OG10
100+ Head-Fier
I haven't upgraded my desktop PC DAC in some time, after a few days of searching around I came across a few reviews that led me to shortlist the D1SE vs the RME FS Dac. I already have a Valhalla 2 and a 789 so didn't really need a DAC / AMP combo. Additionally I have a Qutest and Brooklyn Bridge in my main rig so didn't want to go too crazy on the desktop DAC. I did try and find this on UK Amazon, but didn't find it. I ordered directly from Hifi-express and they seem to have shipped it from within the UK, so didn't pay any additional customs / VAT. I did have some trouble getting some responses from the team so Mandy from SMSL actually helped get a tracking reference for me.
In terms of the set up here is what I am using:-
1. Sennheiser HD800
2. PC -> SMSL D1SE
3. Ipad mini 2021 -> SMSL D1SE
4. Amplification -> THX 789 & Valhalla 2
Functionality
The MQA support from the PC is good, and just plug and play - however my USB cable is experiencing some cut outs, no issues when connected to USB-C -> SMSL D1SE so I am putting this down to Electronic Interference so I will use the optical out from the PC for the time being till I find a good isolated USB B cable.
This is replacing a Firestone Audio DAC from a long time ago, so the sound is immediately much much better. Additionally the MQA pass through from the IPAD is very good. The DAC just auto switches, additionally Apple Music also switches to hi-res when in scope files come on.
Features
The features of this DAC are pretty darn impressive, and a lot more than I was expecting. The signal shaping elements are top notch. I have managed to curb the extreme sibilance of the HD800 by using the "Rich 2" mode. None of the reviews I have seen go into much detail on these filters. So if people want a walk through more than happy to post some details. I am usually a bit of a purist when it comes to anything that messes with the natural output, but the Rich 2 mode makes the difference of being able to listen to my HD800 for 4-5hrs instead of an hour.
The filters are not a good combination with the Valhalla 2, as the Valhalla is already fairly coloured adding any of these filters make it sound do sloppy and uncontrolled.
The DAC has Balanced output stages, I heard that the 789 might sound better with the XLR inputs, so I have ordered some cables, shall advise if that makes any difference. For now using SE the sound is impeccable with the settings I noted above. Just note when it arrives the default line out mode comes as variable - so change that to fixed.
Sound
Having listened to music for the past several days I can give some initial impressions, and they are largely very good. The sound is very crisp and clear. The nuance isn't as obvious as the Qutest, but we are looking at something that is significantly cheaper. The biggest difference between the Qutest and the D1SE is primarily the filters. I am not sure what you folks think but playing with the filters on the Qutest yielded no changes for me.
Though the Qutest sits happily in my main rig, I am glad that I have the ability to filter a lot more in a tangible way on the D1SE.
Some tracks of note:
Joanna Barwick - Healing is a Miracle
Petit Biscuits - Follow Me
Chris Isaak - Baby did a bad bad thing
Kygo - Cut your teeth - Kyla La Grange (Remix)
These tracks really pulled themselves away from the Firestone Audio, and also very close to the Mytek BB in some instances, but the Qutest still retains the lead overall. I did find that the Sibilance issue is only truly mitigated by the the D1SE. Also note that I had to use 16bit tracks to keep this fair on the firestone audio.
Conclusion - If you have a pair of HD800 headphones, or some other picky headphones that require some subtle filtering of the digital signal I would investigate the D1SE. The sound is superb and well refined. It does not cull the spatial features of the HD800 and has excellent channel separation. The ordering process was a bit odd, but with an SMSL rep on the forums it shouldn't be an issue to get a fire lit up someone's back side if needed.
I don't have a balanced to TRX or I could have checked my Solaris to see how this set up sounds vs the WM1Z. One for another day, but as it stands now I am happy with the sound signature and dynamics of this DAC.
In terms of the set up here is what I am using:-
1. Sennheiser HD800
2. PC -> SMSL D1SE
3. Ipad mini 2021 -> SMSL D1SE
4. Amplification -> THX 789 & Valhalla 2
Functionality
The MQA support from the PC is good, and just plug and play - however my USB cable is experiencing some cut outs, no issues when connected to USB-C -> SMSL D1SE so I am putting this down to Electronic Interference so I will use the optical out from the PC for the time being till I find a good isolated USB B cable.
This is replacing a Firestone Audio DAC from a long time ago, so the sound is immediately much much better. Additionally the MQA pass through from the IPAD is very good. The DAC just auto switches, additionally Apple Music also switches to hi-res when in scope files come on.
Features
The features of this DAC are pretty darn impressive, and a lot more than I was expecting. The signal shaping elements are top notch. I have managed to curb the extreme sibilance of the HD800 by using the "Rich 2" mode. None of the reviews I have seen go into much detail on these filters. So if people want a walk through more than happy to post some details. I am usually a bit of a purist when it comes to anything that messes with the natural output, but the Rich 2 mode makes the difference of being able to listen to my HD800 for 4-5hrs instead of an hour.
The filters are not a good combination with the Valhalla 2, as the Valhalla is already fairly coloured adding any of these filters make it sound do sloppy and uncontrolled.
The DAC has Balanced output stages, I heard that the 789 might sound better with the XLR inputs, so I have ordered some cables, shall advise if that makes any difference. For now using SE the sound is impeccable with the settings I noted above. Just note when it arrives the default line out mode comes as variable - so change that to fixed.
Sound
Having listened to music for the past several days I can give some initial impressions, and they are largely very good. The sound is very crisp and clear. The nuance isn't as obvious as the Qutest, but we are looking at something that is significantly cheaper. The biggest difference between the Qutest and the D1SE is primarily the filters. I am not sure what you folks think but playing with the filters on the Qutest yielded no changes for me.
Though the Qutest sits happily in my main rig, I am glad that I have the ability to filter a lot more in a tangible way on the D1SE.
Some tracks of note:
Joanna Barwick - Healing is a Miracle
Petit Biscuits - Follow Me
Chris Isaak - Baby did a bad bad thing
Kygo - Cut your teeth - Kyla La Grange (Remix)
These tracks really pulled themselves away from the Firestone Audio, and also very close to the Mytek BB in some instances, but the Qutest still retains the lead overall. I did find that the Sibilance issue is only truly mitigated by the the D1SE. Also note that I had to use 16bit tracks to keep this fair on the firestone audio.
Conclusion - If you have a pair of HD800 headphones, or some other picky headphones that require some subtle filtering of the digital signal I would investigate the D1SE. The sound is superb and well refined. It does not cull the spatial features of the HD800 and has excellent channel separation. The ordering process was a bit odd, but with an SMSL rep on the forums it shouldn't be an issue to get a fire lit up someone's back side if needed.
I don't have a balanced to TRX or I could have checked my Solaris to see how this set up sounds vs the WM1Z. One for another day, but as it stands now I am happy with the sound signature and dynamics of this DAC.