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SMSL SU-6 Review (Desktop DAC)

Curious if anyone has received one from Shenzhen Audio yet? Mine is in transit, no idea how long it might take.
I got mine today with the SH-6 headphone amp and supplied audiophile cables.
Just started to use it, plugged it into a Raspberry Pi Roon Bridge via USB, activated it as an endpoint in Roon.
So far, it is driving my BD DT770 Pro 250 Ohm headphones delightfully!
I'm checking out various different styles, lots of detail and power.
Will update more once I've used it more.
 
got mine today, placebo tells me the stereo might be narrower and harsher, otherwise no difference to su-9n
when using usb input and turning up the volume on my amp, i can hear some noise... the su-9n with its balanced connections didn't have this 'issue' (not audible at normal loudness levels)
i guess im going crazy, someone please tell me which one i should keep
 
got mine today, placebo tells me the stereo might be narrower and harsher, otherwise no difference to su-9n
when using usb input and turning up the volume on my amp, i can hear some noise... the su-9n with its balanced connections didn't have this 'issue' (not audible at normal loudness levels)
i guess im going crazy, someone please tell me which one i should keep

When u hear no real difference, then go for the cheaper device.
When the price doesn't matter - Su-9n.

For my point of view, the 9n is a awesome piece of DAC and wont gave him away.
Nearly Endgame and Bal Out make the points for me. But, i primary use Cans for listening, in this case the incredible low noise floor and perfect clean output are really appreciated.
(use before Benchmark DAC (old) and Su8, D70)
 
So I ordered mine from Shenzhen Audio on Dec 2 so shipment was to be Hong Kong to San Francisco. It left Los Angeles customs on Dec 12, so now it just needs to get from LA to SF. I just got an update from the Shop app today (six days later) that my package is at a Pitney-Bowes facility in Indiana. What??
 
SU-6 has a lot of digital PLL and filters. Which one is usually recommended for better performance?
 
got mine today, placebo tells me the stereo might be narrower and harsher, otherwise no difference to su-9n
when using usb input and turning up the volume on my amp, i can hear some noise... the su-9n with its balanced connections didn't have this 'issue' (not audible at normal loudness levels)
i guess im going crazy, someone please tell me which one i should keep
Could you elaborate further on what you meant by narrower and harsher?
 
Could you elaborate further on what you meant by narrower and harsher?
it's hard to explain or even grasp, another definition would be "more analogue or warmth" i guess, i really hate paying 130€ more for a feature that i can't even clearly hear when a-b'ing (though there is always a half second delay when i switch inputs) but this is how much the music "feels" different.
how is this even possible if my amp is "only" a da-9 ?
 
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So I ordered mine from Shenzhen Audio on Dec 2 so shipment was to be Hong Kong to San Francisco. It left Los Angeles customs on Dec 12, so now it just needs to get from LA to SF. I just got an update from the Shop app today (six days later) that my package is at a Pitney-Bowes facility in Indiana. What??
The last Shop app notification said the package is Argentina... And then it was on my doorstep.
 
Smsl doesn't release firmware update on their dac if any bugs occur u have to ship back the item to china .. unlike topping release firmware update on their dac every now and then
From the manual:
 

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So I have it running on Bluetooth but it isn't showing me the bitrate...just says Ld which I take to mean LDAC.

PS it sounds fantastic with my new JBL 305Ps in the garage.
 
it's hard to explain or even grasp, another definition would be "more analogue or warmth" i guess, i really hate paying 130€ more for a feature that i can't even clearly hear when a-b'ing (though there is always a half second delay when i switch inputs) but this is how much the music "feels" different.
how is this even possible if my amp is "only" a da-9 ?
Do you find SU-9 more analog sounding than SU-9n?
 
Do you find SU-9 more analog sounding than SU-9n?
no idea i didn't try that one
i only tried those 2 dacs and a focusrite soundcard, so better don't put too much value in my words
i can barely believe my own findings... still hoping someone else could explain what i feel.
i'm pretty sure that it's not placebo, i tried it for several hours and really want the su-6 to be equally good ...
 
no idea i didn't try that one
i only tried those 2 dacs and a focusrite soundcard, so better don't put too much value in my words
i can barely believe my own findings... still hoping someone else could explain what i feel.
i'm pretty sure that it's not placebo, i tried it for several hours and really want the su-6 to be equally good ...
Apologies for my typos.

I mean, did you find SU-6 more analog than SU-9n?
 
I ordered mine, just cleared customs at LAX! I'll be using this to run a 2.1 setup in my living room for 50/50 movies/music. It is replacing an SMLS Q5 Pro. I plan on using the optical connection from the TV to the SMSL SU-6. I'm planning on using the SU-6 for volume control. I'll run RCAs from the SU-6 to my MiniDSP 2x4 where I'll set the crossover and apply room correction. From the MiniDSP I'll run RCAs to my crown XLS1502 powering a pair of Dayton B652 Airs(for now), and to my Crown XLS2502 to power my Stereo Integrity HT18 v.3 subwoofer. Im new to this stuff, im open to suggestions and I have a couple questions.
  • Is optical the ideal connection method from TV to the SU-6?
  • Does the light link quality have a large impact on audio quality?
  • The SU-6 Appears to have 2v output, my miniDSP 2x4 is currently configured for a 0.9v input/output. Is it best to reconfigure the DSP for 2v input while the output remains at 0.9v?
  • SU-6 DPLL setting: The manual states, "When the clock stability of the input signal is not good, the sound may be interrupted. Increase this value can avoid the sound interruption! Especially when using TV as signal source!" DPLL is adjustable 1 through 9. Im not an experienced critical listener, would it be best for me to just set the DPLL to 9 and not look back, or would this setting be worth trying to find a minimum without sound loss?
Thank you for any input!
 
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