I just bought the SMSL D6S and would like to tell you all my experience. I tried it in two different set-ups, both streaming Amazon music. My desktop near-field and main living room set-up. My desktop consists of two Ayima AO7 MAX run as stereo monoblocks, a JDS labs Atom+ headphone amp which also serves as the pre-amp for the Ayimas. Schitt Modi DAC and KEF Q150 speakers. I recently replaced Schitt DAC with SMSL SU-1, and immediately noticed more clarity, detail and soundstage space. But I couldn't leave it alone, so again, I replaced SU-1 with D6S and it was an upgrade for sure. More of everything, especially noticed better bass clarity and texture, more pinpoint imaging, much larger soundstage overall. This set-up now sounds fantastic, the Ayima mono-blocks are a shockingly good and Q150s have amazing imaging and soundstage as near field speakers. Best I have heard. Now, my living room set-up is different story. Audiolab 6000A, Wiim pro, KLH Kendall floorstanders. Had been using Audiolab internal DAC and was very pleased with it. But i figured it was older tech and could be upgraded so I inserted SMSL D6S after Wiim pro using optical cable, and RCA cable from DAC to Audiolab. The sound was not good. No improvement in sound stage and imaging, highs were irritating, and overall sound was harsh compared to internal DAC of Audiolab. Many people say the DAC of the Audiolab, although an older ES9018 chip, is very well implemented and sounds great. This has proven to be true. I much prefer the internal DAC of the 6000A. The D6S will stay in my desktop set-up for sure. Thank you, iiWi, for your great and detailed reviews. You communicate your impressions of the equipment and musicality very well.
I also connect wiim pro with D6s through optical. To me, the clarity was not ideal. And then realize you must use wiim app to access the streaming service, but not casting from apps like Amazon music. Day And night difference.
I have SU-1 powered by iFi power x, fed by Pi2Aes streamer (coax), just wow. Can´t compare to D6s, but now i believe it can be on par with it. When tried usb in and power from laptot, sound was much grainier, more congested and not so dynamically alive (but that is pi2aes). Enjoy music :)
I did some testing with the Wiim Pro. Optical and Coax out were very bad compared to USB input on a few DAC's I tested. I dont use the Wiim anymore. I've set up old or Mini PC's with Volumio streaming via UPNP from MConnect player. I had old PC parts, dont need to pay for Volumio, and MContect is only a few bucks, Amazon is a PITA to intergrate with anything (Bubble UPNP will kinda work to cast to devices), currently using Tidal with MConnect as it works flawlessly. Dead easy to setup too.
iiWi - Thanks!!! - After watching many videos on DACs, I got the SMSL D6S. I just hooked it up to my PC and perfecto. This little unit is saved me from the expense of upgrading my Parasound separates, because they lacked a DAC. So, in comparison - to the headphone jack out of the PC - This DAC rocks - Thanks
I saw it here andI bought it. The D6S is a really nice DAC. I like that you can “calibrate” the output with the anti-clock jitter DPLL and the PCM filter. I am currently using settings FL6 and DP1 to get a dynamic and resolving sound in my system. I paired the DAC via coaxial digital cable with a WiiM pro plus. Some reviewers have said that they did not hear a difference between PCM filters in their systems, however I noticed a very significant difference between the filters, albeit it took me a little time to grasp what each filter was doing differently. Lowering the DPLL setting helped. When adjusting the PCM filters, the decay structure and its effect on transient response, sound blackness, and instrument separation is certainly affected.
I am a really great fan if your reviews. Your reviews are incredible precise, honest and complete and comparable with an astonishing expressiveness like no one else for though you are using another language. Your reviews makes me able to imagine the sound, as i have heard it by myself. I can trust your judgement, so i bought the D6S and all you said i can follow. Using it behind a wiim pro plus w/ ifi ipower x at 500 € powered bookshelf speakers it is a steel. You are doing such a good work.
Thank you so much for this! I've had an ART D/O modified DAC "forever". I've just thought about getting something new, but not spending a lot of money. You have given me the answer. While my audio system is "old" by current standards (Von Schweikert VR4 speakers, Parasound HCA 2200MKII amp, Marsh P2000T hybrid pre amp), it is still a resolving, powerful system. I wanted just a DAC. Thank you!
Thank you once again for this very detailed and revealing review of this equipment. I wish you a really good year ahead, and I hope 2024 brings you more success and happiness. All the best and take care.
Thanks so much for sharing these insights. You do a great job of explaining the differences between DAC gear, so much so that a newbie like me can understand :)
im holding im holding.....interesting to see these new saber chips in future implementations. i wish i could send you the geshelli dac to get your comparison/opinion. there must be a way bro...
the new MKII series of Rotel uses a quite simple but capable TI chip. They say premium but it is technical great but not premium a BCM5xxx chip. They can be used very simply like in the CD 11 mkII or they can be used in a proper environment with proper power management, and post-amplification. like in the CD14 mkII or 1572 mkII, you get from one to the next or over the next level using the same chip in a different environment and not using a high-end ESS chip. So if you can speak a bit more about the chip and the environment they use it would be important to understand why you hear what you hear and tell us (which is great).
Nice done review and nice dac indeed. BTW what's your thoughts about the nice looking sound diffusers behind you? They're really working and make a big difference regarding the sound quality?
I'm going to buy one. It'll be interesting to see the difference between this and the D50S I have with a Burson v5i opamp and powered by an ifi ipowerx supply.
Thanks for your reviews! I have an eastern electric minimax dac currently in use. The minimax uses the Sabre 9018 dac chip. I am wondering how you feel this D6S compares to a dac utilizing the 9018?
FYI - Love your reviews. And all of the new lingo has me confused. What is the best site/forum/Facebook etc. to get some advice? I sold my entire system about 20 years ago, and I'm lost with all the new stuff. If you all have any suggestions, I would appreciate it. I had an Audible Illusions Modulus 3 preamp, a PSE Studio 4 Amp, VPI Junior Turntable with audioquest tonearm and sumiko bluepoint oyster cartridge, through a pair of ADS L810's. I also had an old RCA CD player No more CD's, and I do have 521 albums. I'll keep listening to these reviews, and I need a more across the board help.
What if I have a Denafrips Ares DAC that I paid $750 for about 2 years ago? What is noticeably better now compared to the Ares (which everyone gave big kudos too not so long ago)?
Depends on what you're looking for. In terms of soundstage size and tone timbre, nothing is better. If you're looking for more deteils, dynamics, or bass slam... Then there are better ones. For example, SMSL SU-10 is great or Topping D70 pro Octo.
HI I want to buy an budget DAC for my active speaker My question is, SMSL SU-1 and FiiO BR13 What is the best of these two DAC devices, what is the difference between them, and which DAC is better in terms of sound quality
You were mentioning the older DAC’s and I don’t hear much comments anymore about the Topping E 50 that I have owned for the last two years, so I was curious if this D6 would be an audible upgrade ?
It should be, especially in terms of bassline, dynamics, and micro dynamics. But I haven't heard E50 for some time now so this is just my best guess based on memory and without a direct comparison.
If my memory serves me well, that Soncoz is very fast and clear sounding, but it was a bit edgy. D6s should sound at least equally regaling but fuller and bolder, with more realistic tone timbre.
Modi Multibit should sound better than most Delta Sigma DACS. Ladder/R2R/Multibit especially shine with acoustic music, but I always think they kill most of the DACS out there with a warmer, more musical signature. Many DS DACS sound lifeless in comparison.
Depends on the synergy of other components as well as your taste. My B&W 602 S3, which is a bit shouty on top & and lacks a bit of punch, is matched by the inverse characteristics of the E30 ii. My Q3030i, which is punchi, is better matched with the SU-1. So think of the synergy before u decide. It's NOT only what beats the other. Just in my opinion.
Hi dear Srbolub. I need your wise opinion. I own a budget set which include Fosi v3 amp ( with Burson V5i opamps), smsl su-1 dac and a pair of Mission LX2+ speakers, and i likeit a lot for what it is and what it costs . Now I want an other budget set for my medium sized living room with KEF Q350 speakers. My question is if I have to choose between two sets of similar price, the integrated class AB Yamaha a-s501 ( internal TI PCM5101 dac) and a combo of the new Fosi ZA3 balanced amp with Sparkos ss3602 opamp for the XLR imput section and the SMSL D6S dac. I won't have turntable. Which is expected to sound better? The integrated Yamaha or the Fosi/SMSL combo?Just in terms of SQ?
@@iiWiReviews Thank you very much! When I was expected that too, I was a bit confused from everyone's ravings about the "higher" level of sound quality of the AB class even in the budget segment compared to the D class. If in most cases that seems true, nowadays the answer is not so simple anymore. Anyways my explanations are dependent on my tight East European budget. I'll go for the Fosi/SMSL 🙂👍
I am wondering if someone can chime in about a dac uppgrade for my stereo setup. I use the denon Pma 2500ne integrated amplifier with buchard s400 mk2. I use the internal dac in the denon, a dac that is from 2016 with a dac chip from 2014. What would be a substantial dac upgrade for me while thinking about synergy and my preference for a warm and weighty sound? Budget up to 1500€. R2R in general seems like good choice.
Hello Srboljub, you hear so much from a DAC, as if you are actually reviewing amplifiers! Ha ha. I must say I believe your hear details that 95% of people do not. Just wondering if your audiophile friends hear all the things in a DAC that you do. Love your reviews. Cheers.
It kinda is but they have different tonality. M500 MKII has very warm and bold sound signature, this one is more neutral and probably wins with the outright deteil retrieval... But depending on the system matching, M500 MKII could still pull a win.
I have the MK III My main criticsim of it that it is a bit too smooth. With revealing speakers it sounds better than with ones that also have built in smooth sound @@iiWiReviews
I think the best Gustard/Audalytic AH90 Streamer, DAC and Headphone amp at 599. You get 80% of a Gustard A 26 for 30% of the price tag. I bought mine last night. I love the SMSL SU-1 at $80. The sound signature of the Audalytic is fuller.
I bought this dac online. I have no remote on my amp and thought this thing would help me out on this. It was going to replace an old, and probably obsolete, Musical Fidelity. Man, was I disappointed. All the dynamics were gone, base was boomy, voices sounded as if the singers were nervous. There was sound, but no music. I checked and tried everything, at last did an A/B test with the MF because I couldn't believe it. But believe me, I don't like to say it this way but this SMSL is rubbish. For the first time in my life I send something back. The MF is singing again and will stay for a long time.
The TOPPING E50 uses the latest high performance DAC chip ES9068AS. The S.M.S.L D6S utilizes the ES9039Q2M chip. They are at the same price point ($199) with basically identical features. It would be a great comparison, if you can. Love your videos. Thank you!
I have the E50, measures awesome but the bass is muddy on it. I have tried upgraded power supplies, different systems. It sounds muddy in the bass and lacks dynamics. It's almost too clean for it's own good but the bass is far from clean.
I remember in your previous review on the SMSL SU6, and you said the star of the show was acfual SH6😅. When both of them (SU6 + SH6) added together, they became a great combo. How about this latest 6 family member? When D6S + SH6?
yes, ive said it somewhere youll hear unique melody by owning them, 99% people wont hear susvara is fun at maximum level, d8000 monitor headphone in highest level
So the d6-s is a combo of the su-1 and e30 II you say? So....bought it....listened to this dac for two days and send it back. No ESS Sabre dac for me again.....ever
I was on the market for newDAC. To replace my PCM5122 (dac HAT) for RPi4 LMS setup. Which musical/not analytical Dac (with is recomend under 200$: SMSL s10 MKII (MKII), SMSL D6S, Topping E30 (E30 MKII) or... I own audio device with ES9218P chip. It has more than analytical sound to me. Thanks.
I once had the DO300, it sounded very clear and detailed, but resulted somewhat fatiguing for long listening session, so i returned it. Do you think this D-6S has the same sound signature?
Maybe you could help me: i've been using an SMSL M100 now for a couple of years, and i really like it. But as a want to upgrade with volume controle. (And xlr for my pioneer RM-05 monitors)How does de M100 compare to the D6-S? Is it a step up? Thanks a lot!
Is it possible to run both the single ended and the balance outs at the same time? I wanted to run the rca's to an amp to power my mains and then run the xlr's to my Xduoo MT604 balanced headphone amp. Often times I like to still leave the mains on while listening to headphones. I am doing this currently at my desktop with an IFI Zen Dac and it works flawlessly. I need the optical input for my living room however or else I would have just purchased another Zen Dac . This DAC looks like a good candidate if it can do this...? Thanks
I have a question regarding your test setup and noise reduction. Do you use your switch with great ethernet cables always and some sort of power filter strip? I ask since I have played around a lot with digital noise reduction and it really is amazing what happens with the gear in the digital domain if your target both the power and the ethernet sourced noise. To me, it is to the level where it basically changes the characteristics of the sound. For example, a cheaper dac with a sibilant sharp sound can actually sound smooth and pleasant (relatively) when this noise is removed. I understand that some might not "accept" these facts so it might be hard for you to talk about it... but I think you would do a big service for the audio community if you could talk about this and also mention how the gear sounds with and without these noise reductions in place. For this particular DAC it might be out of place (even though i actually don´t think so, just to prove the logic) since you normally don´t have low noise floor and look at this DAC.
iiWI ? good video. OK.. so I have a Topping E50 from a couple years ago and an external linear $20 power supply hooked up to it .. very resolving system... could this new dac be an upgrade or do you think it's not worth the change? Thanks!
This one should be slightly more resolving and dynamic, with more convincing bassline... but E50 with a good power supply is fine DAC. You could hold one more time. 🙂
I just replied to someone else. The E50 is not that great, I find the Khadas Toneboard sounds WAY better than it, even with an upgraded power supply on the E50. The E50 has muddy bass and is just too clean, dynamics are poor.
