SMSL SU-2: a dumb, wasted opportunity

[MCH]

You can search @mdsimon2 posts, he ran in depth tests of setups with slight delays at different frequencies

 

[Frunse]

I guess because all DACS get his Digitalstream from one AES Card, they will all drift together when the Clockgenerator drifts on that Card.

But Sure i could do an test for an whole day or so, more makes no sense because to the End off the Day you switche all Off for sleeping

And Next day you switches it on again, didn't need to run 24/7

 

[Frunse]

You can search @mdsimon2 posts, he ran in depth tests of setups with slight delays at different frequencies

I tested 1 kHz and 20kHz Rectangel in looked for my the same, but @ 20kHz not much left off that Rectangle was more an SInwave on Outs.

 

[Frunse]

I use one DAC per Box, so Tweeter and Midth cant drift. Onyl slight drift between the 7.1 Setup off some samples i didn't think you could here it.
We talk about nanno Seconds or so. If you move a bit the Head you get also Phaseshifts in Room between the Speaker.
Thats more than some nannoseconds i guess.

So if I can't measure Phaseshifts on let say 12 hour i am absolutly fine with it, didn't think i will listen 6 Movies in a row

And RME says it should Work this way, i didn't see a problem.

The Masterclock in Studios are important to sync Video and Audio together for Recording. But sure best System would be all involved Devices are Synced by the same Masterclock Device.

Such a system would cost you around 10k i guess, Masterclockgenerator with multiple Outs cost 1300€ or so.

 

[kazuviking]

So just got my SU-2 and plugged it in via the mobos optical out and rca as the XLR cable got stuck in customs. First experience was wow the treble is way sharper and the bass is deeper. Then i looked at the spec sheet of the SU-2 and D1. Yep, the SU-2 have 300mV higher output voltage so that's taken care of.

The L and R signal detection have a -15dB limit and ofc on mine only the R one works. The signal detection led starts flashing under -30dB.

And to put roland68s soul in peace i used a plastic optical cable.

 

[Frunse]

The only thing is no Output Relais so be Carefully switch off the Amp first befor the DAC and last on after DAC or you could get loud Pop Sound!

 

[kazuviking]

The only thing is no Output Relais so be Carefully switch off the Amp first befor the DAC and last on after DAC or you could get loud Pop Sound!

There is no loud pop for me at all. The L indicator decided to start working.

EDIT: The L and R indicators flashing is so distracting and annoying. Good thing the Robin acrylic block blocks it and turns the bright af white leds into nice dim cyan one.

 

[Frunse]

I had my DAC's in Standby, switched on my Amp and than i aktiveted Dac's, again loud POP
If my Setup is build up i have an Relais based Volumecontro betweem the DAC and my Amp and the Input will on after some time til the Hypex Amp has stabilized controled by an Arduino so if i aktivate the Mains on both devices (DAC and Amp) at the Same Time thats not an Problem anymore. The Amp need longer to get Outs aktivated than the DAC.

But till than i need to be Carefully

 

[kazuviking]

Without the Robin block the leds are borderline blinding.

https://imgur.com/a/H2rHBS7

 

[Solveit]

I only see Optical led steady and locked X4 flashing.
I run software volume from windows.

 

[dasherzx]

same, only 2 lights at once. i never truly understood how to operate it though. it had sound for 80 bucks and thats all that mattered
id just put black tape...

 

[kazuviking]

I only see Optical led steady and locked X4 flashing.

That means the audio you're playing is -30dB and below aka to quiet for the dac detection circuit.

same, only 2 lights at once. i never truly understood how to operate it though.

Its the same as the SU-1 just with some ungodly wording. Hold the power button for a second it turns on/off(red led), single press changes the input. At first it will select the sampling rate with corresponding led then switches to the selected input and locked aka audio detection pin. The locked pin will start flashing if it doesn't detect audio or you're playing something quiet -30dB. The L/R audio sync led will only flash if the stuff you're listening is -15dB or higher.

 

[Solveit]

That means the audio you're playing is -30dB and below aka to quiet for the dac detection circuit.

That makes sense.

 

[kazuviking]

Played myself here. Just received the XLR cables and something seemed strange as the volume didn't change despite xlr being twice the voltage. Then remembered i have Alexcps board which converts differential to equal impedance. This took me a good few minutes to register in my brain.

 

[BenF]

Very affordable balanced dac, but SMSL strangely decided to not have usb input, by far the most popular input with tablets and pc.

But hey, it has AES that very few care.

And yes, the original SU-1 has usb.

In my opinion, this is the perfect product for many ASR users who have always wanted the MQA feature to be removed. Here, it has been removed.
In terms of features, this product is almost identical to the D-6s, although the D-6s has USB and Bluetooth inputs, whilst the SU-2 has an AES input instead.

So everyone can decide for themselves which device they prefer.

 

[Frunse]

Exactly why i was buying it, need only AES in and XLR Out for low Price! I need 8 of them for full 7.1 Setup full aktiv System LOOOL
Bought already 3 for testing purpose on 2x 3Way Speaker full aktiv.

The only thing i miss is an switchable Output Filter.

Also i will use an Relais based Volumenkontroll (symetrical) between the DAC and AMP so the L/R Led will be working right, because the Headroom of that DAC need to be full used to keep the Distortions low.

Digital Volumecontrol before the DAC used and the L/R LED won't work, Signal won't gett above -15dB point thats normal!!!

On an normal Stereo Setup you use an Preamp befor the Amp so the DAC can play full power.

 

[Roland68]

Exactly why i was buying it, need only AES in and XLR Out for low Price! I need 8 of them for full 7.1 Setup full aktiv System LOOOL
Bought already 3 for testing purpose on 2x 3Way Speaker full aktiv.

The only thing i miss is an switchable Output Filter.

Also i will use an Relais based Volumenkontroll (symetrical) between the DAC and AMP so the L/R Led will be working right, because the Headroom of that DAC need to be full used to keep the Distortions low.

Digital Volumecontrol before the DAC used and the L/R LED won't work, Signal won't gett above -15dB point thats normal!!!

On an normal Stereo Setup you use an Preamp befor the Amp so the DAC can play full power.

Which digital volume control are you talking about?

 

[Frunse]

Which digital volume control are you talking about?

let say PC based 64Bit Volumecontrol and DAC on Realtek Soundcard SPDIf Out (Windows, Linux or Mac) how you controll the Volume else there???

Or let say Camilladsp, Linux with HDMI Out (RPI5) and DAC's on DHDMI to AES Out Extractor, how you control there the Volume there???

Its all on Digital Signal Chain!! PC (Volumecontrol 64Bit) ->HDMI to AES to DAC No Volumecontrol in DAC on SU-2!!!

Also Foobar, Volumecontrol in App all Digital!!! DAC directly infront off an AMP

On this scenarios you don't need Analogue Volumecontrol at all but Digital Signal before the DAC is more silen't than or youre AMP will be on full Power wide open Like on an Digital full aktive Speaker.

How you think an Digital mixing console works internaly when you slide the Volme for each Channel!

 

[Roland68]

let say PC based 64Bit Volumecontrol and DAC on Realtek Soundcard SPDIf Out (Windows, Linux or Mac) how you controll the Volume else there???

Or let say Camilladsp, Linux with HDMI Out (RPI5) and DAC's on DHDMI to AES Out Extractor, how you control there the Volume there???

Its all on Digital Signal Chain!! PC (Volumecontrol 64Bit) ->HDMI to AES to DAC No Volumecontrol in DAC on SU-2!!!

Also Foobar, Volumecontrol in App all Digital!!! DAC directly infront off an AMP

On this scenarios you don't need Analogue Volumecontrol at all but Digital Signal before the DAC is more silen't than or youre AMP will be on full Power wide open Like on an Digital full aktive Speaker.

How you think an Digital mixing console works internaly when you slide the Volme for each Channel!

I didn't ask what options there are, but rather which ones you used.

 

[Frunse]

Ah ok, but i told above i will use Relais Based Analogue one after DAC. for now i use Volumecontrol on CamillaDSP Software 64Bit till the Relais based is done (Work in Progress)

Here my Concept for my System:


I have 6 Boards from Twisted Pair for Volumecontrol but i want it in front of my Hypex Amps so i have designed new Boards in to the AMP enclosure with 833MHz Antenna for Syncronisation Volumelevel! Alternative with Cabel and RS422 connection but i guess 833MHz will work easier.

If you move one Encoder the Amp will Send the Volumelevel add to all Amp's Syncrone The DAC is on Top off the Amp so i need only to Route one ASE Cabel to the Box and Power 230V in the Same Cable

For now i move my Houshold in to an new Apartment, if iam done with that, i can work on my Setup again

My new Livingroom concept for 7.1 Setup with some Basstraps in the Corners + 2 SUBwoofer not on that Picture for now:



My CamillaDSP Concept with RME HDSPe AES Card you can find here:

https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...or-full-surround-digital-aktive-setup.440807/