Steakface
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Steakface

Facebook Friend, Male, 40, from Michigan

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Final thoughts on SMSL D1 ROHM DAC: No depth wall of sound, mostly natural timbre but needs refinement. Maybe not the best implementation. Jun 10, 2025

Steakface was last seen:
Viewing thread Bottlehead Crack, Jun 18, 2025 at 7:25 AM
    1. Steakface
      Steakface
      Final thoughts on SMSL D1 ROHM DAC: No depth wall of sound, mostly natural timbre but needs refinement. Maybe not the best implementation.
      1. zottel, Lyander, Lunk_Wray and 3 others like this.
    2. Steakface
      Steakface
      Giving the new SMSL D1 ROHM Dac a try. Sounded like ass at first but it's smoothing out over time, slowly improving.
      1. Cspirou
        Cspirou
        I’ve been curious about ROHM chips but when I look up products that use them it only seems to be the SMSL DAC.

        I’m sure brands are resistant to changing their chips on a whim but I would like to see more implementations
        Jun 1, 2025
        Steakface likes this.
      2. Steakface
        Steakface
        I'm hesitant to give any impressions until I'm sure it's done burning in. This DAC in particular had some pretty dramatic changes over the past week, and from what I've read online about ROHM DACs is that they benefit from a solid burn in. On my last listen I was beginning to like it.
        Jun 2, 2025
        Lunk_Wray, zottel and Lyander like this.
    3. Steakface
      Steakface
      Just now learning about ROHM DAC chips, I'm wondering how they compare to the other chips (ESS, AKM, Burr Brown).
      1. Lunk_Wray and Lyander like this.
      2. yotacowboy
        yotacowboy
        If the majority of the sound signature of my iBasso DC Elite is related to the ROHM chip, consider me a fan.
        May 27, 2025
        Lunk_Wray, Slade01 and Steakface like this.
      3. Steakface
        Steakface
        On a whim I bought the SMSL D1, just to sate my curiosity. It's entry level but I'm hoping it can give me a taste of the ROHM sound.
        May 27, 2025
    4. Steakface
      Steakface
      Hot off the Schiit livestream, Jason mulled a thought for a downsized Mjolnir 3. Prb won't happen anytime soon but it's nice to dream.
      1. View previous comments...
      2. Steakface
        Steakface
        Ooh that would be HOT!
        May 13, 2025
        roshambo123 and fraggler like this.
      3. GoldfishX
        GoldfishX
        Mjolnarok
        May 13, 2025
        joch and Patrickhat like this.
      4. roshambo123
        roshambo123
        @joch I'd say basically that's Tyr
        May 26, 2025
    5. Steakface
      Steakface
      Waiting for Valhalla 3 impressions, wondering how an OCL tube amp from Schiit sounds.
      1. View previous comments...
      2. Steakface
        Steakface
        Ah true, I forgot that fact. Just caught the Schiit livestream and Jason talked about how he expected their OCL design to sound bad but he was pleasantly surprised at how rich it sounded. My experiences with cap bypass have been negative so that would have been my first thought too.
        May 12, 2025
      3. Steakface
        Steakface
        Been following the discussion over at HF, looks like people are having issues with the amp going into protection mode. It could be why we aren't getting many impressions yet.
        May 15, 2025
      4. SofaSamuraiX
        SofaSamuraiX
        Yup, seems strange, been lurking that thread. Lots of protection issues it seems.
        May 15, 2025
    6. Steakface
      Steakface
      New Schiit Mimir DAC, seems to replace Modius. Also surprised to see Modi Multibit on last call.
      1. Lyander and Grattle like this.
      2. Lyander
        Lyander
        Somewhat surprised but mainly laughing at the timing, literally just today got my MMB2 board replacement in. Hopefully this one lasts.
        Apr 24, 2025
        Grattle and Jinxy245 like this.
      3. Grattle
        Grattle
        A MMB-less Schiit lineup seems wrong. Even if it has to go to a TI chip, they should keep Modi MB around as a matter of principal.
        Apr 24, 2025
    7. Steakface
      Steakface
      I know its an old one but I'm really enjoying my new (to me) G1217 Project Horizon III.
      1. Lyander
        Lyander
        Old isn't bad. That amp and the Sunrise are still worthy of consideration IMO
        Oct 18, 2024
        atomicbob, Fenris, joch and 2 others like this.
    8. Steakface
      Steakface
      Trying some new stuff to see what's been going on these last few years, getting back into the hobby.
      1. Cryptowolf, Jinxy245 and HotRatSalad like this.
      2. Lyander
        Lyander
        Not a bad time to IMO. Entry level stuff has superseded lots of mid-fi from prior years, it's ludicrous. TOTL is still its own demesne but it's a steep cost delta.
        Sep 24, 2024
        roderickvd, Jinxy245, Case and 4 others like this.
      3. fraggler
        fraggler
        And it's a buyer's market too.
        Sep 24, 2024
      4. Steakface
        Steakface
        Tell me about it, just trying to catch up on all the new options has kept me pretty busy.
        Sep 24, 2024
    9. Steakface
      Steakface
      Just finished the stock BH Crack. Better than I expected after some tube rolling with the HD650.
      1. Psalmanazar, Poleepkwa and brencho like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. Steakface
        Steakface
        I can def make out the sluggishness with the stock circuitry, got thinking of speedballing it as soon as I get a chance. I'm running a 6080 Bendix slotted graphite column that I got for a good price, as well as an RCA 5814A. Prices for the 5998's are getting pretty crazy, are they worth the increase in SQ?
        Apr 29, 2017
        FlySweep likes this.
      4. FlySweep
        FlySweep
        When I had the Crack a few yrs ago, the 5998 was regularly avail for around $70. Not sure what it goes for now, but I would've payed up to $90 for a good, non-micronphonic one. It's rugged and I found the sq a noticeable step up over the 6080 tubes I had (both solid & slotted graphite plates). I remember the 6080 sounding warmer, lusher, and slower than the more neutral, cleaner, more detailed 5998.
        Apr 29, 2017
        Steakface likes this.
      5. Steakface
        Steakface
        I've been checking eBay on them for the past few months, I routinely see them up for $120 - $150 so I'll prb get the speedball first and hopefully catch a good deal one day. Checked that Tungsram you mentioned - seems like it would be a good fit for the crack. I like the RCA 5814A the most out of the 12AU7 tubes I have (RCA Clear Top, Amperex Bugle Boy, HP branded Sylvania tube) but am curious about other options.
        Apr 29, 2017
        FlySweep likes this.
    10. Steakface
      Steakface
      Just finished moving into the new house and my gear sounds better - not slightly glarey like it used to be. Might be better electicity here
      1. zerodeefex
        zerodeefex
        Might be a better room.
        Apr 19, 2017
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  • About

    Gender:
    Male
    Birthday:
    Dec 6, 1984 (Age: 40)
    Location:
    Michigan
    Just cruising this hobby, hopefully in style.

    Signature

    --Home--
    DACs: Bifrost 1 Multibit A1 (Unison Upgrade), iFi Zen DAC V2
    Amps: Asgard 2, iFi Zen CAN Signature, Bottlehead Crack + Speedball & Mods, G1217 Project Horizon III
    Phones: HD6XX, ATH-R70x Refine

    --Office--
    iFi Zen DAC V2, Vali 3, FiiO FT1