SMSL SU-2 DAC Review (NTTY)

[Roland68]

How many CD players actually output AES SPDIF? Must be able to count the number on one hand?

One is really enough, but there’s something for everyone—the PL200T, Tascam CD-6010, Sony CDP-D500, Audio Analogue AADrive, etc.; there are a few others, too.
I own two CD players with AES and one DAP.

However, with just one or two off-the-shelf boards, you can convert any standard digital output into S/PDIF (coax/Toslink), I2S, I2S-over-LVDS, or AES—even with sample rate conversion.

 

[rcstevensonaz]

How many CD players actually output AES SPDIF? Must be able to count the number on one hand?

Why the limit to CD players?

I have an RME ADI-2 Pro series interface with AES output. I use the AES output for a long run cable to my comfy listening chair, where I have a balanced headphone amp. The SU-2 is a perfect device for this audio chain — it does the DA conversion at full line-level voltage, and I then control volume on the headphone amp:

Audio Source (S/PDIF) -> RME ADI-2 Pro (AES) -> SMSL SU-2 DAC (XLR) -> Monolith THX 887 (bal analog) -> Headphones​

 

[VientoB]

One is really enough, but there’s something for everyone—the PL200T, Tascam CD-6010, Sony CDP-D500, Audio Analogue AADrive, etc.; there are a few others, too.
I own two CD players with AES and one DAP.

However, with just one or two off-the-shelf boards, you can convert any standard digital output into S/PDIF (coax/Toslink), I2S, I2S-over-LVDS, or AES—even with sample rate conversion.

Apparently you can get an external S/PDI?F-to-AES transformer/buffer module.

 

[Frunse]

look more to CD Transports like: (if you want to use external DAC)

https://www.muzix.eu/de/ONIX/MusicP...T20-Desktop-SACD-Player-and-Digital-Transport

https://www.amazon.de/Transport-CD-...jid=2166073784285425747-B0DYDXCC8V-&hvexpln=0

https://www.amazon.de/Shanling-ET3-...lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=AK1QQ82WVISVX

https://www.project-audio.com/en/product/cd-box-rs2-t/

https://www.headquarteraudio.de/produkte/jays-audio-cdt2-mk2/

 

[VientoB]

All of these are very expensive and the DAC is very cheap. It seems very unlikely that most people are going to use an SU-2 with these transports. Best value is the SMSL PT200T

 

[rcstevensonaz]

All of these are very expensive and the DAC is very cheap. It seems very unlikely that most people are going to use an SU-2 with these transports.

I'm not sure how this thread about the SU-2 has become so focused on CD transports. Perhaps this conversation makes more sense on the recent thread Recommend me a Cd player, or even its own thread?

Best value is the SMSL PT200T

Best value is ripping CDs — via the drive in your PC or any low cost external CD player attached to your laptop or Mac — using software such as DbPowerAmp, Exact Audio Copy, etc. Save the ripped audio files in FLAC, and then stream back anytime with whatever audio player you use for playing local media.

That will get you verified bit-perfect CDs using a $20 drive. And you have all of your music immediately available. And as @VientoB notes, you can use a cheap DAC such as the SMSL SU-2 in this flow... see my audio chain from an earlier post today (where my audio source is my LMS server via WiiM Pro connected to my RME ADI-2).

 

[Vintage02]

Good evening Florent,

Your tests are getting more and more comprehensive and really technically instructive. Personally, I really enjoy reading them.
I’ve noticed from several of your tests that the ESS chips bring a technical quality close to perfection and that their implementation is well mastered by the manufacturers.
But what’s left for the so-called "premium" brands??!!..

I’d like to remind you that the excellent CD that allows all these measurements is still available, but it turns out to be expensive to ship it to the USA.

 

[john61ct]

How many CD players actually output AES SPDIF?

There is no such thing, they are separate digital transport protocols.

AES3 is one, and S/PDIF encompasses both Coax (two kinds but most often RCA) and TOSlink.

SU-2 accepts three of these.

Not sure why you bring up CD players / transports specifically? This is a general purpose tool, only leaving out USB (intentionally).

My kids mess with CDs these days, and all use TOSlink (optical S/PDIF) out for those.

If you think AES3 is too rare and you don't want it, then you can just leave that port unused, or buy something else?

 

[VientoB]

There is no such thing, they are separate digital transport protocols.

AES3 is one, and S/PDIF encompasses both Coax (two kinds but most often RCA) and TOSlink.

SU-2 accepts three of these.

Not sure why you bring up CD players / transports specifically? This is a general purpose tool, only leaving out USB (intentionally).

My kids mess with CDs these days, and all use TOSlink (optical S/PDIF) out for those.

If you think AES3 is too rare and you don't want it, then you can just leave that port unused, or buy something else?

I hear what you're saying. It still seems rare to me and I'm trying to understand it.

 

[rcstevensonaz]

I hear what you're saying. It still seems rare to me and I'm trying to understand it.

What seems rare? CD players (specifically) or audio equipment (in general) with AES output?

At one end of the spectrum, AES is quite ubiquitous in professional audio gear.

At the other end, AES is indeed rare in consumer audio equipment since S/PDIF is the ubiquitous standard. But that doesn't mean non-existent; especially in the pro-sumer category of audio gear. Also, a lot of us incorporate professional gear into our home audio environments (e.g., RME ADI-2 Pro, UCX II, etc.).

So the vast majority of people buying an SU-2 will only ever use the S/PDIF (optical, coax) input. However, there are many of us who value this piece of kit because it does include an AES input; for the same reason I value my TOPPING D90 which also has AES input.

 

[Herbert]

How many CD players actually output AES SPDIF? Must be able to count the number on one hand?

My Sony CDP-X5000. But frankly I never used it. Signal is absolutely the same, besides levels. As a gimmick, you can switch the output off, which is nonsense. But gives the consumer the impression to deal with highly professional gear…

 

[Vintage02]

Old Micromega DRIVE1 & DRIVE2 have AES/EBU output

 

[Frunse]

I'm not sure how this thread about the SU-2 has become so focused on CD transports. Perhaps this conversation makes more sense on the recent thread Recommend me a Cd player, or even its own thread?


Best value is ripping CDs — via the drive in your PC or any low cost external CD player attached to your laptop or Mac — using software such as DbPowerAmp, Exact Audio Copy, etc. Save the ripped audio files in FLAC, and then stream back anytime with whatever audio player you use for playing local media.

That will get you verified bit-perfect CDs using a $20 drive. And you have all of your music immediately available. And as @VientoB notes, you can use a cheap DAC such as the SMSL SU-2 in this flow... see my audio chain from an earlier post today (where my audio source is my LMS server via WiiM Pro connected to my RME ADI-2).

That what i do with all my Media for long time now, buy a CD, rip it (Exact Audio Copy), put it on a NAS and a copy to an internal SSD Drive of an RPI5 or USB Drive (Mediaplayer) , my NAS isn't realy silent so i like it on an SSD Drive to .

But i was only pointing Out that you don't need to buy a CD player if you wan't to use an external DAC, there are plenty Transports Out in all Price ranges.

 

[rcstevensonaz]

That what i do with all my Media for long time now, buy a CD, rip it (Exact Audio Copy), put it on a NAS and a copy to an internal SSD Drive of an RPI5 or USB Drive (Mediaplayer) , my NAS isn't realy silent so i like it on an SSD Drive to .

Yep! My approach would also be to rip to a NAS (ideally running ZFS with ECC memory) — sitting in a different room — as your master store for avoidance of bit rot over decades (and the ability to retrieve anything you accidentally delete). Then copy or rsync to an SSD locally for the room you are in.

For what it is worth, my NAS (headless Debian server) is very loud since it runs as a VM on a Xeon-based 4U server with lots of cooling fans and 12 to 20 spinning hard drives. Essentially, a server grade computer that belongs in a computer rack in a server room. For obviously reasons, that machine sits in a different room far away from my home office; but I have no need for it to be in the same room since it is still on my home network. If that wasn't the case, I'd be updating to a local SSD just like you .

Edit to bring this back to SMSL SU-2 DAC: it is the perfect device to sit in such an audio chain where we have already ripped the audio media and are using a network streamer such as WiiM Pro that does not have balanced audio output.

E.g.: NAS -> LMS Server (Debian headless) -> WiiM Pro (optical out) -> SMSL SU-2 (XLR)-> stereo mixer (XLR) -> ADI-2 Pro -> speakers.​

 

[Roland68]

I'm not sure how this thread about the SU-2 has become so focused on CD transports. Perhaps this conversation makes more sense on the recent thread Recommend me a Cd player, or even its own thread?


Best value is ripping CDs — via the drive in your PC or any low cost external CD player attached to your laptop or Mac — using software such as DbPowerAmp, Exact Audio Copy, etc. Save the ripped audio files in FLAC, and then stream back anytime with whatever audio player you use for playing local media.

That will get you verified bit-perfect CDs using a $20 drive. And you have all of your music immediately available. And as @VientoB notes, you can use a cheap DAC such as the SMSL SU-2 in this flow... see my audio chain from an earlier post today (where my audio source is my LMS server via WiiM Pro connected to my RME ADI-2).

That may be the best method for you, but for many others, it simply isn't.
They want to put a CD into their CD player and play it; for these people, ripping is of no interest whatsoever.
The fact that more and more new CD players are being released—combined with the rising prices for used units over the years—speaks volumes, just as the sales figures for physical media (CDs and vinyl records) do; these account for approximately 22.5% of total music industry revenue (including streaming).
People who continue to use—and want to use—physical media are therefore definitely not a niche market.

 

[rcstevensonaz]

People who continue to use—and want to use—physical media are therefore definitely not a niche market.

Never said they were a niche... as you note, they are the majority. And surprisingly, there seems to be a resurgence of love for physical media (with CD now being the object instead of LPs).

I only expressed an opinion in response to a Best Value statement, noting that a $15 CD caddy (from 20 years ago even) in your PC is sufficient for perfect audio.

 

[Herbert]

But you need the time for ripping. And I prefer to rip at low speed with up to 99 retries if an error occurs. (XLD) So about 800 CDs, they will take up to 800 hours…

 

[Roland68]

Never said they were a niche... as you note, they are the majority. And surprisingly, there seems to be a resurgence of love for physical media (with CD now being the object instead of LPs).

I only expressed an opinion in response to a Best Value statement, noting that a $15 CD caddy (from 20 years ago even) in your PC is sufficient for perfect audio.

If you don't quote my post in full, you're taking it out of context.
My point was that ripping is the best method for you, but not necessarily for others.
The rest just served to confirm that movement, and that is clearly evident.

I didn't say anything at all about the actual process of ripping.

 

[Frunse]

But you need the time for ripping. And I prefer to rip at low speed with up to 99 retries if an error occurs. (XLD) So about 800 CDs, they will take up to 800 hours…

Yep if you start from scratch with ripping, it took me 2weeks or 3 to get my first 200CD to NAS (Also geting all Cover Picture) but after this, i do it directly after purchsing an Media, not an big deal than.

If People have already an Nas for his other stuff it's not an big step tho, also you could put it on an external USB Drive and make an Backup of it.

Also nice to have for Caraudio and Travelaudio (Phone or so). I use an USB Stick in my Car.

 

[trevor_bartram]

Any DAC featuring a reasonably good DAC chip—which applies to all chips from AKM, ROHM, and ESS—outputs both normal and inverted signals for each channel, utilizing a dual op-amp for filtering and buffering.
This holds true even for SMSL’s €75 single-ended DACs.

Exceptions might include very cheap DAC boards or generic, no-name devices.

For balanced TPA3255 or TPA3251 amplifiers, you can use any balanced DAC with integrated volume control; however, for units like the 3E Audio A5 or A7, this is neither necessary nor advantageous, aside from providing remote control functionality.

Regarding DACs, I recommend models with analog volume control—such as the SMSL D200—or those with relay-based volume control.
Alternatively, the RME ADI series comes highly recommended.

Does anyone know of a TPA3255 based fully balanced digital integrated amplifier with optical, coax, USB inputs, analog volume control (stepped or conventional) & remote control for input selection & volume?