[the Ortherion]

Anyone has any experience on this DAC? Seems pretty inexpensive for the things it's offering. 
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2014-SMSL-Sanskrit-24bit-192kHz-USB-DAC-Coaxial-Optical-Decoder-SD-1955-upgrade-/321394009620?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item4ad4936614

 

[DjBobby]

  Anyone has any experience on this DAC? Seems pretty inexpensive for the things it's offering. 
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2014-SMSL-Sanskrit-24bit-192kHz-USB-DAC-Coaxial-Optical-Decoder-SD-1955-upgrade-/321394009620?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item4ad4936614

Better late then never. SMSL Sanskrit is already in the 6th reincarnation, featuring asynchronous USB and WM8740. 

 

[GioF71]

I'd tell you spare that money for something worth it.
 
It might be something from the SMSL itself, like the M8, but I have to advice you against the Sanskrit.
XMOS usb chip and ESS Sabre 9018 (mobile version) put the SMSL M8 on another category compared with the SMSL Sanskrit.
See the SMSL M8 in this thread: http://www.head-fi.org/t/743990/new-m8-dac-from-smsl-9018-xmos
 
My Sanskrit device (probably mine is a previous generation sample) does not reliably process 192kHz from coaxial, while it should; in the same conditions other (multiple) DACs work correctly @192 via coaxial.
 
So somewhat a declared functionality is not working as expected.
 
This issue apart, the unit is listenable, but of course not exceptional.
 
My .02€

 

[GioF71]

I see you are from Europe.
 
If you are looking for a very cheap DAC, look at this:
http://www.audiophonics.fr/en/appareils-hifi-dac/dac-pcm5102-on-battery-32bit-384khz-interface-xmos-usb-optical-coaxial-p-9314.html
You probably won't find something which reliably does 192kHz on usb for less. This one does 384.
 
 
If 192kHz is not a strict necessity, have a look at this:
http://www.audiophonics.fr/en/appareils-hifi-dac/audiophonics-u-sabre-usb-dac-24bit96khz-v21-tcxo-edition-p-8600.html
 
Quality wise I think both products beat the SMSL Sanskrit hands down.

 

[DjBobby]

  I'd tell you spare that money for something worth it.
 
It might be something from the SMSL itself, like the M8, but I have to advice you against the Sanskrit.
XMOS usb chip and ESS Sabre 9018 (mobile version) put the SMSL M8 on another category compared with the SMSL Sanskrit.
See the SMSL M8 in this thread: http://www.head-fi.org/t/743990/new-m8-dac-from-smsl-9018-xmos
 
My Sanskrit device (probably mine is a previous generation sample) does not reliably process 192kHz from coaxial, while it should; in the same conditions other (multiple) DACs work correctly @192 via coaxial.
 
So somewhat a declared functionality is not working as expected.
 
This issue apart, the unit is listenable, but of course not exceptional.
 
My .02€

  I see you are from Europe.
 
If you are looking for a very cheap DAC, look at this:
http://www.audiophonics.fr/en/appareils-hifi-dac/dac-pcm5102-on-battery-32bit-384khz-interface-xmos-usb-optical-coaxial-p-9314.html
You probably won't find something which reliably does 192kHz on usb for less. This one does 384.
 
 
If 192kHz is not a strict necessity, have a look at this:
http://www.audiophonics.fr/en/appareils-hifi-dac/audiophonics-u-sabre-usb-dac-24bit96khz-v21-tcxo-edition-p-8600.html
 
Quality wise I think both products beat the SMSL Sanskrit hands down.

 
Thanks a lot. I was just wondering about the Sanskrit because SMSL is replacing DAC models (and dac chips inside), more often that I write posts on headfi.
Mentioning other (multiple) DACs, do you also use the one you have recommended me? I am coming from Schiit Modi 2Uber, which worked perfectly with every single resolution, but need a little bit warmer sound signature.

 

[GioF71]

   
Thanks a lot. I was just wondering about the Sanskrit because SMSL is replacing DAC models (and dac chips inside), more often that I write posts on headfi.
Mentioning other (multiple) DACs, do you also use the one you have recommended me? I am coming from Schiit Modi 2Uber, which worked perfectly with every single resolution, but need a little bit warmer sound signature.

 
I don't have any of the suggested DACs, but the first has one good review beyond the one on the same site:
http://www.qobuz.com/ie-en/info/hi-fi-guide/audiophonics-pcm5102-dac-qobuzism176822
 
I bought a digital usb-to-spdif interface from this shop and it works like a charm. The guy is very kind and informative, I think this dac should be good as it's said.
Plus, there are 15 or 30 days of time to send it back and you would lose only the shipping expenses.
 
The second dac is a classic 9023 design, it seems there are many positive reviews on the site.
 
But please stay away from the Sanskirt!
Or, if you want it at all costs, consider buying mine for an even lower price, I'd gladly sell it to you

 

[DjBobby]

   
I don't have any of the suggested DACs, but the first has one good review beyond the one on the same site:
http://www.qobuz.com/ie-en/info/hi-fi-guide/audiophonics-pcm5102-dac-qobuzism176822
 
I bought a digital usb-to-spdif interface from this shop and it works like a charm. The guy is very kind and informative, I think this dac should be good as it's said.
Plus, there are 15 or 30 days of time to send it back and you would lose only the shipping expenses.
 
The second dac is a classic 9023 design, it seems there are many positive reviews on the site.
 
But please stay away from the Sanskirt!
Or, if you want it at all costs, consider buying mine for an even lower price, I'd gladly sell it to you

Thanks What are your other dacs which are beating sanskrit?

 

[GioF71]

Don't get me wrong: I quite like the SMSL brand as an affordable source of cheap but pretty nice components. 
I have these products:
 
SMSL Sap-III Headphone AMP
SMSL Sanskrit DAC
SMSL SA-50 AMP
SMSL 793II DAC/Headphone AMP
 
All work as advertised except the Sanskrit. I particulary like the SA-50 as desktop amp (though I would like to add a linear psu).
The Sanskrit is the only one that did not meet my expectations.

 

[DjBobby]

  Don't get me wrong: I quite like the SMSL brand as an affordable source of cheap but pretty nice components. 
I have these products:
 
SMSL Sap-III Headphone AMP
SMSL Sanskrit DAC
SMSL SA-50 AMP
SMSL 793II DAC/Headphone AMP
 
All work as advertised except the Sanskrit. I particulary like the SA-50 as desktop amp (though I would like to add a linear psu).
The Sanskrit is the only one that did not meet my expectations.

Thanks again. This one also caught my eye: http://www.aliexpress.com/item/192K-24BIT-AK4118-AK4490-XMOS-OPA2134-USB-Decoder-DAC-coaxial-fibers/32461295013.html
Excellent components, price is a joke, but it's a DIY project, meaning no guarantee, nobody to ask for assistance or help, in case needed. But it seems to use some of the best chips around. I was actually trying to decide between Sanskrit and this one. 

 

[GioF71]

Well, a

 
Thanks What are your other dacs which are beating sanskrit?

 
Gustard X12 (used with the Gustard U12 interface, preceded by the Schiit Wyrd)
Yulong D200
Peachtree DAC-It (old model, not the 'DAC-ITx'; it is used with the mentioned audiophonics usb-to-spdif interface, so it's 192kHz capable)
FiiO X5
 
Also my Asus Xonar Essence STX, which is a sound card, is better than the Sanskrit IMO.
 
Edit: Spelling mistakes

 

[GioF71]

 
Thanks again. This one also caught my eye: http://www.aliexpress.com/item/192K-24BIT-AK4118-AK4490-XMOS-OPA2134-USB-Decoder-DAC-coaxial-fibers/32461295013.html
Excellent components, price is a joke, but it's a DIY project, meaning no guarantee, nobody to ask for assistance or help, in case needed. But it seems to use some of the best chips around. I was actually trying to decide between Sanskrit and this one. 

 
Seeing the specifications, it's way better than the sanskrit, because of the XMOS chip (so it supports 384kHz on usb, against 96kHz on USB) and the DAC chip itself. I don't know a thing about the brand. No guarantees, anyway the risk is very low considering the price. It may be worth trying.

 

[GioF71]

@the Ortherion
did you buy something in the end?
Cheers

 

[the Ortherion]

@the Ortherion

did you buy something in the end?
Cheers

I bought a schiit Modi

 

[GioF71]

never heard that, but I think it's a more solid choice

 

[netsky3]

I am interested too, does anyone knows about its sound??