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Product Description
A compact, versatile DAC/amp for powering your entire audio setup, the SMSL AD18 supports a wide range of inputs, including USB, optical, coaxial, auxiliary, and Bluetooth 4.2. Connect it to your computer and use it to drive your headphones with an amp or to power your passive speakers Read More
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Detailed reasons why SA300 is better imo:
The USB on the AD18 is problematic. So I had to use optical on that. BT was also terrible.
The SA300 has great USB and BT works properly. Also, RCA sub out is a huge plus as opposed to 3.5 sub out on AD18.
Literally the only think on the ad18 worth considering is the optical in in my opinion. Even the headphone amp is mediocre.
I need to know 1) if i have it on an ac power strip. Will turning on the strip turn on the amp to its last setting or do ineed to intervene? 2) phono mm input?
Is the headphone output good enough to plug into an amp?
I'm having a hard time finding an inexpensive Bluetooth/USB/Coax/Optical DAC pre-amp, with remote and a Subwoofer output. I basically want an AD18 with pre-amp outputs. Any suggestions?
I've got a vintage NAD 3150 amp, and a powered sub with no high-level pass-through.
I want to add digital sources to the amp.
Don't want to pay $500 for an NAD or TEAC or Marantz pre-amp, or use a modern receiver just as a pre-amp.
ArtamovIs the headphone output good enough to plug into an amp?
The headphone out is one of the weakest points of this unit. Unless they've fixed it in this version, I wouldn't count on it.
GvanderRelated: the description says "drive headphones with an amp", but there's no line/pre-amp output. Is SMSL suggesting we use a headphone jack-RCA cable from the AD18's headphone output into a headphone amp input?
AliasThe newer version (not sure which one is on sale here) has a 3.5mm "OPTI1" input jack (C on first image). It supports either Optical IN (through a 3.5mm Optical cable), OR Coax IN/Sub OUT through a 3.5mm-RCA cable (second image). However, I would suggest using a 3.5mm to RCA female cable, and then run separate cables to the sub and the coax device.
ArtamovI bought mine in the the April 2019 drop and it's the newer one. I would expect the drops that have happened since were also the new version. I'm not sure the old one is even available anymore.
I got one of these, not off of Drop though.
I use them with a pair of Micca RB42 for my PC, works fine for me. The AD18 is connected via USB and I got it set to 96kHz, don't got a sub hooked up to it and the speakers are connected through some 12 AWG banana plug cables which may have been more than needed.
Only real issue I have is that if I accidentally leave the AD18 on during a cold startup of my PC it makes this horrific beeping noise. I haven't observed any noise or hissing or anything for my particular unit.