SMSL Sanskrit 10th MKIII teardown

[mTw]

I welcome everyone! I got SMSL Sanskrit 10th MKIII DAC the other day, it sounds very good. I haven't heard previous versions so I can't compare, but I can take it apart and see what's inside, which I did. The board has clearly changed again, keeping the main features of the MKII version. At least you can see the L49720MA operational amplifier, and the new AK4493SEQ DAC. I propose to analyze the rest for you, it would be interesting to learn from those who understand how this DAC can be improved by replacing cheap elements on the board.

 

[audiofun]

Don't understand why Topping and SMSL took that much effort in sanding off the marking of their audio interfacing chip.
A simply Google search "48 pin spdif chip" will reveal the chip smsl uses is the DIX9211 chip, whose TYPICAL CIRCUIT CONNECTION (on page 49) matches exactly well with SMSL's implementation.
Topping's implementation can be also easily identified here.
other forum member also identify their clock circuit here.

The reality here is there is very little point in sanding off the chip marking as for those who really intend to reverse engineering, those are simple quiz.
But for normal customers who need to fix their units (the customer service of topping/smsl sucks), this makes them hard to do so.

Topping makes even stranger move by sealing the PCB inside modules, which causes high failure rate, while doesn't help in protecting their circuit being reverse engineered.
What the heck are they doing?

 

[JerryKeyz]

Very nice, thanks! I have a Sanskrit mkII in red and a mkIII in black. I'm thinking of doing some improvements on the board and perhaps swapping the mkIII board and place it into the beautiful red box of the mkII. My question: how did you remove the board? Cause on the front side it's stuck because of the flat cable. I assume you used long nose pliers to release the flat cable from the board?
By the way, mkIII uses upgraded capacitors (Nichicon). mkII has blue capacitors, couldn't see the brand. And yes, mkIII sounds a little bit better (slightly fuller bass, more airy midrange), but it's not a difference of day and night.

 

[mTw]

Very nice, thanks! I have a Sanskrit mkII in red and a mkIII in black. I'm thinking of doing some improvements on the board and perhaps swapping the mkIII board and place it into the beautiful red box of the mkII. My question: how did you remove the board? Cause on the front side it's stuck because of the flat cable. I assume you used long nose pliers to release the flat cable from the board?
By the way, mkIII uses upgraded capacitors (Nichicon). mkII has blue capacitors, couldn't see the brand. And yes, mkIII sounds a little bit better (slightly fuller bass, more airy midrange), but it's not a difference of day and night.

Greetings, there is a strip on the front panel that hides the screen, so it can be easily peeled off as it is held on with regular double sided tape. Behind it there are 2 bolts after unscrewing them, the front panel is easy to open and gives no problem to unhook the front panel cable! If you do the modification, it would be interesting to hear if you got a better sound.
I'm wondering if it makes sense to swap it for a Topping E30 II, or is the difference between the two not significant?

 

[gizmo90]

The MKII is supposed to have Nichicon Fine Golds. I think they used those blue caps in some. Might have been a supply chain issue. You can see it in the MKII review thread.

Really digging the MKIII so far! Its DACtacular.