SMSL SU-9 Balanced DAC Review

[nhatlam96]

Does matching to 1/2 dB using an SPL meter count ?

I don't know about spl meters, I just know that voltage matching with multimeter works. 0.5dB is quite okay I think. I did volume matching by ear in the past, but it took me so looong.

 

[cursive]

Just got my SU-9 today, and loving it so far. Upgraded from Atom dac, and really appreciating the sound and the additional features. I have it paired with atom amp for now, as well as a VTV hypex stereo amplifier via xlr, sounds great on both headphones and speakers so far.

Couple of things I noticed vs what some others said in this thread. I noticed some people complained the display can't be turned off completely, or can't be dimmed enough for dark rooms, but mine using the brightness adjustment can definitely be turned completely off. I dimmed it all the way down, but this actually made me afraid to leave it this way, as I can't see where I'm at on the menu anymore, so how can I possibly get back to the brightness setting on the menu if the screen is black? Anyways, just an interesting thing I noticed, not sure if it's intentional or not.

 

[Pdxwayne]

I have the Node 2i but use the E30 as an external DAC. Better.

Currently this is exactly what I am doing. Node 2i to E30. : ) Like it! But still curious about SU-9, using xlr to my amp.

 

[Aardappel]

Have any of you ever seen something like this before on their SU-9?

 

[cursive]

Have any of you ever seen something like this before on their SU-9?

I just got mine 2 days ago, but haven't experienced anything like that. Maybe try turning the unit on and off, or even doing a factory reset to try and fix the display.

May I ask how it happened, or what menu you were on when this happened?

 

[Aardappel]

I just got mine 2 days ago, but haven't experienced anything like that. Maybe try turning the unit on and off, or even doing a factory reset to try and fix the display.

May I ask how it happened, or what menu you were on when this happened?

It just happened whilst playing music and changing the volume - the screen reverted after I opened the menu and then pressed back so its ok. But pretty bad programming/design if you ask me...

 

[gew55]

I heared from a dealer in the Netherlands that the SU-9 has a problem with the power transformer and it could be making a humming noise ?!
Does anybody experiencing this problem ?

 

[4udio]

I heared from a dealer in the Netherlands that the SU-9 has a problem with the power transformer and it could be making a humming noise ?!
Does anybody experiencing this problem ?

My unit does not have that problem.

 

[Dingenus]

My unit does not have that problem.

My unit also not.

 

[gew55]

Maybe the dealer said it because he didn't sell this model

 

[Yorch Hernandez]

today I got smsl su-9.
contrary to what said some amateurs on this forum there is no comparison between this dac and a topping dx3 pro v2 or ifi micro idsd.
the Dac is superior to many Dacs even at double the price.
thank you to those who were in no hurry to give me advice on this Dac and his sound.
you are very kind ,, in quotes ,,.
Bleah

Hello as you are I wish everything well.
I'm looking for your help, I have the same doubts as you about high frequencies of smsl su-9, as you found them in your smsl su9? sound weak with lack of energy? don't they have much shine?
I'm also obsessed with hearing the snare drum, in a review they wrote that the snare was scary, do you think the snare sounds harder and present in smsl su-9 than in the average dacs like the ifi micro idsd you mention?
I have RME ADI-2 dac with an educated signature, the snare case is weaker and softer than in a second generation x3 fiio DAP.
I hope you can help me with those two doubts about high frequencies and battery box in smsl su-9

 

[ninetylol]

Hello as you are I wish everything well.
I'm looking for your help, I have the same doubts as you about high frequencies of smsl su-9, as you found them in your smsl su9? sound weak with lack of energy? don't they have much shine?
I'm also obsessed with hearing the snare drum, in a review they wrote that the snare was scary, do you think the snare sounds harder and present in smsl su-9 than in the average dacs like the ifi micro idsd you mention?
I have RME ADI-2 dac with an educated signature, the snare case is weaker and softer than in a second generation x3 fiio DAP.
I hope you can help me with those two doubts about high frequencies and battery box in smsl su-9

if you dont like the RME ADI2 you can send it to me friend

 

[gtb75]

I heared from a dealer in the Netherlands that the SU-9 has a problem with the power transformer and it could be making a humming noise ?!
Does anybody experiencing this problem ?

I have a SU-8 V2 which makes a little power supply noise the first time I turn it on after connecting it to mains power. I power cycle it once and the noise goes away until I disconnect and reconnect the power again. I don't hear the noise in the audio output, only from the DAC itself. It has done it since day one, but wasn't enough of an issue for me to return the unit since it's easy to correct (just cycle the power once). I am considering the SU-9, so it's interesting to hear this feedback.

 

[Leejb1970]

I received both the SU9 & SH9 this week. I can report no noise issues and very happy with both.

 

[gew55]

I have a SU-8 V2 which makes a little power supply noise the first time I turn it on after connecting it to mains power. I power cycle it once and the noise goes away until I disconnect and reconnect the power again. I don't hear the noise in the audio output, only from the DAC itself. It has done it since day one, but wasn't enough of an issue for me to return the unit since it's easy to correct (just cycle the power once). I am considering the SU-9, so it's interesting to hear this feedback.

I ordered a SU-9. I will let you know how it works and or it has a humming noise from the Trafo.

 

[Leejb1970]

Couple of quick questions. What volume should the SU-9 be at to feed the balanced input of the SH-9? Or shouldI just fixed volume using Roon

 

[cursive]

I heared from a dealer in the Netherlands that the SU-9 has a problem with the power transformer and it could be making a humming noise ?!
Does anybody experiencing this problem ?

I've had this unit for just about two weeks, and I can report there is absolutely no noise from the unit physically, or through my headphones or speakers. Not sure if this dealer had it confused for a different product, but I haven't heard any reports of humming or power supply noise at all.

Couple of quick questions. What volume should the SU-9 be at to feed the balanced input of the SH-9? Or shouldI just fixed volume using Roon

According to Amir's measurements at 99 volume you get 5.3 volts output, which is perfectly fine to feed into the SH-9. Absolute best SINAD is just below that which gives you 4.7 volts out, and 121.6 SINAD. There is only 1db SINAD difference here 120db vs 121db between 94 or 99 volume, so honestly either way I doubt the difference is audible.

If you need 4.0 volts out exactly for some reason, which is a bit of a standard for XLR output, you can lower the volume to 94 to achieve that. This could come in handy if you're feeding a different amplifier, or other pro audio gear that is designed for 4.0 volts over XLR.

I use my SU-9 at fixed 99 volume with my SH-9 as that's easiest, and it sounds wonderful. On low gain, I seem to end up between 20-30 volume on the SH-9 most of the time with Hifiman Ananda, and Focal elex, and maybe 34-40 volume with Dan Clark Audio Ether CX. Hope that helps.

 

[elevensheep]

I heared from a dealer in the Netherlands that the SU-9 has a problem with the power transformer and it could be making a humming noise ?!
Does anybody experiencing this problem ?

i have had mine for a month, no such issues

 

[Leejb1970]

I've had this unit for just about two weeks, and I can report there is absolutely no noise from the unit physically, or through my headphones or speakers. Not sure if this dealer had it confused for a different product, but I haven't heard any reports of humming or power supply noise at all.



According to Amir's measurements at 99 volume you get 5.3 volts output, which is perfectly fine to feed into the SH-9. Absolute best SINAD is just below that which gives you 4.7 volts out, and 121.6 SINAD. There is only 1db SINAD difference here 120db vs 121db between 94 or 99 volume, so honestly either way I doubt the difference is audible.

If you need 4.0 volts out exactly for some reason, which is a bit of a standard for XLR output, you can lower the volume to 94 to achieve that. This could come in handy if you're feeding a different amplifier, or other pro audio gear that is designed for 4.0 volts over XLR.

I use my SU-9 at fixed 99 volume with my SH-9 as that's easiest, and it sounds wonderful. On low gain, I seem to end up between 20-30 volume on the SH-9 most of the time with Hifiman Ananda, and Focal elex, and maybe 34-40 volume with Dan Clark Audio Ether CX. Hope that helps.

Thanks for your reply. I'll keep it at 99 then. I've been using up to 50 on low gain with my Focal Stellia which is plenty.

 

[Lucaxxaa]

This is technical information about my desktop amplifier input:

Input Impedance: 100Kohms
Input Sensitivity: 500mV at 1KHz and 8 ohms for 100 watt output

Is right for DAC output on RCA?