SMSL SU-1 Stereo DAC Review

[Bazzaah]

I put my SMSL SU-1 alongside my RME ADI2. While the sound isn’t identical, I can’t say there are any night and day differences. I think it might be time to move the RME on.

 

[DSJR]

I put my SMSL SU-1 alongside my RME ADI2. While the sound isn’t identical, I can’t say there are any night and day differences. I think it might be time to move the RME on.

Can you afford to keep the RME? If so, I'd keep it for all the other facilities it offers including balanced outputs and eq which you may need one day.

Don't get me wrong, I love and trust my dinky SU1, it sounds great and changes sonic personality with each recording-production played through it, so hopefully it's not getting in the way especially, but it's RCA only, the input label texts aren't illuminated and the text next to the needle leds need a magnfying glass, as in my location in a cupboard, it's in a dark spot on its side next to the preamp and the text simply can't be read unaided. No balanced outs or anything. Don't get me wrong, I ain't complaining a jot at the £67 I paid in a Black Friday deal, but as you have the RME already, I'd make use of the other things it offers (and I'll gaze on enviously) and either put the SU1 to the side, or sell it to someone else starting out.

 

[unpluggged]

I put my SMSL SU-1 alongside my RME ADI2.

Did you enable the PEQ, B/T, the dynamic loudness on the SU-1 to make it a fair comparison? Or did you connect your headphones to the SU-1? I'm not even talking about the various analog ref levels with automatic switching. Or the remote. Or the product support. If you did not put all these factors into your comparison, what's the point then? Keep the SU-1.

 

[VientoB]

Did you enable the PEQ, B/T, the dynamic loudness on the SU-1 to make it a fair comparison? Or did you connect your headphones to the SU-1? I'm not even talking about the various analog ref levels with automatic switching. Or the remote. Or the product support. If you did not put all these factors into your comparison, what's the point then? Keep the SU-1.

I presume they're talking about the sound.

 

[unpluggged]

I presume they're talking about the sound.

Me too. The point of the ADI-2 DAC's/Pro's DSP functions is to make it sound the best for your situation. If you don't use them, there is no reason to get the RME over the SU-1.

But other factors, both technical and non-technical, also make a significant difference for customer experience.

You just don't compare SU-1 directly to the RME. They cover use cases that are vastly different. While I might find a use case for a cheap DAC like the SU-1 or the E30 II Lite (such as connecting a speaker system to a TV or hooking up old active speakers in the kitchen to a streamer or BT receiver), they will never replace the RME as my main desktop sound hub, for instance.

 

[Owis]

Did you enable the PEQ, B/T, the dynamic loudness on the SU-1

How do you do that?

 

[unpluggged]

How do you do that?

You can't do it; that's the whole point.

 

[VientoB]

You can't do it; that's the whole point.

Not when it's just about comparing the sound.

 

[unpluggged]

Not when it's just about comparing the sound.

You are repeating yourself. See post #1385.

 

[VientoB]

You are repeating yourself. See post #1385.

I ma but so are you.

 

[strumf666]

This thread is about SU-1

 

[Bazzaah]

Did you enable the PEQ, B/T, the dynamic loudness on the SU-1 to make it a fair comparison? Or did you connect your headphones to the SU-1? I'm not even talking about the various analog ref levels with automatic switching. Or the remote. Or the product support. If you did not put all these factors into your comparison, what's the point then? Keep the SU-1.

Yes it was with everything on. I was pretty shocked, hence my post. I told me wife but she wasn’t very interested.

 

[Bazzaah]

Me too. The point of the ADI-2 DAC's/Pro's DSP functions is to make it sound the best for your situation. If you don't use them, there is no reason to get the RME over the SU-1.

But other factors, both technical and non-technical, also make a significant difference for customer experience.

You just don't compare SU-1 directly to the RME. They cover use cases that are vastly different. While I might find a use case for a cheap DAC like the SU-1 or the E30 II Lite (such as connecting a speaker system to a TV or hooking up old active speakers in the kitchen to a streamer or BT receiver), they will never replace the RME as my main desktop sound hub, for instance.

I’m very fond of my RME. i trawled through the manual and forum and have it well set up. I shall set it up as a preamp at dome point and see what I prefer. I was getting at the fact that there’s not a hugely audible difference between DACs, other factors being equal. My preamp has the function as my audio hub.

 

[Bazzaah]

This thread is about SU-1

Yes, my point was that it is very good and audio wise is comparable with much more expensive units.

 

[Roland68]

My preamp has the function as my audio hub.

What exactly does that mean?
Perhaps you could briefly describe your setup, how you compared, and how the devices were connected.

 

[audiofromaustria]

SU-1 make a very good job, my other DAC is an Jan Meier Corda Daccord ff with 2 pieces WOLFSON WM8741 D/A converter-chip in dual-mono mode

https://www.meier-audio.de/daccord.html

Now I use mostly SU-1 - using an older Belkin USB 2 Hub with own PSU, so no power from my M1 MacMini needed.

 

[Count Dacula]

USB power from the TV is a win...

 

[maruko]

I purchased this DAC and received it three days ago.

I was excited about it. No real difference compared to my Topping D90, except maybe the psychological illusion of a slightly more “velvety” sound. But since I needed a second DAC for my headphone setup, it’s a great deal for $80.

Unfortunately, at times, I’m starting to notice strange behavior like excessively low volume and slightly distorted sound. The DAC is only three days old.

It doesn’t happen all the time. I really hope it’s not one of the more expensive components in my chain.

But I think I’ve read that several others here have experienced similar issues.

 

[SlowJim]

have never experienced issues with mine. maybe try a different power supply? the apple ones are very high quality.

 

[maruko]

I use USB input