SMSL SU-1 Stereo DAC Review

[wiz2596]

Because in 2023 Windows does not yet implement the USB AUDIO PROTOCOL 2.0 natively in the kernel, so you need drivers to supply it. Linux, MacOS and Android (which is Linux) don't suffer of this "sickness" ;-)

USB Audio 2.0 is fully supported natively since build 1703 in windows 10, previous versions will require a driver

USB Audio 2.0 Drivers - Windows drivers

A USB Audio 2.0 driver is shipped with Windows. This driver provides basic audio over USB functionality.

learn.microsoft.com

 

[Nutul]

USB Audio 2.0 is fully supported natively since build 1703 in windows 10, previous versions will require a driver

USB Audio 2.0 Drivers - Windows drivers

A USB Audio 2.0 driver is shipped with Windows. This driver provides basic audio over USB functionality.

learn.microsoft.com

Yes, as discussed already can't remember where: it offers "basic" functionality, among other things: PCM limited to 384kHz max, and no DSD native support (of course, to whom these details are fundamental).
That's why people still want their drivers from Eversolo.

 

[Veri]

Yes, as discussed already can't remember where: it offers "basic" functionality, among other things: PCM limited to 384kHz max

Oh no not maximum 384kHz, how could one possibly deal without 768 kHz support....

 

[TonyJZX]

maybe these guys beleive in upsampling

i ususally upsample because i play some 24/96 stuff

 

[Herbert]

there is no need to have them on each side e etc.. just a precaution... and the transition to aes...

in absolute terms even if their performance is very good it is still preferable to have only one absolute performance side, and even more if we go up in resolution
((you can use optocoupler too)

So, on an old 30 mHz scope:
The SPDIF without transformer, terminated to 75 ohm:

And with the transformer inserted:

God? Bad?
But the cable, about 1.5m, is not a dedicated 75-ohm BNC-cable but some yellow RCA Video cable taken from a camera...

 

[Nutul]

Oh no not maximum 384kHz, how could one possibly deal without 768 kHz support....

That is also what I pointed out: to whom this may be relevant.
Nevertheless, Windows still does not fulfill UAC2 specs 100%, and this is, to me, unacceptable, in 2023 and from a 80+% marketshare, paid OS point of view.

 

[tinca]

I'd like to power it from a Raspberry Pi 4. Theoretically it works, 1.2A output capability.
Are there any experiences, as it's close to the Pi4 limit?

Coming a bit late. I use it that way, works fine.
Can produce some short pause during play on some HiRes files, less when USB3 is used.

 

[morillon]

So, on an old 30 mHz scope:
The SPDIF without transformer, terminated to 75 ohm:
View attachment 313350
And with the transformer inserted:
View attachment 313351
God? Bad?
But the cable, about 1.5m, is not a dedicated 75-ohm BNC-cable but some yellow RCA Video cable taken from a camera...

excuse me but your captures are almost illegible..but we can guess that your insertion is not well done and has a bad impact....
it is not the fault of the murata if a da101, but of the implementation..
the murata or pulse well integrated impact at less than 0.5ns with a 44/16 and brings a very slight overshoot in general...but in fact one is quite sufficient...


just modeste example with a murata and careful one integration on flip flop etc. 44/16.
modest 50hmz scope ( i not found old mesureamrnt with my tek 400mhz), the measurement marred by +-7ns of the scope + fast prob...

 

[Herbert]

excuse me but your captures are almost illegible..but we can guess that your insertion is not well done and has a bad impact....
it is not the fault of the murata if a da101, but of the implementation..
the murata or pulse well integrated impact at less than 0.5ns with a 44/16 and brings a very slight overshoot in general...but in fact one is quite sufficient...


just modeste example with a murata and careful one integration on flip flop etc. 44/16
50hmz scop ( i not found old mesureamrnt with my tek 400mhz), the measurement marred by +-7ns of the scope + fast prob...

Thanks, I guessed that! Blame it on the slow and old scope. No matter what source, cable, transformer, it will not look better!
I bought it for aligning laser heads,
where it is not perfect but sufficient. I would propose to delete the images, before google sells them as the perfect square signal.

 

[morillon]

Thanks, I guessed that! Blame it on the slow and old scope. No matter what source, cable, transformer, it will not look better!
I bought it for aligning laser heads,
where it is not perfect but sufficient. I would propose to delete the images, before google sells them as the perfect square signal.

We guess despite everything for those who are a little used to it that your integration of the murata degrade serioul your signal.. sorry...
(poorly done...it's almost better to do without it, ...but my captures just to show that contrary to what some say, serious transformers at few dollars have been offering excellent performance for a long time)

 

[Herbert]

Which Murata? You mean the transformer? Pulse PE65612.
This guy recommended it to me:

Electronics by Uwe Beis

 

[morillon]

Which Murata? You mean the transformer? Pulse PE65612.
This guy recommended it to me:

Electronics by Uwe Beis

pulse or murata (da101 like my example) is this long time good...
(me for example use murata da101 since more15years but some time the pulse too)

 

[BR52]

Coming a bit late. I use it that way, works fine.
Can produce some short pause during play on some HiRes files, less when USB3 is used.

Yes working flawless thank you already done.

 

[tinca]

Yes working flawless thank you already done.

Glad you found out!
What OS do you run on RPi? If you use HiRes materials, do you experience glitches, clip-offs in audio?

 

[BR52]

I use Ropieee XL on 2 places. Absolutely no glitches, upsampled to 192 KHz 365 or more is possible with my DACs. Works as well, but it makes no sense only more traffic ( I guess).Via cable no wifi. I can highly recommend Ropieee, it’s a no brainer. I use it with Roon and DLNA.

 

[Glades]

Just a heads-up. I'm using the SU-1 for months now (great sound) > WiiM to SU-1 Toslink and RCA to amp. However, when lifting the SU-1 or a slight pull @ the RCA cable L or R, the (sound) signal interrupts. After some testing and switching (with good quality) cables I could narrow it down to the RCA-in connector (female), where the pin from the RCA connector (male) sits too loose or not enough tension (it wiggles inside). This goes for both L & R RCA ports. There's no dust or debris, etc.

Peeked inside, but one needs to de-solder to get to the RCA's internals (so it seems). I guess I need a RCA cable with male pins that are alike bananaplugs (some kind of spring).

Any ideas/suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[radix]

Just a heads-up. I'm using the SU-1 for months now (great sound) > WiiM to SU-1 Toslink and RCA to amp. However, when lifting the SU-1 or a slight pull @ the RCA cable L or R, the (sound) signal interrupts. After some testing and switching (with good quality) cables I could narrow it down to the RCA-in connector (female), where the pin from the RCA connector (male) sits too loose or not enough tension (it wiggles inside). This goes for both L & R RCA ports. There's no dust or debris, etc.

Peeked inside, but one needs to de-solder to get to the RCA's internals (so it seems). I guess I need a RCA cable with male pins that are alike bananaplugs (some kind of spring).

Any ideas/suggestions would be appreciated.

I also found the RCA outs are a little loose, but I've only tried with 2 sets of cables. One was very loose and the other slightly loose. I try to not move it when the amp is on.

 

[Glades]

I also found the RCA outs are a little loose, but I've only tried with 2 sets of cables. One was very loose and the other slightly loose. I try to not move it when the amp is on.

I couldn't resist and opened it up. Once you de-solder the section with the RCA connectors, you can pull out a small piece of metal that contacts the signal pin. It's kind of 'jaw' shaped and bending it a bit towards eachother solves the issue completely. I can imagine it's not for everyone, but it's not hard to do. Anyway, issue solved.

 

[Lefteris23]

Greetings to all.
I have purchased SMSL SU-1 on June 26th.

I use it on a desktop for music. It was playing very well until September 20th when it suddenly stopped and produces only a static sound.

 

[TonyJZX]

does it do anything on coax optical or bluetooth?

unfortunately smsl seems to be have some issues on a variety of their dacs even to the mid to high range on the usb