SMSL SU-1 Stereo DAC Review

[Toku]

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.

Yes, it is. MQA playback with OPT/COX is not smooth.
I'm not interested in MQA myself, but since MQA is a feature of the product, I tested it.

 

[WinWiz]

So no remote included.
Would it be possible to use a programable ir remote? Or no IR sensor at all?

 

[staticV3]

So no remote included.
Would it be possible to use a programable ir remote? Or no IR sensor at all?

I don't think the SU-1 has an IR receiver built-in.

If you're looking for a DAC with remote, then take a look at the SMSL C100 ($120) or Topping E30 II Lite ($100).

 

[WinWiz]

I know im gonna get slapped for this but I actually enjoy MQA
-and I have kind of promised my wife not to spend more money on hifi this year...

My HIFI rack is hidden in my attic.
Is it possible to turn the SU-1 ON/OFF with a smart power socket?

 

[Toku]

I know im gonna get slapped for this but I actually enjoy MQA
-and I have kind of promised my wife not to spend more money on hifi this year...

My HIFI rack is hidden in my attic.
Is it possible to turn the SU-1 ON/OFF with a smart power socket?

Will SU-1 be used by you with OPT/COAX input?
If so, you can operate it by turning the power ON/OFF.
Even if you turn off the power during playback, playback will continue if you turn on the power again.
In the case of USB, if the power is turned off, the connection will be cut off and playback will not start even if the power is turned on again.

 

[WinWiz]

Source for the dac would be my wiim pro. So I would probably use Optical connection to avoid any ground issues.

So just to confirm the su-1 does not enter Standby mode when power is interrupted?

 

[Fahzz]

...-and I have kind of promised my wife not to spend more money on hifi this year...
My HIFI rack is hidden in my attic...

Just buy it and hide it, no?

 

[WinWiz]

Just buy it and hide it, no?

A few years ago we had mice in the attic -so my wife doesn't go there.
And less than 100€ she won't notice

 

[bobcat11]

Your setup is good enough to be able to show the the differences between the su1 and a better dac. Ive Not heard the z8, but I can say that the DAC I replaced the su1 with is a country mile better and makes the difference between me enjoying music and not. The su1 is decent in a desktop system but is shown up in a ‘proper’ revealing hi-fi.

What dac did you prefer to the su1?

 

[wiz2596]

My brand new smsl su-1 has arrived!!! I'm very surprised in how little this thing is, really cute on my desk

 

[wavetrade]

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 have both and love the SU-1 but not feeling it with the C100. I am sure they are both transparent but in A/B tests I came away with a clear preference for the SU-1. My C100 also came with a very jacked up bluetooth antenna connection (installed way crooked). Maybe that tarnished my impression.

Regarding power, I did a lot of experimenting with the SU1 running it off of everything from a Samsung charger, macbook, mac mini, pc to a battery power bank. They all sounded the same to me. I don't think it is sensitive to dirty power.

 

[Toku]

I think the basic parts of the DAC are the same for SU-1 and C100. I think the problem is the poor design of the C100 and the poor image of the product photos.
For some reason, when I look at the C100 product photos, I don't feel like buying it.

 

[friedpickles]

I have both and love the SU-1 but not feeling it with the C100. I am sure they are both transparent but in A/B tests I came away with a clear preference for the SU-1. My C100 also came with a very jacked up bluetooth antenna connection (installed way crooked). Maybe that tarnished my impression.

Regarding power, I did a lot of experimenting with the SU1 running it off of everything from a Samsung charger, macbook, mac mini, pc to a battery power bank. They all sounded the same to me. I don't think it is sensitive to dirty power.

is the su-1 noticeably power hungry? planning to use it with my macbook air but worried about the battery life being affected

 

[wavetrade]

is the su-1 noticeably power hungry? planning to use it with my macbook air but worried about the battery life being affected

Not sure how accurate my battery pack was, not to mention my memory, but I think it was drawing 2.8 watts. So not very much.

 

[vrobec]

Any way to use some kind of remote control with this DAC? Any android app or third party remote?

 

[staticV3]

Any way to use some kind of remote control with this DAC? Any android app or third party remote?

The SU-1 does not have an IR receiver afaik.

If you're looking for an inexpensive DAC with remote control capabilities, then take a look at the SMSL C100 or Topping E30 II Lite.

 

[ArdaDaMarda]

Using Wiim Pro with enable Chromecast to SMSL SU 1...no sound, I can move the volume up and down and show casting but no sound at all. From spotify works fine but not Chromecast.

Were you able to fix this?

 

[T&T]

Were you able to fix this?

Yes...you have to go to the wifi setting in your cellphone and change the security encryption...them will work.

 

[flexbuffchest]

So I'm incredibly embarrassed to even ask this as I'm sure the fix is right in front of my face and the problem seems so stupid, but I can't get any sound out of this and I have no idea what the problem is.

I have A HD660S currently and recently was given a SMSL SU-1. I had to buy an RCA-3.5mm adapter in order to connect it but I get no sound. I've borrowed someone's AudioEngine D1 and it works just fine with the 3.5mm jack but when I try to use the adapter with that I again get no sound. Is there some setting in windows you have to enable or is this most likely a bad adapter I have or do the adapters just not work with HD660S? I'm losing my mind with this as I know the answer is something so simple.

 

[radix]

So I'm incredibly embarrassed to even ask this as I'm sure the fix is right in front of my face and the problem seems so stupid, but I can't get any sound out of this and I have no idea what the problem is.

I have A HD660S currently and recently was given a SMSL SU-1. I had to buy an RCA-3.5mm adapter in order to connect it but I get no sound. I've borrowed someone's AudioEngine D1 and it works just fine with the 3.5mm jack but when I try to use the adapter with that I again get no sound. Is there some setting in windows you have to enable or is this most likely a bad adapter I have or do the adapters just not work with HD660S? I'm losing my mind with this as I know the answer is something so simple.

The SU-1 does not have a headphone amp. It is only line-level out.