SMSL SU-1 Stereo DAC Review

[RCL162]

I use two SU-1s on three different Windows 11 PCs, but I don't have any of the symptoms you mentioned. I have the same latest driver installed as you. In your case, I think there is a problem with the settings of the PC or audio player you are using.

do i have to install drivers? i am using windows 11 with foobar and just plug and play. i have never installed drivers since i first used it.

 

[Toku]

do i have to install drivers? i am using windows 11 with foobar and just plug and play. i have never installed drivers since i first used it.

Although you can listen to music using the Windows audio engine without installing the driver, you will not be able to fully utilize the functionality of the SU-1. I recommend installing the driver provided by SMSL.

 

[mrehorst]

I did a search and couldn't find anything, but don't doubt it might already be here somewhere. Has there been any comparison test of two or more DACs, one like the SU-1 and one costing 10-100X in which both are fed the same digital input and the analog outputs are subtracted to see what, if any, difference there might be?

 

[RCL162]

Although you can listen to music using the Windows audio engine without installing the driver, you will not be able to fully utilize the functionality of the SU-1. I recommend installing the driver provided by SMSL.

Ohhh.. okay. I have it..will install it tonight.

 

[theREALdotnet]

I did a search and couldn't find anything, but don't doubt it might already be here somewhere. Has there been any comparison test of two or more DACs, one like the SU-1 and one costing 10-100X in which both are fed the same digital input and the analog outputs are subtracted to see what, if any, difference there might be?

When I got my first SU-1 (AU$100) I still had a ~AU$1000 DAC (Topping D90), so I could have done that kind of test. It didn't occur to me, even though I did a lot of testing with the two, mainly to get on top of their different and variable delays. However, the waveforms they produced in response to synthetic signals (square, sawtooth etc.) were pretty much on top of each other, provided the same type filter was chosen. There is absolutely no way I could have teased out any differences in sound when playing music. There may be out-of-band clues (like slight clicking of the SU-1 on sample rate changes), but apart from that I'm satisfied that they sound identical.

EDIT to add: there could also be differences in the HF/noise shaping artefacts they produce, but both use similar chips (AK4493 and AK4499), so I doubt that.

 

[RCL162]

I did a search and couldn't find anything, but don't doubt it might already be here somewhere. Has there been any comparison test of two or more DACs, one like the SU-1 and one costing 10-100X in which both are fed the same digital input and the analog outputs are subtracted to see what, if any, difference there might be?

Would like to know too

 

[allenduke]

I just received this DAC from Amazon.com. after plugging in to my PC with windows 11, it doesn't have any sound, my old cheap USB DAC works fine. went to https://www.smsl-audio.com/portal/product/support and downloaded/installed driver, still no sound. should I update its firmware?

 

[staticV3]

I just received this DAC from Amazon.com. after plugging in to my PC with windows 11, it doesn't have any sound, my old cheap USB DAC works fine. went to https://www.smsl-audio.com/portal/product/support and downloaded/installed driver, still no sound. should I update its firmware?

Hi @allenduke! Welcome to ASR.

The SU-1 is uac-2 compliant, so usually works right or of the box, plug-and-play.

Does the SU-1 appear as a playback device in the Sound Control Panel?

If not, does the Device Manager flicker and refresh the moment you put the SU-1 in or out of you PC?

Also, have you tried using another USB cable?

 

[allenduke]

Hi @allenduke! Welcome to ASR.

The SU-1 is uac-2 compliant, so usually works right or of the box, plug-and-play.

Does the SU-1 appear as a playback device in the Sound Control Panel?

If not, does the Device Manager flicker and refresh the moment you put the SU-1 in or out of you PC?

Also, have you tried using another USB cable?

it shows it is working, but not sound comes out of my speakers, my other USB DAC with same set up just works. it's optical out might be bad so nothing is out, I bought a new optical cable and still nothing. I am giving up.

 

[theREALdotnet]

View attachment 398964
it shows it is working, but not sound comes out of my speakers, my other USB DAC with same set up just works. it's optical out might be bad so nothing is out, I bought a new optical cable and still nothing. I am giving up.

Are you using both USB and Toslink, or am I misunderstanding what you wrote? Did you try selecting the correct input manually via the front button?

 

[allenduke]

Are you using both USB and Toslink, or am I misunderstanding what you wrote? Did you try selecting the correct input manually via the front button?

so I misunderstand this thing, I thought Toslink and Coaxial are both output, but they are input (I thought only the USB is input). Is the RCA output digital? I want to buy a RCA to Toslink converter so I can pug it into my receiver Toslink input.

 

[theREALdotnet]

so I misunderstand this thing, I thought Toslink and Coaxial are both output, but they are input (I thought only the USB is input). Is the RCA output digital? I want to buy a RCA to Toslink converter so I can pug it into my receiver Toslink input.

Ah! The SU-1 has three digital inputs (USB, coax S/PDIF, optical S/PDIF) and one analog stereo output (RCA). It's a DAC, nothing else.

For a USB-to-Toslink converter you need something like a Topping D10. It's also a DAC, but additionally a USB-to-S/PDIF converter.

 

[staticV3]

so I misunderstand this thing, I thought Toslink and Coaxial are both output, but they are input (I thought only the USB is input). Is the RCA output digital? I want to buy a RCA to Toslink converter so I can pug it into my receiver Toslink input.

For this purpose, all you need is a Hifime UT23 or Cubilux SPDIF Converter.

The SU-1 can output only Analog.

 

[allenduke]

For this purpose, all you need is a Hifime UT23 or Cubilux SPDIF Converter.

The SU-1 can output only Analog.

my old thing (USB-to-Optical/Coaxial converter) is this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FEDHHKE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
it is USB in, optical out. I didn't realize SMSL SU-1 is digital in, RCA analog out. I bought a RCA cable which was just delivered by Amazon. I hooked it up to SMSL SU-1 and my receiver, now beautiful sound is coming out. thanks staticV3 and theREALdotnet for the replies!

 

[theREALdotnet]

I didn't realize SMSL SU-1 is digital in, RCA analog out.

Well, that's the literal meaning of "DAC"

 

[allenduke]

I plugged it to my PC via USB + an extension cord , but Youtube audio makes harsh noises occasionally. after using this powered hub: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HMZSRS7?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
it seems the noise has been removed. (I bought a high cost RCA cable but didn't improve anything so money got wasted). both SU-1 and this USB hub are made in Shenzhen China, so China stuff are not low quality as people used to believe.

 

[AdrwM3]

I have k5 pro ess, is it worth using it just as an amp and pairing it with su-1? Will there be any improvement in the sound? (My headphones are hifiman he400se)

 

[staticV3]

I have k5 pro ess, is it worth using it just as an amp and pairing it with su-1? Will there be any improvement in the sound? (My headphones are hifiman he400se)

There will not be an improvement in the sound.

 

[AdrwM3]

Não haverá melhora no som.

Thanks!

 

[Billy.Z]

Hi, I’m interested in buying this DAC, but I have a question. Here, we often have power outages. If I use this DAC connected to a phone charger and leave it on all the time, when the power goes out and comes back, will it turn on by itself, or will I have to press the power button every time there’s a power outage?