SMSL VMV D1 DAC Discussions | Drop

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SMSL VMV D1 DAC

Jul 11, 2019

Hello, is this an end game dac ?

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salander1800

Jul 11, 2019

nick_tPretty much

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Jul 11, 2019

salander1800Yes or no. Please explain !

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Brosefstalin42

260

Jul 11, 2019

nick_tIt has a DAC for each channel and balanced and unbalanced outs. Unless you want a balanced outs ladder DAC instead of a sigma Delta DAC (which most are double the price of this DAC drop) this will likely be the last DAC you would need.

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Jul 11, 2019

Brosefstalin42I see, what about an end game dac ? Is it the best ?

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Brosefstalin42

260

Jul 11, 2019

nick_tBest is subjective to your ears. I personally favor topping DACs, though newer SMSL DACs have been sounding better to me. Once you hit $1000+, there isn't much you can compare to besides measurements and listening yourself. Amps and headphones are going to matter more with the result than the DAC.

gabriel-dan

Jul 12, 2019

nick_tEnd game? Yes if you don't have money, No if you are rich. Will you notice "better" sound from a 3k USD dac compared to a 250 USD? who knows. "Better" sound is subjective, distortion and signal response graphs are objective but will "better" graphs sound "better". Distortion, signal response, etc measurements of modern well designed equipment is excellent even on a 20 dollars dac

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Jul 12, 2019

gabriel-danYes, if you dont have money, are you high, $800+ ? no if you are rich means its not an end game. However, is it the best compatibility dac with the THX 789 AAA ? Also, is it the best dac for entry level high end dac ? Am, sorry yes sound is subjective but there is a definite 'better sound' sound. Period. Something like definite superior acoustic sound of open vs close design and electrostatic driver vs planar/magnetic driver. Orphues the best sounding but if you like the sound signature. Some headphone have sound that are just another great pair of sound to your collection. To me the best sounding dac, has to be reference sounding where the best imaging and soundstage in the world, period also the most realistic sounding ever the artist intended. If you hear drum being struck, that is the kind of sound you hear in real life not it feels like listening to the dac or headphone. Something like that.

Jul 12, 2019

Brosefstalin42So there is no point spending more than a grand due to similar sound quality in comparison to over $4000 dac ? Help me out here.

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Brosefstalin42

260

Jul 12, 2019

nick_tHeadphones matter most for sound, amps are second, and last are DACs. You're better off spending more on headphones and amps first. Some DACs will sound better than others, but that's mostly personal preference. The difference between $200 headphones and $1000 headphones will be a bigger difference than a $200 DAC and a $1000 DAC. If you're set on headphones and amps already, then the Chord Hugo/Hugo 2/Hugo TT, Schiit Yggdrasil, this DAC, and the Topping D70 are all high end choices ranging from $500-$2500. Look into reviews of those and see which sounds best for how you like music to sound and enjoy.

Jul 12, 2019

Brosefstalin42Look, I just one the best. Which one, there is a definite best sounding. Forget amp and headphone, that is already covered.

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TheHun

102

Jul 13, 2019

nick_tit is one of the highest rated by objective measurements on audio science review.com, but if you want a subjective opinion than you just have to form one yourself.

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Deepspace57

Jul 14, 2019

nick_tTopping d70 is for half of this dac. No brainer!! Prefer topping d70 over this two years old DAC. SMSL D1 heavily suffers from ESS hump. The best choice for you is GUSTARD X26!. However, simply do not waste your time and money. Topping D70 is new ruler under 1000 usd.

Jul 15, 2019

Deepspace57What is ESS hump, stands for what ? Why the best choice is GUSTARD X26 ? Apart from money and value, which one is better, GUSTARD X26 vs Topping d70 and vs of course the SMSL D1 ? Which one is the best in terms of realism ?

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Deepspace57

Jul 16, 2019

nick_tD1 has hump as well. Gustard is better than D70. I believe this dac must be around 700 usd at Massdrop. Lets see the next drop.

Jul 17, 2019

Deepspace57What is hump ? Why is Gustard better than D70, sorry for the difficult question, much appreciated. Which one is better gustard vs D1 ? I dont want to make mistake because its expensive and not all of us get to try all audio equipment.

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Aug 11, 2019

nick_tIts a lump in the intermodulation response.

Ideally you want this to be more linear. Like a straight diagonal line or slightly parabolic. This is not going to ruin your experience. But if you are buying a DAC based on specs, like 120db snr 130db dynamic range, this is disappointing. To be honest I think mainly people who listen to classical and some jazz will find this annoying. As will others who expect to be fully exploiting the dynamic range of their gear. I've seen some shootouts elsewhere that showed non ESS equipment which had much better IM specs, but slightly worse SNR specs. So it's a balancing act. (No pun intended, but I'll take what I can get). When you see them all on a chart together it's pretty shocking.

(Edited)

Deepspace57

Aug 11, 2019

CalaverasgrandeCan you explain your comment ‘people who listen to classical and some jazz will find this annoying.’?

Aug 11, 2019

Deepspace57just making examples of music which exploit dynamic range more than rock, pop or R&B. I'm sure I could come up with a more exhaustive list. For example, industrial experimental act Coil (rip) often made very cinematic music with a lot of stuff going on which you can only discern with very good playback. It was not compromised for people with small speakers or shitty equipment.

Motorrad

2898

Aug 11, 2019

nick_tThe game NEVER ends. People here who go on and on about the ESS hump or feel the need to post graphics from ASR that they don't really understand are just talking. They would never be able to tell the difference between an ESS chip or AK... This DAC is superb. The Topping d70 is arguably a better deal, however. For most, the SDAC will suffice.

Aug 11, 2019

CalaverasgrandeJust so you know, am not rocket science

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Aug 11, 2019

MotorradI actually have a degree in audio engineering and have recorded and done live sound for internationally known bands. That said, I agree that the ESS hump is a little overblown. Some IM distortion is to be expected no matter what. And in fact some high priced pro audio stuff from Apogee and Burl is pretty bad in terms of IM.

Motorrad

2898

Aug 12, 2019

Calaverasgrandeoh man...that was too easy. I figured I could trigger you to spray those 'bonafides'. Not impressed. I'll just file that under: "Things IT guys say to seem relevant." Cheers!

Aug 12, 2019

MotorradI'm trying to be helpful. We all know what you are doing. btw, I reset your password.

(Edited)

tony_e

Aug 10, 2021

Brosefstalin42Well, if you subscribe to the Linn Sondek philosophy, which has served me well for over 30 years, the chain of quality is the exact opposite. The source is the most important, the pre/amps are second most important and the speakers (forget headphones, please ) are the least. Sure, at some point, after you've been at this hobby for years ( I bought my first stereo about 48 years ago ) all of your equipment is of a very good audio quality... but I would not spend lots of money on speakers unless my source and processing were up to par. I would -did- buy smaller, more accurate speakers and forego the bass so I could afford a better turntable, DAC, preamp... It worked for me.

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tony_e

Aug 10, 2021

CalaverasgrandeIf I won $100M in the Lotto, I'll buy a ranch, hire you and we set up The Dead's Wall Of Sound. Then we can sit back about 150 feet away, play their concert reels in the Revox and drink cold beer all evening.

(Edited)

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