SMSL DO100 PRO vs SMSL SU-9N, is it a worthwhile upgrade?

[Deleted member 77844]

I have recently purchased the SMSL DO100 PRO and the audio sound quality is superior compared to my SMSL C100 DAC.

The SMSL C100 is a budget model so it probably an unfair comparison but I was very surprised by the significant upgrade in audio sound quality.

The difference is night and day, better dynamics, bass, detail, transparency, everything!

I’m also looking into the SMSL SU-9N, a more expensive older SMSL DAC, I think it has been discontinued by SMSL but still available on certain audio seller website.

Is the SMSL SU-9 a worthwhile upgrade in terms of audio sound quality for cd playback vs the SMSL DO100 PRO?

 

[delta76]

There is no audio improvement. The only possible explanation is that DO100 has more power and can drive your headphone better (my bad, I assumed they are both DAC+HP amp combined, but my point is the same, you probably played louder with DO100 pro, and you were focusing on looking for details in the music) Most of us will perceive louder = better (more dynamics, more details etc.)

I "upgraded" C200 to RME ADI 2 FS and can hear absolutely no difference. Don't waste your money chasing improvements that are not there (I upgraded because my C200 went dead, and I fancy RME for a while for build quality and features, not for sound quality. For the former yes I'm happy with the RME)

 

[staticV3]

An inexpensive multimeter is hands down the best purchase you can make as an audio enthusiast.

Use it to exactly match levels between your DACs, listen blind, and all previously perceived sound quality differences will be exposed for what they always were: cognitive bias/placebo.

 

[JamesYeomans]

"I was very surprised by the significant upgrade in audio sound quality" sounds like classic expectation bias to me, though you can validate that by doing a level-matched and blindfolded comparison of the two.

 

[Deleted member 77844]

Audio sound quality is very subjective but to my ears, the improvement is there as I have been switching both DAC’s over using the same cables, audio set up & etc!

The SMSL C100 is a tiny little box requiring a phone charger USB-C type power supply, whereas the SMSL DO100 PRO is significantly much more larger substantial unit with a better mains power supply, better components, etc so there should be improvements in audio sound quality & performance?

 

[voodooless]

The SMSL C100 is a tiny little box requiring a phone charger USB-C type power supply, whereas the SMSL DO100 PRO is significantly much more larger substantial unit with a better mains power supply, better components, etc so there should be improvements in audio sound quality & performance?

Why? Because bigger is better?

 

[delta76]

Audio sound quality is very subjective but to my ears, the improvement is there as I have been switching both DAC’s over using the same cables, audio set up & etc!

The SMSL C100 is a tiny little box requiring a phone charger USB-C type power supply, whereas the SMSL DO100 PRO is significantly much more larger substantial unit with a better mains power supply, better components, etc so there should be improvements in audio sound quality & performance?

The box has nothing to do with "sound quality". As long as the DAC can output enough Vrms for the amp. The more expensive it is the better it sounds is a common misbelief by Audiophiles, and something that gets exploited by manufacturers and sellers.

The fact is a $10k dac will not sound any better than a decent $100. It is not wrong to buy a more expensive dac if you want something that is built better, has more features, or the look that pleases your eyes. But it is almost always wrong to upgrade dac for better sound.

Save your money for better speakers, better room treatment and room correction solution

 

[DVDdoug]

Audio sound quality is very subjective but to my ears,

And HIGHLY unreliable.

If you want better sound or different sound, try tone controls/EQ, or different headphones/speakers.

Controlled Audio Blind Listening Tests (video)
What is a blind ABX test?
Audiophoolery discusses the few REAL characteristics of "sound quality" which may help you to better-understand and describe what you're hearing. ...But that doesn't prevent us from fooling ourselves in sighted, uncontrolled listening tests!

It would be VERY unusual for a DAC to mess-up the bass and it's impossible for it to compress/damage the dynamics. "Detail" is undefined and "transparency" could be anything... Usually transparent means that the sound or signal is unchanged. With a DAC, the only way to do that by-ear (instead of measuring) is to compare the direct analog audio with the audio passing-through an ADC and DAC. That's been done and usually there is no difference (in a blind listening test). And if you can hear a difference it could be the ADC or the DAC.

 

[Deleted member 77844]

To my ears, the improvement is there in my audio set up, worth every penny from the C100 to the DO100 PRO

The DO100 PRO is just a good value entry level DAC, the SMSL C100 a budget, beer money DAC, both very affordable but I can hear the difference in quality straight away.

The best way to judge any upgrades is your own hearing, EARS!

 

[voodooless]

Sure, ignore all the good advice, logic, engineering and science! Good luck here at ASR

 

[Deleted member 77844]

Yes, ignore all the good advice, logic, engineering and science seems like the only way.

I should just stick to a budget DAC, all DAC sound the same, don’t do any upgrade as you won’t be able to hear the difference, it’s all in my imagination, placebo effect, maybe there’s something wrong with my hearing?

 

[delta76]

To my ears, the improvement is there in my audio set up, worth every penny from the C100 to the DO100 PRO

The DO100 PRO is just a good value entry level DAC, the SMSL C100 a budget, beer money DAC, both very affordable but I can hear the difference in quality straight away.

The best way to judge any upgrades is your own hearing,

Yes, ignore all the good advice, logic, engineering and science seems like the only way.

I should just stick to a budget DAC, all DAC sound the same, don’t do any upgrade as you won’t be able to hear the difference, it’s all in my imagination, placebo effect, maybe there’s something wrong with my hearing?

Controlled blind tests show no difference in DACs (unless it is seriously flawed). Your test method is wrong and your brain is making up all the differences.

There could be your C100 is faulty. As I said, there are good reasons to upgrade DAC, but not for sound quality. Save your money and upgrade your speakers. And room treatment. And room correction

 

[voodooless]

maybe there’s something wrong with my hearing?

Again you ignore in information given explaining what you (and most other people) experience.

The best way to judge any upgrades is your own hearing, EARS!

Except that is NOT what you’re doing, are you? You’re not just using your ears. You look, you feel, you read. It all matters, and it all has an effect.

 

[napfkuchen]

Even my 10 Euro USB-DAC/AMP has been tested as "transparent". Bought an RME ADI2-DAC just for stationary use, because eq, usability convenience (Windows App, remote) and built quality are awesome. But regarding price/performance the RME is really not a rational pick.
Deal with it: Focus on speaker/headphone performance, rooms correction and sufficient amplification, the rest (DACs, cables, preamps) can be very cheap AND flawless.

 

[staticV3]

The best way to judge any upgrades is your own hearing, EARS!

That's exactly what the multimeter and listening blind is for: so that your EARS are the only factor, not the sound level, price, build, or anything else.

Don't listen blind and level matched and you're no longer relying on just your EARS for judgement (and as a result, ASR is largely no longer interested in your findings).

 

[Deleted member 77844]

Let’s agree to disagree as my hearing/ears is not going to lie to me.

Buying a multimeter, do a controlled blind test is just not practical, focus on speakers, room correction & etc, I have no interest in doing so as I’m content with my audio set up.

Your average audio enthusiast is just be like me, use their ears as judgement!

 

[voodooless]

Let’s agree to disagree as my hearing/ears is not going to lie to me.

Nope, not going to do that. You can pretend all you like that you’re immune to bias, but that’s simply not true. It’s not just your ears lying to you…

focus on speakers, room correction & etc I have no interest in doing so as I’m content with my audio set up.

So why buy a new DAC then?

 

[Deleted member 77844]

Nope, not going to do that. You can pretend all you like that you’re immune to bias, but that’s simply not true. It’s not just your ears lying to you…


So why buy a new DAC then?

 

[Deleted member 77844]

Extraordinary, you seem to know more about me than myself, my ears is lying to me.

Why buy a new DAC, CURIOSITY!

 

[Lsc]

To my ears, the improvement is there in my audio set up, worth every penny from the C100 to the DO100 PRO

The DO100 PRO is just a good value entry level DAC, the SMSL C100 a budget, beer money DAC, both very affordable but I can hear the difference in quality straight away.

The best way to judge any upgrades is your own hearing, EARS!

I also have the DO100 pro DAC. It’s very good and was no worse than the SU-9 pro that I returned.

It may be a little better but hard to tell because I didn’t do a side by side. The DO100 pro is a solid choice.