Yes, I expect SMSL to release a new line up to compete with Topping E/L50,if you don't need bluetooth and coaxil, I guess E50 is a better pick, almost the same measurements but cheaper in price, or am I missing something?
They are not part of the same holding as far as I know they are competitors. Where's that coming from?Yes, I expect SMSL to release a new line up to compete with Topping E/L50, they are part of the same holding so I'm skeptical but inner competition will be beneficial to us, I have an SH9 and the only reason I'm not buying E50 yet is the look of the stack :/
SMSL has a streamer, Toppung have power ampsThanks for the review Amir.
Now that they have answered the call for inexpensive high performance DACs it's time for SMSL & Topping to turn their attention to producing complementary streamers and power amplifiers
They are, overall, way more alike than different, and I would really struggle to proclaim one a clear winner. The SU-8s has more filter choices and even better jitter, but also a bit more of an "ESS hump". What you see as higher low-frequency IMD may not actually be real but rather some sort of FFT / windowing related analysis artifact.Looks like the SU-8s has better multitone measurements than Topping E50 in the low frequencies. Isn't that more important than the slightly higher SINAD of E50?
Did u mean elusive? If so I agree-that would make these devices immensely more functional for most of us who need to use that for powering on/off power amps.Nice size, nice price, great measurements, remote control, Bluetooth support, but once again engineers are baffled by the illusive trigger out technology.
- Rich
Did u mean elusive? If so I agree-that would make these devices immensely more functional for most of us who need to use that for powering on/off power amps.
I remember reading it a few times, now that I searched it I couldn't find a link between the two but couldn't also find any official filings, also it's not a strange concept, many holdings create competition with sub brands since it has lots of advantages, but with no data can't say they are or aren't.They are not part of the same holding as far as I know they are competitors. Where's that coming from?
Ah! Didn't get your drift there. Agree.Good point, but I think the illusive may be best, I beginning to wonder if they believe that trigger outs exist
I suppose with Bluetooth you can justify a remote control and without a trigger.
- Rich
Ah! Didn't get your drift there. Agree.
On my HP rig I use the XLR out 4 V from DAC (initially D70-now D10B) to HP amp (THX 789). Of course one can sent the 4V out via XLR to a power amp, which I do in the main system w/ the D70>Schitt Freya+>VTV Purifi. Keeps the chain balanced t/o.I am not a headphone person. Does balanced outs delivering 4 volts have any value for headphones or is it there to support amplifiers?
- Rich
I'm probably forgetting something but the DAC reviews I remember reading here with the hump are comfortably inside the green zone so you won't hear any difference between them and other green-zone DACs.I always forget to ask this from members who use an ESS-based DAC: Just how audible/discoverable is this ESS hump?
is this the most affordable high performing balanced DAC on the market?