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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?
I have experience with DX3+ (ESS9038Q2M), DX5 (2xESS9068AS), D-6 (AK4493S) and currently E50 (ESS9068AS). The least favorite of mine is the DX3+. Somehow I don't really like the DX5 as much as the E50. If they can fix the click pop noise on D-6, I definitely choose it ($100 cheaper) instead of the the E50
I'm encountering the same clicking noise on USB input after 5 seconds of audio inactivity, and again when audio starts playing back. I've emailed SMSL support and will let you know if I receive feedback.
Yes, see response below. I replied back with more details and linked this thread as proof I'm not the only one experiencing this. Otherwise, I'm happy with my workaround of using the optical toslink, but if they manage to fix it, all the better
Alright - I looked into the pop/click issue in more detail. I can reproduce the issue if I put in some arbitrary software buffer in front of the device, and increase latency of the 'stream' to the DAC; I can also reproduce the problem by switching from a very high sample rate to a regular sample rate. I can reproduce the problem on ANY DAC I tested, not just the D-6.
I'm no expert on the subject, but my guess is that the default buffers on DACs for input data is very, very small, and maybe the D-6 buffer implementation has higher latency than other DACs. In any case, increasing input latency by switching sample rates, and/or by fronting it with an artificial buffer - will in my case cause an audible 'click' if the latency rises above a certain threshold AND I'm changing samplerates.
Alright - I looked into the pop/click issue in more detail. I can reproduce the issue if I put in some arbitrary software buffer in front of the device, and increase latency of the 'stream' to the DAC; I can also reproduce the problem by switching from a very high sample rate to a regular sample rate. I can reproduce the problem on ANY DAC I tested, not just the D-6.
I'm no expert on the subject, but my guess is that the default buffers on DACs for input data is very, very small, and maybe the D-6 buffer implementation buffer is smaller than other DACs. In any case, increasing input latency by switching sample rates, and/or by fronting it with an artificial buffer - will in my case cause an audible 'click' if the latency rises above a certain threshold.
Tnx for the investigation. Is there a way then to lower this latency on windows or android to prevent this, or does this have to be done on the firmware side?
Tnx for the investigation. Is there a way then to lower this latency on windows or android to prevent this, or does this have to be done on the firmware side?
Ok, never actually had this hooked up on windows. You can set the input buffer - but only through a) the smsl provided driver config systray app, which only provides ASIO configuration, or b) something like foobar2000, please see attached screenshot. Depending on what output you use - Asio or Windows Audio, you'd use either interface to configure the input buffer.
Hi all, total newbie here. Looking to get this D-6 as it fits the bill perfectly for me.
I live in the UK, and i've got a few sellers to choose from (Amazon,Ebay,hifigo,shenzenaudio). Does anyone have a recommendation on the best choice?
Amazon is most expensive but i'm sure their aftersales is the better option. though shenzenaudio appear to offer a 2 year warranty if i register as a member and buy direct :/
Hi all, total newbie here. Looking to get this D-6 as it fits the bill perfectly for me.
I live in the UK, and i've got a few sellers to choose from (Amazon,Ebay,hifigo,shenzenaudio). Does anyone have a recommendation on the best choice?
Amazon is most expensive but i'm sure their aftersales is the better option. though shenzenaudio appear to offer a 2 year warranty if i register as a member and buy direct :/
Is there a measurement for this product? I can't find any measurement data. It's sad that reviewers are not interested in products with excellent cost-effectiveness
Is there a measurement for this product? I can't find any measurement data. It's sad that reviewers are not interested in products with excellent cost-effectiveness
To sum up the issues mentioned in this thread, what problems do users of D-6 point to? I haven't experienced any issues yet. I didn't even find a clicking(popping) issue on my device.
To sum up the issues mentioned in this thread, what problems do users of D-6 point to? I haven't experienced any issues yet. I didn't even find a clicking(popping) issue on my device.
Based on @alpha_logic 's findings, the popping/clicking issue will manifest depending on the buffer settings of your device, as well as a change in sample rate, so it depends on your source device.
I circumvent the buffer issue by using optical toslink instead of usb.
SMSL support has pointed to ShenzhenAudio as their partner for this, that's why ShenzhenAudio support is the one I am engaged to hopefully fix these issues via a firmware update.
Based on @alpha_logic 's findings, the popping/clicking issue will manifest depending on the buffer settings of your device, as well as a change in sample rate, so it depends on your source device.
I circumvent the buffer issue by using optical toslink instead of usb.
SMSL support has pointed to ShenzhenAudio as their partner for this, that's why ShenzhenAudio support is the one I am engaged to hopefully fix these issues via a firmware update.
Yes, at least for the clicks from usb. Others have reported pops on optical toslink when changing sample rates, but I don't change sample rates, so I haven't encountered it yet.
Yes, they are aware as I originally emailed just SMSL support, not ShenzhenAudio support:
To sum up the issues mentioned in this thread, what problems do users of D-6 point to? I haven't experienced any issues yet. I didn't even find a clicking(popping) issue on my device.
In my experience the problems are not a deal breaker.
- Has a pop/click when switching sample rates.
- has a pop/click after a minute of silence and at resume.
For me the pop/click is not too loud, but it is there.
I don't know if it is the same with every device and amplifier combination.
Aside from that problem (if you experience it like that). Everything is working as it should and I really like the sound. If it can be solved with a firmware update would be great. I don't know how it could influence measurements and I just hope it doesn't. We can only know if it is tested.
At this moment I do want to know what the setting sc1 to sc4 is for I can't find it
In my experience the problems are not a deal breaker.
- Has a pop/click when switching sample rates.
- has a pop/click after a minute of silence and at resume.
For me the pop/click is not too loud, but it is there.
I don't know if it is the same with every device and amplifier combination.
Aside from that problem (if you experience it like that). Everything is working as it should and I really like the sound. If it can be solved with a firmware update would be great. I don't know how it could influence measurements and I just hope it doesn't. We can only know if it is tested.
At this moment I do want to know what the setting sc1 to sc4 is for I can't find it
As for SC1 to SC4, It seems to be a sound quality mode changer. See the attached datasheet for details starting page 59. Maybe someone with more digital audio circuit background can elaborate.
Yes, at least for the clicks from usb. Others have reported pops on optical toslink when changing sample rates, but I don't change sample rates, so I haven't encountered it yet.
Yes, they are aware as I originally emailed just SMSL support, not ShenzhenAudio support:
In my experience the problems are not a deal breaker.
- Has a pop/click when switching sample rates.
- has a pop/click after a minute of silence and at resume.
For me the pop/click is not too loud, but it is there.
I don't know if it is the same with every device and amplifier combination.
Aside from that problem (if you experience it like that). Everything is working as it should and I really like the sound. If it can be solved with a firmware update would be great. I don't know how it could influence measurements and I just hope it doesn't. We can only know if it is tested.
At this moment I do want to know what the setting sc1 to sc4 is for I can't find it
I've always wondered about this function(SC), too. I found a user's subjective review. I mean it's just what he felt and doesn't represent everything about this function. Read it please (SMSL M200 DAC)
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thanks for the great post, i'm in the market for a balanced dac and was curious about what you think about the SMSL M300 MkII, I just got a Drop THX 789 and wanted to get a new dac to go with it. It looks like a perfectly fine DAC from the measurements, but I’m the wrong guy to ask if you like...
www.audiosciencereview.com
I've been asking SMSL for a bit and scouring the internet for an explanation. From my ears I get:
SC1= FLAT? Their neutral?
SC2 = Expanded vocals, mids/highs.
SC3 = Tube emulation? Echo distorting + low end seems to have a slight more impact. Kinda sounds like SC1 with bit of echo at the end.
DS Filters? LOL can't hear the difference unfortunately. I can't tell if I am just not listening careful enough but after about 5 mins fiddling around with it, couldn't bother with it.
If anyone can explain accurately with numbers, that'd would be cool.
SMSL FB support replied with:
The sound color is design for the Akm 4497, it hard to explain the sound.
It is hard to name a sound.
You can choose the tone according to your preference, but it is difficult for me to name it, it is designed according to akm chip, if the name needs to be named by akm company
