So this method is safer than providing both data and power directly to the SU-1 via USB؟
I have an original Huawei charger that outputs 5V 1A. Is that suitable?
-
Welcome to ASR. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!
SMSL SU-1 Stereo DAC Review
- Thread starter amirm
- Start date
I have an original Huawei charger that outputs 5V 1A. Is that suitable?
It depends on the DAC, but I can’t tell you with this DAC in particular. There have been DACs in the past (that I’ve owned) that can be disturbed/noisy/malfunction due to noise coming through a USB cable from a desktop computer.
I'm a bit confused
I meant in terms of device stability and longevity. Wouldn't it be better with a separate charger?And don't you have any opinion about the charger I mentioned to you? Do you think it's suitable?
Sorry, I don't have information/data to form a well-founded opinion on device stability or longevity when using different power sources. The SU-1 is a reputable device with a well regarded XMOS USB chip. Hooking it up to the computer either way will probably work just fine. I don't have any information on that particular Huawei charger either, other than that it looks suitable. So I can't tell you more than I've said above.I'm a bit confused
And don't you have any opinion about the charger I mentioned to you? Do you think it's suitable?
Mine has been working fine for years from a mini pc through USB using the standard data/power connection. Music is playing almost every day. Best $57 (sale price) I ever spent.
Arrived yesterday and already put it to the test: amazing, marvelous, it's incredible how such a small DAC can deliver so much detail, instrument separation, deep bass, and musicality.
Connected to my laptop with the foobar2000 using the supplied USB cable to a Pioneer amplifier, it transformed the audio with an incredibly satisfying sound.
I only have one worrying fear: having to extend either the RCA or USB cable, it'll be harder to find a USB data cable. These days, you can only find USB 3 fast charging cables for cell phones. What should I do? Extend the RCA cables?
Let's hope this gem lasts.
Connected to my laptop with the foobar2000 using the supplied USB cable to a Pioneer amplifier, it transformed the audio with an incredibly satisfying sound.
I only have one worrying fear: having to extend either the RCA or USB cable, it'll be harder to find a USB data cable. These days, you can only find USB 3 fast charging cables for cell phones. What should I do? Extend the RCA cables?
Let's hope this gem lasts.
If I may, what mini PC do you use?
I was thinking of doing the same thing, since I also have SMSL SU-1.
I have a Beelink. There are many companies that make these and they are probably all basically the same. Not sure about current prices but mine was pre tariff, and cost $279 US. There's also lots of reviews online for these devices. To find some for sale just go to Amazon or similar and search mini PC.
Two Caveats: If you are going to store local tracks, make sure you get a big enough hard drive. Also make sure it has some form of remote desktop function if you need that-my unit is hidden away but I access it from my laptop with windows remote desktop.
Thanks for the info
ah, for this reason, some apps like volumio or foobar2000 also allow you to control it from your smartphone.
Remote control might not be the same as access. I use LMS- lyrion music server and there are a number of remote control apps for the software. However you need to control the PC itself, for at least set up, but also for any updates and to interact with your local library if you have one, and if you need to restart etc. just keep that in mind. There may be other ways to accomplish this and I am basing this on my own use case.
It's been about two weeks since I received the SMSL SU-1, and I've been listening to music with it every day. Unfortunately, I haven't noticed any improvement or change in sound quality compared to the onboard audio of my ASUS A520M-K motherboard. I'm using the same RCA cable with both sources, and my amplifier and speakers are good enough to reveal the quality of a DAC. So I'm not sure—maybe I'm just mistaken. I have very sensitive hearing, and if there were a noticeable difference, I'm sure I would have heard it.
Bleib
Major Contributor
- Joined
- May 13, 2021
- Messages
- 3,877
- Likes
- 9,688
Quite often the limitations lie elsewhere, recording quality, rooms and loudspeakers
This is…to be expected? Unless there was some electrical isolation problem with your motherboard.
Your motherboard may already have a quality onboard DAC. In the old days, things like Dell business laptops (I'm talking Latitude D-series, circa ~2005) had really scratchy audio outputs that would turn musical notes played by a French horn or trumpet into scratchy, grainy beats that were easily audible through a decent pair of headphones. Nowadays, many motherboard manufacturers have improved their onboard codecs, and it's not so cut-and-dry that an external DAC will make an audible difference.
flac 16 bit and 24 bit
so there is no difference between them?i'm really disappointed...
Yeah, my motherboard's onboard DAC isn't bad, but it's not exceptionally good either. At the very least, I expected there to be some noticeable difference in sound quality between the two.
Apparently something must have triggered you to "upgrade" to the SMSL? Curiosity?
Edit: nevermind, you answered it already. However, what does this mean: "onboard DAC isn't bad, but it's not exceptionally good either"?
Honestly, I'm starting to think that a DAC doesn't make any difference to the sound at all, as long as it's competently designed. It feels like all these different DAC models are mostly made for marketing purposes, with companies claiming they improve soundstage, imaging, and other aspects of the sound. Were all those claims just marketing hype?
What convinced me to buy this DAC was all the positive reviews and the praise I had heard about it. I don't have much personal experience with DACs. A lot of people said that the input and output circuitry of each DAC is different and that it has a significant impact on the final sound quality. However, I honestly couldn't hear any difference between my motherboard's onboard audio and the SMSL SU-1.
If we are talking about a well designed DAC and electronics (and no audible distortion), it's hard to find meaningful differences. Marketing is a big part, imo, yes.
