SMSL SU-10 DAC Review

[tomchris]

SINAD aside, there is much differentiation to be made yet. Technical achievement is only part of the user experience.

 

[BR52]

I believe the ES9039PRO is pin compatible with the 9038, so I am wondering why SMSL did not go with the new chip. It’s just a matter of time for ESS to ramp up production.

Hopefully 9039 has a better output stage.
Overstock? 2 for one dac.

 

[formdissolve]

Damn, and I JUST got the M400... Only reason I'd swap is the excellent performance under optical/coax compared to the M400

 

[J.S.]

The measurement results are excellent, but what about the sound?
Operational amplifiers used - 21 pieces of OPA1612. Shame, no change for the better. I don't like the sound signature of these op amps.

 

[Lupin]

The measurement results are excellent, but what about the sound?
Operational amplifiers used - 21 pieces of OPA1612. Shame, no change for the better. I don't like the sound signature of these op amps.

 

[amper42]

With the Top 20 SINAD measuring DACs all within 3dB of each other it would be nice to include feature comparisons in ASR reviews and perhaps a listening test. I have the RME ADI-2 and the D90SE. While the D90SE comes out ahead in ASR SINAD tests, I much prefer the ADI-2 for my main sound system. That lead me to realize SINAD scores play a smaller emphasis in my product purchases.

 

[Billy Budapest]

The measurement results are excellent, but what about the sound?
Operational amplifiers used - 21 pieces of OPA1612. Shame, no change for the better. I don't like the sound signature of these op amps.

If performing properly, an op amp won’t have a discernible sound signature.

 

[Geert]

Operational amplifiers used - 21 pieces of OPA1612. Shame, no change for the better. I don't like the sound signature of these op amps.

Indeed, they should have use the 1$ ne5534 opamps used in different SOTA recording consoles.

 

[Jim777]

Nice to see such high performing equipment. I'm kind of happy I can't live without the RME's loudness feature though, cause I'd have the urge to upgrade all the time!

 

[gavagai]

Lower distortion measurements are possible with an external notch filter. See Wolf's review of the Cosmos APU.

I think that that's already the case in the dashboard. As I have uderstood it, the APx555 present a synthetic view of two measurement : with and without a notch filter. This is why you can see at the same time the test signal and distortions as low as -140dB.

Am I wrong ?

 

[sarumbear]

It is a parody that we already have three poor votes…

 

[PeteL]

Oh no, a company that designs state of the art D/A converters and headphone amplifiers wants to put its product out there? There is nothing stopping other brands sending in their stuff, but they don't do that. Why? Because they have everything to lose, because their products most likely don't feature the technical excellence we expect these days. Of course there are exceptions such as RME and Benchmark, but most companies don't market their products based on performance. They prefer What Hifi to print a sponsored advertisement, sorry...meant to say review.

I don't think you got my point. Many design their products with more than just one design goal, I did not say performance is not important, but not everybody need 123 dB SINAD, In fact, who really need that?and if this is not your main focus as a manufacturer, It don't mean you released a poor product, it just mean that ASR will not be your main marketing channel.

 

[staticV3]

I think that that's already the case in the dashboard. As I have uderstood it, the APx555 present a synthetic view of two measurement : with and without a notch filter. This is why you can see at the same time the test signal and distortions as low as -140dB.

Am I wrong ?

Correct. The x555 uses an internal notch already. Still, the Cosmos APU can extend its measurement rage by another 30dB SINAD.

 

[mctron]

Ironic that we have SINAD backlash every time a new smsl or topping product is reviewed now. This is what they make!

 

[gavagai]

Ok, thanks !

 

[maxwell3e10]

The low-frequency end of multi-tone test is rather poor, in many good DACs it is all below -130dB

 

[KxDx]

One afterthought: With all due respect for the performance, the price seems a bit high, approaching RME and such...

For $1K it should have a headphone amplifier. I tip my hat to its technical perfection, however.

 

[Robbo99999]

I voted this as just "Fine", we don't need expensive over designed DACS - expensive due to the over design or their ability to eek out the last remnants of SINAD. It's probably just not a smart or necessary buy because of that, so I'm being more of a realist in terms of the voting. Of course it measures great though.

 

[xnor]

I won't hear that 0.00001% difference in SINAD. But I will see that display each time I look at the device.

I think that is a quite good description of what the audiophile hobby is for a lot of people out there.

 

[Billy Budapest]

I voted this as just "Fine", we don't need expensive over designed DACS - expensive due to the over design or their ability to eke out the last remnants of SINAD. It's probably just not a smart or necessary buy because of that, so I'm being more of a realist in terms of the voting. Of course it measures great though.

DAC performance surpassed the threshold of audibility many, many years ago. Manufacturers will continue to build better performing DACs and no one will be able to hear any differences, not only due to the DACs’ absolute performance but also particularly because downstream equipment is almost always noisier and produces more distortion. So it’s not about the ability to “eke out the last remnants of SINAD,” but rather the ability to produce gear with lower amounts of noise and distortion. In other words, what manufacturers have always done. Marketing hi-fi is often numbers-driven. Remember the 80’s when every single amplifier sell sheet proudly proclaimed its THD percentages? Same thing.