Click to view our Accessibility Statement or contact us with accessibility-related questions
PRODUCTS YOU MAY LIKE
Trending Posts in Audiophile
Simthaniel
Rigs
Modded headphones with qudelix at the core
When I received the Qudelix 5K, I had already modified a pair of Superlux HD-681 headphones. I previously soldered my own balanced connections to the drivers, providing multiple ways to connect and...
Apr 14, 2024
brothamike
A decent set of IEMs
I am in the midst of a 300 hour burn-in but, I will say I am enjoying how this set sounds so far. Before I received these which was btw late by a few weeks, I purchased a Sony/Kimber Kable MMCX...
Apr 12, 2024
merrick97
Should I exchange the PC38X for better headphones?
I bought the PC38X headphones FOR GAMING and they are great, but I have NO use for a Microphone since I don't do competitive gaming and I was wondering if there were better headphone options at a similar price without a headphone, where (presumably) more of the cost was put into making it sound better. I also find that my PC38X don't get quite as loud as I would like and I was wondering if a cheap amp like the iFi Go link would draw a little more volume out of my phones. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BN6MM822?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details I went with the PC38X since it was considered the best bang for buck headphones. I care most about using spatial apps like DOlby Atmos and DTS Headphone:X. Suggestions are welcome.
Apr 11, 2024
LostnAmerica
Sound Signature of the Grell Project.
Wondering what type of sound signature the Drop Grell project headphones will have or trying to attain. Any update would be appreciated.
Apr 8, 2024
Fabulous
Looking for a gaming/content audio setup
Hello! I'm looking for recommendations on audio setups. I'd be planning on using it mostly for gaming. Preferably I'd like a pair of large closed back headphones since I have a big head and jaw. I'd also like to hear myself through my mic with mic monitoring. As far as budget goes, I don't really have one. But under 600$ would be nice. I can go higher if needed. The audio setup would be connected to a high performance PC. Thank you in advance for any recommendations!
Apr 4, 2024
1plsd
$10 Drop Coupon Email not sent?
Trying to buy some gear off Drop for the first time. I was told I would receive an email with a welcome to drop $10 off promo. I never received that email. Drop was able to send me emails for my login token and email for Password update. But for some reason the $10 off coupon was never sent to me.
Mar 31, 2024
NMPacella
New here
Hello, I just joined, primarily for the audiophile products. Looking at purchasing the NHT C3 speakers for our new living room. Space is about 15 feet wide by 33 long and they will fire long ways. Space is just for general listening, music room with all equipment is downstairs, so hoping they will fill it with sound nicely. Cheers.
Mar 18, 2024
Drop Refurbished
Like-new products you can trustDrop Rewards
Get $5 for every 500 points you earn! Learn more
Drop Keyboard Club
Become a member and expand your keycap collectionCollaborate With Us
For Brands & DesignersFollow Drop
What's your setup?
The SMSL AD18 uses a combination of TI/Cirrus Logic Chips, these are chips made for audio receivers/DVD players and the whole system has far more components to worry about. One TI chip converts the signal to PWM, the other takes in PWM to the amplifier stage. It looks like one of the Cirrus Chips takes the Aux input and coverts it to digital before it is sent through the DSP chain. While how much of a difference you'd hear is up for final judgement - amplifer and speaker distortions will color sound and outweigh most DAC distortions - it is a different signal processing chain in this unit. They rounded up various chips to perform separate functions of a dedicated DAC chip. Some of these chips are multipurpose chips configured to what is useful for the SMSL AD18.
The Topping D10 (ESS9018K2M) and Topping D30 (Cirrus Logic CS4398) both have dedicated DAC chips cable of DSD processing. The Topping D10 is also capable of higher sampling rate processing to 384khz. Both DSD and 384khz playback are not necessary for Tidal.
Do you happen to know if the AD18 is better than the Topping MX3, or of another option out there that I haven't seen yet? Thank you!!!
The SMSL AD18 puts out 80W at the 6ohms the Pioneer SP-BS22 are at. You're going to be closer to the 40W on the Topping MX3.
If you're using speakers 70% of the time, then the extra power of the SMSL AD18 would make it your best option in this price range. I think to do better you'd have to go to separate headphone and speaker amps, and have the DAC integrated into one of them. Some of the combo units that do everything you want start going north of $500.
I suppose it is unreasonable to expect the best of both at the $100~ price point.
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/smsl-ad18-bluetooth-stereo-and-usb-power-amplifier/talk/1942404?utm_source=linkshare&referer=RMS8Z9
thanks again.