[Ciccio84]

According to @silverD in post #92 here (with photos), the Mk II will display "V2" on bootup.

I can confirm. There was a sticker on the box saying V2

 

[Zek]

(Both have a remote control for volume which is critical in my application.)

If this is important to you - SMSL do not remember volume position when turn off and on.

 

[nhatlam96]

just to clarify. when using optical/analog input I need to use external power? But when I use usb input I dont need external power because it does both?

 

[Ciccio84]

This DAC doesn't get the same exposure (on this forum or on online) of the E30 even though they should perform comparably. I wonder why is that

 

[Tks]

Something like the multi-tone test shows a massive difference in performance. I'm guess that, along with just an unconventional shape is off-putting to peoples' setups.

 

[Eetu]

This DAC doesn't get the same exposure (on this forum or on online) of the E30 even though they should perform comparably. I wonder why is that

As @Tks pointed out, there's like a 20db difference in multi-tone.

I like that there are colorful alternatives but for some they may give a toy-like vibe compared to the E30.

Also IMO the Mx00-series models look nicer (the slanted sides of the M200 though..).

One more thing: SMSL Sanskrit 10th mkii doesn't exactly roll of the tongue. Compared to Sanskrit 2 (or E30) for example..

 

[Licanius]

Hi All, i'm brand new to the forum and I just purchased this DAC. The MKII iteration. I've got it hooked up to my laptop via usb and 2 Presonus Eris E5's via RCA. I'm using some inexpensive Monoprice Premium RCA's which may be the culprit, but when DAC has no power plugged into it, There's no hum, i've tried Aux 1 and 2 with a separate usb charger, power bank and switching USB cables, still getting hum. When i unplug the RCA's no hum. I have my speakers hooked to a Surge X power conditioner. Any thoughts? Do i have a bad box or should I try some better/different RCA Cables?