[JediMa70]

Hello,
Since I changed amp it's more clear that the weak hardware in my setup is the still decent but not so good, so I'm thinking to replace my SMSL M8A dac. I live in Italy (so few brands are not easy to get over here..) and the budget is 200 (more ore less ... better less )
My current setup with my desktop PC is:

1. DAC: SMSL M8a
2. AMP. JDS Labs Atom
3. Headphones: Hifiman HE-560 - Sennheiser HD600 - Meze 99 Classics - AKG K712 Pro - V-MODA Crossfade M-100 - Fostex T50R

Few models I was considering: Topping E30, S.M.S.L Sanskrit 10th mk2 or others ?

 

[Lolito]

The usual suspects at that price, I would get a decent balanced DAC. The usual suspects: Soncoz LA, the new schitt mobius?, smsl 300, smsl 200? smsl su8,

If you want a cheap good dac and stay with RCA, maybe a khadas tone board is the best option for a cheap price, sounds very good, not just the measurements... 100€ shipped with a case. I´m on the same boat as you, but all those balanced dacs of 200€, all seem to have their own little problems... some people say for example, the Soncoz sound is not too good, much worse than the khadas for example...

 

[StarTreker]

I love my S.M.S.L M200 DAC, it really sounds amazing for the cost, I highly recommend it!

Front...

Back...

My Artistic Photo Showing It Powered UP...

Ohhhhh, and if your wondering if it pairs well with the S.M.S.L SP200 amp, the answers
yes, it was even designed to pair well with it.

SP200 AMP Before Volume Knob Modification...

SP200 AMP After Volume Knob Mod...

 

[JediMa70]

Well I was considering already to get the amp and that would be a killing combo!