Two Parts, One Sound – SMSL D1 DAC + SMSL PH1 Headphone AMP Combo
SMSL D1 is a $89 USD Desktop DAC and SMSL PH1 is a $69 USD Phono Preamplifier and Headphone Amplifier. They each have unique technologies, and although they fight in the entry-level price range, D1 is built based on the BD34352EKV ROHM DAC, while PH1 is an MM only Phono Preamp, with a 90mW per channel headphone amp.
Introduction
SMSL has designed quite a few interesting DAC / Headphone AMPs over the years, but the models we are exploring today, D1 and PH1 are some of the cheapest, most affordable desktop pieces of equipment I ever reviewed. We shall see if the company managed to keep the quality acceptable considering that they are less expensive than a full gas tank for my car. SMSL products are widely available, but Aoshida is one of the best places to grab one, as they have excellent support and make those available on Amazon, Aliexpress, and their own Aoshida Store.
As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases, and using the purchase links in my reviews helps me maintain this website and Youtube Channel. Huge thanks to SMSL and Aoshida for providing us with the sample for this review.
Product Link
SMSL D1 – Amazon – https://amzn.to/47nfxTP
SMSL D1 – Aliexpress – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_oB3uKJN
SMSL PH1 – Amazon – https://amzn.to/3UkXaHu
SMSL PH1 – Aliexpress – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_onF021h
Build Quality – Design – SMSL D1
SMSL D1 is a uniquely small DAC with the heart of a lion, or more precisely a ROHM BD34352EKV DAC, with a THD+N as low as 0.00038%. It does sport a powerful XMOS XU-316 USB interface that allows the mini D1 to have support for hi-res files up to 32 Bit / 768 kHz, and DSD512.
With a case made of aluminum alloy, and touch control, D1 is a rather modern DAC, despite the low price. In fact, it has Optical, Coaxial and Dual USB Type-C inputs, one for power and one for data, and it has RCA outputs at the back.
SMSL D1 does not need any USB DAC software, and it should be plug and play, and it has two touch buttons, one for input selection and one for power on / off. A DNR and SNR of 119 dB indicate that this is going to have a high performance, and with a power consumption lower than 5W, it consumes less than a LED light for my home.
Build Quality – Design – SMSL PH1
SMSL PH-1 is an ever so slightly smaller headphone amplifier when compared to D1, it has only MM Phono AMP, as SMSL states that this should produce a far better quality compared to having both MM and MC phono support. It also has a 46 dB gain level which is higher than most phono preamps, to make the output signal 1Vrms, so that it is more in line with what most AMPs expect, compared to about 300mV that most entry-level phono MM and MC preamps offer.
We see a CNC machined chassis for PH1, with one 6.35mm headphone output at the front, and one RCA input and one RCA output, along the power supply input. Compared to D1, the technical geeky numbers are far less optimistic, with a THD+N of -81 dB, a channel separation of -77 dB and a SNR of 84 dB. I am fairly confident that some measurement enthusiasts will say that the human ear cannot hear the differences above a certain threshold, but even so, the headphone driving power is 90 mW per channel which will only be enough for very easy to drive headphones and IEMs.
USB DAC – Subjective Usage
SMSL D1 does not have any kind of USB DAC delay, it reacts instantly to signal and it is perfect for playback of real-time content. It works wonders and it is generally reliable, clean and crisp. It gets quite hot during usage despite the low power consumption.
SMSL PH1 is a deceiving product as I see it, it expects only an MM input, it does not work well with any DACs on the market unless those DACs have volume control and are kept below 10% of volume, situation in which it still sounds incredibly colored and bloomy, dark.
Sound Quality
Pairings and Match-up – SMSL D1 – To trest the SMSL D1 I used it as a DAC for FiiO K17 (it has line input), Singxser SA-1 V2, HIFIMAN Snagri-La Mini, a pair of Topping B100 DACs, but they have no PRE, so K17 was used as a PRE to drive Elison Heritage XLS7 as speakers, and Fosi P4 Mini PREAMP too in between.
Pairings and Match-up – SMSL PH1 – To test the SMSL PH1 I have paired it with Mortiz Audio enzo, Unique Melody MEST Jet Black, Erzetich Thalia, Crosszone CZ-10, Nf acous NA20, NF Audio NE4, Rose Technics QT-X, TanchJim Fission, PALMA DHS-1, Astrotec Archimedes, Kiwi Ears Astral, ZiiGaat Luna. I tried both SMSL D1 from this review, but also Rose technics RT-5000 and FiiO K17.
Overall Signature – SMSL D1 – SMSL D1 works really well if you want a relatively natural – neutral sound with a bloomy bass, it has a bit of a sharp edge up at the top, creating a sound that is revealing, and a good match for the more relaxed and laid-back IEMS, Headphones and even speakers usually found in the Chifi entry-level range.
D1 has exceptional resolution and details for its price segment, and sounds rather wide and airy, but it has a very traditional ESS kind of sound rather than a ROHM type of sound. It is excellent in general for resolution and clarity.
Overall Signature – SMSL PH1 – PH1 is a completely different situation, it is not a headphone amplifier and it does not expect a typical 2V DAC input, it expects an MM phono input, so it will distort with most DACs immediately, it expects 10% or less than what most DACs output, and even then, it has a very colored, dark, bloomy sound with a very rolled-off treble. As I have two pieces, I am confident that this is how it is supposed to work, it is a Phono PRE and headphone AMP and not a headphone amplifier in mini size.
Value and Conclusion
With both having price tags that are super accessible, D1 and PH1 are excellent products, but it is a bit sad that they do not work well together, because they would’ve made a killer deal when it comes to size, shape and design.
At the end of the day, While no awards are possible for this level of performance, it is great to see options for those on a tight budget, and for less money than a tank full of gas you can now have HiFi Chifi DACs and Headphone AMPs, although PH1 is better as a MM and PRE than it is for driving headphones. D1 is superb, reliable and crisp, a great little DAC for the money.
PROs
- SMSL D1 has excellent performance
- Tiny and nice for both
- Resolution much higher than the price would otherwise suggest
- D1 has no USB DAC delay, it is incredibly reliable in general
- PH1 is small and runs cool
Cons
- They do not work well together
- D1 gets quite hot during usage
- PH1 is tuned way too loud and I got two pieces with the exact same issue, they either expect a very low input volume, or they are not final products, because right now unless you’re amplifying an MM input, it is not usable. Even FiiO K17 can only be used at 10% volume, and the sound is incredibly bloomy and dark.
Product Link
SMSL D1 – Amazon – https://amzn.to/47nfxTP
SMSL D1 – Aliexpress – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_oB3uKJN
SMSL PH1 – Amazon – https://amzn.to/3UkXaHu
SMSL PH1 – Aliexpress – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_onF021h
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Full Playlist used for this review
We listened to more songs than those named in this playlist, but those are excellent for identifying a sonic signature. I recommend trying most of the songs from this playlist, especially if you’re searching for new music! The playlists are different for Spotify, Tidal and Youtube, and based on the songs I enjoy and are available on each!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_cjBXGmwSHSdGcwuc_bKbBDGHL4QvYBu
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5J3oloz8Riy9LxEGenOjQ0?si=979ba4f082414be7
https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/330fd544-8e5b-4839-bd35-676b2edbb3d5
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