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

[Rja4000]

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

Some people are spending way more than that !

 

[Merkurio]

Some people are spending way more than that !

But not for these Chinese top-performance products.

 

[srkbear]

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.

No, it isn’t a pity. When Tidal finally dumps MQA, then it will be appropriate for manufacturers to dump the tech. I’m as resentful of MQA’s scheming as everyone else, but unfortunately Tidal has acquired a considerable number of exceptional masters in their catalogue, in quite a few instances superior to Qobuz’s. In some instances Qobuz has the superior master for some of my favorite albums. Therefore I subscribe to both services and connect to them via Roon, and add the version that sounds best to me to my library—if I can’t find any reviews comparing the two.

I know it’s fashionable to trash MQA, but I don’t blame manufacturers for including that little XMOS in their DACs and charging the extra 10 bucks. They’re making their gear capable of meeting the needs of the greatest number of users. It’s not the gear companies who are perpetuating MQA’s dominance, it’s the record labels and Tidal themselves. All I care about is getting access to the highest quality master of my music as I can.

 

[srkbear]

$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?

Honestly, are dual DAC chips and power supplies really a plus for a digital device? Topping and Gustard have produced two of the best measuring DACs on the market with a single chip, utilizing all eight channels. And why do we need dual power supplies for a device that is nothing more than a computer really, that provides no amplification? Do we need two power supplies in our laptops?

 

[Holmz]

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

What sort of music do your cats and dogs like to listen to?

 

[JSmith]

Honestly, are dual DAC chips and power supplies really a plus for a digital device?

When the PSU's are further apart one perceives a wider soundstage with more delicate instrument separation... didn't you know?


JSmith

 

[Rja4000]

What sort of music do your cats and dogs like to listen to?

The music of the food box opening.

And they are able to hear it from quite a distance !

 

[srkbear]

When the PSU's are further apart one perceives a wider soundstage with more delicate instrument separation... didn't you know?


JSmith

I keep forgetting.

 

[Gradius]

What sort of music do your cats and dogs like to listen to?

Beethoven AFAIK, and of course... food.

 

[Gradius]

$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.

I'm planning to upgrade to SMSL SU-9n. I could right now, but have other priorities 1st: new HDD, monitor, GPU, etc.

 

[Holmz]

Beethoven AFAIK, and of course... food.

^Good^!

I was thinking Mighty Mouse.

 

[Mnyb]

I think they focus is not some dudes on ASR who wants to “upgrade” every 3 month ?

But new customers buying thier first DAC . And new competive products in this space .

As almost all DAC’s you buy are good enough you only change it when it breaks or a feature you need becomes available.

I bought a topping D70 when I made a headphone rig next to my computer, my first new DAC in 15 years , so there was nothing to replace.

In my hifi I have active speakers the included DAC’s are probably ok I don’t know what they are

 

[ank spec]

I am really curious if this new dac can compete with Gustard X26 pro in terms of SQ.
Isn't Gustard employ more discrete components than SU-10?

 

[Rover]

SMSL SU-9n is a great DAC and the new SU-10 is a very much improved version of it.SMSL We added a good two power supplies for each channel as well as the correct implementation for the ES9038PRO pair.
Very similar to the Gustard X26, but twice cheaper, which is welcome.$900 is a good price for such quality.

 

[wav3form]

I really like my SMSL DO200... wondering if this SU-10 blows it out of the water or is an upgrade I won't be able to hear.

 

[Dunring]

I really like my SMSL DO200... wondering if this SU-10 blows it out of the water or is an upgrade I won't be able to hear.

I've had the ho200/do200 combo, the only audible upgrade to that DAC was the Topping a90 amp I just got in. There's really no where to go from that DAC. If you have a Springer Spaniel who listens to dog whistle quartets, or a brown bear who watches nature documentaries, maybe they would notice an upgrade.
I've hit a wall on stuff and have a Hifiman Arya coming in, upgraded from the HE-560 and it should be noticable...

 

[JSmith]

I really like my SMSL DO200... wondering if this SU-10 blows it out of the water or is an upgrade I won't be able to hear.

Yeah... nah;

DO200

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

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

JSmith

 

[Rover]

I really like my SMSL DO200... wondering if this SU-10 blows it out of the water or is an upgrade I won't be able to hear.

The characteristics of the SU-10.
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The characteristics of the SU-10 are certainly better than those of the DO 200 and they are assembled on higher-quality dacs, the SU10 dac itself is more presentable and cool, but it's not so easy to hear.

 

[wav3form]

I've had the ho200/do200 combo, the only audible upgrade to that DAC was the Topping a90 amp I just got in. There's really no where to go from that DAC. If you have a Springer Spaniel who listens to dog whistle quartets, or a brown bear who watches nature documentaries, maybe they would notice an upgrade.
I've hit a wall on stuff and have a Hifiman Arya coming in, upgraded from the HE-560 and it should be noticable...

Thanks and I've been struggling to comprehend why I should buy something like a Chord Dave over any SMSL. There has to be subtleties that drive people to spend $10,000+ on a DAC (other than aesthetics).

I'll likely just get a RME ADI-2 for the EQ section.

 

[Gradius]

Well, it looks like is out:

SMSL SU-10 DAC

16-channel flagship Delta Sigma DAC The SU-10 DAC is SMSL’s 2022 flagship Delta Sigma DAC. Utilizing two ES9038PRO DAC chips, the SU-10 boasts 16 channels and 21 op amps for an exceedingly detailed sonic experience. SMSL has designed a third generation DAC circuit for the occasion, offering an...

apos.audio

Too bad they still insist supporting that mqa-crap.