Recommendations for a DAC like the SMSL SU-1 but with USB-C?

[jamcultur]

I'm looking for a DAC to use with a Windows 11 laptop whose only free USB port is USB-C. The DAC will be used to output to a set of powered speakers. I think that the SMSL SU-1 would be ideal if it supported USB-C. I know that there are USB-C to USB-A converters, but I wonder whether they could affect the sound quality. Amazon is now shipping the new SMSL DS100 which has USB-C. Is that the best option for a low-cost USB-C DAC? Does anyone have any recommendations?

 

[GoDawgs]

SMSL DO100 PRO has usb c in

 

[jamcultur]

SMSL DO100 PRO has usb c in

But it costs more than three times as much as the SMSL SU-1. I'm looking for a low-cost option.

 

[GoDawgs]

Looks like usb c in to me, should be no noise problem with usb adapters

 

[jamcultur]

Looks like usb c in to me, should be no noise problem with usb adapters

Thank you. The cable that comes with it is USB-C on one end, and USB-A on the other, so I wasn't sure whether it really supported USB-C.

 

[Dunring]

You can get the SMSL M300SE currently used with warranty for $90. It's got USB C and supplemental one for power.

 

[VintageFlanker]

I'm looking for a DAC to use with a Windows 11 laptop whose only free USB port is USB-C.

You know that you can use USB-C to whatever USB-A/B/C/Mini/Micro, right?

I know that there are USB-C to USB-A converters, but I wonder whether they could affect the sound quality.

These are no "converters", and no, sound quality is absolutely not affected.

 

[Zek]

Buy a USB-C to USB-C cable and try it, there should be no problems (then you don't need a USB-A to USB-C adapter).

 

[alexanderino]

When I had the SU-1, it worked with a USB-C PC port without issues.

Having said that, I recommend the C100 over the SU-1 if you can stretch the budget. The reason is that some SMSL devices suffer from intermittent popping during silence (when the USB input is used). The C100 has a firmware update that largely fixes this; the SU-1, to the best of my knowledge, does not. The C100 also offers Bluetooth input, a screen, and a remote — all of which I use and appreciate.

 

[TNT]

SU-1 dont pop.

//

 

[Bleib]

The new SMSL PS200 is another option, adds bluetooth. The LED lights are easier on the eyes too compared to SU-1

https://www.smsl-audio.com/portal/product/detail/id/882.html

Don't know about pop though..

 

[Watire]

SMSL is relentless, you can had another option: the SMSL B200 that adds a neet info screen and a bluetooth chip that does a lot. It is still powered via USB-C.
B200 Bluetooth Receiver with Cirrus Logic CS43131

 

[alexanderino]

SU-1 dont pop.

Oh, but it do. Here is a waveform of my SU-1 glitching intermittently (two pops), after about 3 seconds of silence:

It was sent back for a refund. Seeing that Shenzhen Audio has no solution, it was the right decision. On the other hand, my C100 (very similar internals) had the same issue, but Aoshida (who supports the C100) fixed it after a couple of firmware updates. Now it's perfect.

 

[TNT]

But mine don't pop - so all SU-1s don't pop.

Your SU-1 pop. But SU-1 don't.

I hope you can see the difference.....

//

 

[alexanderino]

But mine don't pop - so all SU-1s don't pop.

Did I claim all of them pop? Others have also reported this issue, so mine is not an isolated case.

Your SU-1 pop. But SU-1 don't.

Then it would have been clearer if you stated 'my SU-1 dont pop'.

Not having a go at you, of course.

Also, have you paid close attention to ascertain if yours is actually free of the pops (when using USB)? They are low-level, hence not easy to spot. Also check for the first second of an audio signal being cut off after a long period of silence.

The workaround is to enable the extra panels in the XMOS ASIO Control Panel and choose 'Always On', or to run SoundKeeper to keep it open at all times. If you're using either/both methods, disable them before testing for pops.

 

[TNT]

Then it would have been clearer if you stated 'my SU-1 dont pop'.

TNT said:
But mine don't pop - so all SU-1s don't pop.

You mean like the above

I use a mac mini. Maybe there is a difference there....?

I'll check the aspects you mention - thanks!

//

 

[alexanderino]

TNT said:
But mine don't pop - so all SU-1s don't pop.

You mean like the above

Noooo

I use a mac mini. Maybe there is a difference there....?

I doubt it, and my reasoning is two-fold: I tested mine with a friend's Mac laptop, as well as a Linux machine. The popping was still present. My guess is that UAC2 non-compliance is the root of the issue, because other USB-based DACs display the same symptom. Here are a couple of quotes from an enlightening thread about popping USB DACs:

Teun_Romme

Teun_Romme
Sep 2023

Sigh, and now it’s suddenly back again. A double pop directly after pressing play and another double pop ca. 5 seconds after pressing pause. It comforts me to know that this issue solved itself before, so I may get there yet, except I have no idea what I did to fix it (or to bring it back again). What I can say is that I have 4 RPi streamers, three of them connected to an SMSL SU-1 and one is an Allo Boss2. The issue only happens with the three SMSL DACs, so it might be that the issue is in the DAC? Then again, the DAC is so basic that there is nothing to configure, in other words no DAC setting that could solve the issue (And luckily I know there is a solution).

spockfishHarry ten BergeRoPieee Author
Sep 2023

Hi @Teun_Romme,
Sorry for the late response.
First thing that comes to my mind that this is (obviously) a device issue and should be solved by the hardware manufacturer. But I also realise that is a somewhat naive notion

The reason why the ‘USB Auto Suspend’ not makes any difference is that this is about the USB interface itself and not on the audio level. The cutoff issues mentioned are exactly that: on the audio level.
Now the complex stuff

Audio drivers on Windows are something totally different then on Linux. So ‘lucky’ for those that run Windows icm with this hardware, but that’s about it: luck. The proposed solution for Linux isn’t a solution at all: in is a fix with a certain combination of audio stack which uses a ‘audio processor’ (in this case pulse audio), which RoPieee does not use: we take the ‘shortest path’ from software to hardware wrt to the audio signal.
So 1: there is no ‘quick fix’ (unfortunately). 2. if I need to investigate it it requires such a device on my desk and then there’s still the chance that the outcome is still ‘no luck’.
Sighh… I wish that hardware manufacturers:

1. test their devices on Linux instead of saying that they support UAC and leave it at that.
2. make sure that the USB firmware (the USB chip has firmware and it’s rather complex) is updateable
3. provide real support to their customers

Oh well. That’s just me

I'll check the aspects you mention - thanks!

Please do, and let us know the results. The key is to ensure no audio signal is sent to the DAC for a short period of time. That's when the low-level popping starts. You may also want to test it with another device.

Here is what it looks/sounds like (made with my C100 which behaved identically before the firmware update):

 

[TNT]

OK, I can assure you that I don't have that. Thats not "low level" - 24 dB.... I would never have missed that. I thought you ment like -70 dB or so...

//

 

[Watire]

Could it be beneficial to use a USB hub ?

 

[alexanderino]

OK, I can assure you that I don't have that. Thats not "low level" - 24 dB.... I would never have missed that. I thought you ment like -70 dB or so...

That's good to know. Did you read that Roonlabs thread linked in my previous post?