[willowbrook]

  To my ears it has not changed either 1 OR 2 significantly. But the background hiss or hum have totally vanished. 

You can sometimes reduce this significantly by using wasapi or asio instead of DS if you are using USB. A lot of songs tend to have non black background and that's just the way it is. When you have serious problem with your power source interference. I guess that's when LPS comes into play.

 

[bnsb]

I have downloaded asio for dummies (pdf version which someone kindly pointed out on this forum) but have not tried installing, will try when time permits. Thanks.

 

[fritobugger]

Contemplating on adding the P1 to my M8. Few questions to anybody already using M8 + P1:

1. Does adding P1 change the soundstage? Because it's not so wide and deep right now.
2. Does adding P1 change the tonal balance, or smoothen the treble? Right now, the bass is punchy, mids somewhat dry and recessed, and treble too hot.
3. Does adding P1 generally justify the price payed for it, or is the difference between and after, more on the "slightly" level?

I couldn't hear a difference between the stock power supply and the P1.

 

[DjBobby]

  I read somewhere on Massdrop about a detailed impression of a guy comparing the M8 with and without LPS as well as some other DACs and matrix x-sabre. He states that the improvements are not dramatic, but there are slight differences in soundstage, adds some detail and refines lows. Nobody should expect a LPS to make drastic differences and certainly not tonal balance change. That would be much more dependent on your amp and cans. However, sabre chips do tend to add some sparkle/air and it varies among DACs, but IMO M8 has none of that.

 

  To my ears it has not changed either 1 OR 2 significantly. But the background hiss or hum have totally vanished. 

 

I couldn't hear a difference between the stock power supply and the P1.

 
Thanks a lot everybody. I have just connected M8 to my amp-floorstanders system and compared flac to CDs, that's where I heard quite a difference. Maybe are Marantz CD players (CS4398) tuned to sound more mellow and I got used to that sound. Anyway M8 sounded to me as I described in my questions.
 
Only today on AliExpress, if ordered through mobile app, P1 will be $114,79, incl shipment: 
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/2015-NEW-SMSL-P1-Linear-Power-Supply-two-output-for-the-decoder-and-headphone-amp-use/32294484471.html

 

[wwmhf]

  Contemplating on adding the P1 to my M8. Few questions to anybody already using M8 + P1:
 
1. Does adding P1 change the soundstage? Because it's not so wide and deep right now.
2. Does adding P1 change the tonal balance, or smoothen the treble? Right now, the bass is punchy, mids somewhat dry and recessed, and treble too hot.
3. Does adding P1 generally justify the price payed for it, or is the difference between and after, more on the "slightly" level?

 
P1 itself definitely does not justify the price because one can easily make a much better one with that amount of money; however, it justifies the price if it improve the sound.
 
Then one I made by pooling some parts together definitely improves the sound of M8. I just need a little more time to package it in a nicer box.

 

[willowbrook]

Anyone know if op amps can be swapped? I saw somewhere that it uses 3 OPA 1612

 

[Ustas]

If you handy with SMT soldering then yes op-amps could be changed, but to try different chips you need to put in swapping sockets first.

 

[willowbrook]

If you handy with SMT soldering then yes op-amps could be changed, but to try different chips you need to put in swapping sockets first.

Yea...none of that for me. Never tried DIY before. Haven't swapped OPA 1612 before, but I think there is greater potential. 

 

[wwmhf]

Anyone know if op amps can be swapped? I saw somewhere that it uses 3 OPA 1612

 
It will be difficult for most of us if not impossible.

 

[willowbrook]

It will be difficult for most of us if not impossible.

I'm hoping to upgrade to a full discrete DAC like X-12 soon because the fact I can't change them bothers me..

 

[DjBobby]

Maybe I am just impatient at the moment, but decided to depart from my M8, only after one month. Clean and superb resolution it is, but there was some forwardness in the sound which was not quite to my taste. So right now my (less than) month old M8 is for sale.

 

[Aplle]

Is there any way to get the M8's display to dim or turn off while music is playing?

 

[Triplefun]

  Is there any way to get the M8's display to dim or turn off while music is playing?

 
If too bright then use one or more layers of 'cellotape' to reduce the glare.

 

[Triplefun]

I'm looking at PSU alternatives. $140 seems a lot to pay for the P1 given the original cost of the M8. Has anyone tried the HiFiMeDIY options including http://hifimediy.com/power-supplies/ready-made-power-supplies/0-to-32-adjustable-power-supply ($55) or even http://hifimediy.com/power-supplies/ready-made-power-supplies/PSM3plus-Power-supply-110V ($30). The latter is designed specifically for the Sabre DAC, is rated at only 8v, and is probably half way between the P1 and Walmart. I have also had it confirmed that it is linear so I see no reason why it shouldn't work.

 

[DjBobby]

  Is there any way to get the M8's display to dim or turn off while music is playing?

The reviewer on UK Amazon wrote that anyway, the oled display starts fading away after some time: 
http://www.amazon.co.uk/M8-Optical-Coaxial-Asynchronous-Decoder/dp/B00XVSX8Z2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1459837979&sr=8-1&keywords=smsl+m8