Have you seen the Geshelli Labs J2 Dac from Florida? This Dac can be purchased with the 4499 chip and Sparkos Labs op amps. Pleased with mine. The Sparkos push it above the SMSL price though. Hope they are ok in the hurricane!
@@michaelbooth6007 haven't heard that one, just heard about it a few times. I always like to have options with opamps to be able to squeeze just a little bit of performance more:)
Japanese XLR equipment has a reversed phase to the US and European equipment. The FM711 I have on order has this reversed phase as FM Acoustics designed the FM711 for the Japanese market. It only alters absolute phase so it is unlikely to have an audible affect on the music.
Hello is your FM711 is mono blocks design or both in the same case ? What pre amp you use with FM711 and any comment on its sound with your setup ? I should also ask what is your previous setup before FM711.. so you can easily compare thank you ahead for your input
@@richardlui8914 I ordered the amp (FM711 stereo single case) last Monday so it won't be here for a couple of weeks. My current setup is an Eversolo DMP-A8 (I have ripped all my CDs onto its hard-drive) and I use XLR outs into a Hypex Nilai500DIY stereo amp that I converted into a dual mono amp (260w 8ohms - 525w 4ohms).
@@k4syx no-one has reviewed it yet. so I will patiently wait. But I want a Gustard R26 anyway so probably i'll pass altogether. The cheaper Raw MDA-1 with dual Sabre mobile chip got a lot of coverage, but the DO-200 pro with 12 cyrus cs43131 chips not so much (I believe you have that one).
@@D1N02 yes I have that one, I actually had it a month before Thabarmars review, but I've let it slip down the line of clone reviews. It will be reviewed soon as I will be getting out the next reviews starting from the longest waiting devices (like that Gryphon too!)
@@goldengoose5744 Loxjie is more precise, more detailed. Not a night/day difference, though easy to spot with transparent speakers. Su-9 ultra has great, great! vocals
How does it compare with the R2R DAC ? Amazon prime day with 12% off today for the above model ..for AK velvet chip..plus three sparko opamps.. two for balanced output and one for rca output Geshelli lab about $7xx.. a lot people say it is good and like the custom-made cabinet and etc .. but again how does it compare with r2r Dac at the same price level .. Just compare with smsl su1 and fiio R2R 11 .. i like the fiio k11 R2R more that makes me wnat to buy another one .. .. of course the setup is low end haha
@@richardlui8914 well I may be biased here, but I owned R26 (there's even a video with test) and I sold it, because to my ears or was inferior to delta sigma Loxjie DAC. And that was 1500USD R2R DAC we're talking here with rave reviews.
@@k4syx thank you for the information ..haha Foii r2r k11 is $160 ..it can be used as a preamp.. may be my preamp was not good .. possibly I stop at r2r k11 for Dac temporarily and then play with changing speaker, interconnection cable .. power cable first...
Obviously, there are some clear similarities to the Topping DX7 Pro that I own. But what's the real difference between them? What are the pros and cons of each?
@@nw6066 Semibreve is a bit better AFTER you'll get better opamps. Overall it has higher value to me as I can boost it with LPS, opamps. I don't remember if Semibreve supports ldac and aptx though, I'm not using it with BT.
@k4syx hoped the da50 was much better than this smsl, since it doesn't sound like you were too thrilled with this one. I order the da50 and will use 2 lc5's and 2 burson v7 vivids with it
One out of the topic question.. a pair of martin logan SL3 for sale at $1000 .. close to mint condition .. but somebody say the electrostatic panel may need to replace from 15 to 25 years.. any comment on that model or the age of speakers
@@richardlui8914 it was released on 1995. There is a serial number decoder on Martin Logan Owners forum that may help you with exact date. Having said that, you absolutely have to listen to them. Panels do detoriate, the speed depends on the environment (humidity, smoke, dust etc) and if the proper care was taken by previous owners. Detoriating panels will loose top end, treble, may also have problems with volume balance. My Ascents I are from 2005 so next year they will be 20yo. They still sing beautifully, no detoriation, but as you can see in the photo they are always covered when not in use, and it's been like that since they were brand new. So, listen very carefully before you buy. And bear in mind that you can have Ascent I for ~1500usd (here in Europe at least) and these will be a decade younger with better, newer panels.
@@richardlui8914 ESL are current model I think, so way better choice. But the same applies: have a listen, as you never know if these were used by a smoker (example)
Is it possible to use both outputs at the same time? For example to connect rca with the d5 pro and the other balanced outputs with an active subwoofer And should you use a preamp or is direct connection even better? Cheers and thanks
@@Patrykisfilming yes both outputs are active at the same time (you can actually set this via menu), one can be used for sub, but in that configuration I would pass on pre. Why? Because if you'll connect power amp through pre and the sub will be connected directly to DAC, then changing the volume with preamp will have no effect on sub. You'd need to set the volume with DAC anyway and that kinda beats the purpose of having separate preamp...
Gustard X26PRO with Singxer SU-6 and external OCXO 10MHz clock with GPS correction (which doesn't do anything useful here but having GPS surely sounds cool :)) I also had R26 but sold it - definitely not my cup of tea, electrostats were clearly showing all R2R problems :(
I'd advise anyone considering this DAC to look at the Earmen Tradutto, it retails at around £750 in the UK but if you shop around it can be gotten for cheaper. The sound quality on this DAC is outstanding! I have an old Linn Karik CD player, which I now run as a transport with the digital output linked to the Tradutto. For further context, I have an Arcam ST60 streaming device and the DAC in this is widely acknowledged as being excellent. I'd tried the Karik linked to the ST60 and the Tradutto...The Tradutto blows it away for sound quality.
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
Ouch! 10:00 must be heavier than you thought!
We appreciate your sacrifice. 🎉
Enjoy your trip to London! Looking forward to more reviews!
@@Reyfox1 Thanks!
Have you seen the Geshelli Labs J2 Dac from Florida? This Dac can be purchased with the 4499 chip and Sparkos Labs op amps. Pleased with mine. The Sparkos push it above the SMSL price though. Hope they are ok in the hurricane!
@@michaelbooth6007 haven't heard that one, just heard about it a few times. I always like to have options with opamps to be able to squeeze just a little bit of performance more:)
Japanese XLR equipment has a reversed phase to the US and European equipment. The FM711 I have on order has this reversed phase as FM Acoustics designed the FM711 for the Japanese market. It only alters absolute phase so it is unlikely to have an audible affect on the music.
@@mddawson1 thanks, I haven't had any idea about that, thanks for the info. I thought balanced XLR connection had been established as a standard
Hello is your FM711 is mono blocks design or both in the same case ? What pre amp you use with FM711 and any comment on its sound with your setup ? I should also ask what is your previous setup before FM711.. so you can easily compare thank you ahead for your input
@@richardlui8914 I ordered the amp (FM711 stereo single case) last Monday so it won't be here for a couple of weeks. My current setup is an Eversolo DMP-A8 (I have ripped all my CDs onto its hard-drive) and I use XLR outs into a Hypex Nilai500DIY stereo amp that I converted into a dual mono amp (260w 8ohms - 525w 4ohms).
Smsl has now launched a new one (again) SMSL RAW-DAC1 virtually the same components but dual coaxial and optical inputs and I2s.
@@D1N02 gonna pass on that one unless I'll see some incredible price drop ;)
@@k4syx no-one has reviewed it yet. so I will patiently wait. But I want a Gustard R26 anyway so probably i'll pass altogether. The cheaper Raw MDA-1 with dual Sabre mobile chip got a lot of coverage, but the DO-200 pro with 12 cyrus cs43131 chips not so much (I believe you have that one).
@@D1N02 yes I have that one, I actually had it a month before Thabarmars review, but I've let it slip down the line of clone reviews.
It will be reviewed soon as I will be getting out the next reviews starting from the longest waiting devices (like that Gryphon too!)
How it compares to Loxjie d40pro with ESS Sabre 9039MS PRO Dac chip?
@@goldengoose5744 Loxjie is more precise, more detailed. Not a night/day difference, though easy to spot with transparent speakers. Su-9 ultra has great, great! vocals
@@k4syxWiem teraz, że zostaję przy Loxjie. Dzięki za wartościową odpowiedź i spokojnego powrotu z Londynu 😉.
@@goldengoose5744 dzięki!
How does it compare with the R2R DAC ? Amazon prime day with 12% off today for the above model ..for AK velvet chip..plus three sparko opamps.. two for balanced output and one for rca output Geshelli lab about $7xx.. a lot people say it is good and like the custom-made cabinet and etc .. but again how does it compare with r2r Dac at the same price level ..
Just compare with smsl su1 and fiio R2R 11 .. i like the fiio k11 R2R more that makes me wnat to buy another one .. .. of course the setup is low end haha
@@richardlui8914 well I may be biased here, but I owned R26 (there's even a video with test) and I sold it, because to my ears or was inferior to delta sigma Loxjie DAC. And that was 1500USD R2R DAC we're talking here with rave reviews.
@@k4syx thank you for the information ..haha Foii r2r k11 is $160 ..it can be used as a preamp.. may be my preamp was not good .. possibly I stop at r2r k11 for Dac temporarily and then play with changing speaker, interconnection cable .. power cable first...
Obviously, there are some clear similarities to the Topping DX7 Pro that I own. But what's the real difference between them? What are the pros and cons of each?
@@demart28 haven't heard dx7 pro so I cannot reliably comment :(
How does it feels compared to semibreve da50(with external power supply)? Same chip, ~same cost, but da50 goes with hp amp.
@@nw6066 Semibreve is a bit better AFTER you'll get better opamps. Overall it has higher value to me as I can boost it with LPS, opamps. I don't remember if Semibreve supports ldac and aptx though, I'm not using it with BT.
@k4syx hoped the da50 was much better than this smsl, since it doesn't sound like you were too thrilled with this one.
I order the da50 and will use 2 lc5's and 2 burson v7 vivids with it
@@marksobotkin6141 yes it's good, but you got my vibe right - I like it, but I'm not thrilled :)
One out of the topic question.. a pair of martin logan SL3 for sale at $1000 .. close to mint condition .. but somebody say the electrostatic panel may need to replace from 15 to 25 years.. any comment on that model or the age of speakers
@@richardlui8914 it was released on 1995. There is a serial number decoder on Martin Logan Owners forum that may help you with exact date.
Having said that, you absolutely have to listen to them. Panels do detoriate, the speed depends on the environment (humidity, smoke, dust etc) and if the proper care was taken by previous owners. Detoriating panels will loose top end, treble, may also have problems with volume balance.
My Ascents I are from 2005 so next year they will be 20yo. They still sing beautifully, no detoriation, but as you can see in the photo they are always covered when not in use, and it's been like that since they were brand new.
So, listen very carefully before you buy. And bear in mind that you can have Ascent I for ~1500usd (here in Europe at least) and these will be a decade younger with better, newer panels.
@@k4syx now another martin logan esl $1500 per pair ..
@@richardlui8914 ESL are current model I think, so way better choice. But the same applies: have a listen, as you never know if these were used by a smoker (example)
Smsl su9 ultra or Semibreve DA50 or Brzhifi su10? Which realisation of ak4493ex is better?
Haven't heard Su10, but Semibreve wins hands down with SU-9 Ultra which was a big surprise for me
Is it possible to use both outputs at the same time? For example to connect rca with the d5 pro and the other balanced outputs with an active subwoofer
And should you use a preamp or is direct connection even better? Cheers and thanks
@@Patrykisfilming yes both outputs are active at the same time (you can actually set this via menu), one can be used for sub, but in that configuration I would pass on pre. Why? Because if you'll connect power amp through pre and the sub will be connected directly to DAC, then changing the volume with preamp will have no effect on sub. You'd need to set the volume with DAC anyway and that kinda beats the purpose of having separate preamp...
@@k4syx Thanks for the info! Does it match with the D5 Pro?
Where's D5 pro?😮
@@036Dusan I knew I forgot about something!
I need to update the description with audio chain details, sorry! :)
what is your reference dac?
Gustard X26PRO with Singxer SU-6 and external OCXO 10MHz clock with GPS correction (which doesn't do anything useful here but having GPS surely sounds cool :))
I also had R26 but sold it - definitely not my cup of tea, electrostats were clearly showing all R2R problems :(
I'd advise anyone considering this DAC to look at the Earmen Tradutto, it retails at around £750 in the UK but if you shop around it can be gotten for cheaper. The sound quality on this DAC is outstanding! I have an old Linn Karik CD player, which I now run as a transport with the digital output linked to the Tradutto. For further context, I have an Arcam ST60 streaming device and the DAC in this is widely acknowledged as being excellent. I'd tried the Karik linked to the ST60 and the Tradutto...The Tradutto blows it away for sound quality.
I got this SMSL for less than 200gbp, with regular price below 400gbp, so it's hardly a competition for device in 750gbp range :D