SMSL SU-1 Stereo DAC Review

[Toku]

Oh, be sure i will!
First question - is it the point to make some external power connection mod if i'll use it with my android phone? I mean to solder wires directly to pcb... Or is it enough power via usb + data? Or better way to use it with some good wall charger + usb to spdif converter to connect phone?

The method you showed requires powering the SU-1 from the mobile phone, which quickly drains the mobile phone's battery capacity.
To connect your mobile phone to the SU-1, connect it via a USB hub that can provide external power. A 5V/1A mobile phone charging adapter is sufficient for the external power source.

 

[tlr125]

i'm using SU-1 with UPS, for some reason it doesn't sound good enough from USB-port connected to PC, feels like underpowered or smth

 

[Toku]

i'm using SU-1 with UPS, for some reason it doesn't sound good enough from USB-port connected to PC, feels like underpowered or smth

Sorry, what is "smth"?
What kind of model is the PC you connected?
What kind of symptoms do SU-1 occur?

 

[staticV3]

Sorry, what is "smth"?

Short for something

 

[Toku]

Thank you. I understand.

 

[kibs]

i'm using SU-1 with UPS, for some reason it doesn't sound good enough from USB-port connected to PC, feels like underpowered or smth

USB 2.0 or 3.0?

 

[Nutul]

i'm using SU-1 with UPS, for some reason it doesn't sound good enough from USB-port connected to PC, feels like underpowered or smth

Is this serious?!?

 

[strumf666]

SU-1 uses approx 1.3W under normal use, so it's kind of hard to imagine it could be power starved unless it is connected to an very old or extremely low power device.
Using a UPS to power the SU-1 implies it has been modified, though, so that could have an impact.

 

[staticV3]

Using a UPS to power the SU-1 implies it has been modified, though, so that could have an impact.

Not necessarily.

You can buy, or make a USB splitter cable which allows you to power the DAC from an external power supply.

 

[DSJR]

I've now just plugged mine into one of the USB3 sockets on the back of the PC after a while from an external USB wall wart and optical feed - can't say I can hear any difference which hopefully confirms supply immunity in the SU1...

 

[Bleib]

USB2 or 3, it's not underpowered for me

 

[Loftrocket]

I've ordered DDHiFi usb c power adapter for powering this dac and my phone.
Is there a difference between usb otg cables? I mean in sound quality. I really doubt, but asking anyway.

 

[Nutul]

Is there a difference between usb otg cables? I mean in sound quality. I really doubt, but asking anyway.

 

[staticV3]

Is there a difference between usb otg cables? I mean in sound quality. I really doubt, but asking anyway.

There's no difference in sound quality.

 

[Loftrocket]

I know, i know.
They should made 2 usb sockets, like M3 have.

 

[seamon]

I know, i know.
They should made 2 usb sockets, like M3 have.

Completely unnecessary and would have the product worse imo. A single port for power and data is good.

 

[seamon]

I suggest alcohol as an alternative to this power issue.
Listen to the SU-1 sober. Realize you don't like it. Get absolutely hammered. Listen to SU-1 again. Trust me, it will sound better.

 

[Toku]

I know, i know.
They should made 2 usb sockets, like M3 have.

There are other products that meet your needs, so you should choose one of them.
For me this product is perfect and I don't need the extra USB-C. SU-1 is a product specialized for specific applications.

 

[Nutul]

Will I get a benefit in sound to upgrade the power supply or use a battery?

IMHO no. Not that you can hear.

 

[Mikig]

I read some articles regarding added power, and I also equipped myself with a Y cable to power a USB device.
But I left it alone: basically I believe that nowadays a manufacturer who sells a USB device like this, which has more than excellent performance, has this situation well in mind, has already done the tests and certainly if he hasn't considered necessary to proceed differently is because he probably didn't consider it a problem, or better yet he didn't consider it necessary to equip the devices with additional solutions.