SMSL SU-1 Stereo DAC Review

[staticV3]

Greetings to all.
I have purchased SMSL SU-1 from you 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.

Have you tried using a different USB cable, a different USB host, or using the Toslink or Coax input instead? That's usually the way to diagnose these sorts of issues. Try a bunch of stuff and find the constant.

 

[Lefteris23]

I use this particular DAC only on the PC via USB, so the Coaxial and Optical outputs are useless for me.
I have tried it on different PC, TVs etc and it makes exactly the same static noise. I tried different USB and Audio cables but the result was the same.
I have emailed the company and am awaiting a response.
Thank you all for your replies.

 

[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.
modest 50hmz scope ( i not found old mesureamrnt with my tek 400mhz), the measurement marred by +-7ns of the scope + fast prob...

Looks like my measurements are legible.
SPDIF- two transformers in signal path, Source and Destination :

Three transformers: AES Source - Step down transformer - SPDIF destination (Still the signal is too high):

Toslink:

But when I recall Amirs measurements from the last years correctly, the majority of DACs did show better jitter results for cable / transformer based Coax
against optical Toslink, though the optical signal is obviously much cleaner...?

 

[morillon]

Looks like my measurements are legible.
SPDIF- two transformers in signal path, Source and Destination :
View attachment 316382
Three transformers: AES Source - Step down transformer - SPDIF destination (Still the signal is too high):View attachment 316383
Toslink:
View attachment 316385
But when I recall Amirs measurements from the last years correctly, the majority of DACs did show better jitter results for cable / transformer based Coax
against optical Toslink, though the optical signal is obviously much cleaner...?7

I am just pointing out the impact of insulation transformers...
(but if you want to observe a little efficiency...you should work on much shorter time scales rather on high bandwidth probe scopes to finely measure calculate the risetime etc... there, in your case you will not be able to see anything....)

 

[Herbert]

I am just pointing out the impact of insulation transformers...
(but if you want to observe a little efficiency...you should work on much shorter time scales rather on high bandwidth probe scopes to finely measure calculate the risetime etc... there, in your case you will not be able to see anything....)

I do not think this is needed at all with SPDIF, no matter if it is a scientific site

CHORD M-Scaler Review (Upsampler)

HQPlayer is pretty popular. It's essentially like the M Scaler, but software instead of hardware but not as capable. Those who like it, say they hear a difference. Are the YT reviewers who like the M Scaler all wrong? Hans Beekhuyzen, GoldenSound, Passion for Sound, Currawong, Phototristan...

www.audiosciencereview.com

or Vodoo

CD_transport_DIY

CD transport, SP/DIF, DAC, digital cable, SAA7220p/B

lampizator.eu

 

[natna]

So bottom line is
A few broken units after only 6 months.
And low volume on optical - most critical for me.
I'll pass for now.

I start to notice on Amazon some troubling failure reports after 6 months or so, on a few SMSL 150-300 Euros DACs ... And that stopped me at least 3-4 time when I was ready to hit the Buy Button. Furthemore, some of the 100-200E offerings from SMSL or Topping are not so good in SPDIF/Optical.
Don't get me wrong but I feel I'm out of choices here...

In Greece we have a saying or two for the occasion: " Cheap things are for the rich people" or " Cheap things are in the end expensive"

 

[T&T]

So bottom line is
A few broken units after only 6 months.
And low volume on optical - most critical for me.
I'll pass for now.

I start to notice on Amazon some troubling failure reports after 6 months or so, on a few SMSL 150-300 Euros DACs ... And that stopped me at least 3-4 time when I was ready to hit the Buy Button. Furthemore, some of the 100-200E offerings from SMSL or Topping are not so good in SPDIF/Optical.
Don't get me wrong but I feel I'm out of choices here...

In Greece we have a saying or two for the occasion: " Cheap things are for the rich people" or " Cheap things are in the end expensive"

This unit work with 5v 1a, but the most common power supply that everyone have is 5v 2a and some people have buy the unit and don't even know what power supply to use....them lol

 

[Zek]

the most common power supply that everyone have is 5v 2a

It is better for the device if there is a power reserve (2A) because the adapter will work more relaxed without stress and will heat up less.
It is only important that the voltage of 5V is not exceeded.

 

[natna]

This unit work with 5v 1a, but the most common power supply that everyone have is 5v 2a and some people have buy the unit and don't even know what power supply to use....them lol

So you say that it's the people to blame. They mess up the power supply, using weaker wall chargers, or weak usb ports.
A bigger current rating is not a problem, as long as the voltage is the indicated one and stable.

But even if you're right and SU-1 is so delicate, then it's not for me.

 

[seamon]

So you say that it's the people to blame. They mess up the power supply, using weaker wall chargers, or weak usb ports.
A bigger current rating is not a problem, as long as the voltage is the indicated one and stable.

But even if you're right and SU-1 is so delicate, then it's not for me.

Nobody cares. Move on.

It's a $80 DAC ffs that's one of the best.

 

[radix]

Nobody cares. Move on.

It's a $80 DAC ffs that's one of the best.

I'm really amazed at the amount of Sturm und Drang this $80 amazingly transparent DAC garners. Why can't we be happy about a bargain!

 

[Barrelhouse Solly]

So bottom line is
A few broken units after only 6 months.
And low volume on optical - most critical for me.
I'll pass for now.

I start to notice on Amazon some troubling failure reports after 6 months or so, on a few SMSL 150-300 Euros DACs ... And that stopped me at least 3-4 time when I was ready to hit the Buy Button. Furthemore, some of the 100-200E offerings from SMSL or Topping are not so good in SPDIF/Optical.
Don't get me wrong but I feel I'm out of choices here...

In Greece we have a saying or two for the occasion: " Cheap things are for the rich people" or " Cheap things are in the end expensive"

I have one. I've been using it for about 5 months. I have a desktop machine connected via USB and a Raspberry Pi with a transport connected by coax. The volume from the pi is lower. Since I'm using it on my desktop turning it up isn't a problem. As long as it continues to work I'll be happy with it. I'm sure you can get the same level of performance from a more expensive device with better components but my budget likes this one.

 

[Fahzz]

LOL. I got mine for $67.00. No complaints here!

 

[wavetrade]

I really like mine! doesn't skip at the beginning of MQA tracks like my E50 does. Sounds great for so cheap.

 

[Herbert]

Bad soldering - failures? Check my photos on page 32 - as far as I know a good solder joint should look metallic and shiny - but on the photos they look brittle and dull.

 

[Apprentice]

Mine no longer works on USB input - just low volume and highly distorted. Changed the cables, the Pi's, used other USB dac - in all permutations everything works OK less the smsl. Haven't tried other inputs.

 

[maudio]

Ok here a short subjective report.

This DAC is great for the money in my system, fed by Innuos USB Phoenix, output into Topping Pre90 and then into Pass F7 clone.
Where it did not work so good was in combination with Fosi V3. Sound was too lean, polite and boring.
With Pass F7 it is fast, involving, dynamic and for that money unreachable otherwise. Bass could sometimes be bigger. But im not a bass-head, so i guess it's great.
So it depends what you pair it with. I suggest transparent but more warmish sounding equipment with lotsa 2nd harmonics.
I am using it before i switch to another NOS DAC, which would cost me more than 10X but i will get maybe max. 10-20% more realistic sound, so not sure it's worth it. Until then, SMSL stays. Probly longer than planned.

p.s. i am sure i get a few more points than Amir's meausrements since it is fed by high quality LPSU engineered by dr. Sean Jacobs, whereas Amir pretty sure used just some standard noisy PSU.

 

[TonyJZX]

what i found really strange is that people will heap crap on the SU-1 but not on its functionally identical brother, the C-100?

i wonder why? multiple threads about havana syndrome etc.

also we are moving into some strange territory with thoughts about 'audiophile' grade phone chargers?

i've tried apple chargers, throwaway 500ma 10yr old chargers and admittedly many of us choose to just run it off a dirty USB port on a laptop or desktop and so if this was an issue we would see it by now?

clearly we see SMSL has issues with weak type-c ports - we see from SU-1 to SU-9s...

 

[Toku]

I heard about the SU-1 and wanted to check it out myself, so I decided to purchase it.
As rumored, the sound quality is incredible considering the price.
I checked the USB/COAX/OPT input by randomly switching between PCM44.1~768kHz 16/24bit and DSD64~DSD512 files, and the playback operation was extremely smooth and stable. There were no worrisome movements or habits. The workmanship is unbelievable for the price.
The difference in sound quality with higher-end models has become really small.

MQA playback is smoother and more comfortable with the USB input than any other DAC I've tried.
However, switching to COAX/OPT input will result in poor operation.
The beginning of the song is always cut off, which makes me feel strange.
Also, if you stop in the middle of a song and play it again, the sound will come out once and then cut out for 1 to 2 seconds.
This also occurs when changing the playback position. Well, I don't use MQA for COAX/OPT input, so I don't care.

 

[Nutul]

I heard about the SU-1 and wanted to check it out myself, so I decided to purchase it.
As rumored, the sound quality is incredible considering the price.
I checked the USB/COAX/OPT input by randomly switching between PCM44.1~768kHz 16/24bit and DSD64~DSD512 files, and the playback operation was extremely smooth and stable. There were no worrisome movements or habits. The workmanship is unbelievable for the price.
The difference in sound quality with higher-end models has become really small.

MQA playback is smoother and more comfortable with the USB input than any other DAC I've tried.
However, switching to COAX/OPT input will result in poor operation.
The beginning of the song is always cut off, which makes me feel strange.
Also, if you stop in the middle of a song and play it again, the sound will come out once and then cut out for 1 to 2 seconds.
This also occurs when changing the playback position. Well, I don't use MQA for COAX/OPT input, so I don't care.

So, in the end, the audio sh*t you are decribing happend only when playing MQA, right?
So, yes, everything is fine with your setup, as nobody cares about MQA. And if someone still does, then may burn in hell.
R.I.P. MQA, once and for all.