The Audio Stuff - DACs Reviews

Denafrips Enyo 15th Review: R2R Done Right at $700

Jakub Charkiewicz — Wed, 25 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMT

A $700 true balanced R-2R ladder DAC with an O-Core transformer, I²S input, and a natural, musical sound that easily competes with delta-sigma converters costing far more.

Verdict: Highly Recommended - 9.1/10. Price: $699.

What's good

Thick anodized aluminum chassis - dense, rattle-free, scratch-resistant
All-metal buttons and controls - zero plastic
Four-foot design with rubber inserts for stability
I²S input alongside USB, coax, and optical
True balanced R-2R ladder with 0.01% tolerance resistors
Selectable OS/NOS modes and slow/sharp filters
60VA O-Core transformer for clean, low-EMI power
Deep, textured, controlled bass with serious foundation

Worth knowing

I²S pinout isn't standardized - requires setup
Heavy and not particularly compact
Slightly "dirty" bass character won't suit clean-sound purists
High output impedance (625Ω RCA / 1250Ω XLR)
Not the cleanest measuring DAC at this price
Treble extension less than the best delta-sigma converters

Read the full Denafrips Enyo 15th Anniversary review on The Audio Stuff

SMSL RAW-MDA1 Review: The ESS DAC That Sounds Different

Jakub Charkiewicz — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMT

A $240 balanced DAC/headphone amp with dual ES9039Q2M chips that doesn't sound like every other ESS box - warmer tonality, forward mids, and a flexible soundstage.

Verdict: Recommended - 8.0/10. Price: $239.

What's good

More premium feel than other SMSL DACs in the price range
High-resolution LCD with tempered glass front
Dual ES9039Q2M chips in dual mono configuration
6x OPA1612A op-amps and XMOS XU-316 USB interface
2.5W into 16Ω / 1.7W into 32Ω headphone output
XLR + RCA outputs, 1/4" + 4.4mm headphone outs
Silent operation - no hiss, no transformer hum
Warmer-than-typical ESS tonality with forward midrange

Worth knowing

Doubled coax/optical inputs instead of BNC or AES
Volume knob can be unpredictable on fast adjustments
Slight digital glare above ~13kHz if you listen for it
Not enough power for Susvara, HE6, or Tungsten
High output voltages can clip downstream amps
Bass is clean but lacks ultimate slam and punch

Read the full SMSL RAW-MDA1 review on The Audio Stuff

SMSL PS200 Review: Why DAC Chips Are NOT Everything

Jakub Charkiewicz — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMT

A $90 ESS-based DAC that measures fantastically but illustrates why specs aren't the whole story - it sounds fine, just not exceptional.

Verdict: Recommended - 7.0/10. Price: $89.

What's good

ES9039Q2M chip - high-end ESS DAC at this price
Excellent measurements (0.0001% THD+N, 123dB DR)
PCM 768kHz/32-bit, DSD512
Bluetooth 5.0 + USB-C + Optical + Coax
USB 1.1 / 2.0 switch for compatibility
Latest XMOS XU-316 USB receiver
Compact and pocket-sized

Worth knowing

All-plastic chassis - feels cheap
Single-ended only (RCA outputs)
Sounds slightly closed-in - narrower soundstage
No depth in the staging
Plasticky timbre on strings and brass
USB-C is power only - no internal battery
Light enough to be pulled by cable weight

Read the full SMSL PS200 review on The Audio Stuff

SMSL DL100 Review: Best Budget DAC/Amp Under $200?

Jakub Charkiewicz — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMT

A $180 balanced DAC/amp combo with MQA, DSD256, 4 Cirrus Logic chips, and a clarity-focused house sound that punches well above its budget category.

Verdict: Recommended - 8.2/10. Price: $179.

What's good

Balanced DAC + balanced headphone amp at $180
4x Cirrus Logic DAC chips - 0.00009% THD+N
USB-C, HDMI ARC, Bluetooth, Optical, Coax inputs
1/4" + 4.4mm headphone outs (3W into 16Ω, 1.5W into 32Ω)
MQA / MQA-CD, DSD256, DoP support
5 selectable digital filters including NOS-style
Hi-Res certification
Bright, functional front display

Worth knowing

Sub-bass is less extended than measurements suggest
Low-mids can feel slightly thin / less warm
Pairs poorly with already-bright systems
Slight loss of dynamic impact vs. higher-end DACs
Vocals slightly forward (likely intentional for HDMI ARC use)

Read the full SMSL DL100 review on The Audio Stuff

SMSL DO100 PRO Review: Feature-Packed DAC at $200

Jakub Charkiewicz — Sun, 09 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMT

A balanced lower-mid-range DAC with dual ESS chips, MQA, DSD512, and a tinker-friendly DPLL value control - solid sound that doesn't break records but offers great value.

Verdict: Recommended - 8.0/10. Price: $219.

What's good

Dual ESS DAC chips with 6 OPA1612 op-amps
Balanced internally - XLR output sounds slightly better
Bluetooth, USB-C, HDMI ARC, Optical, Coaxial inputs
MQA / MQA-CD decoding, DSD512, PCM 32-bit/768kHz
DPLL value control - rare end-user adjustability
Multiple selectable digital filters
Bright, functional front display
Full aluminum chassis, ~1.5 kg

Worth knowing

Slight wobble in the (digitally stepped) plastic knob
Tonality leans slightly analytical
Soundstage isn't huge - just doesn't collapse
Dynamics feel slightly soft, not room-shaking
Aluminum body isn't the thickest

Read the full SMSL DO100 PRO review on The Audio Stuff

SMSL PS100 Review: A $29 'Audiophile' DAC - Can't Be Good, Right?

Jakub Charkiewicz — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMT

Below $30 for a DAC. It's not a measurement monster and the sound doesn't shine in any aspect, but it does what it has to do - and frees up your budget for a better amp.

Verdict: Recommended - 7.0/10. Price: $29.

What's good

Below $30 for a dedicated DAC - very rare on the HIFI market
Multiple inputs: USB-C, HDMI, Optical Toslink, Coax, Bluetooth
192kHz support over optical and coax
Solid build for the price - doesn't feel breakable
Frees up budget for a better amp where it matters more
Effective rubber feet keep it in place

Worth knowing

Sound is decent but doesn't shine in any aspect
Slight dryness in the sound
Instrument separation isn't too distinct
USB limited to 48kHz max
Maximum bit depth is just 16 bits
No volume control
Bluetooth has no fancy codecs
Glossy black front is a fingerprint magnet

Read the full SMSL PS100 review on The Audio Stuff