Be sure to check that out and until that happens, let’s unbox this bad boy. In typical SoundNews fashion, I will be going deep into the rabbit hole and in the latest chapters of this review I’ll be comparing it with its biggest competitor: Topping D90SE. Powered by an audio-grade Noratel transformer, spotting a big colorful screen, top-class electronics, a cool metallic remote and fresh new looks, all while costing just $720. Fast forward a few months and VMV D1SE is being revealed to the world. In late 2020, I was informed that a successor to D1 is in the works and that is should cost less than $1000. In those times, people weren’t bowing to SINAD, SNR and THD and it seems that VMV D1 scored big time, being discussed online even today. Everything changed when SMSL revealed their VMV line somewhere in 2018, challenging Western companies with their top-dog VMV D1 converter that was going for $1299. While SMSL Audio always resonated with affordable audio, that anybody could enjoy without eating more bread and less pudding, offering an outstanding bang for your buck, a time came in trying a slice of that sweet ‘n’ fat pie that is High-End Audio. There was some uniqueness and order in those shapes and for a second, I felt that SMSL finally forged a design language of their own.

It seems that my feedback found its target, as much nicer looking units followed like SU-9, SH-9, M400 and SP400 that were for the first time - pleasing for my eyes. They should resemble metal bricks with round edges and big screens, I’ve replied back. At a later date, a SMSL representative reached out, asking how their devices should look for the Western market. While that is perfectly fine with affordable entry-level devices, once you reach a certain price point, potential buyers are taking into account their looks, maybe Wife-Acceptance-Factor, as those are becoming modern furniture to be used in an office desk or in the living room. Let’s be honest, most of their older stuff is looking plain and simply…ugly. I’ve never quite understood the philosophy behind their SP200 and M200 bodies, or the meaning of tiny displays on integrated amplifiers as DA-8S, that should be used in the living room. A few months followed and again, some unusual looking boxes showed-up at my front door. In my case, it was the very first MQA enabled unit, spotting a nice build quality and providing a decent amount of power under its hood for headbangers as myself.

I wasn’t a huge supporter of its wagon-like look, but it was a darn good sounding DAC for its price. My first-hand experience was trying their unusual looking, but great sounding M500 DAC/Amp combo a few years ago. I have a long-standing tradition of reviewing SMSL Audio gear.

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