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SMSL Q5 Pro DAC/Amp
01 / 08
SMSL Q5 Pro DAC/Amp
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Product Description
Get better sound out of your speakers with the SMSL Q5 Pro, an impressive DAC/power amp for the price. Capable of driving high-resolution audio with a sampling rate of 44.1–192 kHz, it features nearly every input imaginable for your computer, flat-screen, Blu-ray player, and more Read More
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jefe32
149
Apr 29, 2016
ZeosPanteraAwesome Z reviews is here. Your videos are hilarious. Great audiophile reviews that are different from the rest.
Hikasaki
1282
Nov 7, 2016
The amp I bought on massdrop killed my pc after plugging via USB. My computer was running perfectly fine. Then I plug the amp via opt and it didn't connect so I plug it in via USB and it completely powered off my pc and now I am unable to power it up again. I tried jumpstarting my computer with another unaffected power supply but it does no different. It seemed to have completely fried my motherboard. I also noticed sparks when plugging power to the amp but I figured that is normal. My computer now no longer work. Fortunately I was able to test my graphic card with another computer it works fine but as for the rest I cannot say. This is my far the worst product I've ever gotten.
tidusmaximus1
3
Nov 10, 2016
HikasakiYou are not alone, this product is a fire hazard. After plugging it in, sparks flew out the back and THAT IS NEVER NORMAL. Everything in the fine print of technical manual indicates that my nation's outlet's (America) are compatible in voltage. The product is DEFECTIVE AND PEOPLE'S SAFETY IS AT RISK.
DON'T PLUG IT IN.
cyberibe
9
May 12, 2017
That is correct. No DAC chip in terms of digital to pure analog conversion. In the simplest of terms, the TI 5508 provides the DAC function by converting the bitstream into a waveform. But it is not categorized as a "DAC" since it's PWM output is still a digital representation of an analog sine wave and it needs it's sister chip (TAS5342) to complete the job. But the 5508 also does much more. Paired with the amplification stage IC, it is the entire audio system. It has integrated functions of digital audio processing, mixing, separation of the digital audio stream into 8 individual PWM stream to pass on to the amplification stage. 8 channel individual volume control, dynamic range compression modes, loudness compensation. It's really a 5.1 processor and SMSL (in this implementation) used only R/L/Sub. The T5508 can't work alone and it can't be matched to just any amplification stage. The TI chipset works together since the PWM output of the 5508 is not something you can listen to... It needs to be smoothed out and amplified. The amplifier chip implementation in this Q5 could also be considered "de-tuned" for reliability and robustness since the specs go all the way to 100W/ch @4ohms with a higher supply voltage. Not that you could just plug in a massive brick to this and get higher output since other circuitry relies on the 19v source. A good search reference is TI Purepath audio. Their concept was to and mix and match devices in a 2 chip system to satisfy 5.1, 2.1 and 2 ch applications at multiple power levels by separating the amplification stage. Also note this chipset was introduced in 2007 and is currently not recommended by TI in new designs. Nevertheless, it still remains as a rock solid system and audiophile worthy at this price point.
Hope this helps clarify the 'no DAC' dilemma.
Gugliermo
1317
May 12, 2017
cyberibeThank you very much. That is very enlightening, much appreciated. This little unit is amazing in that it supplies clean hi quality sound, well beyond expectations. I have it hooked up to a small extra computer powering some very nice Infinity SL bookshelves and my Hi-Fi friends always grin when they hear it.
I was not aware of TI purepath audio. Thanks for that. I'm a child of the '50's and have been sound conscious since my older brother had an awesome mono rig before Stereo was around yet...(-;
Best Regards.
cpropst421
7
Feb 12, 2017
I don't see any headphone inputs in the pictures...
These do drive headphones, right?
Where is/are the headphone input(s).
A community member
May 19, 2017
Look at the SMSL AD-18 or indeed stack it on the M6. They are the same size. I got the M6, and it's great. I'd suggest to connect the M6 line out to the Q5's analog input. The M6 has a great speaker/headphone switch. Switching to speaker makes the headphone silent and vice versa. Choosing speaker basically sends the analog signal output to the line out RCA's in the back of the M6 that the Q5 would take in it's AUX, which then controls volume and amps it up to speakers.
Then again, the AD-18 does it all in one + bluetooth, for a smaller combined price.
weepingwillow
12
Oct 22, 2016
Will these go well with the Micca MB42X?
The Micca's specs say "impedance: 4-8 ohms - Sensitivity: 85dB 1W/1M - power handling: 75 watts (each)"
Will these not be enough to power them well? I will be using then on my desk.
weepingwillow
12
Dec 23, 2016
Thanks! I spent many hours on them, so the compliment means a lot! I later added some aluminum dampeners that aren't attached, just sitting between the legs and base to decouple the speakers
ChrisisAdidas
3
Jul 14, 2018
So my unit just arrived, however it came packed with a European (2 circular prongs) style power adapter... The picture shows a North American one, and that's was I was expecting being in North America. Did anyone else have this issue? I didn't see anything to let me choose adapter by region either.
Garrett57
16
Dec 14, 2018
What cable did you get to fix this -and where? I'm having a bit of trouble with it. Thanks!
patmasse17
11
Feb 7, 2017
I'm about to join this drop but I need first to know if it will work with the AudioEngine A5+? please conmment
A community member
Jun 9, 2017
It seems there is no actual DAC chip in this device, I can't find it in the specs. Could someone explain to me how it works?
Daed
574
Jun 9, 2017
I'm not sure there is actually a DAC before the amplifier section. It functions as if there is one, though. I'm given to understand that a digital amp can take a digital signal directly, and would have to use an ADC if using an analog signal. But it ultimately IS a DAC, as it takes a digital signal and outputs an analog signal. Well, I haven't put it on an oscilloscope, but I like to think I'd know it if I were listening to nothing but square waves.
darwin
90
Mar 26, 2016
I'm not buying this be use too many people reported major scratches on it. Not acceptable.
Dorcus_Maximus
5
Mar 30, 2016
darwinSo, find something prettier that either doesn't sound as good or is more expensive. Those are your likely alternatives to if you are looking for a device that does what this one does, as well as it does it. I have some really thrashed looking gear that sounds darned good. If you need to be impressed by the way your audio gear looks, especially for $100, then maybe you and I have different priorities.
flowbert69
5
Sep 12, 2017
i have this, and love it. i wish i could have got it at this price. i'm using optical in with klipsch rb10s on my computer desk and it sounds great!!
SkipPp
278
Oct 4, 2017
I always use optical. In addition, you can buy old DVD audio players with really good DAC's built in. I got a Pioneer Elite from ages ago for like $50 and the DAC is amazing. I just use the optical out to CD/DVD audio player, then connect that to my amp. It is amazing. I am debating whether to buy a couple of these and have surround sound for my TV. Do you know of anyone using a bunch of these with a pre-amp/singnal processor? It seems reasonable. These things have more than enough power.
Godataloss
10
Oct 4, 2017
SkipPpIf you are using optical bitstream out you aren't using the dac in the player at all.
VinceWald
0
Jan 3, 2016
I've been looking to get a speaker amp and DAC for quite a while and never found a 2in1 combo, and this drop just popped up so I have a question... Can I plug in a headphone amp into this ? I mean, there are is no RCA connectivity so... I don't know much about this kind hardware so sorry if I sound like a noob. (My amp is the SMSL sAp II btw)
AudioMan612
218
Mar 18, 2016
I'm sorry, I didn't notice your question. Yes, an external DAC can help bypass the noise that plagues a lot of on-board audio. You don't need to worry about your audio circuits being right next to other noisy circuits (computers use switching power supplies, which are often noisy as well, unless designed for audio, which has much tighter noise requirements). Also, if you get an external DAC that uses an external power supply, you don't need to worry about dirty power coming from your PC, especially via USB. Also, make sure your computer does not have a ground issue. I've used a few laptop chargers in the past with bad designs that had horrible grounding issues, which would cause both the on-board audio, and external USB powered DAC's to sound awful.
ktam
5
Jul 18, 2016
The cheapest way is stream the music or use USB/optical out from your PC to pioneer vsx930.
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