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Arrived yesterday. Shipping from China took awhile. (APOS) I use this Dac with a cambridge cxa60. Cd transport, RPi streamer, and computer. I had an older Smsl dac which I like except the remote is balky. The newer remote with this dac solves the problem. Everything works smoothly. Sound at least as good as my Topping D50s. Very happy with it.
carlcamper
Active Member
What input are you using? Are you hearing any clicks after about 5 seconds of no music?
carlcamper
Active Member
I found a workaround to the usb pop/click issue. I use the Topping D10 Balanced's optical out to the SMSL D-6's optical in.
carlcamper
Active Member
Yup I'm also using Prd. I think it only affects balanced out though.
Oh yeah, I was using the balanced TRS output too
carlcamper
Active Member
Can you try it on an android phone or windows pc? Also if you have a more sensitive headphone/IEM, as the click noise is subtle.
I already returned it, unfortunately. I do not use my computer continuously so I heard that noise every 20-30 minutes which is unbearable. If they release a firmware that fixes the issue I'll gladly jump back to it. I'm on E50 temporarily but I do like the sound of D-6 (Go well with XS) a little bit more and like $100 cheaper, although technically the E50 is better
carlcamper
Active Member
Oops sorry, meant to ask @NV3S and @alpha_logic , as they don't seem to have the issue. They might be using the RCA only as well.
Yes, at the moment I only use RCA for my output and not TRS
alpha_logic
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Same here, only RCA.
kostake2011
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Has anyone connected via USB to a Windows PC? Were there clicks in the acoustics?
D
Deleted member 49915
Guest
Hello , found this very interesting to read about the differences between Balanced vs Unbalanced. I always use unbalanced btw
www.headphonesty.com
Read , reflect and decide for yourself
ps : awaiting the test results of the SMSL D-6 , it's on my wishlist
Balanced vs Unbalanced Audio Connections
Getting the best sound from your headphone setup can be a balancing act, but does it have to be? Learn what is balanced and unbalanced audio connection today.
www.headphonesty.com
Read , reflect and decide for yourself
ps : awaiting the test results of the SMSL D-6 , it's on my wishlist
carlcamper
Active Member
I use fully balanced whenever possible for potentially more EQ headroom and to prevent crosstalk. Otherwise, sound quality should be indistinguishable.Hello , found this very interesting to read about the differences between Balanced vs Unbalanced. I always use unbalanced btw
Balanced vs Unbalanced Audio Connections
Getting the best sound from your headphone setup can be a balancing act, but does it have to be? Learn what is balanced and unbalanced audio connection today.
Read , reflect and decide for yourself
ps : awaiting the test results of the SMSL D-6 , it's on my wishlist
carlcamper
Active Member
Tnx, are you using the RCA unbalanced output or TRS balanced output?
Strompel
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I have been using the dac for a while now and I did not get clicks and pops with optical/toslink connection.
I tested it then with one source (optical out tv) so might be it has that on other sample rates/devices.
As for usb I do get the soft clicks after not playing anything for a while and when playing something again.
I also get clicks/pops at the change of the sample rate of the audio file that is playing. Using foobar for playback and tested with dsd, flac, wav, mp3.
I get this with rca and trs output. Both the same.
Other then that I like the device and enjoy the sound. Everything is working stable and besides the click/pop at sample rate change it plays everything without any pop/clicks in music and video.
I tested it then with one source (optical out tv) so might be it has that on other sample rates/devices.
As for usb I do get the soft clicks after not playing anything for a while and when playing something again.
I also get clicks/pops at the change of the sample rate of the audio file that is playing. Using foobar for playback and tested with dsd, flac, wav, mp3.
I get this with rca and trs output. Both the same.
Other then that I like the device and enjoy the sound. Everything is working stable and besides the click/pop at sample rate change it plays everything without any pop/clicks in music and video.
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My D-6 is arriving next week and will replace a Sabaj D5 if I'm happy with it. I hope this DAC swap will result in a noticeably upgraded listening experience and also the addition of HD Bluetooth is a desired feature as well. I didn't bother comparing their measurement specs but I'm quite familiar with the D5's sound signature as well as the lore of how an AKM chipset is suppose to differ from ESS. Has anyone here replaced their ESS DAC for an AKM or vice-versa without any regrets?
carlcamper
Active Member
Directly comparing the Topping D10 Balanced vs the SMSL D-6 DACs on a Topping A90 Discrete amp, I find the D6 just a touch warmer, which suits my Audeze LCD-XC 2021. This is all subjective of course, so YMMV.
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