Reddit reviews SMSL Sanskrit 6th 32bit/192kHz USB/Optical/Coaxial to Analog Audio Decoder (Black)

I believe the SMSL Sanskrit 6 meets all of your requirements and is pretty well regarded.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00SY9RBOM/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1483629249&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=smsl+sanskrit

I'm guessing the output from this (16-bit, 44.1k) isn't as good as your on-board sound. If you're serious about getting a nice pair of headphones, I would at least look into something like this or this. There's no point in spending cash on a good pair of cans when you're going to be putting a less than optimal signal through them.

>Edit: Updated SMSL link.

>Edit 2: Third option.

what is your budget? I am a big proponent of passive speakers with a separate amp/dac. They sound the best to me. They do tend to take a lot of space though, so it may be tough with a smaller desk. If you want powered speakers though, the edifiers have been the best in my experience.

My current setup is:

AMP: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F0H8TOC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
(note: this amp doesnt support subwoofers, so look elsewhere if you want a 2.1 system. In my experience I haven't felt the need for one, but YMMV)

DAC: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SY9RBOM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Speakers: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000V2UBS8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

A cheaper but still solid speaker: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008NCD2LG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 AND https://www.amazon.com/Micca-MB42X-Bookshelf-Speakers-Tweeter/dp/B00E7H8GG2/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1526322009&sr=1-2&keywords=micca

Gotcha. Well if you need the extra inputs that's reasonable. Also consider the SMSL Sanskrit. It has the same inputs as the Modi Uber for the price of the base Modi.

If you don't want to buy Chinese then I understand.

Pretty tough pricepoint. I'd probably get the Yamaha r-s201BL https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-R-S201BL-2-Channel-Stereo-Receiver/dp/B00F0H88SY and SMSL sanskrit 6th gen https://www.amazon.com/SMSL-Sanskrit-Optical-Coaxial-Decoder/dp/B00SY9RBOM . You could go cheaper on the amp but then you'd lose the remote.

here is what I was looking at

Polk Sub
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002KVQBA/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

SMSL Sanskrit Dac
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SY9RBOM/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A3B7WLI720CP9N&psc=1

SMSL Amp
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F0H8TOC/ref=ox_sc_act_title_6?smid=A1V0149CC6WCAD&psc=1

Micca bookshelfs
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E7H8GG2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?smid=AFKH6OU9WWNFS&psc=1

Am I overspending for any of those components unreasonably? I come from the PC world, so I want to make sure I'm not putting a top end part among middle tier stuff and making the top end part a little pointless in doing so.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B008NCD2LG/ref=ox_sc_act_image_2?smid=A3DWYIK6Y9EEQB&psc=1


https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B00V9AYMZ4/ref=pd_aw_sim_sbs_23_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=KN372K7VEVVE1CNYVFS3&dpPl=1&dpID=61BINSmklpL


https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B00SY9RBOM/ref=ox_sc_act_image_3?smid=A1V0149CC6WCAD&psc=1

Makes sense. I ordered myself this along with a COAX audio cable. The TV has this port, so I am hoping it will work this way.

Prior to what I'm about to try, I was hooking up the amp directly to the TV via RCAto3.5mm cable.

Should I be expecting a difference in quality with the DAC/coax audio improvement?

Here are two decent USB DACs:

https://www.amazon.de/SMSL-SANSKRIT-6-BLACK-Audio-Decoder/dp/B00SY9RBOM/

https://www.amazon.de/SMSL-MAGIC-384KHZ-Digital-Wandler/dp/B06XDPRS2Y

If you can afford it, pick up one of these to go along with your SMSL, https://www.amazon.com/SMSL-Sanskrit-Optical-Coaxial-Decoder/dp/B00SY9RBOM, then you'll have additionally a usb dac + rca out's, and then you can really get going.. you might also consider picking up https://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=109&cp_id=10906&cs_id=1090602&p_id=9723&seq=1&format=2 which will help fill in your little audio experience. takes a line-in & line-out back into your amp, and then you got sub-base as well. I love these rca cables, they sound amazing, https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-2-Male-RCA-Audio-Cable/dp/B01D5H8P0G/

np! I mean, you don't need to but the schiit stack does look quite nice and spec wise, it's a pretty good dac. Like this is the same price and has better specs but if I were you, I'd go for the Modi instead because dacs don't make that much of a difference and the Modi is far superior aesthetically since you already have the Magni.

The Schiit ones are on the US so probably not directly. But there are alternatives

There's a chinese brand that sells a very well reviewed DAC/AMP that has all you need, optical-in, usb-in, headphone amp, input-switcher and volume control. SMSL-M6. I haven't used it and I would checkout the UI for changing inputs since you'll be doing it often. But it's something to look for.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/M6-Optical-Integrated-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B015J0QCTI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1452549820&sr=8-2&keywords=smsl+m6

It's a new product and there's a few reviews of it it's probably your best bet.

You can also combo a headphone amp
http://www.amazon.co.uk/SMSL-sApII-TPA6120A2-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B00A2QLM0E/ref=sr_1_74?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1452550769&sr=1-74&keywords=headphone+amp

and this product (a dac with no volume control but pretty straightforward input switch)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/SMSL-Sanskrit-6th-Audio-Decoder/dp/B00SY9RBOM/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1452550837&sr=1-2&keywords=sanskrit+dac

> those measurements mean

Yes, I'm not dumb.

> EVERY measurement on the Macbook Pro '09 in that link is well below the threshold of human perception!

So explain to me why people buy DACs at all.

> DAC2

Never suggested he buy it, just using it as a reference point.

Sanskrit who's measurements were verified by some head-fi user somewhere does beat the MBP in the specs that it lists. For $105

I could stretch my budget for it. What kind of difference do you get with a more expensive DAC, mostly better sound?

https://www.amazon.ca/SMSL-Sanskrit-Optical-Coaxial-Decoder/dp/B00SY9RBOM

https://www.amazon.ca/SMSL-Sanskrit-24bit192kHz-Coaxial-Optical/dp/B00MGA0S7M

There seems to be two versions of the Sanskrit—any idea what the difference is?

And thank you for answering my questions, it's really appreciated.

SMSL Audio M3 USB Powered Audio Decoder, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019Y5TR6O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_pW04BbB8S5RCK

cheap dac, might need a separate amp for 300ohm headphones

SMSL Sanskrit 6th 32bit/192kHz USB/Optical/Coaxial to Analog Audio Decoder (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SY9RBOM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_FZ04BbTT8PZAG

harder to find longer to ship dac and amp combo
but will most likely be enough for you to power your 6xx, if you wanted too you could get the o2 amp if you had extra money and that would be most them enough amp.


https://www.massdrop.com/buy/smsl-m6-dac-amp?utm_source=shopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=1565854957&utm_term=60393664758&utm_content=295242953181&utm_keyword=&utm_placement=pla-520538315942&utm_network=g:m::1o3&utm_device=&gclid=CjwKCAiAt4rfBRBKEiwAC678KUMxZ-9pFEfGTGKCvcK_sMzZ4JQ1e03DWHsJYr2GdSb3PLj_OqrvMxoCWVYQAvD_BwE

also this, not bad for massdrop

What are the Optical Inputs for?

The Yamaha RS700 AM/FM Stereo Receiver, 100w/ch, MM Phono-In, Sub-Out ($499) has Jumpers between the Pre-Amp and Main-In connections. You can remove the jumpers and insert a Graphic Equalizer.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_022RS700/Yamaha-R-S700.html?tp=47041

https://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio_visual/hifi_components/r-s700/index.html

The only thing missing is the Digital Inputs, and that can be bought separately for between $20 and about $150 from Amazon. It depends on how much you want to spend, and what specifically you are doing with the Digital Inputs.

https://www.amazon.com/D03K-Digital-Analog-Audio-Converter/dp/B009346RSS

https://www.amazon.com/SMSL-Sanskrit-Optical-Coaxial-Decoder/dp/B00SY9RBOM

https://www.amazon.com/ES9018-Optical-Coaxial-Asynchronous-decoder/dp/B00PS0WLX6

This DAC has Optical/Coaxial/USB-PC -

https://www.amazon.com/Cambridge-Audio-DacMagic-100-Black/dp/B0078Q35PG

If you want Network Streaming, Bluetooth, Digital Inputs, but no Pre-Amp Out/Main-In, then the Yamaha RN602 Network Stereo Receiver is worth a look - ($599) -

https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-R-N602-AV-Receiver-Black/dp/B0148NKVJY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1497068046&sr=8-1&keywords=Yamaha+RN602

If you want more focused responses, you have to give us a working BUDGET?

You need a Digital to Analog Converter, aka a DAC, and a Signal Amplifier. You can get them in separate units, combo units, or in an AVR (Audio Video Receiver). They are all viable options it just depends on your needs, and budget. The most affordable option would be a combo unit, or a used AVR.

Speaker Amplifier Examples: SMSL SA-98E $115


Standalone DAC: SMSL Sanskrit $110, Schiit Modi 2 $100, ODac $140


Speaker Amp + DAC Combo: SMSL AD18 $140, SMSL Q5 $140


AVR: Denon AVR-S510BT $230, Denon AVR-S720W

Is yours the 6th gen? Or one of the older models? Pre-6th tops out at 24/192

6th Gen:

https://www.amazon.com/SMSL-Sanskrit-Optical-Coaxial-Decoder/dp/B00SY9RBOM

Older:

https://www.amazon.com/SMSL-Sanskrit-24bit192kHz-Coaxial-Optical/dp/B00INIZQD2

Not sure about amp but Sanskrit 6th is my budget DAC choice

I currently have a SMSL SD793-II and was wondering if upgrading to a SMSL Sanskrit 6th gen/FiiO K5 would be worth it, or even an improvment.