SMSL SU-1 Stereo DAC Review

[SuicideSquid]

I'm giving you a Like only because I think you forgot a Smilie at the end.

/s means "sarcasm"

 

[pseudoid]

/s means "sarcasm"

Conflicting, even when used in absence of smilies:

2 programs (program.exe and burp.exe)
cmd /s /c "c:\Program Files\burp"
Instead of running program burp.exe; you'll run Program.exe with Files\burp as the argument, when /s is part of command.

Maybe such usage example (as above) is a foreign language to others. How about yours?

 

[TonyJZX]

They're all male:
View attachment 281600
Intended use case is Android phone+ Power bank -> Type-C DAC.
However, there's nothing preventing you from using it with the SU-1 on Windows instead.

what a useful cable

should be a mandatory inclusion in this units

also our friends in China:"

Color:Black
Ships From:China

K***g

"Really good, sound more clear."

orly?

 

[amirm]

What HiFi recently published an article arguing for simple DAC designs. The example they gave was a $15,000 model from TAD.

I'd love to see it measured against this $80 SMSL.

Don't ask me how I know but the TAD would lose to this DAC....

 

[Barrelhouse Solly]

No but you don't understand. It adds more depth and a holographic quality to the soundstage and if you think your $150 DAC is sufficient you just don't know anything about audio and obviously have tin ears.

/s

One thing I learned when I first got interested in audio in the '60s is that the law of diminishing returns applies to audio equipment, rigorously. <g> That combined with learning about the weak links in the audio chain, limits of audibility for humans, and audio performance at living room volume made me a mid-fi guy who likes the idea of high end being available. The old rule of thumb was spend the majority of your money on the speakers and the cartridge. These days the cartridge is optional. The most noticeable thing for me in audio quality is room correction.

 

[SuicideSquid]

Don't ask me how I know but the TAD would lose to this DAC....

I would not at all be surprised.

One thing I learned when I first got interested in audio in the '60s is that the law of diminishing returns applies to audio equipment, rigorously. <g> That combined with learning about the weak links in the audio chain, limits of audibility for humans, and audio performance at living room volume made me a mid-fi guy who likes the idea of high end being available. The old rule of thumb was spend the majority of your money on the speakers and the cartridge. These days the cartridge is optional. The most noticeable thing for me in audio quality is room correction.

100%. If people ask me how to spend their money on a good stereo, I'd say put 50% into your speakers, 25% into your preamp, amp (if you're using passives, though I'd recommend actives most of the time) and source, and 25% into some room treatment.

People who buy $3,000 speakers and then plug them into a $10,000 amplifier and $10,000 DAC or turntable are lunatics.

 

[SuicideSquid]

Conflicting, even when used in absence of smilies:

Maybe such usage example (as above) is a foreign language to others. How about yours?

Urban Dictionary: /S

The /S is known as the sarcasm switch. When you are typing a post use it at the end of your post so people know you are actually being sarcastic.

www.urbandictionary.com

 

[adamd]

That is precisely how I test all USB dacs. AP has no USB interface to drive a DAC. Its software uses Windows audio subsystem to do that. This is a desktop workstation with discrete GPU so quite noisy.

Thanks- sorry I should have known that.

 

[HappyMetalGuy]

Arrived today, "little cuties".

Connected to Dali Oberon 1.
All Inputs tested and working, even mqa flac files "at least led changes color".

 

[Joffy1780]

Arrived today, "little cuties".
View attachment 282162
Connected to Dali Oberon 1.

Pound for pound, that setup has to be hard to beat. Hope you enjoy

 

[Zek]

Arrived today, "little cuties"

Swap positions, place the SU-1 under the A-07 so it doesn't get heated by the amp.

 

[JktHifi]

Arrived today, "little cuties".
View attachment 282162
Connected to Dali Oberon 1.
All Inputs tested and working, even mqa flac files "at least led changes color".

DAC cost $80
Amp cost $70
Loudspeakers should cost $60

Oh God, when will we get good low cost loudspeakers?

 

[HappyMetalGuy]

DAC cost $80
Amp cost $70
Loudspeakers should cost $60

Oh God, when will we get good low cost loudspeakers?

DAC cost $80
Amp cost $45 (used)
Loudspeakers cost $329

 

[JktHifi]

DAC cost $80
Amp cost $45 (used)
Loudspeakers should cost $329

I would be grateful if everything 2 digits

 

[HappyMetalGuy]

Swap positions, place the SU-1 under the A-07 so it doesn't get heated by the amp.View attachment 282264

they're side by side, that was just for the picture. For the SU-1 to be bellow A07 I would need to add extra rubber feet in the middle of the A07.

 

[HappyMetalGuy]

They're all male:
View attachment 281600
Intended use case is Android phone+ Power bank -> Type-C DAC.
However, there's nothing preventing you from using it with the SU-1 on Windows instead.

Hi, do you think it'll work like picture below adding in my case a USB C female to USB A male to connect to my Windows PC (streamer)? I have a CD transport connected to coaxial input on SU-1 and the optical input also connected from the TV. With the splitter and the adapter I could power the DAC with a phone charger and leave the PC off.

 

[staticV3]

Hi, do you think it'll work like picture below adding in my case a USB C female to USB A male to connect to my Windows PC (streamer)? I have a CD transport connected to coaxial input on SU-1 and the optical input also connected from the TV. With the splitter and the adapter I could power the DAC with a phone charger and leave the PC off.
View attachment 282379

Yes, that should work.

 

[Barrelhouse Solly]

DAC cost $80
Amp cost $45 (used)
Loudspeakers cost $329

I got a pair of Pioneer SPBS22 speakers for $69 from Fry's several years ago. They were on sale. According to Amir's review and others they're excellent. Sadly they're out of production. I use them in my bedroom system with a subwoofer. I miss Fry's. Shopping there was a unique experience in both good and bad ways.

 

[JktHifi]

I got a pair of Pioneer SPBS22 speakers for $69 from Fry's several years ago. They were on sale. According to Amir's review and others they're excellent. Sadly they're out of production. I use them in my bedroom system with a subwoofer. I miss Fry's. Shopping there was a unique experience in both good and bad ways.

Good on you, found $60 loudspeaker

 

[Gradius]

Amazing price and performance - and I imagine they can make one without MQA licensing even cheaper

Would be around $50 for sure.