Did run it for a week .. hoping every new session would be better.. but that never happened . Maybe I had a duff one (but that points to poor manufacture) but I did listen to just left and right .. both expressed similar traits .. not flat to my ears.
People say that the RME is neutral .. if that means the bass extension is evident and is really tight .. the mids are equisit and both male and female vocals forward of speaker plane and super crystalline highs with nothing fatiguing then yes I agree.
The su-9 was not that beast on the system .. I do hope others are finding it so as I also had aspirations towards.
All I would say is if you get the chance to try or compare the RME ... Do so (if course I think my ears are correct!).
One other thing I noticed on the su-9 is I could detect treble roll off on the slower filters (not enough to solve the problem though) but I have tested recently as having no hearing above 12khz.. does not seem to fit the published graphs?
Some things I mentioned that may be slipping through the net.
I was looking primarily for a speaker setup.
I now have speakers and a room allowing good response down too 27hz and a response above 250hz to 30khz flat to 1db .
The ad18 set flat (believe it or not) has very dynamic lively bass response in this setup (I was looking for better upper mids, highs and soundstage).
As mentioned in this setup to my ears the su-9 combo had less lively and less extended bass and overall seemed to have emphasis in the upper mids drawing attention there.. therefore at lower volumes (always a good test to find things that stick out) it seemed thin by comparison. Of course it's not tinny thin it just wasn't doing what I was used to. As mentioned I tried all filters and eq on both devices but the dynamics in the bass was not there.. not sure if it's phase then or what.
As soon as the RMA was plugged in I had it all nice and balanced more lively and extended bass with the other things I was seeking. Everything better than before.
So yes truth is had I not also ordered the RMA to try I would have sent the su-9 DA-9 back as a not satisfying upgrade .. like all the named brands I tried at this price point before it.
I also mentioned I don't rely heavily on measurements apart from my ears. I don't think there is a good measure (yet) for how the dynamics and transients are represented in real music .. I also don't believe in burn in except for speakers where the glue needs to loosen up.
I do highly reccomend the 3.1 version of ad18 at its price point .. I still think there is something in the full pulse amplifier approach (FDA) for digital listening .. why convert to analogue if you don't need to?
I am happy listening and would be pleased if the su-9 is doing what others folk are looking for. Beginning to wish I had not mentioned it on a measurement hungry forum though..
Hello There!
Wanter to follow up.
After all your thoughts, I needed to confirm and ordered the simpler ADI-2 FS, because the DA sound is the sameas DAC and Pro models, and
I need the AD for my chain,
After careful comparison and listening, I can agree to most of your observations.
I was actually comparing the SU-9 with the old ADI-2.
ADI-2 FS is another beast, including DAC and Pro.
The differences are in the borders of the shapes, in the separation of instruments, because of the more detailed sound in the RME.
SMSL, tends to soft the edges in the low mids, but makes the presentation more textured although less defined.
Both are capable of ultra detail, but RME do not softens nor impose anything in particular.
SMSL imposes weight in the low mids and the shapes are clear but not analytical, as with the RME.
Very holographic sound as every instruments occupies its own space with more authority in the ADI-2 FS.
SU-9 blends a bit the instruments, and the layers are more pronounced in texture, but not as defined in detail.
RME not bright, not harsh. Burn in made a difference after 48 hours.
The AD is beautiful, and printing projects and comparing with my other BB based AD's, the RME is a keeper, very sweet, clear, detailed and real sounding AD.
SMSL is going back, and I wanted to thank you for calling my attention to this newer RME conversion.
Still feel that the SMSL was thicker in the low mids, making the RME more neutral, for mixing and mastering duties (ADDA).
Again, thank you, and happy listening!
All the Best!
Ryctor_
