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SMSL SU-1 Stereo DAC Review

Rate this DAC:

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 11 2.1%
  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 11 2.1%
  • 3. Fine (happy panther)

    Votes: 64 12.5%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 427 83.2%

  • Total voters
    513
You can also use "charge only" cables, that have data pins blocked which forces slow charge (5V only) if you think there is a need to be extra cautious.
 
I have a question, how can I connect them?
SMSL SU-1 + wiim mini + 1 pair of jbl p308mk2 studio speakers + Qled TV .:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:
 
I have a question, how can I connect them?
SMSL SU-1 + wiim mini + 1 pair of jbl p308mk2 studio speakers + Qled TV .:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:
A few options:
Blank diagram (31).pngBlank diagram (30).pngBlank diagram (29).png
 
Cevabınız için teşekkür ederim.
Bir sorum var. RCA - XLR, RCA - TRS'ye alternatif olabilir mi?
JBL'nin arkasında bir TRS girişi bulunuyor.
Thank you for your answer.
I have a question. Can RCA - XLR be an alternative to RCA - TRS?
The JBL has a TRS input on the back.
 
Thank you for your answer.
I have a question. Can RCA - XLR be an alternative to RCA - TRS?
The JBL has a TRS input on the back.
Yes, TRS and XLR can be used interchangeably.

However, the cable in your picture uses TS instead of TRS, which may result in mains hum and other noises.
 
Yes, TRS and XLR can be used interchangeably.

However, the cable in your picture uses TS instead of TRS, which may result in mains hum and other noises.
So I want to ask. Is it the right decision to buy Wiim pro plus? Which one do you prefer with the best setup, best sound quality and without losing volume?
 
When I read on forums, I read that they are very similar to the AKM chip and the differences between them are hard to understand.
 
So I want to ask. Is it the right decision to buy Wiim pro plus? Which one do you prefer with the best setup, best sound quality and without losing volume?
I would do TV->Toslink->WiiM Pro Plus->RCA to XLR->JBL 308P

Or TV->HDMI ARC->WiiM Ultra->RCA to XLR->JBL 308P

The advantage of the Ultra is that you can control volume using the TV remote instead of having to use the WiiM remote, and you have the ability to add a subwoofer later on.

If you don't care about that, then the WiiM Pro Plus would do just as well.
 
Hello all. I'm looking for anyone that has had sound distortion problems with their SMSL SU-1 and if they were able to resolve it somehow. I bought one in late 2023 (I think), used it for a few months and shelved it. Today I was rotating gear in my nearfield setup and I thought I'd give the SU-1 a spin. It sounded like a**. As if the sound was veiled in general distortion. I tried every input and even tried a power bank to power it. Nothing I did resolved the issue. I wonder if mine could have 'gone bad' during all those lonely months on the shelf?
I must say that even though the sound was distorted and unlistenable (fatiguing) the SU-1 still imaged great and created loads of space, far surpassing the dac built into the Fosi MC331 playing through a neat pair of Beovox CX100.
Could the SU-1's 2.1Vrms rca output be too much for the Fosi?
Before I buy a replacement I'd like to hear if there is any fix for this. Thank you all in advance.
 
Hello all. I'm looking for anyone that has had sound distortion problems with their SMSL SU-1 and if they were able to resolve it somehow. I bought one in late 2023 (I think), used it for a few months and shelved it. Today I was rotating gear in my nearfield setup and I thought I'd give the SU-1 a spin. It sounded like a**. As if the sound was veiled in general distortion. I tried every input and even tried a power bank to power it. Nothing I did resolved the issue. I wonder if mine could have 'gone bad' during all those lonely months on the shelf?
I must say that even though the sound was distorted and unlistenable (fatiguing) the SU-1 still imaged great and created loads of space, far surpassing the dac built into the Fosi MC331 playing through a neat pair of Beovox CX100.
Could the SU-1's 2.1Vrms rca output be too much for the Fosi?
Before I buy a replacement I'd like to hear if there is any fix for this. Thank you all in advance.
Did you try reduce the digital volume level at source to be sure, that the output level of DAC going to be reduced probably causing the distortion? Just asking tjis because you did not mention tried this option.
 
Did you try reduce the digital volume level at source to be sure, that the output level of DAC going to be reduced probably causing the distortion? Just asking tjis because you did not mention tried this option.
No, I did not. Good idea, I will try it a little later today.
 
Did you try reduce the digital volume level at source to be sure, that the output level of DAC going to be reduced probably causing the distortion? Just asking tjis because you did not mention tried this option.
I did try it with reduced source volume. Same distortion. Also tried my Z8 dac at full source volume and no distortion. So I think it's safe to say my SU-1 has kicked the bucket. Going to get the SMSL PS200 next for desktop duty.
 
I did try it with reduced source volume. Same distortion. Also tried my Z8 dac at full source volume and no distortion. So I think it's safe to say my SU-1 has kicked the bucket. Going to get the SMSL PS200 next for desktop duty.
Sorry to hear :( I think probably the output stage opamp got broken, or the opamp power supply +-12V (specific) IC. Cant say without proper measurement.
 
Sorry to hear :( I think probably the output stage opamp got broken, or the opamp power supply +-12V (specific) IC. Cant say without proper measurement.
I shouldn't say this but for this price I'm ok with throwing it away (recycle). In this day and age electronics should last a little longer than 1 year. To be clear, it was always powered from pc usb or 5v1a wallwart or PD battery bank with output load display so no chance I zapped it. What bothers me is that its essentially half dead. If there were zero sound out I'd be more ok with that than distorted output. Silly, I know.
 
I shouldn't say this but for this price I'm ok with throwing it away (recycle). In this day and age electronics should last a little longer than 1 year. To be clear, it was always powered from pc usb or 5v1a wallwart or PD battery bank with output load display so no chance I zapped it. What bothers me is that its essentially half dead. If there were zero sound out I'd be more ok with that than distorted output. Silly, I know.
I'm not saying this is the case with your SU-1, but a bad wallwart can absolutely zap electronics if the regulation goes out and it pumps up the voltage to all it can. To date, it's happened to me once (with wife's iphone) and to my daughter once (with Surface 2 Laptop), both on upgefuct aftermarket chargers.
 
I'm not saying this is the case with your SU-1, but a bad wallwart can absolutely zap electronics if the regulation goes out and it pumps up the voltage to all it can. To date, it's happened to me once (with wife's iphone) and to my daughter once (with Surface 2 Laptop), both on upgefuct aftermarket chargers.
Very likely but I don't think this is my case. Initially I used my pc for power/data followed briefly by an older iPhone charger and lastly by a new Anker GaN PD charger which also charges my iPhone daily. There was no issue with these configurations and it ran great off the Anker for a few months. Issue started after 9 or more months of no use. When I tried it again it was powered from my pc. Anyway, ya gets what ya pays fir.
 
It looks like the latest SU-1 have a OPA1612 on board already, while the earlier ones had a LM49720.
I run four of these DACs in a multichannel system based on the RME Digiface using toslink and industrial linear power supply.
It's hard to believe how good they sing - especially after applying some minor modifications.
 

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It looks like the latest SU-1 have a OPA1612 on board already, while the earlier ones had a LM49720.
I run four of these DACs in a multichannel system based on the RME Digiface using toslink and industrial linear power supply.
It's hard to believe how good they sing - especially after applying some minor modifications.
What kind of capacitor is it and what are its parameters?
It would be good to replace and set it to Muses02 for example. It would definitely play a wider stage and less dry.
 
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