Ah man, you're a godsend! You are spot on with this review. Like others, I was on the fence between this and the Ares 2. Since I use my DAC with my TV I bought the D1SE and it is everything you said it is. Neutral and natural done right. I'm loving it. This DAC is probably a lot more versitile being that it hits the sweet spot between musicality and details. I just wish it didn't shout 99 all of the time when the pre-amp is bypassed. They could have put some more useful information on the display instead. Wink wink SMSL. Thank you for saving me from hacking my way through the DAC jungle. You're really good at this. Can't wait for new reviews.
Great review! Really nice way to describe the differences and pros/cons between the different DACs without sounding too technical or too vague. I wish there was a way to select a specific input via remote, rather than having to cycle through. This would be the centre of my hifi/av system controlled from a harmony remote. Switching inputs from TV, to streamer to blu-ray needs to be easy, not require separate cycling (in my use-case).
Absolutely awesome! I have been going back and forth for weeks between the Denafrips and this D1se. you made the decision very clear for me. I chose the D1se. Excellent review left me with no further questions.
I finally got my hands on one and what you describe is what I hear. Great all around DAC! Perfect match for my JBL Studio 590's! The highs are silky smooth now!
I would love to see even more comparison including higher models to see how much it's worth spending more. How does D1SE perform compared to Gustard X26, Aune S8, Pontus 2, Venus 2 and of course VMV D2?
@@SubjectE57 I'd like to find out too. I did ask SMSL if they'd let me review the D2 but they said no unfortunately so will need to find a friend or viewer who is happy to let me borrow theirs
Gustard has similar options, X18 vs X26 at about double the price. How one perceives any differences moving to the more expensive option depends on speakers, amp and one's own perceptual abilities. My guess, regardless of the above is that the difference will be small, if mostly not at all noticeable as long as output is at the same level of voltage. With dacs, unless the after purchase support is exemplary, I consider the under a grand options to be discardable at the end of their useful life (maybe 5 years, give or take) which is no where near speakers, pres and amps. Plus, the cost to repair "may" be relatively prohibitive considering the price of buying a new unit and updated model if and when the need arrives.
One thing they could have done with the feet, was ship a jig along with it that aligned with the feet perfectly, but you could set it on top of whatever surface and place the pads in exactly the right spot.
@@quartzofcourse yes absolutely. I'm in the market for an $800 DAC and where it'd be mounted would be in a vertical orientation under my desk. Those feet wouldn't be installed if I end up with this DAC.
@@quartzofcourse I could be wrong but think they want the spike feet to be able to move slightly within the "spikeholders" in order to isolate vibration. Otherwise you could superglue the spike points to the spikeholders. I am considering ditching the spikes altogether and replacing them with sorbothane (or similar) rubbery feet. The extra isolation of the metal spikes doesn't seem worth the trouble, especially if you don't play your music loud or live right next to the railroad tracks (which I don't, on either count). I almost think that the spikes are a marketing thing that signals "this is VMV, our top of the line!", as these are standard on the (VMV) D1se, D2, A1, and A2. Oddly enough though the top of the line VMV D3 is pictured with non-spiked feet, which calls the whole spike thing into question.
You've got my attention! I own both a Bifrost 2 and an Ares II - I like the bass better on the Bifrost 2, but everything else on the Ares II better. I listen to almost all genres of music, and better detail/air/space and better bass, too *definitely* make this DAC very tempting indeed. Edit: the one thing that might be a snag for me is having only one coax input - I stream from a Bluesound Node 2i, and I have a Audiolab CDT6000 CD transport, that I am currently using the 2 coax inputs on my Ares II for.
Great review! For rock music is the Ares any better? (I have no access to bifrost, for a reasonable price). On the used market this SMSL is 300 eur cheaper than the Ares.
I just received my SMSL D1SE! Obviously, the critiques are of personal preference, at best, because from my listening POV, this DAC is of excellent quality! What I noticed first off after installing was the detailed stereo separation happening in the music! Instruments could be "pin-pointed" across the room. I hear no issues with how bass is handled. It is omnipresent and resonant without being too boomy or with heavy pounding "thump". Midrange, particularly in vocals, has presence but does not oversaturate the listening space. The highs are very precise and well dispersed from corner to corner, without piercing my eardrums. I tested it right out of the box, with YOYOMA, OBRIGADO BRAZIL LIVE in CONCERT CD! This CD gives you the full gamut of listening nuances, that put a DAC through its paces! I can't wait to try it out with a new AudioLab 6000CDT CD transport, coming in a few days! As far as I'm concerned, my DAC search is over! I'm quite satisfied! BTW - You do know that your opening song includes the "N-WORD", Right?
I have a semi cheap dac, the d50s from topping. I was wondering if you consider a good upgrade (a noticiable upgrade) from my dac to this vmv? Sorry for bothering you, i have an Audiolab 6000cdt cd transport, is great but i think it deserve a better dac. Thanks!!
Thanks for the feedbacK. Yet I have a question. Is there a way to remove the red screen background when it's turned on ? Then does the display turns off after a minute ?
Could you review the upsampling filters in Audirvana (they have variable parameters)? I believe your explanations are very good and it would make me better understand things such as phase linearity and aliasing. perhaps you can use the same file used in the mqa video. great work!
Looking at incremental differences very likely though those differences may make an impact on one's listening enjoyment and if the rest of the equipment will show those differences. If you are willing to spend the money and can sell your current dac it may make sense. The SMSL VMV D1SE offers better performance in alot of categories but will you prefer it over the Soncoz which is on the warmer side of neutral? Only a comparison can decide that. I have the Topping D70S which was on sale at the time with a 2yr warranty on APOS. For Price/performance and features, it made sense. These can be had currently for $519 Apos certified with I think a 1 yr warranty. I'm happy. I think the D1se might offer a bit more frequency extension, perhaps separation, but the D70S was a nice medium between DS and R2R designs at a more budget price. It does well for all genres of music IMO. The D1SE may also be my pick, perhaps a Bifrost (feature limiting in comparison) too at that price point and if the D70s weren't readily available and I believe it is being phased out too. Seems there will always be better dacs coming out but I want to keep a dac at least 5 years if not longer if I am spending that kind of money. At that point in time, there will be little resale value and I would expect the dacs then would be like dacs now costing 2-3X the price. At some point down the road, a dac should be good enough for a long, long time, if they aren't already. Hope it helps.
thank you very much for your videos. Although I do not agree on all of them, especially regarding the Audeze LCD-X. I'm a musician mixing and mastering my own music and I think that these are fantastic workhorses. I like very much your DAC reviews, and I've seen some of them, and to be honest I'm a bit lost. I was going for the Chord Qutest, but then you have some reservations, and if I understood you well, you might imply that the Qutest is perfect for classical and acoustic jazz. That's what I manly listen. But what about this one you've test, the SMSL VMV D1SE, is it better than the chord ? Will it be good enough for the genre I like, and if possible a bit of pop ? The price seem very good compare to the Chord, and I like the XLR outs. I will listen exclusively on headphones, not on speakers. Thanks again for the videos and the nice work.
You will be fine on nearly any dac these days, and any amp that can properly power whatever your cans are. Buying one dac/amp in this price range over another based on the genre of music you listen to is utterly insane. Please do not fall for this pointless game. Barometric pressure, how much sleep you got the night before, whether your cans move a few mm from their previous position, etc - this error bar is wayyyyyy beyond any perceivable difference between your dac/amp choice. And what perceivable differences there actually are (which is a huge subject of debate to begin with) are so small that even if you noticed a difference, you would adapt to it so quickly that any "preference" you have over another set would be null. And they are not differences in technical performance anyway. If you ever hear terms like "neutral done right" in a review: run By the way, you and nearly every producer/mastering engineer I know (including myself) feel the same way about the LCD-X
@@skengasaurus thank you very very much for your message. I'll try several DACs tomorrow and I'll choose one. I'd like to go for the Chord Qutest or something similar. The R2R technology seems nice but there are no shops in Belgium to test the Pontus 2. Anyway, thanks again and thank you for your nice videos. 😊
I was waiting for this!!!! thanks!! will be nice if you could check if some of the providers, send you a Gustard X18 (not x16) to compare with this unit.
I bought this a couple of weeks ago based on your reference in another video to this is being your fave under 1k (along with the Ares and the goldpoint preamp, purchases you also inspired)... At this point you are basically building my system.
@@t0nyxgq I have both and will most likely sell the D1se. I find the Ares II to have a more natural sound even though it doesn't have the immediacy of the D1se. It also does depth in a way I've not heard from any non-R2R dac, giving better sense of realism.
@@cliph6068 I think that choosing "the best" between D1se and Ares II is related to personal preference, type of music auditioned, speakers and amplifiers used, and the quality of one's own hearing. Several years ago (early mid 1990's) I auditioned some Magnepan (planar, boxless) speakers at a dealer and I was blown away at how natural they sounded for solo piano, even their cheapest product (I think these were SMGb). I played piano somewhat myself back then, and the Magnepan sounded so much like the real deal, in comparison all other speakers reproducing the same tracks sounded like toy pianos. I was ready to buy! Except... When I put on full rock music, I felt like some of the sound was missing - where did the cymbals go, why do the drums sound like the drummer is hitting pancakes instead of drums? I could have seen getting the Magnepans for piano solo and other light acoustic music as a second system, but living in an apartment and not having a lot of money to throw around, that was not practical. I realized I wanted my one set of speakers to sound a little less natural (due to the "boxy" nature of the sound) but didn't feel like I was missing the snap, sparkle, crunch, and impact of the full recording. So I went with the boxy speakers (Def Tech Bi-polar towers originally, and many years later Martin Logan Motion towers). While I don't know that comparing Ares II (which I haven't heard) to Magnepan speakers is the correct analogy, based on the descriptions I think I'm in the ballpark in that belief. When someone says a sound is "natural" I often think they mean an emphasized midrange, like the Magnepans of about 30 years ago (and I assume they are largely the same today, though presumably slightly improved in frequency extension and "punch"). I wish there weren't a trade-off between "natural" and punchy/incisive music reproduction, but there often seems to be, especially at reasonably affordable prices. It would be great if we could audition these DACs (D1se and Ares II) at dealers, but I know of none that carry either product. One thing that may be appealing about the D1se over the Ares II is that D1se has those harmonics-emphasizing "color" options, as well as a choice of chip filters, while Ares II has the NOS or OS (at various multiples) for altering the sound. In other words, it appears that the D1se has more options for matching the sound to what the listener prefers, or what fits with their particular system. Based on Goldensound's review, the D1se's "middle ground" (with various types of music) approach might have the widest appeal, though I have no doubt that many will find the Ares II as "best" (of the two) for their own listening pleasure.
Will you review the new SMSL D300? Also noticed you have the Singxer SA-1 will you ever do review of that and how does it compare to Topping A90? Thanks :)
Yes the thin and sterile sound you mention is often a characteristic of digital reproduction that's not done right. It's probably correlated with the jitter spectrum. I had a chance to sort of verify this on my system, where. while testing a somewhat older DAC, I was able to add actually 2 devices into the signal path, both of which have an effect of reducing jitter. If I use only one of the devices, I do get better resolution but midrange ends up with that thin sound, lacking richness, lacking that last bit of somethingi that makes music involving. Adding the second device solves that problem although granted it somewhat reduces bass impact. But I'll take the slight bass reduction in favor of the richer harmonics. So good one, very perceptive of you.
The isolation feet is a very good idea to avoid vibrations getting on the very small signal in the DAC, that will be amplified many fold by the time it reaches the speakers. It's not a portable device. How hard is it to line up 4 pads on the spikes? This is a very well balanced and sweet DAC. I have the original (and much more expensive) VMV D1 DAC and I think the D1se sounds better. I expected the D1 se to sound very close to the D1 and they do sound quite similar, but I was expecting the original to have an advantage in the better isolated power supply and assumingly better analog output stage. I think the D1se gained it's advantage from SMSLs commitment to always look for ways to tweak things for better overall sound quality. I highly doubt SMSL wanted to add a noisy blue tooth antenna to the D1 (the original doesn't have BT) at this price point, but obviously enough people want to degrade their sound quality even at the $700 range. BT is for portable devices and there is no good reason to use BT in a dedicated system. I didn't add the antenna, because I didn't want to feed a bunch of high frequency noise into the metal case, which otherwise will block such noise. I highly recommend that other do the same if they are no using BT. If SMSL added the cost of isolation feet, they did it for better sound quality. I see a lot of reviewers complaining about the spikes as if SMSL did it for looks, but that isn't the reason, not is it in line with SMSLs mindset of focusing on what matters for sound quality. SMSL has never been about bling. I have a $20,000 front end (neutral) on the D1s and it's revealing enough to see all of the nuanced differences. The D1se is an exceptionally balanced and sweet DAC.
I ended up finding a good deal on an Open Box version of this beast. If anyone has heard them, I wonder how this would compare with the SU-9N and the M500 MkII, both of which use the same ES9038PRO chips and look to measure very similarly. I know the D1SE has a linear PS and nice caps, etc. Hoping I made the right decision spending more. Cheers!
It's a good question, as all those you mentioned are from SMSL and use the same chip. All the comparative reviews I've seen suggest that SU-9N is essentially the same as SU-9 in terms of sound quality, but that SU-9 definitely beats M500 and D1SE definitely beats SU-9. M500 MkII I think just dealt with some heat issues but otherwise has the same sound as the original M500. M500 would be a great value since it has the headphone jack, but a lot of reviews call the sound a bit "flat" (not in a good way). You made the right choice to spend the extra dollars; now you don't have to wonder if you are missing anything. Zeos of Z reviews contends that no one needs a better DAC than the D1SE. Of course he also says that about the $250 Geshelli Labs J2, but he likes the D1SE's "sound color" features because it's a way to keep from getting bored with your system.
@@andrewfurst5711 Got the D1SE yesterday. Still in Honeymoon period, but I am blown away by this DAC. I feel that I definitely made the right choice here. Excellent review from Cameron on this one as well. A true Jack-Of-All-Trades. HIGHLY REC'D!
@@andrewfurst5711 The problem with Z reviews, and the problem with most online DAC reviewers IMO, is that they just test the DAC alone and not the rest of the unit, meaning the output stage. So Z has his test units in line with a preamp or an integrated amplifier so he (and the rest) never listen to the output of the DAC itself. Then they say "it sounds great" to which I say--aren't we hearing your preamp and/or your integrated amp? I've pointed this (to my mind testing deficiency) out to several reviewers, to no avail.
Hi GS. Thanks to You I bought this DAC. The best HiFi content at YT. What streamer with I2s output would you use for D1se to stream from Apple Music ? Thanks in advance for any advice.
I was looking into getting a new setup and heard you mention how well the bifrost 2 did with metal, as I almost exclusively listen to metal. Was looking at the Bifrost 2, a bottlehead S.E.X. , and either an Audeze, or ZMF Headphone. I've seen on the bottlehead forums people mention pairing their amps with the bifrost 2, and was curious how the whole setup would result in for mainly metal music. Currently using a Geshelli labs enog 2 and smsl sp200(THX) and dt1990s and it is good, just want to go another direction.
So the M400 haves more bass than the D1SE and which one would be best for Ananda headphones to bring the harsh down a bit. Out of the 2 which one would be best
You mention the difference between the Aries 2 and this model as well as the Bifrost. Can you provide a feel for the degree of difference? Is, for example, the Aries 2 timbre better to the degree as say a change of loudspeakers or is it more like the change one experiences when he would place the DAC on a different shelving material?
@@GoldenSound I received a reply from Singxer, stating that as the current model is based on the discontinued ak4499 it does not make sense for them to promote (or review) it. Unfortunate as it is a very good and unique product.
Have you had a chance to listen to the newer version of this DAC, the VMV D1SE2? The DAC chip is now one number higher but I suspect that the sound will be virtually identical as long as they didn't screw up something else. You liked the red color on the display so I'm sorry to report that it is now blue.
I've seen some reviews of D1SE2, and some people think it's too detailed/etched. Whether one is better than another (D1SE or D1SE2) depends on your system, your hearing, and your sound preferences. There's also the Schiit Bifrost 2/64 at about the same price to consider, which they say is more detailed and less bloated than the Bifrost 2 (a few people prefer the original BF2 over the BF2/64, but most seem to prefer the 2/64). I have the D1SE and I'm very happy with it. I like the sound and I like the sound "colors" to try out. I replaced the spiky feet with Sorbothane hemispheres. I have Martin Logan Motion 40 speakers, which have AMT tweeters and thus are very clear in the upper end - which seems to work well with the D1SE. The "99" display with the surrounding red lines on the SE is fine, though I think the new blue on SE2 looks better (no big deal either way). As I get older and my hearing loses part of the upper range, I might want to get the D1SE2 (or something), but for now I'm good with the D1SE - and might never want to upgrade.
Thinking about this one for my headphones, is it a bit too much for my Sennheiser HD660s and Audeze LCD-X? Or would it be better to settle for a bit cheaper dac?
I have bought the D1SE and it's good. But my amp the sp200 is defective and need to replace it looking at the JOTUNHEIM 2 or the Singxer SA-1 what would be best for the Hifiman Ananda
If they use 3 spikes two at front as normal but just one centred at the rear it will never wobble. Silly comment but I could never afford the products you review but love your reviews
Hello! Am I the only one who doesn't hear a difference between each "sound color" settings? I have pretty good ears, and my hi-fi system is quite decent, but no matter how I listen, I can't hear anything noticeable. All presets are somehow the same. Does anyone hear any difference by changing the "sound color" settings? I know the fact that it's all based on added second and third harmonic distortion, which some say is good, others say bad... I also have an SMSL DAC, an SU-10, and I love it. I tried with several types of music and with really high-quality audio materials. What did I do wrong? Surely there is such an audible difference between "rich" and "tube" and "crystal" settings? If so, what can I do to hear it? What should I pay attention to? Or maybe my device is faulty if I can't hear anything in the "sound color" settings, because really the differences in sound should be so obvious?
@ J Man Agreed! I would love to hear his thoughts on the Denefrips Pontus 2 as well..brand new subscriber here, reviews are without question second to none as I am seriously considering the Pontus. Wonderful presentation and channel...Bravo and cheers!
@@johnm3544 Does your Pontus 2 have the same microsecond delay as the Aeries2, speaking of the synchrony between audio and visual, making it less desirable for TV?
A comparison with a smsl SU-9 would have been nice. Is it worth the upgrade in sound quality? Uses the same chip but is smaller and cheaper. Why would you pay more?
IMO yes. Though the SU9 and SU9n are also fantastic DACs for the money. The D1SE stages a bit better and has a bit more of an authoritative/impactful presentation. The SU9 is a bit softer.
@@GoldenSound Excellent review! But I had the same question about the SU-9, and I like your response. However I still wonder if the difference in price justifies the improvement in sound delivery, Ya know, diminishing returns, etc. Thank you, great job!
Здравствуйте. У меня Audient id14 mk2. Думаю менять его на что нибудь лучшее. Только я не пойму, что лучше будет взять, только для прослушивания через колонки. Внешнюю звуковую карту или ЦАП. Что будет лучше звучать за свои деньги?
How about compared to an SMSL DO200? It runs dual ES9068AS dacs. Has all the same menu and sound settings. I know the D1SE has a beefier power supply so does anyone have an opinion in sound differences?
700+ euro... How does this compare to a Holo Spring 3 + preamp, 4000 euro? Worth spending 4000 euro? Coming from and ADI2 DAC and listening to 360° genres, on Neumann KH320 + KH 750 DSP monitors & sub . ...and sorry for the stupid question.
Hello GoldenSound. First of all i love you channel and also your website. Great reviews with measurements but also with a taste of how it sounds. i would like to ask you some advise. I see you have a motu m2 (i think) on your desk, maybe for the voice recording.. or another. I also have one and i´ve been listening to motu but i would like to upgrade to a more clean dac but with natural tone/realistic. i feel motu a litle muddy sound. the information is there in a natural sense but to muddy and a bit slow/ relaxing. Do you think this SMSL is for me? how do you compare to the motu as a dac? motu is also usb only and i would like to have another digital inputs. thank for the great reviews!
I have treble issues that mess with my head nerves. Would you say this is less harsh or warmer? sound. I think I would like a warmer sound. I’m looking at this DAC the SMSL SU-9 and the SMSL SU-8S, SMSL DO200, LOXJIE D50, LOXJIE D40, SMSL M500 MK2, and the SMSL VMV D1SE or the SMSL SU-9N. I stream music with Tidal and never heard MQA but would like to have. I have an SMSL SP200 Amp with Hifiman Ananda and soon will get Focal Clear or Elex.
The SMSL VMV D1SE does have a choice of filters which can alter the treble sound slightly, perhaps not enough to take it down for treble sensitive ears (hard to say, since all hearing is different). This unit also has the "sound color" options which can also alter the warmth and perceived sharpness, so it's quite possible this is a great choice for you. And it does include the MQA option. All for $720 list price. ` I haven't heard it, but based on reviews and your preference, you might want to try the Schiit Bifrost 2. It is $699 and a lot of people love it, it is said to "round off" some of the high treble. However it does not have MQA, and it only has Schiit's choice of filter with no other options. The Unison connection included with the Bifrost 2 is very well liked for streaming. I would guess that for someone with extremely treble sensitive ears, the Bifrost 2 is a slightly better way to go than the D1SE, but that's only a guess. Some people feel that the Bifrost 2 is not "sparkly" enough for them, but those may be older people with less sensitive upper frequency hearing. If you can live without MQA you should look into this, IMO. There was also the Topping D70S which might have nicely filled the bill for people with treble-sensitive ears, but that's apparently out of production now, due to being based around two AKM chips whose factory burned down.
@Andrew Furst I might get the d1se and swap my sp200 for the Singer SA-1 heard it's warmer then the thx amps that my smsl sp200 is. I found a d1se cheaper then the bitfrost 2
I currently have a Marantz Amp that has the optical connection going to my TV. So if I was to use this DAC along with my Marantz Amp, how can this setup be connected to my TV?
Optical out from tv to DAC.. And RCA out from DAC to Marantz RCA in.. On Marantz select analog input (that you connect RCA cable) and on DAC set optical input to play.. 👍
Goin through the dac to your Marantz, you will only get stereo if your were playing surround sound frim your Marantz (if it is an AVR) directly connected to your TV.
It has the Hi-Res audio sticker, I'm sold.
The stories you’ve heard.
About the Hi-Res™️ sticker?
They’re all true. _Believe._
I hope that I found your channel earlier. You are one of the most unbiased and experienced reviewers, you deserve a lot more subs.
Ah man, you're a godsend! You are spot on with this review. Like others, I was on the fence between this and the Ares 2. Since I use my DAC with my TV I bought the D1SE and it is everything you said it is. Neutral and natural done right. I'm loving it.
This DAC is probably a lot more versitile being that it hits the sweet spot between musicality and details. I just wish it didn't shout 99 all of the time when the pre-amp is bypassed. They could have put some more useful information on the display instead. Wink wink SMSL.
Thank you for saving me from hacking my way through the DAC jungle. You're really good at this. Can't wait for new reviews.
I agree with you. I have had a D1SE for 40 days. It's a good product.
What do you have now?
Great review! Really nice way to describe the differences and pros/cons between the different DACs without sounding too technical or too vague.
I wish there was a way to select a specific input via remote, rather than having to cycle through. This would be the centre of my hifi/av system controlled from a harmony remote. Switching inputs from TV, to streamer to blu-ray needs to be easy, not require separate cycling (in my use-case).
OK, that's it, I'm getting myself one of these!! Thank you for a very thorough review!
All modern DACs should have HDMI inputs for high resolution playback from physical media players like Blu-ray and SACD players.
second to that,,, A HDMI in that extracts the sound and forward the HDMI out.
You can use blutack to keep the spikes sticked To the feet. Thats what i do with my vmv A1, and It works
I have connected the D1SE directly into my amp! Totally different than going through a pre amp! WOW!! So much bigger sound! Give it a try.
I have a question. Is there a way to remove the red screen background when it's turned on ? Then does the display turns off after 1 minute ?
@@OptLab Late to the party! But yes
@@invisiblekid99Thanks a lot.
Absolutely awesome! I have been going back and forth for weeks between the Denafrips and this D1se. you made the decision very clear for me. I chose the D1se. Excellent review left me with no further questions.
Hi, did you get the D1se? Do you know if it has a femto clock? Or should I even worry about that?
Great to see you back with another excellent review.
I finally got my hands on one and what you describe is what I hear. Great all around DAC! Perfect match for my JBL Studio 590's! The highs are silky smooth now!
I would love to see even more comparison including higher models to see how much it's worth spending more. How does D1SE perform compared to Gustard X26, Aune S8, Pontus 2, Venus 2 and of course VMV D2?
I would also like to know if it's worth spending twice the money on the D2?
I wouldn't be surprised if they all sound the same.
@@SubjectE57 I'd like to find out too. I did ask SMSL if they'd let me review the D2 but they said no unfortunately so will need to find a friend or viewer who is happy to let me borrow theirs
Any chance of comparing to the previous model (D1) which sold for twice(!!) the price? We are in a strange situation where used D1 price = new D1SE.
Gustard has similar options, X18 vs X26 at about double the price. How one perceives any differences moving to the more expensive option depends on speakers, amp and one's own perceptual abilities. My guess, regardless of the above is that the difference will be small, if mostly not at all noticeable as long as output is at the same level of voltage.
With dacs, unless the after purchase support is exemplary, I consider the under a grand options to be discardable at the end of their useful life (maybe 5 years, give or take) which is no where near speakers, pres and amps. Plus, the cost to repair "may" be relatively prohibitive considering the price of buying a new unit and updated model if and when the need arrives.
One thing they could have done with the feet, was ship a jig along with it that aligned with the feet perfectly, but you could set it on top of whatever surface and place the pads in exactly the right spot.
This would have been a great idea. Likely would have cost almost nothing too. Might send them an email about that :P
They also could have just made the feet one piece instead of two so there’s no need to worry about them slipping off or being misaligned
@@quartzofcourse yes absolutely. I'm in the market for an $800 DAC and where it'd be mounted would be in a vertical orientation under my desk. Those feet wouldn't be installed if I end up with this DAC.
@@quartzofcourse but they are spikes
@@quartzofcourse I could be wrong but think they want the spike feet to be able to move slightly within the "spikeholders" in order to isolate vibration. Otherwise you could superglue the spike points to the spikeholders.
I am considering ditching the spikes altogether and replacing them with sorbothane (or similar) rubbery feet. The extra isolation of the metal spikes doesn't seem worth the trouble, especially if you don't play your music loud or live right next to the railroad tracks (which I don't, on either count).
I almost think that the spikes are a marketing thing that signals "this is VMV, our top of the line!", as these are standard on the (VMV) D1se, D2, A1, and A2. Oddly enough though the top of the line VMV D3 is pictured with non-spiked feet, which calls the whole spike thing into question.
You've got my attention! I own both a Bifrost 2 and an Ares II - I like the bass better on the Bifrost 2, but everything else on the Ares II better. I listen to almost all genres of music, and better detail/air/space and better bass, too *definitely* make this DAC very tempting indeed.
Edit: the one thing that might be a snag for me is having only one coax input - I stream from a Bluesound Node 2i, and I have a Audiolab CDT6000 CD transport, that I am currently using the 2 coax inputs on my Ares II for.
Hello Neil!
@@billywindsock9597 Hey Billy!
Could you not get a coax splitter 2 into 1 ? Of high quality.
@@redleather420 if you know a good one, let me know. I have this DAC a'd indeed also the node 2i and a cd player, both having coax as best output.
@GoldenSound Have you tried this D1se with the Denafrips Iris, by any chance?
Great review!
For rock music is the Ares any better? (I have no access to bifrost, for a reasonable price).
On the used market this SMSL is 300 eur cheaper than the Ares.
Great Video, glad to see you back to making to making content again!
Dear @GoldenSound: According to the link you have posted below your video, the complete name of this device is SMSL VMV D1se MQA DAC.
Have a nice day!
I just received my SMSL D1SE! Obviously, the critiques are of personal preference, at best, because from my listening POV, this DAC is of excellent quality! What I noticed first off after installing was the detailed stereo separation happening in the music! Instruments could be "pin-pointed" across the room. I hear no issues with how bass is handled. It is omnipresent and resonant without being too boomy or with heavy pounding "thump". Midrange, particularly in vocals, has presence but does not oversaturate the listening space. The highs are very precise and well dispersed from corner to corner, without piercing my eardrums. I tested it right out of the box, with YOYOMA, OBRIGADO BRAZIL LIVE in CONCERT CD! This CD gives you the full gamut of listening nuances, that put a DAC through its paces! I can't wait to try it out with a new AudioLab 6000CDT CD transport, coming in a few days! As far as I'm concerned, my DAC search is over! I'm quite satisfied!
BTW - You do know that your opening song includes the "N-WORD", Right?
I have a semi cheap dac, the d50s from topping. I was wondering if you consider a good upgrade (a noticiable upgrade) from my dac to this vmv? Sorry for bothering you, i have an Audiolab 6000cdt cd transport, is great but i think it deserve a better dac. Thanks!!
@default How many dacs have you tried to have that opinion?
Thanks for the feedbacK. Yet I have a question. Is there a way to remove the red screen background when it's turned on ? Then does the display turns off after a minute ?
And for jazz? Excelent excelent Review!!!!! Tempted to Buy this yo replace topping d50s. Greetings from Argentina. Thanks!!!!
I simply love that offense from the first 20 seconds!
Exceptionally good review! 👏👏👏
I love your reviews. is this DAC good for headphones or overkill relative to a tone 2 pro?
I was looking at your "SMSL VMV D1SE Measurements" page, and the link under the first image links to a Teac DAC page and not the Apos product page.
Man I wish you could review Topping D70S is a very unique DAC, like Ares II and A90 had a child hehe.
Less than a minute in and your quoting Monty Python... Love it!
Could you review the upsampling filters in Audirvana (they have variable parameters)? I believe your explanations are very good and it would make me better understand things such as phase linearity and aliasing. perhaps you can use the same file used in the mqa video. great work!
Thanks for a great review. I bought the Soncoz sgd1 about a year ago. Is this a worthwhile upgrade do you think?
Looking at incremental differences very likely though those differences may make an impact on one's listening enjoyment and if the rest of the equipment will show those differences. If you are willing to spend the money and can sell your current dac it may make sense. The SMSL VMV D1SE offers better performance in alot of categories but will you prefer it over the Soncoz which is on the warmer side of neutral? Only a comparison can decide that.
I have the Topping D70S which was on sale at the time with a 2yr warranty on APOS. For Price/performance and features, it made sense. These can be had currently for $519 Apos certified with I think a 1 yr warranty. I'm happy. I think the D1se might offer a bit more frequency extension, perhaps separation, but the D70S was a nice medium between DS and R2R designs at a more budget price. It does well for all genres of music IMO.
The D1SE may also be my pick, perhaps a Bifrost (feature limiting in comparison) too at that price point and if the D70s weren't readily available and I believe it is being phased out too. Seems there will always be better dacs coming out but I want to keep a dac at least 5 years if not longer if I am spending that kind of money. At that point in time, there will be little resale value and I would expect the dacs then would be like dacs now costing 2-3X the price. At some point down the road, a dac should be good enough for a long, long time, if they aren't already.
Hope it helps.
@@nc3419 Thankee! I had already decided not to bother. Lots of other things to spend my hifi budget on!
thank you very much for your videos. Although I do not agree on all of them, especially regarding the Audeze LCD-X. I'm a musician mixing and mastering my own music and I think that these are fantastic workhorses. I like very much your DAC reviews, and I've seen some of them, and to be honest I'm a bit lost. I was going for the Chord Qutest, but then you have some reservations, and if I understood you well, you might imply that the Qutest is perfect for classical and acoustic jazz. That's what I manly listen. But what about this one you've test, the SMSL VMV D1SE, is it better than the chord ? Will it be good enough for the genre I like, and if possible a bit of pop ? The price seem very good compare to the Chord, and I like the XLR outs. I will listen exclusively on headphones, not on speakers. Thanks again for the videos and the nice work.
You will be fine on nearly any dac these days, and any amp that can properly power whatever your cans are. Buying one dac/amp in this price range over another based on the genre of music you listen to is utterly insane. Please do not fall for this pointless game. Barometric pressure, how much sleep you got the night before, whether your cans move a few mm from their previous position, etc - this error bar is wayyyyyy beyond any perceivable difference between your dac/amp choice. And what perceivable differences there actually are (which is a huge subject of debate to begin with) are so small that even if you noticed a difference, you would adapt to it so quickly that any "preference" you have over another set would be null. And they are not differences in technical performance anyway. If you ever hear terms like "neutral done right" in a review: run
By the way, you and nearly every producer/mastering engineer I know (including myself) feel the same way about the LCD-X
@@skengasaurus thank you very very much for your message. I'll try several DACs tomorrow and I'll choose one. I'd like to go for the Chord Qutest or something similar. The R2R technology seems nice but there are no shops in Belgium to test the Pontus 2. Anyway, thanks again and thank you for your nice videos. 😊
@@skengasaurus Can you name the dacs you've listened to?
Would it go well with Arya and Singxer SA- 1?
Excellent review!
How it compares against topping D70s?
I was waiting for this!!!! thanks!!
will be nice if you could check if some of the providers, send you a Gustard X18 (not x16) to compare with this unit.
I bought this a couple of weeks ago based on your reference in another video to this is being your fave under 1k (along with the Ares and the goldpoint preamp, purchases you also inspired)...
At this point you are basically building my system.
How does this compare to the denafrips?
Same here. I Purchased this DAC based on @GoldenSound recomendation in one of his past videos. Absolutlely love it!
@@t0nyxgq I have both and will most likely sell the D1se. I find the Ares II to have a more natural sound even though it doesn't have the immediacy of the D1se. It also does depth in a way I've not heard from any non-R2R dac, giving better sense of realism.
@@t0nyxgq haven't had a chance to do a proper comparison yet. But will.share thoughts once I do
@@cliph6068 I think that choosing "the best" between D1se and Ares II is related to personal preference, type of music auditioned, speakers and amplifiers used, and the quality of one's own hearing.
Several years ago (early mid 1990's) I auditioned some Magnepan (planar, boxless) speakers at a dealer and I was blown away at how natural they sounded for solo piano, even their cheapest product (I think these were SMGb). I played piano somewhat myself back then, and the Magnepan sounded so much like the real deal, in comparison all other speakers reproducing the same tracks sounded like toy pianos. I was ready to buy! Except...
When I put on full rock music, I felt like some of the sound was missing - where did the cymbals go, why do the drums sound like the drummer is hitting pancakes instead of drums? I could have seen getting the Magnepans for piano solo and other light acoustic music as a second system, but living in an apartment and not having a lot of money to throw around, that was not practical. I realized I wanted my one set of speakers to sound a little less natural (due to the "boxy" nature of the sound) but didn't feel like I was missing the snap, sparkle, crunch, and impact of the full recording. So I went with the boxy speakers (Def Tech Bi-polar towers originally, and many years later Martin Logan Motion towers).
While I don't know that comparing Ares II (which I haven't heard) to Magnepan speakers is the correct analogy, based on the descriptions I think I'm in the ballpark in that belief. When someone says a sound is "natural" I often think they mean an emphasized midrange, like the Magnepans of about 30 years ago (and I assume they are largely the same today, though presumably slightly improved in frequency extension and "punch"). I wish there weren't a trade-off between "natural" and punchy/incisive music reproduction, but there often seems to be, especially at reasonably affordable prices.
It would be great if we could audition these DACs (D1se and Ares II) at dealers, but I know of none that carry either product. One thing that may be appealing about the D1se over the Ares II is that D1se has those harmonics-emphasizing "color" options, as well as a choice of chip filters, while Ares II has the NOS or OS (at various multiples) for altering the sound. In other words, it appears that the D1se has more options for matching the sound to what the listener prefers, or what fits with their particular system. Based on Goldensound's review, the D1se's "middle ground" (with various types of music) approach might have the widest appeal, though I have no doubt that many will find the Ares II as "best" (of the two) for their own listening pleasure.
any quick comments on the sound coloration options ?
I have 3 Dac I can choose from the SU-9N for $340 and the SU-9 for $460 and the D1SE for $152 more then the SU-9
Will you review the new SMSL D300? Also noticed you have the Singxer SA-1 will you ever do review of that and how does it compare to Topping A90? Thanks :)
Holy wow. This is a good review that really tells me what I get for the money
Yes the thin and sterile sound you mention is often a characteristic of digital reproduction that's not done right.
It's probably correlated with the jitter spectrum. I had a chance to sort of verify this on my system, where. while testing a somewhat older DAC, I was able to add actually 2 devices into the signal path, both of which have an effect of reducing jitter. If I use only one of the devices, I do get better resolution but midrange ends up with that thin sound, lacking richness, lacking that last bit of somethingi that makes music involving. Adding the second device solves that problem although granted it somewhat reduces bass impact. But I'll take the slight bass reduction in favor of the richer harmonics.
So good one, very perceptive of you.
after using the denafrips ares 2 and the d1se - i found that i prefer the d1se in my system . i wonder how the new d1se2 is?
The isolation feet is a very good idea to avoid vibrations getting on the very small signal in the DAC, that will be amplified many fold by the time it reaches the speakers. It's not a portable device. How hard is it to line up 4 pads on the spikes? This is a very well balanced and sweet DAC. I have the original (and much more expensive) VMV D1 DAC and I think the D1se sounds better. I expected the D1 se to sound very close to the D1 and they do sound quite similar, but I was expecting the original to have an advantage in the better isolated power supply and assumingly better analog output stage. I think the D1se gained it's advantage from SMSLs commitment to always look for ways to tweak things for better overall sound quality. I highly doubt SMSL wanted to add a noisy blue tooth antenna to the D1 (the original doesn't have BT) at this price point, but obviously enough people want to degrade their sound quality even at the $700 range. BT is for portable devices and there is no good reason to use BT in a dedicated system. I didn't add the antenna, because I didn't want to feed a bunch of high frequency noise into the metal case, which otherwise will block such noise. I highly recommend that other do the same if they are no using BT. If SMSL added the cost of isolation feet, they did it for better sound quality.
I see a lot of reviewers complaining about the spikes as if SMSL did it for looks, but that isn't the reason, not is it in line with SMSLs mindset of focusing on what matters for sound quality. SMSL has never been about bling. I have a $20,000 front end (neutral) on the D1s and it's revealing enough to see all of the nuanced differences. The D1se is an exceptionally balanced and sweet DAC.
If SMSL is all knowing and if they are infallible in their decisions...then whey don't all their dacs have the spikes?
By "front end" you mean what? preamp? integrated amp? something else?
Addressed to Gord Thor.
Thank you for the measurements!
I ended up finding a good deal on an Open Box version of this beast. If anyone has heard them, I wonder how this would compare with the SU-9N and the M500 MkII, both of which use the same ES9038PRO chips and look to measure very similarly. I know the D1SE has a linear PS and nice caps, etc. Hoping I made the right decision spending more. Cheers!
It's a good question, as all those you mentioned are from SMSL and use the same chip. All the comparative reviews I've seen suggest that SU-9N is essentially the same as SU-9 in terms of sound quality, but that SU-9 definitely beats M500 and D1SE definitely beats SU-9. M500 MkII I think just dealt with some heat issues but otherwise has the same sound as the original M500. M500 would be a great value since it has the headphone jack, but a lot of reviews call the sound a bit "flat" (not in a good way).
You made the right choice to spend the extra dollars; now you don't have to wonder if you are missing anything. Zeos of Z reviews contends that no one needs a better DAC than the D1SE. Of course he also says that about the $250 Geshelli Labs J2, but he likes the D1SE's "sound color" features because it's a way to keep from getting bored with your system.
@@andrewfurst5711 Got the D1SE yesterday. Still in Honeymoon period, but I am blown away by this DAC. I feel that I definitely made the right choice here. Excellent review from Cameron on this one as well. A true Jack-Of-All-Trades. HIGHLY REC'D!
@@andrewfurst5711 The problem with Z reviews, and the problem with most online DAC reviewers IMO, is that they just test the DAC alone and not the rest of the unit, meaning the output stage. So Z has his test units in line with a preamp or an integrated amplifier so he (and the rest) never listen to the output of the DAC itself. Then they say "it sounds great" to which I say--aren't we hearing your preamp and/or your integrated amp? I've pointed this (to my mind testing deficiency) out to several reviewers, to no avail.
@@r00s. What kind of battery did you put in the D1se remote? Manual says AAA but that can't be.
What amp you would choose for this Dac I have the SP200 but its defective on the xlr side. Im looking at the Topping A30pro or the SINGXER SA-1
Hi GS. Thanks to You I bought this DAC. The best HiFi content at YT. What streamer with I2s output would you use for D1se to stream from Apple Music ? Thanks in advance for any advice.
I was looking into getting a new setup and heard you mention how well the bifrost 2 did with metal, as I almost exclusively listen to metal. Was looking at the Bifrost 2, a bottlehead S.E.X. , and either an Audeze, or ZMF Headphone. I've seen on the bottlehead forums people mention pairing their amps with the bifrost 2, and was curious how the whole setup would result in for mainly metal music. Currently using a Geshelli labs enog 2 and smsl sp200(THX) and dt1990s and it is good, just want to go another direction.
It would have to sound great
So the M400 haves more bass than the D1SE and which one would be best for Ananda headphones to bring the harsh down a bit. Out of the 2 which one would be best
Great review. Thanks.
I've been waiting for this
Could you please mention full stack used for review.. including cables? Thanks!
Great review. Just wish it went longer.
How does the volume control improve upon earlier/lower tiered SMSL DACs…is this a true preamp option now?
Love your videos. Only one issue not many need a lot more
Would the SMSL SP200 work or would the SINGXER SA-1 amp to match the D1SE. And would the D1SE be better than the SMSL M400
What is the RCA performance like compared to the XLR?
You mention the difference between the Aries 2 and this model as well as the Bifrost. Can you provide a feel for the degree of difference? Is, for example, the Aries 2 timbre better to the degree as say a change of loudspeakers or is it more like the change one experiences when he would place the DAC on a different shelving material?
Thanks for this nice review. Would be interesting to see how it compares to Singxer sda-6, any plans for reviewing that one ?
If they're happy to send one over I'd love to!
@@GoldenSound I’ve forwarded the request to Leter Chen of Singxer, maybe you could also drop him a mail ?
@@GoldenSound I received a reply from Singxer, stating that as the current model is based on the discontinued ak4499 it does not make sense for them to promote (or review) it. Unfortunate as it is a very good and unique product.
Maybe Sandu would lend you his unit ? ua-cam.com/video/SvvsihxaZ9k/v-deo.html
Have you had a chance to listen to the newer version of this DAC, the VMV D1SE2? The DAC chip is now one number higher but I suspect that the sound will be virtually identical as long as they didn't screw up something else. You liked the red color on the display so I'm sorry to report that it is now blue.
I've seen some reviews of D1SE2, and some people think it's too detailed/etched. Whether one is better than another (D1SE or D1SE2) depends on your system, your hearing, and your sound preferences.
There's also the Schiit Bifrost 2/64 at about the same price to consider, which they say is more detailed and less bloated than the Bifrost 2 (a few people prefer the original BF2 over the BF2/64, but most seem to prefer the 2/64).
I have the D1SE and I'm very happy with it. I like the sound and I like the sound "colors" to try out. I replaced the spiky feet with Sorbothane hemispheres. I have Martin Logan Motion 40 speakers, which have AMT tweeters and thus are very clear in the upper end - which seems to work well with the D1SE.
The "99" display with the surrounding red lines on the SE is fine, though I think the new blue on SE2 looks better (no big deal either way). As I get older and my hearing loses part of the upper range, I might want to get the D1SE2 (or something), but for now I'm good with the D1SE - and might never want to upgrade.
I got the Arya Stealth as a good all-rounder headphone... Wound the all-rounder D1SE might be a perfect match for it?
Is the VMV D1SE better then the SMSL M400 warmer or
Thinking about this one for my headphones, is it a bit too much for my Sennheiser HD660s and Audeze LCD-X? Or would it be better to settle for a bit cheaper dac?
You clearly are very, very heavily influenced by Zeos Pantera on YT. Good job mate.
I have bought the D1SE and it's good. But my amp the sp200 is defective and need to replace it looking at the JOTUNHEIM 2 or the Singxer SA-1 what would be best for the Hifiman Ananda
Jot 2
@@r00s. Im looking into getting the Jot 2 i already have the SMSL VMV D1SE and have it hooked up to a SP200.
What's up with that beautiful woven white xlr cable? What company is that from
I currently have a Topping E30 DAC. Have you ever used that DAC? If so how much difference do you think I could see is switching to this SMCL?
Is this a big step up from FiiO K9 Pro's DAC? I wonder if I should sell it and buy the SMSL + some headphone amp (which one?) ?
He's alive!!
SU-10? Seems like they have made some fundamental improvements. What say you?
I'm torn between this (SMSL VMV D1se2) latest version with the ESS ES9039MSPRO DAC chip and the GUSTARD X18 for my V2 Arya
If they use 3 spikes two at front as normal but just one centred at the rear it will never wobble. Silly comment but I could never afford the products you review but love your reviews
How do you like it compaired to Qutest or Topping dacs you have tested?
4 vids in rapid succession go brrr
FH5 spotted ! Is the Forsberg racing Nissan "gold leader" Datsun 280Z your favorite car ? ;)
How do smsl D1se compare to smsl su-9? I want to know
Hi, I'm into rock and metal. Can you post a link to the Biofrost 2 you mention in your video?
It's from Schiit Audio
This or x26 pro?
Can SMSL VMV D1SE be used as a preamp?
What is The amplifier , Speakers and XLR Cables you have used here ? Please . Thanks
Hi will this so full decoding of MQA via coaxial? (And yes yes I know MQA SchmankQA :p)
How does this compare to the Holo Audio Spring 3? I know it’s way cheaper but does it sound as nice?
Is a preamp recommended or can this dac along run a pair of focal alpha twin evo for 2ch listening
Do they make an equivalent quality DAC/Headphone Amp?
u had a chance to listen to the SMSL SU-10?
Hello!
Am I the only one who doesn't hear a difference between each "sound color" settings? I have pretty good ears, and my hi-fi system is quite decent, but no matter how I listen, I can't hear anything noticeable. All presets are somehow the same. Does anyone hear any difference by changing the "sound color" settings?
I know the fact that it's all based on added second and third harmonic distortion, which some say is good, others say bad... I also have an SMSL DAC, an SU-10, and I love it.
I tried with several types of music and with really high-quality audio materials. What did I do wrong? Surely there is such an audible difference between "rich" and "tube" and "crystal" settings? If so, what can I do to hear it? What should I pay attention to?
Or maybe my device is faulty if I can't hear anything in the "sound color" settings, because really the differences in sound should be so obvious?
I would love to hear your thoughts on denafrips pontus ii
@ J Man Agreed! I would love to hear his thoughts on the Denefrips Pontus 2 as well..brand new subscriber here, reviews are without question second to none as I am seriously considering the Pontus. Wonderful presentation and channel...Bravo and cheers!
@@johnm3544 Thanks very much for your insights between the two...I think it's time to order one to see for myself! Thanks again, and cheers...
@@johnm3544 Does your Pontus 2 have the same microsecond delay as the Aeries2, speaking of the synchrony between audio and visual, making it less desirable for TV?
A comparison with a smsl SU-9 would have been nice. Is it worth the upgrade in sound quality? Uses the same chip but is smaller and cheaper. Why would you pay more?
IMO yes. Though the SU9 and SU9n are also fantastic DACs for the money. The D1SE stages a bit better and has a bit more of an authoritative/impactful presentation. The SU9 is a bit softer.
@@GoldenSound Excellent review! But I had the same question about the SU-9, and I like your response. However I still wonder if the difference in price justifies the improvement in sound delivery, Ya know, diminishing returns, etc. Thank you, great job!
Only because of the red screen I can't buy this. Is this color removable ?
Здравствуйте. У меня Audient id14 mk2. Думаю менять его на что нибудь лучшее. Только я не пойму, что лучше будет взять, только для прослушивания через колонки. Внешнюю звуковую карту или ЦАП. Что будет лучше звучать за свои деньги?
*Great insight as usual. Thank you! How does this SMSL VMV D1SE compare to Denafrips Pontus 2? Your input would be greatly appreciated.*
Is that a fair comparison
@@WeeWeeJumbo Obviously not.. Ok, *How about SMSL VMV D3 vs Denafrips Pontus II* ?
How about compared to an SMSL DO200? It runs dual ES9068AS dacs. Has all the same menu and sound settings. I know the D1SE has a beefier power supply so does anyone have an opinion in sound differences?
smsl do100 is much inferior to do200 ?
i am using do100 .
Do I need a Driver for Windows 10? Where do I get the Driver for the VMV D1se?
700+ euro... How does this compare to a Holo Spring 3 + preamp, 4000 euro? Worth spending 4000 euro? Coming from and ADI2 DAC and listening to 360° genres, on Neumann KH320 + KH 750 DSP monitors & sub . ...and sorry for the stupid question.
Hello GoldenSound. First of all i love you channel and also your website. Great reviews with measurements but also with a taste of how it sounds.
i would like to ask you some advise. I see you have a motu m2 (i think) on your desk, maybe for the voice recording.. or another. I also have one and i´ve been listening to motu but i would like to upgrade to a more clean dac but with natural tone/realistic. i feel motu a litle muddy sound. the information is there in a natural sense but to muddy and a bit slow/ relaxing. Do you think this SMSL is for me? how do you compare to the motu as a dac?
motu is also usb only and i would like to have another digital inputs. thank for the great reviews!
Would this be a good pairing with the Violectric V226?
I will appreciate if you can review the EverSolo Z8 DAC
What would be a good dac for someone who listens to drum and bass?
I have treble issues that mess with my head nerves. Would you say this is less harsh or warmer? sound. I think I would like a warmer sound. I’m looking at this DAC the SMSL SU-9 and the SMSL SU-8S, SMSL DO200, LOXJIE D50, LOXJIE D40, SMSL M500 MK2, and the SMSL VMV D1SE or the SMSL SU-9N. I stream music with Tidal and never heard MQA but would like to have. I have an SMSL SP200 Amp with Hifiman Ananda and soon will get Focal Clear or Elex.
The SMSL VMV D1SE does have a choice of filters which can alter the treble sound slightly, perhaps not enough to take it down for treble sensitive ears (hard to say, since all hearing is different). This unit also has the "sound color" options which can also alter the warmth and perceived sharpness, so it's quite possible this is a great choice for you. And it does include the MQA option. All for $720 list price. `
I haven't heard it, but based on reviews and your preference, you might want to try the Schiit Bifrost 2. It is $699 and a lot of people love it, it is said to "round off" some of the high treble. However it does not have MQA, and it only has Schiit's choice of filter with no other options. The Unison connection included with the Bifrost 2 is very well liked for streaming. I would guess that for someone with extremely treble sensitive ears, the Bifrost 2 is a slightly better way to go than the D1SE, but that's only a guess. Some people feel that the Bifrost 2 is not "sparkly" enough for them, but those may be older people with less sensitive upper frequency hearing. If you can live without MQA you should look into this, IMO.
There was also the Topping D70S which might have nicely filled the bill for people with treble-sensitive ears, but that's apparently out of production now, due to being based around two AKM chips whose factory burned down.
@Andrew Furst I might get the d1se and swap my sp200 for the Singer SA-1 heard it's warmer then the thx amps that my smsl sp200 is. I found a d1se cheaper then the bitfrost 2
I currently have a Marantz Amp that has the optical connection going to my TV. So if I was to use this DAC along with my Marantz Amp, how can this setup be connected to my TV?
Optical out from tv to DAC.. And RCA out from DAC to Marantz RCA in.. On Marantz select analog input (that you connect RCA cable) and on DAC set optical input to play.. 👍
@@mcdante25 Thanks man.
Goin through the dac to your Marantz, you will only get stereo if your were playing surround sound frim your Marantz (if it is an AVR) directly connected to your TV.
hope you use both speaker tap and headphone out of vmv a1 when you review
I never really got the Hamster + Elderberry joke. I always assumed it was the Pythons taking the piss out of the French for being weird.
What is the logical step between this and say, the Spring 3?