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elliott42
1
Dec 11, 2017
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My 6xx just arrived and I have yet to decide which AMP I am going to get for it. Should I get this, or the O2 and wait to get a dac later on?
Dec 11, 2017
kokkat
223
Dec 12, 2017
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elliott42 Well, this is what I read yesterday on https://www.head-fi.org/threads/can-anyone-tell-us-about-the-new-smsl-m6.779544/page-2
“I have a pair of Sennheiser HD600's (now 20 years old) which I currently use with a Yamaha RX-V373 receiver (silent cinema) for films, and it's excellent for the job. However, I recently got interested in new music again and it just sounded dull and boomy. I thought I'd try the smsl m6, not expecting much, and was pretty shocked by how differently it sounded. All the muddiness melted away. The toggle is easy to use, and it's loud enough for me at 28, with it going up to 60. There's also no background noise. I've connected it via USB to a 15 year old Windows XP computer, with the JRiver Media Center (via asio4all), and it plays back 24/192 files perfectly. I've also played HD files via optical from a Dune media player. Pleasantly surprised. Had expected to return it within the allotted 14 days, decided to keep it within a day.”
Dec 12, 2017
kokkat
223
Dec 12, 2017
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elliott42Also on the same page:
" I have just tested it on the hd650 it is definitely better sounding than the soundblaster zx i was using previously. I do not have much experience in different dac/amps but I can tell the headphones sound a little punchier down low and the music sounds smoother overall with more sound stage. The headphones sound pretty amazing with it to be honest. The volume the amp can go to is well and  truly too loud to listen to so I assume that means it can now power the headphones enough where previously the sound blaster was quite loud but it wasn't as clear or dynamic.  "
Dec 12, 2017
kokkat
223
Dec 12, 2017
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elliott42The M6 has an excellent DAC - AKM (Asahi Kasei Microdevices) AK4390EF Read my earlier comment on the AKM pedigree.
If you still feel you need a DAC later on, maybe you could look at a refurbished Oppo Sonica at $600 (new one is $800)
Dec 12, 2017
HifiHero
29
Dec 12, 2017
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elliott42I would actually wait for the O2 ODAC and amp, it just isn't practical to get them separately, stacks can sometimes be a pain. I would definitely take the O2 over the SMSL M6 DAC/Amp.
Dec 12, 2017
PeteMtl
441
Jan 19, 2018
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HifiHeroI haven’t had the chance to listen or test this unit, but I can see that it doesn’t have any « aux in » input in the back, so it cannot be used only as an amp only, bypassing the DAC. It’s a limitation that the Schiit stack or O2 doesn’t have. Therefore you cannot plug in a phone or an external cd player using analog output from source/input in amp, only digital inputs on this SMSL. It could be or not a limitation to take into consideration, depending on your usage.
Note: With some units (including the O2-SDAC combo from Massdrop), you can use the « RCA Out » plugs as a « RCA In » when the usb in plug of the DAC part is not in usage, meaning that the unit may be used as an amp only. Is this the case with this SMSL? It doesn’t say in the description. Anyone? Bueller?
Jan 19, 2018
HifiHero
29
Jan 19, 2018
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PeteMtlWhenever that is given as an option, it is usually booted/advertised, given I have not found that anywhere in the specifications or description, as well as a couple of "Hi-Fi" talks, I would assume that means that you can't use the RCA out when the DAC plug in isn't being used... but that's just me.
Jan 19, 2018
PeteMtl
441
Jan 19, 2018
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HifiHeroYou mean using the RCA Out as a RCA In when the Dac isn’t in use...
Jan 19, 2018
HifiHero
29
Jan 19, 2018
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PeteMtlPrecisely.
Jan 19, 2018
muggy
53
Feb 14, 2018
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PeteMtlYou can run as amp only, the unit lets you choose from three input options: USB, coaxial, and optical.
Of course you still are limited with one set of RCA jacks, especially if you're planning to run external speakers like myself. Still, there are options.
Feb 14, 2018
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