SMSL SU-10 - the next "best" DAC coming soon!?

[godmax]

Seems the SMSL SU-10 with dual ESS9038Pro will be released soon and might give the current top DAC list a serious competition again.
@WolfX-700 already measured it on his site - looks promising!

 

[Kitarist]

Here are the measurements from L7 Audio Lab:

Measurements of SMSL SU-10 Dual ESS9038Pro DAC-12KFixed - L7Audiolab

台式设备 话说本站上次测量双目三林还是在年初的时候测的D3，转眼间大半年过去了……前阵子SMSL联系我说发两台新机给我测量，我拆开快递才发现其中一台是老朋友（M500）的三代目，而另一台呢，就是今天的主角：SMSL SU-10

www.l7audiolab.com

 

[staticV3]

Shame that Wolf didn't use the Cosmos APU to measure actual THD+N, like he did with the D90SE.
The way it is now he's just measuring the THD+N of his APx555 over and over again.

 

[RandomEar]

Maybe in a year, SMSL DACs will finally go to 11

 

[MarcosCh]

Two usb inputs isn't common, is it?

 

[iamsms]

Two usb inputs isn't common, is it?

Not very common. I think there is one from soncoz. and the fiio k9?

Anyway, I have the SU-9, with which I am very happy. It will be interesting to see if Su-10 brings anything new in terms of feature as SU-9 already measures very well.

Although, other than built in streamer and DSP, I can't think of anything I would like to see in a dac that isn't in SU-9.

 

[UltraNearFieldJock]

Do we need really a better SINAD? I need more functions please – I’m ready to pay for it good money : 8 channels, DSP (filters, PEQ for SPL an phase = FIR + IIR), digital-crossfeed with delay…. 120 dB it’s for me enough! I don't buy a new DAC due to a few dBs! it's for me irrelevant - a new type of snake oil?

 

[Gradius]

Do we need really a better SINAD? I need more functions please – I’m ready to pay for it good money : 8 channels, DSP (filters, PEQ for SPL an phase = FIR + IIR), digital-crossfeed with delay…. 120 dB it’s for me enough! I don't buy a new DAC due to a few dBs! it's for me irrelevant - a new type of snake oil?

Actually, after 120dB only cats can enjoy something.

About the new puppy... by looking at images, price tag will likely be over $1000.

 

[UltraNearFieldJock]

I’m not an expert in the biology of dogs and cats, bat I think even they don’t have anything of a few more dB’s – only of more Hz’s .

 

[Gradius]

It's on official site now:

SU-10

Foshan ShuangMuSanLin electronics Co., LTD. founded in 2009 which located in Shenzhen, China. And our branch company VMV Technology(HK) Company Limited registered in HK in 2013. Our company is specialized in the audio DAC, stereo headphone amplifier, power amplifier, and with own R&D...

www.smsl-audio.com

It's a pitty they still support the infamous mqa-crap.

 

[UltraNearFieldJock]

Actually, after 120dB only dogs and cats can enjoy something.

About the new puppy... by looking at images, price tag will likely be over $1000.

I learned samething new: dogs hear better not only more Hz's, but a few dB's also, but perhaps not enough to have real joy with a new DAC above 120 dB and more then 1K$ .

 

[UltraNearFieldJock]

Yes, cats are the champions in hearing, they need really a better DAC!

 

[burns.simon]

I currently have a one year old Topping D90, would the differences / improvements with this be discernible to me as well as my cat?

 

[zeropoint]

Listed here: https://shenzhenaudio.com/collectio...er-support-mqa-cd-dsd512-with-remote-control?

 

[nextSibling]

About the new puppy... by looking at images, price tag will likely be over $1000.

$900
Performance wise, not sure you're going to get anything more than something cheaper, anyhow. This one is even more inaudibly improved over the last inaudibly better one? Still quite happy with my SU-8, to be honest.

 

[Sokel]

Nice to see them improved every 6 months or so (not in features thought) and at the dawn of the new AKM chip release.
The "bad" thing about it is that the reselling values of products even a year long drops like a rock.

And it's ok if it's for dacs with price tag 200 euro,no one expects to upgrade selling them,but at 900 it's a little odd for the previous owners.

I strongly feel that new "flagship" models must have way more features than the previous to feel as an upgrade and moreover,in time that the previous models have prove their value,stability,durability,performance.

It's a little odd presenting something new when you still fix problems (through firmware) of the old ones.

 

[UltraNearFieldJock]

This one is even more inaudibly improved over the last inaudibly better one?

It's the good description of the development of DAC's (by the in my opinion best hifi-tech-companies) last years. Only miniDAC is in the position to do something interesting for a real improvement of the performance our listening-setups with its FLEX?

 

[Hemi-Demon]

$900 for a dual 9038 pro dac, when those chips are now the "old model" is a bit much. The improved screen is PLUS, dual power supplies is a PLUS, dual USB inputs is a PLUS, and the improved chassis is appealing but not at this price point. Id rather they have gone for 8 channel output with DIRAC as a $200 add on.

Seriously, what is the market for a $900 dac in 2022/2023?

 

[Ctjacks336]

Visually very nice looking dac. Enjoyed my sh-8s. Wish the price point was lower though

 

[Rja4000]

8 channel output with DIRAC as a $200 add on.

That will never happen.
Dirac license alone is probably more than that.