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SMSL VMV D1 DAC
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SMSL VMV D1 DAC
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160 Sold
Product Description
Featuring top-of-the-line specs and a high-end look to match, the SMSL VMV D1 DAC will take your audio setup to new heights. It has eight built-in channels, paralleled for a better signal-to-noise ratio Read More
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keyboard_arrow_downallmeads
20
Jan 19, 2019
".....MQA is a f*** scam....." there's tons written on the subject, but I would encourage you to read this and
become enlightened: https://darko.audio/2016/06/an-inconvenient-truth-mqa-sounds-better/
(Edited by moderator AlexPk)
LuckyEights
186
Jan 23, 2019
I agree with this MQA is like apple trying to replace usb with firewire its going to die just like firewire did barely supported by anyone in the market and only have a few dedicated that think its some how better because marketing said so haha
(Edited by moderator AlexPk)
ThermalAlchemy
44
Jan 14, 2019
I’m sorry to say, there is not a single SMSL product that should be even close to $800. Way over priced for what they are not. It is a Markiting scam for the Unknowledgeable American market because of the ignorance on audio equipment . When you take them apart and analyze their products the component manufactures they use are of the lowest quality and the to Pieology typology they use is just copied for lower end clones that already existed on the bargain market that are nothing special . For us that build our own stereo equipment from scratch we just cry and shake your head at the people who fall for the scam to buy these reboxed mass market products it’s a disgrace. It’s OK product for about 1/4 of the price maybe 1/3 at the very most but that would be it .
Shimra01
0
May 13, 2019
Great so my conclusions here were correct, I had come to same. Now of course the issue is what is causing the USB not to work. I will replace USB port but not certain if that will fix it. I have checked the IC's behind the port they measure ok. the XMOS Ic I cannot measure correctly and replacing this I am not sure as I do believe it contains firmware? Other than this I cant find anything else. Should USB housing not be connected to ground? and be same ground as housing?
ThermalAlchemy
44
May 13, 2019
Shimra01 And when it’s time to test the device I would not plug it in to whatever it was plugged into before and use a new USB cable . Or at least test the other component being plugged into that is in question to make sure between the ground of the USB of the other device to the ground shielding of the DAC there is not some kind of positive voltage floating on that USB shielding before plugging it into the DAC.
May want to use a voltage surge protector on the power outlet on the wall just as a extra safety measure . And confirm that there is a good ground at the plug outlet because search protection devices do not work if the ground is missing .
tony_e
0
Aug 10, 2021
Well, 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.
tony_e
0
Aug 10, 2021
If 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)
Pocket
29
Dec 13, 2018
I have a tough time processing the thought of buying a dac that is worth more than the actual headphones I own.
(Edited)
Dr_Rodney_McKay
139
Dec 14, 2018
mbvxdExactly!
One thing shouldn't necessarily be more or less expensive than the others. The game is to upgrade whatever component (DAC, amp, HP) is the weakest link as soon as you can afford it, and repeat as long as you can perceive improvements. When you can no longer hear any improvement from an upgrade to any component, if you still have any money left, you win.
Viper_Necklampy
16
Sep 22, 2020
I read that Sabaj D5 is very warm. Thx and stuff are more analitical.
I am propense to Thx aaa 789 and that kinda stuff. I think i would not like the overall way more musical, warm and punchiness of D5, also would probably have not so great soundstage, pace etc. This is me, but listening is very importants to get the real idea. I hear you for sure!
(Edited)
Abula
43
Jan 14, 2019
Will this drop have the upgraded boards?
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-of-smsl-vmv-d1-dac.4375/page-13#post-118213
NightLightFight
56
Jan 23, 2019
True, I don't mind dac colouring the sound but with a sinad of 85 it's a no go because CD quality requires a sinad of at least 93 db and a linearity of 16 bits. Yggdrasil barely manages 16bits whereas the topping almost scores a perfect 20 bits.
Shadow12347
34
Feb 8, 2019
Yes sound is subjectively perceived, but before that, it is first converted from digital to analog with objective performance that can be measured. If the objectively measured performance is bad, then there is a limit to how much of the audio it can fully present without distortion/noise/harmonics taking over. DACs are NOT where you want "coloration." The DAC (and the amp for that matter) should be as 100% representative of the true sound as possible. You can then equalize it to get the "coloration" that you prefer once you know that your DAC and amp can reliably convert and amplify the signal. However that's still not even needed because each pair of headphones has its own sound signature, and digital processing can make it go through the sources audio stack before it reaches the DAC which degrades the performance. So what you can do now, is try out different headphones, and find the ones that suit your desired subjective tendencies. This will get you the best results, and FYI to everyone here, this DAC through the balanced outputs provides one of the best objective performances available on the market... Chi-Fi is not all bad... Sure there are lots of bad ones, but there are lots of bad American ones too (*cough* schiit *cough*). Engineering is engineering. This DAC happens to be engineered very well, and should be given the credit it deserves.
Oldoiler
138
Feb 8, 2019
If you're going to spend $9 bills on this one, you might consider the Audiobyte Black Dragon at $14 bills. It's made in Romania and these folks also make the Rockna Wave Dream which is upwards of a $20K DAC. I have the Black Dragon and really like it. It functions as a preamp and headphone amp as well.
audible
602
Feb 9, 2019
"...happy with their Asian made D1..." ah...
"What some forget is architecture and implementation. No room for that here."
No room for forgetting or for architecture and implementation? Kinda cryptic slight there...
bravomail
125
Dec 14, 2018
seeing how many ppl ordered 600 dol headphones (almost a thousand) - I'm surprised this DAC doesn't have sales. This is it, big rich guys! ASR have it in a solid 2nd place among all the DACs he measured! The. End. Game. :)
jaydunndiddit
3262
Dec 15, 2018
In my opinion, yes. In my chain, that feature list would be very welcome and all I'd have left to add is a tube buffer of some sort. That, and I just love the quality of the screen and physical buttons for everything. There's also a pretty powerful amp in there as well (although I'd just be using it as a DAC for the THX 789).
SpeleoFool
675
Dec 17, 2018
jaydunndidditSecond that. I just picked up the RME ADI-2 DAC for the same reasons you described: features, excellent measurements and to pair with THX 789 for a headphone reference stack. FWIW, the 789 chassis is quite a bit deeper than the RME, but the two units are close enough in width that they work well as a stack with the DAC on top.
The D1 may edge out the RME on measurements, but not by such a huge margin as to put it in another class. Meanwhile, the RME's display and tweakability features (filters, EQ, etc.) nicely support a core part of this hobby for me--listening to a varied music through a bunch of different headphones to discover what stands out.
If I needed a simple "black box" DAC to feed my loudspeakers and get out of the way sonically, the D1 is an attractive option. However, I'm already perfectly content with the reference I have (Ayre QB9-DSD). The RME also works well in this role. I've only briefly tried it in my big setup, but first impression (from just a few songs and not-very-critical listening) was that it seems similarly transparent.
Jedi_IT
100
Dec 17, 2018
I just consulted with SMSL and this is what they're saying about the warranty for this unit:
Kindly consult with the seller for after-sale requirements.
We can provide 1 year warranty for RMA goods. Only for repair.
But there are international shipping cost and TAX issues you need to confirm with seller.
Kelly
(Edited)
jaydunndiddit
3262
Dec 17, 2018
Jedi_ITAnd this has always been my concern with a lot of vendors from China is support stateside. I wish they had a small hub or vendor that could deal with warranty and issues in the US.
pslayer1
274
Dec 17, 2018
jaydunndidditI got my D1 from Shenzen Audio (via Amazon). The first D1 broke after day 1. Shenzen had a stateside vendor that I shipped the defective unit to (Shenzen paid for the domestic shipping, as well) and they overnight shipped a second unit (which has worked since) from China. Doesn't help us here, obviously.
(Edited)
Fayne
2586
Dec 13, 2018
So, in this price range... Why wouldn't I just spend a bit more and end up getting a Mytek?
ripsterarmy99
153
Dec 14, 2018
No credible measurements, just the usual "sounds good" + buzzwords spiel. A perfect DAC costs a fraction of the price of any Mytek product. It is clearly marketing to gullible/susceptible people.
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