WolfX700 Measurement of SMSL Sanskrit 10th AK4493 Edition

[WolfX-700]

As previously suggested by the RME ADI-2 replacing the AK4490 with the AK4493, a lot of news said whether the AK company has discontinued the 4490. So I contacted some domestic manufacturers to find out if they have similar product strategies --- -Replaced 4490 with 4493.

SMSL gave a positive response on this matter-they have already started to replace the future version of Sanskrit 10th with 4493 and have the actual product.

I applied for a test machine from them-from the packaging observation, this is a complete retail version.

Further communication revealed that the 4493-based version will enter the market after the Chinese New Year, and the price will be "ten dollars more" than the existing version.

I also know that the previous version performed poorly:

Review and Measurements of SMSL Sanskrit 10th DAC

SMSL told me that this time was "a complete change."But in appearance, I do n’t think there is any change.

For a $ 100 device, I think the comments on appearance should be tolerant. Anyway --- they did a good job considering the price

Especially the display also has a gravity sensing function ...

Alright, let's take a measurement!

J-Test @ Coax in

J-Test @ USB in

Having a sense of shame is a form of bravery.
After the unsatisfactory measurement results of the previous version, SMSL did make a "complete change" in the new version. Well done!

 

[Krunok]

Really capable device, especially considering the price!

 

[Feyire]

Jitter for COAXIAL input looks like a continuous earthquake

 

[NTomokawa]

Jitter for COAXIAL input looks like a continuous earthquake

Yeah, it's a little scary, though coax usually doesn't do jitter very well.

 

[WolfX-700]

Yeah, it's a little scary, though coax usually doesn't do jitter very well.

I think I should be tolerant of this ... if a good digital input transformer is needed, then the cost is too high compared to the price ...

 

[frogmeat69]

The original model measured well as long as you used an external power source into the 2nd USB input.

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...msl-sanskrit-10th-dac.5702/page-2#post-127278

How did you test this? With just the one USB input, or with both?

 

[WolfX-700]

The original model measured well as long as you used an external power source into the 2nd USB input.

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...msl-sanskrit-10th-dac.5702/page-2#post-127278

How did you test this? With just the one USB input, or with both?

I have tried to use only the front USB of my desktop computer With just the one USB input. The measurement data has not changed.

 

[Veri]

I have tried to use only the front USB of my desktop computer With just the one USB input. The measurement data has not changed.

That's great!

 

[frogmeat69]

I have tried to use only the front USB of my desktop computer With just the one USB input. The measurement data has not changed.

Wow, very nice!

 

[mkawa]

this is great, but i'm stuck with a copy of the old version (not that i use it...)

keep in mind that the volume control on the 4493 is, afaik, lossy, so you need a preamp

@SMSL-Mandy any chance of an upgrade discount or replacement? i'd like to use the new version in my portable rig.

 

[August]

Very good implementation, if there is no "gold sample" problem, it will be the king of our budget DAC! The price only needs to be slightly more than 100 dollars, incredible.

 

[WolfX-700]

Very good implementation, if there is no "gold sample" problem, it will be the king of our budget DAC! The price only needs to be slightly more than 100 dollars, incredible.

Considering the unusually cheap price, I will buy a secret one of my friends for quality tracking after it is officially launched.

 

[Zek]

There does not seem to be a difference in front and back layout between the old and new versions.

 

[Tatteredmidnight]

There does not seem to be a difference in front and back layout between the old and new versions.

Guess we’ll have to take the Seller’s word as to which version we get? I think the SU-8 was similar, where you’d have to open it to confirm it was v2. I do wish SMSL would address this situation with refreshed products and make it clear which revision of a product you received.

 

[Evzen]

Hello, and you have the opportunity to compare SMSL Sanskrit 10th AK4493 Edition and Topping DX3Pro AK4493. I'm only interested in sound, Topping DX3Pro has an input for headphones and wi-fi, if you do not take this into account, how much the difference in sound will be noticeable.

Do I understand correctly that from USB 2.0 it is already working fine and does not need an additional power supply?

Thank you.

 

[Nuke]

I just bought old version.. Anyway, smsl should change that blue digital display to less contrast - text is unreadable in dark room from 2 meters. Also i want to see auto-on when plugged to ac.

 

[Lifer]

keep in mind that the volume control on the 4493 is, afaik, lossy, so you need a preamp

Could you elaborate on that please ? I thought that since it was a 32 bit chip, the volume control would be lossless, at least for a standard redbook 16bit signal ?

Thanks

 

[Veri]

Could you elaborate on that please ? I thought that since it was a 32 bit chip, the volume control would be lossless, at least for a standard redbook 16bit signal ?

Thanks

You are right. No need to shun digital volume control, it has so much headroom there's no way you'd enter the "lossy" realm that easily ...

 

[SMSL-Mandy]

Classic Black, Engineered To Last
The item in stock now: https://hifi-express.com/products/s...tal-decoder-ak4493-dac?variant=31659197136996
THD+N: 0.0002%

View attachment _QIU0119.jpg

 

[Zek]

There is no option for black.

Is there any indication that this is a Mk II model?