SMSL D1 DAC Review 

 

Introduction:

SMSL Audio, a well-established name in the audio industry since its founding in 2009 in Shenzhen, China, continues to impress with its innovative approach to audio equipment. Known for producing high-quality Digital to Analog Converters (DACs), headphone amplifiers, and power amplifiers, SMSL has earned a reputation for delivering exceptional performance at competitive price points. The SMSL D1 High-Resolution DAC is the latest addition to their lineup, designed to cater to audiophiles seeking a premium listening experience. Powered by the advanced ROHM BD34352EKV DAC chip and featuring a sleek design with intuitive touch controls, the D1 promises to deliver a natural and dynamic sound signature.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the device’s design, features, and audio performance.

 

Disclaimer:

I would like to thank SMSL Audio for providing me the D1 DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) as review sample. I am not affiliated with SMSL Audio beyond this review and these words reflect my true and unaltered, opinions about the product.

 

Price & Availability:

The SMSL D1 Digital to Analog Converter is an entry-level audio component, typically available with an MSRP of $89.99 USD. Further details and specifications can found via the link below;

• SMSL D1 Digital to Analog Converter

 

Package & Accessories:

The SMSL D1 is packaged in a relatively minimalistic box, featuring an illustration of the device and some product branding on its exterior.

This box contains the following items;

• 1 x SMSL D1 Digital to Analog Converter
• 1 x USB A to USB Type-C cable
• 1 x User Manual & Warranty card

 

Design & Build Quality:

The SMSL D1 High-Resolution DAC is a compact device, measuring 101 x 33 x 90mm (W×H×D) and weighing approximately 201.1g (0.443 lbs). Its construction utilizes an aluminum alloy casing paired with an acrylic panel on the front. The unit’s size and weight are suitable for integration into a desktop audio setup.

The front panel of the D1 features an acrylic surface. The SMSL logo is positioned centrally. A touch-sensitive input selection button is located on the left side, allowing users to cycle through Coaxial, Optical, and USB inputs. LED indicators illuminate to denote the currently active input. On the right, a touch-sensitive power on/off button controls the device’s power state.

The rear panel of the D1 provides various connectivity options. It includes a pair of RCA outputs, labeled “R” and “L,” for single-ended analog audio connections.

Digital input options consist of Coaxial and Optical ports. Additionally, there are two USB Type-C ports: one designated as “USB Input” for data transfer and another for “Power Supply.” This dual USB-C configuration enables the device to receive power independently via a 5V USB power supply, while also connecting to a source device for audio data. The connectors are gold-plated.

The top surface of the D1 is a plain, smooth aluminum panel. It does not contain any markings or logos.

The bottom of the D1 is equipped with four small rubber feet. These feet are designed to provide stability and minimize movement on various surfaces. They also contribute to minor isolation from vibrations. The underside has a matte finish and lacks additional markings.

The SMSL D1’s construction involves an aluminum casing and an acrylic front panel. The device exhibits a substantial feel, and visual inspection does not reveal significant manufacturing defects such as gaps or burrs.

 

Technical Specifications:

• Model: SMSL D1 High-Resolution DAC
• DAC: ROHM BD34352EKV
• Output Level: USB/Optical/Coaxial: 2.0Vrms
• THD+N: 0.00038% (-108dB)
• Dynamic Range: 119dB
• SNR: 119dB
• USB Transmission Method: Asynchronous Transmission
• USB Compatibility: Windows 7/8/8.1/10/11, Mac OS, Linux
• Bit Depth: USB: 1bit~32bit, Optical/Coaxial: 16bit~24bit
• Sampling Rate: USB PCM: 44.1kHz~768kHz, DSD: 2.8224~22.5792MHz, Optical/Coaxial: 44.1kHz~192kHz
• Power Consumption: <5W
• Standby Power: <0.1W
• Size: 101×33×90mm (W×H×D)
• Weight: 201.1g/0.443lbs

 

Hardware Features:

Digital to Analog Converter:

The SMSL D1 features the ROHM BD34352EKV DAC chip, a key component designed to handle high-resolution audio. This chip boasts a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 126dB, which aims to provide a clean and uncolored audio signal, translating to precise sound reproduction. It supports advanced audio formats, including DSD512 and PCM up to 768kHz, accommodating a wide range of high-fidelity music files. This specific ROHM DAC chip is intended to offer a distinct audio characteristic, emphasizing clarity, dynamics, and a lively presentation, differentiating it from other DACs that might use different chipsets like the BD34301EKV. This focus on a particular sound signature suggests a deliberate tuning choice by SMSL.

Connectivity & 

The D1 provides comprehensive digital input options to ensure broad compatibility with various audio sources. It includes a USB Type-C port for connecting to computers and mobile devices, along with traditional Coaxial and Optical inputs for integration with media players, TVs, and gaming consoles. A notable feature is the dual USB-C port design, where one port is dedicated to data transfer and the other solely for power supply. This separation allows users to power the unit independently, potentially reducing electrical noise from the source device’s USB port. For analog output, the D1 is equipped with RCA connectors, which are standard for connecting to a wide array of audio components such as headphone amplifiers, power amplifiers, or directly to active speakers. This makes the D1 a versatile hub for diverse audio setups, from dedicated music listening to home theater systems.

The SMSL D1 is designed for extensive compatibility across different operating systems, ensuring ease of use for most users. It supports Windows 7/8/8.1/10/11, though it requires a specific driver for optimal performance on these platforms. For Mac OS and Linux users, the device typically offers plug-and-play functionality, eliminating the need for driver installation. In terms of audio format support, the USB input is capable of handling very high-resolution PCM streams up to 768kHz and DSD content up to 22.5792MHz (DSD512). The Coaxial and Optical inputs, while still supporting high-resolution audio, are rated for PCM signals up to 192kHz. This broad compatibility ensures that users can enjoy their high-resolution audio libraries without limitations.

 

Other Highlights:

Beyond its core DAC functionality, the D1 incorporates several design elements aimed at enhancing audio performance and product longevity. It utilizes low-temperature coefficient (low-TC) resistors, components known for their stability and precision in audio circuits, which contribute to maintaining consistent sound quality regardless of temperature fluctuations. The printed circuit board (PCB) design has been optimized to achieve an ultra-low Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (THD+N) figure of 0.00038%. This low distortion level is crucial for preserving the intricate details and dynamic range of music. SMSL’s established partnership with ROHM for the implementation of the BD34352EKV chip indicates an effort to leverage specialized expertise in audio technology. These combined efforts reflect SMSL’s approach to product development.

 

Equipment’s used for this review:

• DAC                            : SMSL D1 High-Resolution DAC
• Digital Source           : MSI Vector GP68HX
• Amplifier                    : SOCOZ QXA1
• IEM’s                          : ddHiFi Surface, Campfire Audio Supermoon
• Headphones              : Moondrop Para, SIVGA P2 Pro, HiFiMAN Sundara CB

  

 

Albums & tracks used for this review:

• Edith Piaf – Non Je Ne Regrette Rien (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Diana Krall – So Wonderful (DSF)
• Aretha Franklin – I Say A Little Payer (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Norah Jones – Come Away With Me (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Adele – 25 (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Sarah McLachlan – Angel (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Sertap Erener – Aşk (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• George Michael – Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• David Bowie – Heroes (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Elton John – Rocket Man ((Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Barry White – Just The Way You Are (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Isaac Hayes – Walk On By (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Sting – Englishman in New York – (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Eric Clapton – Wonderful Tonight (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Dave Gahan – Kingdom (Apple Music Lossless)
• Radiohead – Live in Berlin “Album” (Apple Music Lossless)
• Radiohead – Pyramid Song (Apple Music Lossless)
• U2 – Sunday Bloody Sunday (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Muse – Hysteria (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Red Hot Chili Peppers – Nobody Weird Like Me (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Bear McCreary’s – Valkyries (Apple Music)
• Bro Safari, UFO! – Drama (Apple Music Lossless)
• Armin Van Buuren – Vini Vici (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Daft Punk – Instant Crush (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Daft Punk – Doin’ it Right (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Daft Punk – Giorgio by Moroder (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Lorde – Royals (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Massive Attack – Angel (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Toutant – Rebirth (Apple Music Lossless)
• Gogo Penguin – Raven (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Gogo Penguin – Murmuration (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Portishead – It Could Be Sweet (Apple Music Lossless)
• Max Richter – On the Nature of Daylight (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Charly Antolini – Duwadjuwandadu (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Tchaikovsky – Symphony No. 5 (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Ferit Odman – Look, Stop & Listen (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Chopin – Nocturn No. 20 In C-Sharp Minor (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Clair de Lune – Claude Debussy (Apple Music Lossless)
• Fazıl Say – Nazım Oratoryosu (Live) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Vivaldi – Le QuarttroStagioni “The Four Season” (Apple Music)
• Miles Davis – So What (Apple Music Lossless)
• The Eagles – Hotel California (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Otto Liebert& Luna Negra – The River (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Lunatic Soul – The Passage (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Deftones – My Own Summer (Shove it) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Dream Theater – Fall into the Light (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Metallica – Dyers Eve (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Metallica – Sad but True (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Opeth – Windowpane (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Megadeth – Sweating Bullets (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Tool – Forty Six & 2 (Apple Music Lossless)
• Rush’s – Tom Sawyer (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Slayer – Angel of Death (Apple Lossless)
• Liquid Tension Experiment 2 – Acid Rain (Spotify)
• Yosi Horikawa – Bubbles (Apple Music Lossless)
• Pink Floyd – Dark Side of the Moon (Flac 24bit/48kHz)

 

The Sound:

The SMSL D1 is a Digital to Analog Converter (DAC), powered by the advanced ROHM BD34352EKV chip, delivers a refined audio performance, focusing on clarity and dynamic range. At its $89.99 USD price point, the D1 offers strong value, providing a level of detail often found in more expensive devices. This sophisticated internal design allows the D1 to process audio signals with great precision, resulting in sound that’s both technically capable and musically engaging. To ensure optimal performance and allow the internal components to settle, the D1 underwent a critical burn-in period of around 70 hours. This initial conditioning is vital for high-fidelity audio gear, helping electrical parts reach their stable operating parameters for more consistent and accurate sound.

For evaluation, an MSI Vector GP68HX served as the primary digital source, providing a clean and stable signal. This was paired with the SOCOZ QXA1 amplifier, a capable unit known for its transparent amplification, ensuring the D1’s sound characteristics were accurately conveyed to the listening devices. A diverse range of IEMs (In-Ear Monitors) and headphones were chosen for the listening tests, each with unique sound signatures to thoroughly assess the D1’s adaptability and performance. This selection included the analytical ddHiFi Surface, the detail-oriented Campfire Audio Supermoon, the balanced Moondrop Para, the natural-sounding SIVGA P2 Pro, and the musically engaging HiFiMAN Sundara CB.

The D1’s overall sound profile is characterized by a balanced and natural presentation. It avoids artificial enhancements, aiming for an honest and faithful reproduction of the original recording. This neutrality extends across the entire frequency spectrum, with notable attention to detail. The DAC’s design for high-resolution playback is evident in its ability to render even subtle sonic nuances, bringing out textures that might be obscured by less capable DACs. This results in a revealing listening experience, letting listeners hear more in their music.

 

Bass:

The bass performance of the SMSL D1 stands out for its controlled and even response, maintaining structural integrity across various musical genres. This means the bass stays tight and defined, never blending into the mid-range or becoming boomy, even in complex or bass-heavy tracks.

Consider the rhythms of Gogo Penguin’s “Raven.” Here, the D1 provides a solid low-end foundation, allowing the interplay of the acoustic bass and percussion to remain distinct and clear. Each bass note is rendered precisely, contributing to the track’s rhythmic drive without sacrificing clarity. Similarly, in Daft Punk’s “Giorgio by Moroder,” the D1 accurately reproduces the deep, synthesized bass lines with a consistent texture. This ensures that the electronic elements keep their intended impact and energy without overshadowing the rest of the mix. The bass is powerful yet controlled, conveying the weight and depth of electronic soundscapes with accuracy.

The D1 excels at preserving the natural decay and articulation of bass notes. This means a plucked bass string resonates and fades naturally, rather than cutting off abruptly. This nuance is vital for a realistic listening experience. While generally strong, some listeners looking for an especially impactful bass might find it somewhat reserved, though this is often a trade-off for its impressive control. The D1’s adaptability was further highlighted across the tested IEMs and headphones. When paired with the Campfire Audio Supermoon, the DAC allowed the IEM’s tendency towards a slightly fuller low-end to emerge, providing a more resonant bass experience without becoming overwhelming. Conversely, with the ddHiFi Surface, the D1 contributed to a tighter and more agile bass response, emphasizing speed and precision. This adaptation to different transducer tunings shows the D1’s versatility and its ability to complement various audio setups.

 

 

Midrange:

The midrange is where the D1 truly sets itself apart with a transparent and detailed reproduction, clearly showing its ability to handle vocal and instrumental nuances with precision. This is the core of the musical spectrum, and the D1 delivers it with notable clarity and emotional depth.

In the timeless performance of Edith Piaf’s “Non Je Ne Regrette Rien,” the D1 presents her iconic vocal delivery with a clear and focused tone. Every inflection and emotional nuance in Piaf’s voice is captured without any hint of muddiness or veiled quality. When specifically paired with the SIVGA P2 Pro, known for its natural presentation, the D1’s midrange transparency allowed Piaf’s powerful vocals to come through clearly, making for a moving listening experience. The synergy between the D1 and the P2 Pro created an accurate portrayal of the vocal performance.

Likewise, Diana Krall’s “So Wonderful” serves as another example of the D1’s midrange strength. The DAC delivers a smooth and clear portrayal of her distinctive voice, rich with subtle vocal textures. At the same time, the accompanying piano is rendered with remarkable clarity and natural tone. With the Moondrop Para, the D1 further emphasized the midrange’s clarity and resolution, bringing out the intricate details in both Krall’s vocals and the delicate piano work. When the HiFiMAN Sundara CB was paired, the D1 allowed the Sundara CB to add a subtle yet pleasing touch of warmth to the instrumentation, enriching the overall sound without sacrificing detail.

The D1’s midrange performance consistently ensures that both male and female vocals, as well as a diverse range of instruments like strings and keyboards, are rendered with good separation and accuracy. Each element occupies its distinct space within the soundstage, letting listeners easily hear individual voices and instruments, contributing to an engaging musical experience. This strong commitment to midrange accuracy is a key aspect of the D1’s high-resolution audio capabilities, especially impressive for its price.

 

Treble:

The treble response of the SMSL D1 is defined by its extended and clear presentation, which is a significant factor in creating an open and detailed listening experience. Unlike some DACs that can produce harsh or fatiguing treble, the D1 consistently delivers high frequencies with a natural character and good clarity.

In the vibrant movements of Vivaldi’s “Le Quattro Stagioni,” the string sections are reproduced with a crisp and natural tone. The D1 allows the intricate layering of the orchestral performance to stand out, revealing the subtle nuances of each violin, viola, and cello. This level of detail is particularly evident when listening through the Campfire Audio Supermoon, an IEM known for its strong treble extension and detail retrieval. The synergy between the D1 and the Supermoon brought out the full clarity and texture of the classical strings, making the performance feel lively.

Similarly, in the atmospheric soundscape of Max Richter’s “On the Nature of Daylight,” the high-frequency elements, including subtle string harmonics and delicate ambient textures, are conveyed with good clarity and a smooth decay. The D1 ensures these intricate details aren’t lost but presented with gentle precision that adds depth to the music’s emotional weight. When paired with the HiFiMAN Sundara CB, the D1 further enhanced the sense of openness in the treble, creating a wider presentation of high-frequency information.

Across all tested devices, the D1 consistently maintained a stable and consistent treble performance, generally avoiding any harshness, sibilance, or unnatural brightness. This careful tuning ensures that even during extended listening sessions, high-frequency details remain easily audible and contribute to the overall musicality without causing listener fatigue. While generally very good, some might prefer a bit more aggressive sparkle in the very top-end for certain genres, but its current presentation prioritizes comfortable long-term listening. The D1’s treble isn’t just present; it’s well-textured, extended, and significantly contributes to the DAC’s ability to present high-resolution sound.

 

Soundstage & Imaging:

The soundstage and imaging capabilities of the SMSL D1 offer a good spatial presentation, creating a sense of width and depth that enhances stereo imaging. In Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon,” the D1 precisely places vocals and effects, forming a coherent soundfield, especially benefiting from the Moondrop Para’s expansive staging. Similarly, for Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony No. 5,” the orchestral arrangement reveals layered depth, allowing individual sections to be located effectively, particularly with the ddHiFi Surface’s accurate imaging. The D1’s soundstage adapts well to different headphone and IEM profiles, providing a stable experience for various compositions.

 

Conclusion:

The SMSL D1 is a compact yet highly capable audio device, offering impressive performance for its modest $89.99 price point. Equipped with the advanced ROHM BD34352EKV DAC chip, it delivers a sound that emphasizes clarity, neutrality, and dynamic range. This makes it a strong contender in the entry-level DAC market. The D1 supports high-resolution audio formats, including PCM up to 768kHz and DSD512. This ensures it’s compatible with a wide range of music files, appealing to those who value precision and detail. Its versatile connectivity options further enhance its appeal. These include dual USB-C ports for separate data and power input, as well as Coaxial and Optical inputs. This allows for easy adaptation to various audio setups, from desktop systems to home theater configurations.

Overall, the robust aluminum casing, paired with an acrylic front panel and intuitive touch controls, suggests a build quality that aligns well with its detailed and balanced audio output.

 

Pros & Cons:

• + Neutral and detailed sound with excellent clarity across bass, midrange, and treble
• + High-resolution audio support (PCM up to 768kHz, DSD512)
• + Versatile connectivity (USB-C, Coaxial, Optical, RCA outputs)
• + Dual USB-C design for separate data and power, reducing potential noise
• + Compact and sturdy aluminum build with intuitive touch controls
• + Great value for performance at $89.99
• + Wide compatibility with Windows, Mac OS, and Linux

 

• – No power adapter included in the package
• – None at this pirce level

Thank you for the Read!