MassdropbugI own this smsl and I've owned a Schitt Stack (Modi/Vali) and the Fiio E10k. Everything I state is my own opinion of-course and the smsl is the best when it comes to the most performance for the money spent. I didn't like the Fiio E10k at all, it sounded sterile and closed in, it killed the fun from my music. I slightly equalized the SMSL to have a similar sound signature to the schiit stack and they performed so similarly that I couldn't justify holding onto the more expensive Schiit stack, this Smsl is that good. The lack of usb may be a problem for many, I use its optical output. I really like this dac/amp but smsl isn't known to be the best for quality, I've had one of their speaker amps die on me as well as having a volume knob issue on another one although the sd-793ii has been holding up just fine. I hope this helps.
jchandyThank you for replying. Did you like the sound signature of the Schitt stack? (default). Also I borrowed a firefly V1.2 and found that it cannot drive my Bayerdynamic 770Pro. Do you think the SMSL can drive it?
MassdropbugHey no problem! I quite like the sound signature of the schiit stack. The smsl drives my Q701's with ease so I'm assuming it will be able to drive the 770pro as well but I'm not sure. I used the windows equalizer, I know this is heresy in the audiophile world but this dac/amp equalizes remarkably well, and I matched the smsl's sound signature to that of the Schiit stack by ear. You may not need to equalize it at all if the stock sound signature pairs well with your headphones. The smsl is very clean sounding and it is reasonably spacious sounding, the schiit stack is still slightly better but only slightly and not worth the additional price imho.