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SMSL T1 DAC/Tube Amp

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SMSL T1 DAC/Tube Amp

Name: SMSL T1 DAC/Tube Amp
Brand: SMSL
SKU: smsl-t1-dac-tube-amp
Price: 149.99 USD
Availability: OutOfStock
Rating: 4.75 (8 reviews)

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Product Description

The SMSL T1 combines two discrete, independent components into one unit: a DAC on the bottom and a hybrid tube amp on the top. Along with USB PCM support for up to 32 bit/384 kHz, it provides DSD playback support up to 22.6 MHz Read More

discussions149

Apr 22, 2019

Hello all. I got this amp on December 4th of last year. It stopped working today. Makes a high pitched buzzing sound. Have any of you experienced the same ? Thanks

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JerryLeeds

Jan 27, 2019

Thanks again ... Both the 2amp & 3.3amp LPS's work fine. Since the draw with the T1 is small both LPS's stay cool. The 3.3amp LPS is a bit larger and is a matching black. Also, I have the T1 stacked on top of the LPS ... (To save desk space) ... Is it worth the desktop space to spread the units out as opposed to stacking?

(Edited)

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verifonix

1181

Feb 6, 2019

JerryLeedsSo which LPS works best?

JerryLeeds

Feb 6, 2019

verifonixThe 3.3amp is double the size and the internals seem beefer ... Might be my imagination but the 3.3amp LPS sounds cleaner with a dead silent background when no music is playing

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JerryLeeds

Jan 19, 2019

Thanks for the replies ... I also purchased another LPS @ 24v 3.3amp. I guess one of them will work out fine

(Edited)

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KristianN

113

Jan 24, 2019

I have now tested with "line in". Draws 0.37 Amps. This time I use a Schiit Mani (with another LPS) and my fathers ERA mk4 turntable with a SME 3009 arm. Vinyl sounds pretty good :-)

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KristianN

113

Mar 12, 2019

KristianNToday I am using the COAX IN. I draws 0.387 Amps regardsless of volume.

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JerryLeeds

Jan 18, 2019

I ordered a linear power supply having an output of 24VDC @ 2 Amps. Will this be enough power?

(Edited)

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SGva

Jan 4, 2019

I received my SMSL T1 the Friday before Christmas but, alas, it was defective. Noisy popping and crackling sounds. It wasn't the supplied tube doing this. I tried to sub a Valvo ECC88 but it too produced the same noisy results. I think either the power supply or output section was defective. Massdrop was wonderfully cooperative immediately sending me a shipping label to return the defective unit and began processing a replacement. The replacement arrived Wednesday, January 2nd and it works quite well with a portable CD player and sounds great! I'll try running my MacBook Air computer music files (FLAC and AAIF I think, gotta look) this weekend. So far, the T1 does a fine job of driving my Massdrop HiFiMAN HE4XX headphones. Plenty of reserve power despite the seemingly low output specs. I'll try my Massdrop HD6XX's this weekend, too. I'm very impressed how quickly and efficiently Massrop resolved my initial issue!

Paraglider

Jun 24, 2019

SGvaI have 2 of these and both exhibit the same noise issues even with premium NOS tubes. It is an intermittent problem and I suspect it originates in the power supply design. It works well otherwise, but I am very unsatisfied with these amps now. This is clearly a design issue and should never have passed developmental QC testing. They should have eliminated this problem before producing amps for sale, IMO. Us tube amp customers are seeking quality sound, and this issue is unacceptable to true Audiophiles! Has your replacement shown this issue yet?

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mattris

1308

Dec 29, 2020

SGvaFrom personal experience, I can confirm that the T1 does not drive the HE4XX headphones well; it only gets them loud. The 4XX is eating up every bit of power the amp gives them. Once you hear the headphones on an amp with upwards of 1W per channel, you'll immediately notice what you've been missing: bigger soundstage, more bass, greater dynamics, and smoother mids and treble.

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Lazytaco

Jan 3, 2019

I am new to this tube goodness. How does one tell if a replacement tube is compatible? Is there a socket type or something that one can reference?

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Lazytaco

Jan 9, 2019

Thanks!

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makko

May 9, 2019

As far as I know e88ccs are equivalent to 6N11/6922 (indicated in T1 specs), ecc88s/6DJ8 are a bit different (see https://www.head-fi.org/threads/safe-tube-replacements-chart-along-with-recommendations.515848/) and not always compatible with devices mounting e88cc. What do you think about? Does anybody ever installed an ecc88 on the T1?

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rjudge

Dec 20, 2018

is the tube genelex e88cc can be use to replace with the 6N11? Thanks.

laksh

Dec 20, 2018

rjudgeYes, you can.

SGva

Jan 4, 2019

rjudgeThe E88CC and E88CC are European versions of the 6DJ8 and can certainly be used.

EAP1

Dec 20, 2018

Gotta say, I bought this and the Massdrop CTH + SDAC.... And the SMSL is better. I didn't want to admit it to myself, but it is...

Paraglider

Dec 6, 2018

I have a large stock of some of the best Premium Euro tubes for this T1 amp. I will guarantee my tubes and I refuse to sell them on Ebay anymore after being scammed by an unethical buyer. I will show you test results for both triodes in each tube, balanced output. The BEST are not cheap. But you get what you pay for with me! My email is paul1453 If you know what you want and how much you are willing to pay for the BEST tubes for this amp, email me. Most of my tubes are Amperex made in Holland. I have a few Mullards, and a couple of PQs and TeleFunkens too. I know what these rare Premium tubes are worth so please don't insult me with offers of Chinese tube prices. But I guarantee your satisfaction and will work with you to exchange tube you are not happy with!

(Edited by moderator AlexPk)

b12acl

Dec 4, 2018

How would this do up against a schiit stack v3? Running hifiman he4xx.

laksh

Dec 11, 2018

b12aclI have the Schiit Modi2 Uber and Magni3. SMSL T1 (with the Tesla 6N23P-EV tube, which I prefer over the stock or the Genalex Gold Lion E88CC tubes) is significantly warmer than the Schiit stack. T1 has enough power to drive both the 6XX and Aeons. I can barely go over 9 on the volume knob. The sound stage is a lot wider (tube effect) and the midrange is full bodied and smooth - probably down to the AKM 4490 chip.

(Edited)