SMSL M8 Discussions | Drop | I used Foobar to...

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SMSL M8

Audiophile

FULL DISCUSSION

Ottawa

Jan 30, 2017

After spending many nights comparing the SMSL M8 with the Cambridge Audio DAC magic I can now conclude that the M8 is slightly more detailed than the DAC Magic. On compressed Streaming audio like Spotify the differences are more subtle if any. The differences start to become more apparent on well recorded CD's. You can certainly get better imaging and detail and separation between instruments. I also found the attack on the bass a lot better on the M8. On badly recorded CD's the M8 is not at all forgiving and will sound bright. In my opinion, the DACmagic seems to handle poor recordings better. On DSD files, i cannot compare as the DACmagic will not play DSD. But DSD recordings sound awesome without any harshness on the M8. I did my comparisons by having the same source material feed both the DACmagic and SMSL m8. The analog output from both DACs were fed into a Moon-I5080 Integrated AMPs inputs. The speakers used were Totem Model-1 Signature.

Jan 30, 2017

airwyn3

Jan 31, 2017

OttawaIn this comparison of yours Ottawa are you using the stock power supply of the m8 or already make use of a linear one? I have read somewhere that the m8 would improve(?) on a linear psu like the SMSL P1. Thank you very much in doing this comparison by the way!

Jan 31, 2017

Vote

Ottawa

Jan 31, 2017

airwyn3I used the stock power supply. Still waiting to see which Linear power supply to buy. folks in other groups have indicated that a linear power supply makes a difference. I may look for one from Amazon in the coming days.

Jan 31, 2017

Risewide

Jan 31, 2017

OttawaIf you find the product, would you mind the link?
I am looking at ebay and found this.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/131034415051?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Jan 31, 2017

Vote

airwyn3

Jan 31, 2017

OttawaThanks Ottawa, might as well do the same. Nice find you have there Risewide....but how about us guys who are interested on upgrading the psu of our M8 convince Massdrop to have a drop on the SMSL P1; and even have it as an optional accessory in the succeeding SMSL M8 drops rather than looking for other psu that might have a chance of being incompatible or shoddy. I think the P1 now comes in both 110v & 220v unlike before which was only the latter. How's that guys?
*I have found out that there is already an ongoing poll about PSU's. Please vote for the SMSL P1 here for those who are interested: https://www.massdrop.com/vote/DAC-Power-Supplies-Accessories

Jan 31, 2017

ldavidfine900

Jan 31, 2017

OttawaHow are you playing DSD?, I bought the M8 at the last drop and cant get DSD to play from either windows or MAC

Jan 31, 2017

Vote

Ottawa

Jan 31, 2017

ldavidfine900I used Foobar to play DSD. You have to set the preferences for the Output to be DSD. Like below. Ensure that the Foobar has the input SACD drivers and output ASIO drivers.