89%
s.m.s.l D-6
LDAC Audio DAC
Mini size design, very suitable for desktop use;
CNC integrated milling process, simple and stylish;
The second-generation XMOS solution supports sampling rate up to 32bit/768KHz and DSD512 ;
Japanese ultra-low phase noise clocks, greatly reducing the system JITTER ;
AKM's new AK4493 chip, and carefully adjusted it to an unprecedented 0.00011% ;
Built-in high-performance power filtering system!
Anodized CNC aluminum alloy housing ;
Japan Electronics Association Hi-Res Audio certification ;
Full-featured remote control
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Professional Reviews 89/100
Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
90/100
Build Quality
83/100
Features Connectivity
83/100
Value for Money
94/100
The s.m.s.l D-6 delivers transparent, uncoloured sound with remarkably precise layering, instrument separation and an expansive soundstage. Prime Audio Reviews found its compact desktop design punches far above its class, while Bluetooth, balanced TRS output and a remote make this a flexible digital hub for powered speakers or a dedicated amplifier.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Transparent, uncoloured presentation with standout layering, instrument separation and soundstage.
Excellent value: performance was judged capable of competing with considerably pricier desktop DACs.
Versatile connectivity includes USB-C, optical, coaxial, RCA, balanced TRS, LDAC/aptX HD Bluetooth and a full remote.
&
Cons
No headphone output, so headphones and IEMs require a separate amplifier.
Sharp chassis corners and a less premium feel than an iFi comparator.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 90/100
The D-6 is described as transparent and uncoloured, with especially impressive layering, instrument separation, and soundstage. The reviewer felt its overall presentation could compete with substantially more expensive desktop DACs.
Tonal Balance and Musicality
89/100
Prime Audio Reviews describes the D-6 as transparent and uncoloured, delivering the neutral presentation expected from a DAC. The review does not go deeply into warmth, richness, or long-session musical engagement, but its overall verdict on the sound is strongly positive.
Resolution and Detail
92/100
Layering and instrument separation are singled out as particularly impressive, alongside a fantastic soundstage. The reviewer considers its performance comparable to some far more expensive desktop DACs, indicating notably strong retrieval and organisation of musical information.
Digital Performance
88/100
The D-6 is heard as clean, transparent, and free of tonal coloration rather than overtly digital or etched. There is no direct discussion of background noise, jitter, glare, or measured noise and distortion performance.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
83/100
The compact chassis feels good and stays reasonably cool on a desktop, with straightforward operation and a small footprint. However, the reviewer finds its sharp corners undesirable and says an iFi comparator feels substantially more premium.
Features Connectivity
83/100
Connectivity is generous for a compact DAC, including USB-C, optical and coaxial digital inputs, RCA line output, and balanced TRS output. It supports PCM to 32-bit/768kHz and native DSD512, adds LDAC and aptX HD Bluetooth, and includes a fully featured remote.
Value for Money
94/100
At roughly $169, Prime Audio Reviews considers the D-6's sound quality well beyond normal expectations at its price. The reviewer explicitly calls it a product offering a heck of a lot of value and compares its performance favourably with more expensive desktop DACs.
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Authorized dealers for s.m.s.l D-6
- Addicted to Audio — online and in-store — Epping, Victoria, Australia (website)
- Apos Audio — online and in-store — Oakland, California, United States (website)
- Audio 46 — online and in-store — New York, New York, United States (website)
- Audio Hum — in-store — Norte Sierra, Andalucía, Spain (website)
- Audio Magic - EU — online and in-store — Wola, Województwo mazowieckie, Poland (website)
- AUDIOPHONICS — in-store — Bordeaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France (website)
- Bloom Audio — online and in-store — Gibbsboro, New Jersey, United States (website)
- Elise Audio — online and in-store — Paddington, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Headphone Zone — online and in-store — Laxmi Industrial Estate, Maharashtra, India (website)
- Hifi Passion — in-store — Neustadt, Bremen, Germany (website)
and 4 more verified dealers