VMV D1se2 Stereo DAC Review

[Shoaibexpert]

I have both, and here is what I notice:

1st version: I2S implementation didn't work in my sample, was pretty disappointed about that. RCA output is noticeably a step down from XLR in SQ. Otherwise the unit performs well.

2nd version: I2S works fine, and is the one to go with if you are feeding a CD transport into it as I do. RCA output is much better now, on par with XLR. Bluetooth is much improved too, a nice added bonus for lazy souls like me.

There may be other subtle differences in favour of D1se2, but it's hard to tell. I don't think I'll be tempted to look around much further, as 2nd version has it all pretty much in place.

I have the D1SE and have the D1SE2 on order. How would you describe the sound quality differences between the two? I use the Tube 3 sound color mode in my setup and use USB input into the DAC with XLR out to a Pre90 Pre-amp. Worth the upgrade on SQ alone?

For me the Sound Color option is an indispensable feature now...the only reason I got another VMV DAC.

Thanks

 

[French Meloman]

I have the D1SE and have the D1SE2 on order. How would you describe the sound quality differences between the two? I use the Tube 3 sound color mode in my setup and use USB input into the DAC with XLR out to a Pre90 Pre-amp. Worth the upgrade on SQ alone?

For me the Sound Color option is an indispensable feature now...the only reason I got another VMV DAC.

Thanks

I understand why the I2S input on my D1 SE is not working. Apparently it's an entry that doesn't work on this model. This defect should have been considered major by the brand which should propose a solution to try to remedy it.

 

[astrolug]

I have the D1SE and have the D1SE2 on order. How would you describe the sound quality differences between the two? I use the Tube 3 sound color mode in my setup and use USB input into the DAC with XLR out to a Pre90 Pre-amp. Worth the upgrade on SQ alone?

For me the Sound Color option is an indispensable feature now...the only reason I got another VMV DAC.

Thanks

Here are some further impressions…
I have both units running in two different systems. D1se2 is immediately superior when using RCA output. With XLR , the difference is rather marginal although I think D1se2 is a touch clearer and more detailed.

For inputs, USB yields the best sound, I find, more direct sounding than Toslink, although the latter is really good too and I use it a lot. The big surprise how good Bluetooth is, a massive improvement over D1se - for what it's worth.

I2S is another option to go for, if you can use it, i.e. for a CD transport with HDMI out going into an audio extractor and then feeding your DAC. With D1se2 the sound is just great. Disappointingly, I2S doesn’t work at all with my D1se - same as the post above. I think SMSL’s implementation was not properly figured out then. They’ve sorted it out now, thankfully.

Sound colour options give the same results on both units, and really do make slight but noticeable differences, especially if you’re tailoring response with headphones. I generally stick with ‘standard’.

One thing I have found is cable quality. Low capacitance, pure silver interconnects (RCA/XLR) seem to work best for me, giving very clear results, but this area is obviously system dependent. This might be an area worth experimenting with.