SMSL D300 with a rare DAC chip
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- Опубликовано: 4 июл 2024
- SMSL D300 costs 399 USD and it's based on a rare ROHM DAC. Read my written reviews with scores at iiwireviews.com/
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00:00 About D300
02:05 Connectivity and Features
05:55 Sound
10:34 vs SU-9
12:05 vs Topping D30 pro
14:31 vs Schiit Modi Multibit
16:37 Conclusion
Test system:
Raspberry Pi with Pi2AES streamer
Denafrips Ares II DAC
Acoustic Invader AMP and PREAMP: acousticinvader.com/
KEF LS50 speakers: amzn.to/2ztRg0s
#hifi #audiophile #dac #stereo 
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I really like my D300. You were SPOT ON with this review. IMO this DAC is kinda like a Marantz amp. Not immediately impressive, but good for long listening/viewing sessions.
I really appreciate your thoughtful description. Trying to describe a sound is very hard but, I find you have gotten it figured out. Another excellent review. You got me interested in this unit.
Got the D300 a few months ago. I have 3 other DAC with two ESS and a AK. With my single ended tube amp on a few well recorded songs the guitars can stand out like they are in the room sometimes. Its fantastic with vocals. It does have a problem with really complex poor recording sounding a bit mixed up and more flat. For most music I listen too it's way better than the ESS chip. The AK is better but still can top the D300 with the mid range. If you want to enjoy you music more then give the D300 a try. Its good.
You have the most informative channel on DACs. By far. Thanks!
Great description of a specifically marketed DAC. You nailed the sound and it’s place in the market. Nicely done! 👍🏼
Update: I bought a D300 and am enjoying it very much. It replaced an Emotiva DC-1, and my sense so far, after switching between the two units many times, is that the D300 makes CDs sound more lifelike.
Have youve played woth the filter settings. Ive been using the slow roll filters and for some reason im starting to dig more the slow roll; especially since ive been tunning the speaker placement (sumiko method). The sound is more dybamic more robust and intrument sound fuller woth the slow vs the sharp
With your advice this past year. I added major parts to my headphone system. Thanks again for all wonderful content. Best, D.
Great review as always!
Thanks!
I did listen to the ROhm Dac in a factory board a couple of years ago at the HighEnd in Munich. It sounded terrific!
Thank you for this review. Your clear explanation makes me think the SU-9n is the sound that I prefer.
thanks, youve become a very good resource :)
Great review, thanks! "Resistor" based DAC chip sounds similar, perhaps, to what Schitt is doing with its "multibit" chip-based DACs, and I love my Gungnir MB.
Ha! You just said that half-way through.
Thank you for another fine review. You have an excellent way of describing the sound stage and timbre. The D300 is an interesting alternative to the other SMSL DAC’s. From your description I think that I would like its sound, which you compare with the Topping D30 pro, a DAC that I definitely like. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a “Depth” and “Width” control to vary the soundstage for matching with different speakers, headphones, or even mood? 😀
DAC + DBX DriveRack PA2
Great review !!. Ive been playing with mine for a few months with the filters that it provides (Sharp and Slow). As of lately ive been liking the sound of the slow roll of filter. Sounds mor dynamic and instruments have more weight!!. Sharp is technically the more precise sound and provides a bigger stage; but i believe that with a great speaker positioning setup i can get incredible soundstage and much better imaging with the slow fikter
I needed a DAC with Bluetooth and it works and sounds great. I just got it the other day so I actually haven't even tried it with USB yet. Looking forward to that.
Great review, as always…;-)!
Great review. Most accurate. Thank you!
I have a FiiO K5 for Headphones and Monitors, The SMSL SU8 for a nice PA system and the Topping E30 for another set of monitors and that is all my small setup stuff. Having a powered setup is just fun and simple as well as just experimenting with different gear.
I'm very grateful for your recommendation to listen to Buika. Absolutely my taste. During all the tech gear hunting it is key not to forget about the aim - listen to good music!
Thanks and keep up your exzellent work!
Btw, I recently purchased the SMSL SU-6 which replaced my old Topping D30. With it I use more and more the Bluetooth function to stream directly from my phone. When I'm lazy... however it sounds enjoyable to me.
Hi Srboljub, excellent informative and accurate review, as usual. Do you think that the D300 has a tonality similar to the smsl sanskrit MK2? I was thinking about an upgrade keeping a similar timbre. Any other recommendations in the 400/500 Euro range are welcome, of course. Thanks
Great review as always - was really looking forward to this! I like the SMSL D300 so much, I got two of them - for different applications around the house. In terms of sound signature, I think it's the best DAC which SMSL put out so far, with the exception of the VMV line. Aside from the timbre, what really impresses me with the D300 is the huge dynamick 'kick' this DAC can produce in the right system, it can sound very punchy, much more so than other DACs in this pricerange. I sincerely hope SMSL will make a high-end version of this DAC, with the same ROHM chip of course.
It'll happen this year, a high-end version is coming in the VMV line. Look for VMV D2R DAC and it's headphone amp VMV P2.
Thanks, very interesting, nice SMSL.
I have been following your channels, always great reviews, how do you compare this D300 to SU-9s, they are in the same price at the moment, if you were to pick one which one you would go with? thanks
Personally I would go with D300 for its wider and smoother sound.
Great Review! Would you prefer the D300 or the SU-9?
Sve pohvale kanalu👌😊
Best bang for your buck. There is something special about the ROHM DAC to my ears. The DAC is the cause of only having 2 filters. Not sure if this has been mentioned already.
Only seen the DAC in two high end DAP's, the iBasso DX320 and Cayin N8II which are roughly 2.5K and close to 5K so yeah. Oh, there is a 17K SACD player also.
Best DAC I have heard in its price range. Especially for pure music playback. It doesn't support DoP but that's a non issue for me. Very natural, detailed and does something special to lyrics, at least to my ears. Different sound signatures the ESS and AMK to my ears but this is obviously objective to your tastes in sound. Don't use it as a preamp though, at least I wouldn't personally.
SMSL did a great job at keeping this affordable for mere mortals. Even the ROHM demo board is just under 1K and that's not for consumer use unless you know what you are doing. Sadly, I don't believe we will be seeing any follow ups, at least in this price range which is a shame. ESS and AMK just seem to own the market at this price range. Considering ROHM is a Japanese company so the DAC alone is around 110 dollars unless you order in bulk so best bang for your buck, even a year after release but once again, that's just my objective opinion
How does it sound in oversampling mode and slow roll-off filter engaged? DDC source signal cleaner, reclocker like new Singxer SU-6 would definitely do some musical magic together with this dac.
Nice presentation. Any review soon of the vmv dac from smsl?
Great Review as Always!!!E30 pro or D300 to pair with Elac 5,2 , Denon 600 and Argon Solo streamer.
Sounds like a good DAC for those who enjoy a musical presentation from their system. An analytical/digital sound attracts the listener's attention but, if truth be told, most people don't sit still in front of their system for hours analysing the sound. They walk around the room or lie back comfortably on their sofa enjoying the warm musicality of their system.
Most people don't even know what a dac is, much less the chip inside.
@@humanbass More than 99% I would say.
Ceage, not trying to be argumentative but your experience might be a little limited. I’ve known and still know many audiophile who actively listen while sitting in a listening chair. However, this has no bearing on whether or not their systems sound natural or analytical.
First to use and the only one before this smsl dac was high-end Luxman cd-player.
It's quite shocking what smsl is doing. They will be incredible one day.
they are already incredible..Just buy this and not regret later when Chinese electronics reputation skyrockets ..and so their prices.
Interesting dac. Cayin RU6 r2r dongle looks v interesting too
I just ordered one from Amazon!
Thanks for the review! Seem like an interesting entry level DAC.
How would you compare this D300 to your Hegel H95 internal DAC?
I had older H90, and didn't compare them directly but DAC inside it is roughly on the same level as this one.
@@iiWiReviews Thanks a lots for the update :)
Would it be possible to use DAC + DBX DriveRack PA2 to equalize and change the sound signature to taste? Something preferable to changing the DAC.
Just watched your review on A300. Is this supposed to be paired with the A300? Or is the DAC in the D300 good enough on its own?
I am using a Keces E40 with a Topping D70S which performs well for both movies and music. There is a balance of warmth, detail, resolution, depth and instrument separation. They do well with a variety of speakers I have had in my system and my main speakers are Focal 807W. For budget gear, it does as well as many "higher end" products/systems for alot less $...for my purposes and listening habits.
For those not having the funds, dacs like this are a nice range in which one can start with a second hand amp or an Aiyima A07 and second hand or budget speakers for a similar price to the dac. This dac sounds good enough as one builds their system to a better amp and speakers, the dac would still bring out most of the capabilities.
In my system, I think it would do well with maybe a small hit to the attributes I mentioned above. Whether or not this small hit is noticeable by everyone is another matter. For music only, I think it would be just as enjoyable.
So much nice budget gear out there and a variety of manufacturers that it feels like the golden age of audio. To do marginally better, one really has to plan a sizable budget for the next real jump up.
+1 fan of the D70S…and totally agree with you on equipment possibilities these days🙏🏼👍🏼
Hi Srboljub, I always wonder how much importance can or should be given to these differences? Let me try to explain. Certainly, comparing this D300 with the usual DeltaSigma DACs (Sabre, AKM, etc.) one sounds warmer, the other rather sharper and clearer. But how much influence does that have on the final result? Does the D300 manage to take the clarity and some degree of sharpness out of the LS50, or does the LS50 still remain clear and rather cool. Or does a sharp DAC manage to make a rather warm speaker clearer? Do you understand what I mean?
Good question and not so easy to answer. A speaker will have more influence on the overall tonality in the end, as it will its placement. But a DAC is not to be underestimated. For example, people often call LS50 analytical, and sure enough if you feed it with let's say a very neutral sounding amp such as Hegel, and then add an analytical DAC such as Topping or Gustard... It sounds quite analytical (Hegel is sometimes also called analytical because it will not warm the source in any way). But with Schiit Modi Multibit or Denafrips Ares II it sounds much more relaxed and simply richer in the bass and midrange, with less edginess, less glare in upper frequencies... So in such a system, DAC really plays a very important role in setting the overall tonality to the rest of the chain that is quite revealing.
A lot of people visited me over the last few years and expected to hear analytical sound coming from Hegel-LS50s, but were surprised by very natural presentation with flushed vocals to die for, and no edginess. That's because I'm using R2R DACs for some time now. If I was using, let's say Topping E30, Hegel and LS50 would do nothing to color its budget Delta Sigma nature, and all there prejudices would come alive and they would hear thin, analytical sound.
On the other hand, a friend has KEF R3 in a less treated room, closer to walls... And it gives for a very thick, juicy, bass heavy, sound signature. Quick and slightly analytical DACs are a good choice in his system to counter the boominess. Both Schiit Modi Multibit and Ares II sounded too midbass heavy and not quick enough in that system, but quick and slightly lean DACs such as Chord Qutest sound great. Qutest by the way has a great soundstage and 3D-like imaging but in a leaner overall tonality than R2Rs.
So tonality can be fixed and matched in many ways but if a DAC sounds spatially flat, no matter how good is the rest of the system, it cannot bring back that space. It is similar with dynamics. That's where any good ~200 USD DAC I've ever tried falls short compared to a good ~1000 USD one. And the more are amp and speakers capable of passing that trough, the more you become aware of it. But if you keep your speakers on a TV shelf, pressed to the wall and firing straight ahead, there is a good chance that the bassline is just a bloated mess, and the whole soundstage is so smeared that DAC influence is completely drowned.
It's all mixing and matching in the end, but count on speakers and the room to generally have bigger impact than the DAC. Even simple things like moving speakers farther away from the wall and toeing them in, or tilting them backwards, can have a profound impact on the final result. I should probably talk about it sometime.
@@iiWiReviews Perfect Explanation!
@@iiWiReviews I’ve had a similar experience too. I have a pair of Elac b5.2 and a pair of Wharfdale Diamond 220, both speakers that you’ve reviewed (I wanted to try the Elacs because of your review). What I found is that with the Topping E30 DAC, the Elac becomes too sharp and shrill, while the Wharfedale is still listenable. With the Audio GD R2R11 DAC however, both speakers really come alive with much thicker and more lifelike sound. The Elac benefits more than the Wharfedale from the R2R DAC since it’s the clearer and more neutral speaker but both are so different with it. The Audio GD isn’t the most detailed DAC since it’s still a budget DAC, but for these two speakers the difference between it and Topping is just unbelievable….initially I couldn’t believe my ears. Thanks for sharing your experiences-I really enjoyed reading your descriptions!
Hi, very interesting as usual, i really like to listen at your point of view on all this gear.
But then what would be your opinion when comparing the Earmen Tradutto with this SMSL D300?
I find Tradutto to be more capable DAC with more bass authority and kick, more details overall with darker background and deeper soundstage.
@@iiWiReviews thank you for taking the time to answer. I'll stay on the Earmen, I want to per it with an SMSL DA9 and Polk r200 ... Hopefully it will work nice but if you have ideas/ inputs I'll be glad to hear them.
Hope you can review the Sabaj a10d soon 🙏 akm dacs getting rare these days..
great review as allways, Srboljub, but would you please consider reviewing the big boys also like the D2 or D3 from SMSL? I know, you like to concentrate on reasonably priced gear, but guys need to dream...
I would like that, but my current budget and viewers count don't make it financially sustainable, not even close. My country import rules (30% tax, even on review samples that you have to return) just make it harder. So maybe once I get to 50K subs or something like that, it can become realistic.
Forgive me for entering so late. How would this compare to the SU-9n using one of the rich or tube tone Colors?
Good review. I have a SMSL Sanskrit 6th. I find it lacks warmth in the sound (a bit clinical). A bit like having a 6000k colour temp bulb in sound. Technically sounds correct but lacking that higher end audio smoothness and warmth.
what would you rate this dac for sound quality on your scale?
Your recommendation between smsl do200 vs smsl d300?
I am considering the Earmen Tradutto, the Dynafrips Aers II and the D300. One a completely different approach to a Sabre based DAC so the aggressive highs and halo effect are gone but detail is great. The Dynafrips Aers ii has softened but rich sound. Now the Rohm is like a warmish tube amp that is not aggressive. Which of these three very good DACs give you the best timbre of instruments? Which unflattens the sound in the best way?
Denafrips Ares II does that the best to my ears. That's why I keep it in my main system, and it's been active here for over a year now.
@@iiWiReviews It isn't because you do not have the money right now? You obviously deserve more Patreon members!
Well, nothing I've tested so far made me want to change it, no matter the money. I would like to upgrade to Pontus II eventually, but it is quite a bit more expensive and I'm not in a hurry to spend that amount. Especially cause I invested in new preamp and amp (Acoustic Invader - review coming soon) and I'm also making new speakers - Spirit Wind - a design by late Jeff Bagby. So no budget left for more expensive DAC at the moment. 🙂 But I don't mind cause Ares II doesn't leave me wanting for much.
@@iiWiReviews Auch nicht der D300 von SMSL?
I had Smsl su9..and because i Dont have the money to collect dacs ..I sold Su9 to taste other dac (although I liked the punch and attack that it has SU-9) ..but now maybe i Will downgrade to a Smsl Su6 cause I dont need XLRs and MQA didnt surprise me ,so SU-6 looks like a bargain to me . D300 looks interesting but If I would like to have a more analog experience I'd better use my turntable.
I think you should listen to the Topping d70s, it sounds analog and you can listen to it for hours with 0 listener fatigue.
Does this sound as good as the smsl 400 dac?
How does a d300 dac sound compared to a schist Gumby DAC?
does this work on nintendo switch, ps4, ps5, via usb and optical connection?
Does d300 have same soundstage with su9n?
Hey, I bought this SMSL D300 DAC mainly on your and Tharbamars recommendations. I was looking for the convenience of Bluetooth to add to my 20+ yo modest Hifi gear.
I have a Marantz CD4000, which was the basic CD player at the time running into my Marantz PM66 SE KI Amp. I thought the Amp had more to give than the CD4000 has to offer.
In my setup the I used the D300 as a DAC between the CD (transport) and the Amp which sounded better than the CD player direct to the AMP.
But feeding the SMSL D300 with WAV files from and Hauwei phone using APTX HD that I ripped from the same CD on my old desktop sounded noticeably better than either step above. (CD direct or CD + D300). For giggles my daughter played the same song from her phone from Spotify using LDAC and it sounded noticeably better again.
For me and my setup the Bluetooth is not just a convenience it is easily the best sounding way for my to use my SMSL D300 at the moment.
This might change in the future If I upgrade different components of course but I thought it worth saying for people out there thinking of buying.
Tim
Hi hope all is great. What have more bass this d300 or the su-9 or su-9n and looking to look something with less harsh highs
Hi, SU-9 has more bass and punch but D300 has less harsh highs.
@iiWi Reviews have you tried the m400 vs D1SE or the Loxjie D50. I have a pair of Ananda and what to tame them down a bit but want bass. Love your reviews there differently and upfront with good depth into the product. I see the SU-9N is $340 usd on drop atm. Would that change any perspective?
Pls review earman eagle and ibasso DC05
How do you compare the D300 to DO200 from the same maker, which I already bought ?
I also want to know because I already ordered a smsl do200.
How is the bass deep in Smsl do200?
@@maxrider2887 Bass is abundant but not boomy with the DO200.
I haven't heard D0200 so can't really comment on it. Enjoy it, cheers!
@@1324390 hope happy with the do200
@@maxrider2887 Quite happy already, especially when playing around with the 9 coloration filters. Not that it matters that much but one other reviewer says the D300's enclosure case is made of lighter gauge aluminium than the DO200...
What i find out yesterday about Bluetooth:
the DAC makes the connection with my samsung TAB s5e by himself.
After connecting i went to the BT at my tablet. Choose the connection with d-300 choose settings and then i could activate LDAC.
The DAC Display shows the Hires Symbole.
Listen to some FDROID 320K Stations.
And it sounds realy good.
Hello Guys.
A view Days ago i get a Wiim Pro.
After a bit playing around with the Unit
using also Bluetooth i´ve tryed another variation.
I´ve set the D-300 Input to BT
connect the D-300 via BT with my samsung tablet
Open Tidal App
and play Tidal over the DAC.
It plays it in LDAC Quality and it sounds very good..
Maybe someone told this before on RUclips.
I dont seen that. Now it is told.
Merry Xmas
D300 settings question. Can anyone who has the D300 tell me which DSD Filter setting to use (13k, 26k, 52k)? Also are most folks using DISABLE for HPC mode. I plan to run this off an ipad.
Can this work with PS5, PS4, PS4, Nintendo switch?
Some reviews mention popping and clicking when the sample rate of the source material changes anyone here getting that?
What's the output power?
How is this compared to a earmen tradutto? You really put that tradutto high on my list.
I find Tradutto to be more capable DAC with more bass authority and kick, more details overall with darker background and deeper soundstage. That doesn't say anything bad about D300, but Tradutto is almost twice the price and for a reason.
Pls review rega r DAC
Im a current owner of a Hifiman Arya Stealth. Going with a Singxer SA-1 but looking for a nice dac for it. Probably leaning towards a Schiit bifrost or Ares 2 in the future. But now i want a sub 500$ dac.
Im currently trying to choose between the SMSL su-9n and the SMSL D300.
I listen to every genre. But i wanna aim towards engaging, lush, organic vocals.
Which of the dacs do you feel is best?
I would lean more towards D300 there. Also take a look at SMSL M500 MKII... And I mean just as a DAC (don't mind its headphone out). It's a surprisingly capable DAC that I would probably put on the top of the list.
@@iiWiReviews i dont know if i hate or love you haha! Just listened to your M500 Mk 2 review. Loved it! And that you decided to keep it in your main system is incredible!
The full and meatiness you are talking about sounds right up my ally!
What would make me pick the D300 over the M500mk2 when it comes to sound? Or are they similar enough but m500 is just better?
Both are now in my shopping cart atm but i have to remove one😂
@@alexlandgren6596 D300 is smooth, laid back, and very inoffensive. If you're aiming for that sound then it might be good for you. M500 MKII is more dynamic, punchier, has fuller and bigger vocals... Everything is more forward and more engaging. It somehow manages to sound very clean and lively, but full tonality keeps it away from edgy and it is actually a very pleasurable listen. I really like it. Sold my Ares II just few days ago... D300 and SU-9n didn't have a chance to make me do that.
@@iiWiReviews ended up getting the m500 mk2.
Now the waiting game begins.
I hope the synergy is good with the smooth neutral class A singxer sa-1, punchy and full SMSL M500 mk2 + Hifiman Arya Stealth.
Thanks alot dude. Looking forward to future reviews!
@@alexlandgren6596 Hi, what do you think about this dac? I have a similar setup with hifiman headphone and a class a amp. Thanks
Amazon UK, one and only review so far says the same thing, a 'background dac'...to fall asleep to.
Nice review. It coincides with what I hear from only audio tests. Can you compare the D300 to a AKM-based DAC as well? I guess there the differences would be less, and I won't be surprised AKM to win.
Yesterday I´ve buyed a d-300 on Ebay for 210.- Euros.
When it araived me i will replace my M-300.
Will tell you how it compares.
How it?@@AWEG-qu8bz
How it might compare to the Ares II?
Close in tonality, but I still find Ares II a bit better. It has bigger soundstage, stronger bass, and more air.
In your opinion would it be good pairing D300 + DA 9 ?
I think they pair very nicely.
The closest analogy I can think of relates to optics and photography. The Rohm is _not_ a macro lens that shows every artifact in great detail. It’s more of a portrait lens that gives a somewhat soft dreamy quality to a photo. Personally I am happy with my ESS Sabre 9038q2m based DAC.
I never use Bluetooth 👍
I’m wondering how good the raspi audio dac’s are compared to these top end ones. I’m thinking of getting the audio dac pro+ for my pi3b
Apart from the extra connections / ports, if I have my music recorded at 320kbps and have decent speakers, what’s the biggest difference. ?
Thanks. 🙏
I’m looking through your vids, you have a few uploaded on the raspi, but not with the exact dac I’m getting (it’s the only option I have in Australia)
Pi DACs can be really good, as good as any external DAC and often at a lower price because of savings on the material. That said, each of them is a different product so can't comment on DAC Pro because I never tried it. If this is the first time you're buying a DAC, I suggest start with a budget oriented one and test how much of a difference you notice in your own system.
@@iiWiReviews it’s only a $au10 difference between the IQ Audio DAC Pro ($au39.50) & IQ Audio DAC + ($au30.50) so I’ll go with the Pro. (Again, these are the only choices I have in Oz)👍
Would anyone recommend this Dac as an external dac for bluesound node?
Any external DAC si better then Node`s dac
If it sounds like a Modi Multibit, that’s a good thing.
I have both the mimby and the D300 - yes, they sound somewhat similar in terms of tonality. Where the SMSL D300 pulls far ahead though is that it can 'scale up' with a much more capable and resolving system, whereas the mimby can not.
Which DAC has the best timber and great tonality ,in 500 range.
I got a D300 a few days ago. If by "best" timbre and tonality you mean most realistic, most lifelike, most fidelity to the real thing, I think you'll like the D300 too.
Agreed. This could be my endgame. I listen to mostly acoustic music these days. The D300 sounds best to me, compared to the others I’ve had, though this is the most expensive. Over the last few years I’ve had a Topping EX5, returned for technical issues, an SMSL M200(returned). I like to see “how low can I go” and to have some sort of system in every room. The D300 took over in my main system (SMSL HO200, VTV Hypex NC252mp amp, Q-Acoustics 3050i), over a Schiit Modi Multibit and a Sabaj A10d, which I could A-B and were very close. The D300 just sounds more like natural instruments and voices. I use the A10d with an A10a amp, an SMSLSanskrit Mk 2 in the bedroom with an ICEpower ASX125. i rotate in the Modi or Burr-Brown DACs sometimes, but the D300 is staying in the main system. I’m not tempted to try to sell off everything and consolidate to a more expensive endgame system since I enjoy them all. After many years of listening with a class A-B amp, that system started to sound too thick and creamy. Newer Class D and a not-too analytical DAC, and sometimes a cheap tube buffer, for me sounds blissful. But with the D300 I mainly use it without the tube buffer, though I have a pathway for an old CD player that allows me that, thanks to the HO200‘s RCA inputs (that bypasses the D300 though). The D300 reproduction of dynamics mimics live instruments. I was a little concerned that it might be too “soft” sounding but I don’t find it so. Just right to my ears.
.
So, maybe this will be a good pairing with smsl sa300 amp? I really like its 3d sound, it has nive soundstage and imaging but i find it a bit lean sounding. Certainly sharp and crisp sounding, but it seems to me it lacks that fullness and warm sound, it lacks some body.
That's odd, SA300 that I've got sounded pretty full and nice in my system. What's the rest od the system (DAC, speakers)? I'm really puzzled to here it sounds thin. 🤔
@@iiWiReviews Smsl sanskrit 10th mkii, elac debut b5.2 and a polk psw10 subwoofer. It can be that it sounds thin to me and maybe not to you. Different ears :) I'd like to have a fuller sound either way. Don't get me wrong, it sounds good. For movies for example I really like it, and also for genres like rock or metal where I like more speed and crisper edges, but for music listening in general i prefer my aiyima a07 (tonaly speaking that is, because in every other aspect i prefer the sa300. also the sa300 has a remote that makes it much more practical)
no volume control ???
Great review, thks. Which has the warmer, lusher character...the D300 or the SU10?
They are similarly warmish in the midrange but SU-10 has fuller bassline and bigger soundstage... To me it sounds lusher and better overall.
Denafrips is still the one to behold for the mid range DACs Ive heard a newer version of the ARES 2 will be arriving soon
An Ares 3? How do you know?
Would like to know where you hear it from as well.
Check out Ladder Schuman DAC
@@oscarmarfori613 same case as Ares 2…but costs more.
Sounds better, airier, deeper sound stage, longer decays
I compared my S.M.S.L M200 (only $300) powered by my Topping power supply with the D300. There was no comparison. The dynamics of the M200 with the external power supply were much better than the D300. I am sure the external power supply made a big difference. How much- I did not attempt a comparison.
Haven't tried the M200 but that kind of punchiness reminds me of SU-9. I guess you like that and dislike this kind of soft and mild presentation.
All the same, the D300 sounds more interesting than the Modi Multibit, it has more air and space. In general, the main feature of the D300 is the ability to play music in a very lively manner, each part does not sound formal and monotonous, but it plays out with all the nuances, this gives a feeling of liveliness, hence the hypnotic effect of the D300. In terms of timbre, it is a little synthetic, resolution and microdynamics are at an average level, but the musicality is at the highest level!
What do you mean by "musicality"?
@@billbryant1288 musicality - in my understanding is when music takes away attention, a hypnotic effect; the D300 is exactly trying to "play" music and not just play a record
@@user-dd9pg8qv6x thanks
How does it compare to your Denafrips Ares 2?
Close in tonality, but I still find Ares II to sound better. It has bigger soundstage, more authority in the bassline, and more air.
@@iiWiReviews Thank you for the quick response. I currently have a Schiit Modi Multibit V2 which I really like. I was thinking that the Denafrips Ares 2 would be the natural step up. But after discovering the SMSL D300 I am thinking about that as well. Especially taking the price into consideration. I am not sure if an upgrade to the SMSL D300 would be noticeable enough though. What do you think?
I think it's more of a sidegrade with richer set of features.
@@iiWiReviewsOkay. And what about the Denafrips Ares 2? Would that be an upgrade coming from the Schiit Multibit V2 DAC?
BTW I have read that the D300 scales better than the Modi Multibit V2. That it really enhances the sound depending on the quality of the rest of your gear and that it does that to a much higher degree than the Modi Multibit DAC. Would you say so as well?
Sounds like the Dac is the ideal partner for the Smsl A300.
Why?
Ah,my favorite vampire reviewer! Lol!!!
I'm not interested in audiophile lingo like warmer, softer, full, rich, resolving, bright, focused, natural, smooth, extended, texture, lush, airy, analog-sounding, etched, etc. All I want to know is which DAC makes a recorded oboe sound most like a real oboe, a recorded tenor sax sound most like a real tenor sax. I'm a retired musician and music teacher who has been listening to real instruments and voices for many years in every imaginable setting from small practice rooms to concert halls. What I want in my audio equipment is not bass slam or air or PRAT but the illusion of reality. Maybe the problem these days is that most audio hobbyists have so little experience with real instruments and singing voices that it doesn't even occur to them to ask, "Does this sound more lifelike?" In any case, can you give me your opinion about which DAC in this price range makes unprocessed instruments and voices sound most realistic? Thanks!
Hey Bill, he used Natural quite a bit in this video and I took that to mean Real as you state. I also watched another utuber Tharbamar describe this same SMSL D300 Dac in similar terms like natural. Based on these I bought myself a D300. I don't know if its the most real but listening to music through my D300 is the most real I have heard recordings.
@@wickie2222 Thanks! Good to know! What DAC did you have before buying the D300?
@@billbryant1288 Hey Bill, the D300 is the only Hifi Dac I have bought, before this I was listening through CDs direct to and amp or from a desktop PC via spotify using the DAC in the PC or in the Surround receiver.
I don't play music but grew up in a house with plenty of music, my mother through half the children in the parish music. be it Piano, guitar, violin flute etc. My angle towards Hifi is the same as yours, I tend to enjoy moments when an instrument or voice just sound great. I'll describe a moment I had recently while listening to some rock music, I can't remember the song, its was just an electric guitar slowly stumming a chord. I thought at that moment, ah thats what an electric guitar is supposed to sound like.So I can say the D300 is reproducing music better than I have heard it before. My Hifi setup is pretty modest and I get the feeling with the difference the D300 made from my CD player that It will sound good with much better Speakers and Amp.
Tim
If you have a Look at Thrbamars video here where he compares three $400 ish DACs ruclips.net/video/WleEd0Yh8ds/видео.html go to 8:18 for his opinion.
What happened to the Hegel?
Something better came along, Acoustic Invader preamp and amp. I'll make a video on it before this month ends.
Its a shame they priced it so high, it would match the a300 nicely (aesthetically)
Well we'll just have to buy different dac's for different listening experiences then. an R to R ladder and a delta sigma.
He did a fascinating review on the Earmen Tradutto recently.
@@clarice1001nights yeah that would be a good delta sigma candidate
Your voice in this video has a lot of hard Esseses!
Yeah, I'm experimenting with de-esser but without much success so far. Didn't put much time into it to be honest, but I'll continue looking for a setting that might mitigate it.
Sounds like a Sanskrit 10th MKII
Kind of, but in a direct comparison, 10th MKII would seem congested cause D300 comes with a bigger, airer soundstage, and better layering.
@@iiWiReviews sounds like a perfect upgrade from the Sanskrit for those who want to keep the warmth and midcentric-ness of the Sanskrit. :)
The expensive D300 is coming....VMV D2R :)
goodluck getting a multibit
Just because you've personally never have gotten a ROHM Dac chip Inside of an amplifier doesn't mean that the DAC chip is " Rare".
I don't know what constitutes "rare" in your opinion but how many devices using ROHM chip can you really name without googling?
I can do few from the top of my head, but for each of them I can immediately name 20 with Sabre or AK.
some assumptions are so wrong...
Bluetooth is not bad or good. Problem is that most Bluetooth will pass 48/44.1kHz at 16b. If you can pass 380kHz at 32b, you are already capped by DAC output and music file DataRate/bitDepth
Same goes to wired connection. Most of them are not capable above 16b/48kHz.
At the moment I am working on custom board that can pass any file to 32b DAC at any speed (I have more than 300MBps of data bandwidth, while even best audio file is 3MBps.
But this is extremely custom solution and will use dedicated player.
Sorry not buying into these weekly new dacs from SMSL anymore they must now offer over 20 of them. The chinese have flooded the market with these things. It's beginning to sound more like snake oil development. If your looking to buy one get the the BlueSound Node it even has a hdmi port. Don't even bother with the chinese junk.
I fully agree. If any Brand releases more than one new DAC in a year, it is very likely Snake Oil, taking gullible public on a ride under the guise of audiophilia.
Once I heard that China has 1 million pianists. Now imagine how many electronics engineers may live in China. I think it’s sheer man power and hence lower R&D costs that allows Chinese companies like Smsl to release new products every other week.
They also seem to be more technology driven and less focused on marketing. Instead of careful product segmentation and avoiding product cannibalization they use a brute force method by providing a product for almost every possible feature set. I guess that will change in the future.
DELTA SIGMA, nothing new here.... Multibit is the real deal.... R2R are flawed because of the resistors design... Multibit IC is the best you could get for DA conversion
What is the best multi bit DAC chip these days?
@@klepp19idk, i use NOS, but SABRE DACS are on par to the R2R chips.
IC manufacturing is expensive, no Audio company would do it, that's why they opt for Hybrids or Discreet, but discreet is Flawed, impossible to control all variables that affect it's design.
@@xinjinping8113 Ok thanks! Right now I have Smsl D300 which uses Rohm chip and may get a DAC which uses AKM 4499ex. I'm assuming you are using chips like PK1865 or TDA 1541/1543?
My favorite and only audio vampyre....
would love to ingest this content just watching/ listening to you has me back on google maybe get someone to scrip read for you / show face....