What comes first with the words "inexpensive DAC with headphone amplifier"? Most often - production of Fiio, slightly less often - iBasso. But there are other, very interesting companies that offer their own, sometimes unusual solutions. Among these is the SMSL with their portable DAC M2.
What do you need for a good portable DAC with an amplifier? For starters, a USB interface chip. In SMSL we chose the most tested version of SA9027. Then you need the DAC, in its role is the ESS Saber 9023, just created for such devices. The beginning was laid good, but then came the turn of a fly in the ointment, and in the role of the op-amp, MAX9722 was chosen, clearly taking the role of a weak link in this device. Not that the sound was bad, but with a different choice, SMSL could turn out to be a device that does not have competitors in the price category.
To this we should add a very stylish case, reminiscent of the junior DAC / iBasso amplifier, and .
Specifications
- Sampling frequency: 32KHz - 96KHz
- Bit depth: 16-24 bits
- Interface: USB2.0, asynchronous
- Total harmonic distortion + noise: DAC <0.003%, amplifier <0.005%
- Frequency range: 10 Hz to 48 kHz
- Recommended impedance: 8Ω - 600Ω
- Output power (per channel): 130 mW @ 32Ω
- Dynamic range: 110 dB @ 24 bit
- Signal to noise ratio: DAC> 105 dB, amplifier> 100 dB
- Output amplitude: 2 Vrms
- Power consumption: <0.5 W
- Dimensions: 87 mm × 58.5 mm × 9.6 mm
Appearance and design
The SMSL M2 box is simple, but stylish enough. A small box with black and silver printing hides in itself the M2 and a reliable (but inconvenient) USB cable. Plus, traditionally, warranty instructions.
The main thing, than bribes M2, is a design. Very compact device, almost in size with a credit card, very small in thickness, made of nice rough silver aluminum. There is also a black version, but I liked the silver one as usual, as it looks great next to the MacBook (the main thing is to replace the complete shoelace in something shorter).
The interface of this "DAC" is very simple. On the rear panel is a Mini-USB-input for connection to a PC, on the front - a volume control, two outputs and a LED indicator. One of the connectors is for headphones, the second serves as a linear and optical S / PDIF output (which causes the LED to light all the time). The wheel of volume adjustment is flat, the resistor is quite good in quality, no noise occurs when rotating. The device is powered by USB and is quite dependent on interference in case of poor-quality filtering of power from the computer side.
In general, the design has a reasonable minimalism: connected to USB, and you can use it right away (although Windows users will need drivers).
Sound
To listen to the player used mainly the following headphones:
- Dunu DN-2000
- Lear LUF-4F
- Rhapsodio RTi1
The MacBook Pro Retina Late 2013 was the source of the source.
Once again I want to emphasize: it's unfortunate that SMSL used the MAX chip as an amplifier. Designed for the most inexpensive and energy-critical devices, in M2, it clearly does not reach the level of other elements. Therefore, the sound is slightly smoothed, with a slight emphasis on LF and a somewhat strange behavior of HF.
The bass is generally quite good for this price category. Of course, it is inferior to more expensive solutions, but for $ 65 it is good both in depth and in terms of development. A small selection of this range as a whole is in favor of the overall perception of the sound of the device, adds a flow of solidity and solidity.
The average frequencies of censures are not specific. Normal detailing, the elaboration of an imaginary scene and the transmission of emotions - is entirely at the level of competing solutions.
High frequencies are the most contentious moment. The amplifier simply can not fully process them by resolution, and because of this they acquire a synthetic shade, but, it is true, it is noticeable mainly on expensive headphones. Quantitatively HF for my taste - that's enough.
The situation changes noticeably if you connect the M2 via a line output and some good external amplifier. The sound is leveled, it becomes more detailed, with normal HF development and fast working off of attacks, which is well suited for most headphones of dollars up to 200.
Naturally, if you make an amendment to the price - the shortcomings of the M2 sound are not so critical, because devices that do not have particularly pronounced shortcomings are several times more expensive.
Compatibility and competitors
The ideal purpose of this device from SMSL is a companion device for laptop owners wishing to receive high-quality sound. Here its small size and stylish metal case will come in handy.
Headphones for M2 are best selected from among the good players of the budget line: VSonic, Soundmagic, Takstar, Creative - that's not the complete list.
The nearest competitor of this DAC is Fiio E10K. The latter offers a more even HF and a slightly lower emphasis on low frequencies, with slightly worse midrange dynamics. In this case, the device from Fiio is the largest and costs $ 10 more.
conclusions
Of the three main components: price, appearance with convenience and sound - traditionally you have to choose two. Obviously, in this device the emphasis is on design and price. As for the sound - it roughly corresponds to the price, that is, of course, it is better than the vast majority of embedded sound chips, but has a number of drawbacks. For the sake of justice, it should be noted that devices that do not have such shortcomings - are much more expensive. So if you are limited by the budget, but want to improve the sound of the laptop, - M2 for you can be an interesting option.
The article is based on materials .
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