Been waiting for this review from you for a while. I own both this and a Topping D70s. Both are great dacs and love them both for their own reasons. The D70s sounds more natural, but not as tight and incisive as the D1se. Both are great for their own reasons. Both are natural sounding dacs that blend the line between delta sigma and r2r dacs, with the D70s leaning slightly closer to the r2r side and D1se leaning slight closer towards the delta sigma side.
@@SerG4862 the D1se is a tighter, and more impactful bass. Where the D70s has a more relaxed bass decay. Depending on your taste, even though the D1se has more impactful bass, the tightness of the bass can lead some people to believe that there’s less bass presence, because it doesn’t linger around. If you are strictly worried about bass, look at the Schiit Bifrost 2 or an ifi product that has their trubass or xbass feature. Most bass heads tend to prefer those products.
@@bondtse3594 no need to buy two dacs this close anyways. I only have both because I have one for my loudspeaker setup and the other for my headphone setup. By default, the D70s may have a slightly larger soundstage, but not by much; however, I you set color setting to Tube 3 on the D1se, the soundstage does get larger than that of the D70s. The D1se may be a better choice for different genres due to being able to change the color options on it, but left at stock the D1se is better for electronic/synth style music and the D70s better for acoustic music. Both are very close and I doubt you’d be disappointed in either. Apos offers a good return policy, so you could always look at buying both through them and returning the one you like less.
Great experience to bring together a Sabre chip with a warmer tuning Dac or class A amplifier. I know since I am the beneficiary of such a combo. Good video, Sandu! Was thinking the other day WHAT COULD BE THE ULTIMATE TEASER? Now I know: SANDU SHOWING US THE SUSVARA FROM ALL ANGLES IN EVERY VIDEO FOR THE LAST 6 MONTHS... WITHOUT REVIEWING THE GOD DAMN THING! Just joking, waiting patiently 😉👍
Great review, read your written review just before ;). I had to send an SMSL SU-9 back due to the old firmware problem (harmonic distortion). I was also getting a small pop powering on/off and changing inputs (connected to Yamaha HS80M monitors via XLR). Considering this D1SE or the topping D90SE. I would prefer something musical with great vocals and instrument separation but also with some authority (and listen to a lot of trance/house). Hopefully the upgraded power supply / filters would help the odd noise problems (which I don't have any issues with Cabridge DACMagic). Im planning on running straight to the monitors no pre-amp, so hopefully it's a good match - I guess i would still use the variable vol not fixed (or it may be way too loud, no volume range from the phone etc). Thanks!
Hi Sandu! Great review as always! You are giving us too many options! I was sold on the Topping D70s after watching your review and now I’m not sure… how would you compare the two units in terms of sound?
This is a clone of Topping D70S it uses the same board, with some differences ESS Sabre and its programing unit. As someone who owned D90 and D70S, I can tell you D70S is not as sterile, thin and analytical sounding as the D90 (sold it), can't say if its dual chip design helps to deliver a very liquid and spacious soundstage similar to Ares II, but with nice well define and agile dynamics to play also electronic music. If this D1SE has some D70S pedigree, which is discontinued... this SMSL DAC seems a pretty good deal, because that was the main thing with D70S great value for its price, a nice well rounded DAC.
How would this compare to the SU-9 Or the DO200 and the LOXJIE d40 and the LOXJIE D50 looking for a warmer less harsh Dac? I have the Ananda and the SMSL SP200.
great review!!i am consider buying topping d70s after reading your review,but now i want to buy D1SE too,what do you think which i should buy? i only use headphone(have hd650,sundara,k712)and i mainly listen pop and classical
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
At 10:50 of this review, Sandu talks about the x26 pro having a "bigger sound" than the D1SE. So check out that part. Also watch the "Goldensound" review of the x26 pro on UA-cam. That reviewer loves the D1SE but says the x26 pro is more refined. And it should be at twice the price of the D1SE. One advantage of the D1SE though are the 10 "sound color" options, which the x26 does not have. Otherwise if you want to spend the extra $800, the x26 pro is probably the way to go.
Should i choose the VMV D1se or the new released D400es? cant find many reviews about the d400es unfortunately. Reading through a few forums it looks like the d400es has a weird thing with the filters going on, so i cant really decide atm. Any input is appreciated :)
@@Soundnews Thanks, I ordered the D1se DAC finally (to match a Burson Soloist amp). BTW, your exhaustives reviews are very well appreciated... Really good work! Cheers, from Canada.
For my first dac I am looking at the sed1 and the eversolo z8 the preamp I’m looking at to pair is the topping pre90 the monitors I want to pair is the focal alpha twin evo I listen to a lot of different music would the z8 or sed1 be best 1st option
Hi Still watching (1.5 years now 🤠) to buy a higher DAC (to replace schiit Modi 3+ and fiio Taishan d3)... Vs gustard x16 any insight? Would be helpful 🙂. Thx 👍🏿
Thanks for the review Sandu! I've been eyeing the D1SE for a little while, and i appreciate your insights. How do you find the sound coloring options, if you have used them at all? I find a senario where the DAC could change its tonality from sterile topping sound to more fullbodied Denafrips/Chord sound extremly interesting and usefull. It would be very cool if the D1SE could do that even if only to a slight degree. D1SE's sound color modes could be the start of a new feature trend. What do you think?
It's an old feature retained from the original VMV D1 and the D1se retains the same ten filters. The timbre of each is quite a bit different and easy to like.
@@TerraBlacc1 i believe that smsl utilizes these colors in their other products, such as the su-9. They are a nice feature. They introduce even order distortion to give different effects. Slightly degrade sound clarity when applied, but they are a nice feature. I like the tube color, as it provide a slightly larger sound stage.
@@TerraBlacc1 oh, I wasn’t saying that the su-9 was the original dac that had this. Was just simply saying that they’ve introduced the feature in other products as well.
According to the Soundnews website, the d90se has a higher score. I don't understand it either. According to the review, Sandu clearly preferred the SMSL.
Still waiting for their technical support to find a way to flash bricked M500 DAC. wait ?!. Their customer support dont give a F!. BuFu !! type of company!!!. Beware
Been waiting for this review from you for a while. I own both this and a Topping D70s. Both are great dacs and love them both for their own reasons. The D70s sounds more natural, but not as tight and incisive as the D1se. Both are great for their own reasons.
Both are natural sounding dacs that blend the line between delta sigma and r2r dacs, with the D70s leaning slightly closer to the r2r side and D1se leaning slight closer towards the delta sigma side.
Which DAC has more bass?Which DAC has more bass D70s and D1se?Which dac gives more bang on the drum? ?
@@SerG4862 the D1se is a tighter, and more impactful bass. Where the D70s has a more relaxed bass decay. Depending on your taste, even though the D1se has more impactful bass, the tightness of the bass can lead some people to believe that there’s less bass presence, because it doesn’t linger around.
If you are strictly worried about bass, look at the Schiit Bifrost 2 or an ifi product that has their trubass or xbass feature. Most bass heads tend to prefer those products.
how about thier soundstage? as i listen all kind of music,i am consider this two dac(but i can't buy both >_
@@bondtse3594 no need to buy two dacs this close anyways. I only have both because I have one for my loudspeaker setup and the other for my headphone setup. By default, the D70s may have a slightly larger soundstage, but not by much; however, I you set color setting to Tube 3 on the D1se, the soundstage does get larger than that of the D70s. The D1se may be a better choice for different genres due to being able to change the color options on it, but left at stock the D1se is better for electronic/synth style music and the D70s better for acoustic music. Both are very close and I doubt you’d be disappointed in either. Apos offers a good return policy, so you could always look at buying both through them and returning the one you like less.
@@devinmatteson with apodaizng filter and Rich2 ON soundstage on my system get really big. Did you try the hack with loosing the screws on xlrs?
@soundnews, did you test d1se2? I bought it and really liked its sound signature. Great soundstage and beautiful tone.
Great experience to bring together a Sabre chip with a warmer tuning Dac or class A amplifier. I know since I am the beneficiary of such a combo. Good video, Sandu! Was thinking the other day WHAT COULD BE THE ULTIMATE TEASER? Now I know: SANDU SHOWING US THE SUSVARA FROM ALL ANGLES IN EVERY VIDEO FOR THE LAST 6 MONTHS... WITHOUT REVIEWING THE GOD DAMN THING! Just joking, waiting patiently 😉👍
been eager to test the SMSL recommended by my audiophile close friend...just reliving my teenage years passion in audio lately
Great review, read your written review just before ;). I had to send an SMSL SU-9 back due to the old firmware problem (harmonic distortion). I was also getting a small pop powering on/off and changing inputs (connected to Yamaha HS80M monitors via XLR). Considering this D1SE or the topping D90SE. I would prefer something musical with great vocals and instrument separation but also with some authority (and listen to a lot of trance/house). Hopefully the upgraded power supply / filters would help the odd noise problems (which I don't have any issues with Cabridge DACMagic). Im planning on running straight to the monitors no pre-amp, so hopefully it's a good match - I guess i would still use the variable vol not fixed (or it may be way too loud, no volume range from the phone etc). Thanks!
Just got this DAC paired with SMSL SH-9. The sound Color, what a great feature. I love it. 🎼 💖
Hi Sandu, I really enjoy your channel and reviews. Keep up the great work.. Do you plan to review the SMSL VMV D2 DAC?
Do you prefer it to the Ares? I was cross-shopping the denafrips and this and luckily you posted a video. Great timing!
I would love to compare this one with the new SMSL DO200 newer SMSL DAC.
Hi Sandu! Great review as always! You are giving us too many options! I was sold on the Topping D70s after watching your review and now I’m not sure… how would you compare the two units in terms of sound?
This is a clone of Topping D70S it uses the same board, with some differences ESS Sabre and its programing unit. As someone who owned D90 and D70S, I can tell you D70S is not as sterile, thin and analytical sounding as the D90 (sold it), can't say if its dual chip design helps to deliver a very liquid and spacious soundstage similar to Ares II, but with nice well define and agile dynamics to play also electronic music.
If this D1SE has some D70S pedigree, which is discontinued... this SMSL DAC seems a pretty good deal, because that was the main thing with D70S great value for its price, a nice well rounded DAC.
great review!!i am consider buying topping d70s after reading your review,but now i want to buy D1SE too,what do you think which i should buy?
How would this compare to the SU-9 Or the DO200 and the LOXJIE d40 and the LOXJIE D50 looking for a warmer less harsh Dac? I have the Ananda and the SMSL SP200.
great review!!i am consider buying topping d70s after reading your review,but now i want to buy D1SE too,what do you think which i should buy? i only use headphone(have hd650,sundara,k712)and i mainly listen pop and classical
how would you compare it to Musician Draco
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
Looking to put this into my Node2i-> Rega Brio-R -> Focal Chora 826 chain. I’m sure the DAC will be better than the one in Node2i
How does D1se compare to the Gustard x26 pro?
At 10:50 of this review, Sandu talks about the x26 pro having a "bigger sound" than the D1SE. So check out that part.
Also watch the "Goldensound" review of the x26 pro on UA-cam. That reviewer loves the D1SE but says the x26 pro is more refined. And it should be at twice the price of the D1SE. One advantage of the D1SE though are the 10 "sound color" options, which the x26 does not have. Otherwise if you want to spend the extra $800, the x26 pro is probably the way to go.
Should i choose the VMV D1se or the new released D400es? cant find many reviews about the d400es unfortunately. Reading through a few forums it looks like the d400es has a weird thing with the filters going on, so i cant really decide atm. Any input is appreciated :)
Would the D1SE be a good match for the Arya Stealth? (if not, which DAC would be the best match?)
Any R-2R or FPGA DAC would work greatly with Arya Stealth, from delta-sigma ones I'll pick the D1SE or maybe a Topping D70S (EOL)
@@Soundnews Thanks, I ordered the D1se DAC finally (to match a Burson Soloist amp). BTW, your exhaustives reviews are very well appreciated... Really good work! Cheers, from Canada.
For my first dac I am looking at the sed1 and the eversolo z8 the preamp I’m looking at to pair is the topping pre90 the monitors I want to pair is the focal alpha twin evo I listen to a lot of different music would the z8 or sed1 be best 1st option
I'm stuck between this or the Musician Pegasus.. I can't decide.
Hi
Still watching (1.5 years now 🤠) to buy a higher DAC (to replace schiit Modi 3+ and fiio Taishan d3)...
Vs gustard x16 any insight? Would be helpful 🙂. Thx 👍🏿
Thanks for the review Sandu! I've been eyeing the D1SE for a little while, and i appreciate your insights. How do you find the sound coloring options, if you have used them at all? I find a senario where the DAC could change its tonality from sterile topping sound to more fullbodied Denafrips/Chord sound extremly interesting and usefull. It would be very cool if the D1SE could do that even if only to a slight degree. D1SE's sound color modes could be the start of a new feature trend. What do you think?
It's an old feature retained from the original VMV D1 and the D1se retains the same ten filters. The timbre of each is quite a bit different and easy to like.
@@TerraBlacc1 i believe that smsl utilizes these colors in their other products, such as the su-9. They are a nice feature. They introduce even order distortion to give different effects. Slightly degrade sound clarity when applied, but they are a nice feature. I like the tube color, as it provide a slightly larger sound stage.
@@devinmatteson The original D1 is two years older than SU-9.
@@TerraBlacc1 oh, I wasn’t saying that the su-9 was the original dac that had this. Was just simply saying that they’ve introduced the feature in other products as well.
hello,may i know the difference between xduoo xa-10 and xduoo ta-10r?in terms of sound,thanks :))) no rush^
Can you compare it with E50? It has 3x price, but how much is it better?
D1se is much better in almost every region. D1se sounds like almost hi-end, providing deep soundstage
Worm is good
Can't understand.. same overall scoring of d90se? 🤷🏻
According to the Soundnews website, the d90se has a higher score. I don't understand it either. According to the review, Sandu clearly preferred the SMSL.
Still waiting for their technical support to find a way to flash bricked M500 DAC. wait ?!. Their customer support dont give a F!. BuFu !! type of company!!!. Beware
as soon as you said emotions you've got a negative. enough bull
If your music doesn't stir your emotions then your system is rubbish. Unless you're a sound loving robot.....🙄
@@steven2809 When I hear dCS I'm all emotion
@@Burevestnik9M730 he talks about his emotion not yours, plenty of us are lucky enough not to need a dCs to feel emotion.
@@johnm3544 Is that supposed to be a joke...?😣