SMSL SU-9n Review (Balanced Stereo DAC)

[JuggyRSA]

I bought one of these DACs and paired it with the Adam Audio T7V and to my ears it is a very good combinatrion. I use BT from a tablet or phone for Spotify. I also have the optical out from my TV connected and have a weird issue where when I switch everything on the sound cuts out 3 or 4 times in the first 3 minutes but then stabilises. This didn't happen on my Yamaha sound bar when connected the same way.

Have SMSL released a firmware update that is not displayed on their website?

 

[JSmith]

the sound cuts out

Have you adjusted the DPLL setting?


JSmith

 

[JuggyRSA]

Have you adjusted the DPLL setting?


JSmith

I have not, should I just start with a low number and carry on until I'm happy with the result? I am new to all of this DAC stuff to be honest.

 

[JSmith]

should I just start with a low number and carry on until I'm happy with the result?

Yes, lower is better so use the lowest DPLL setting that doesn't result in drop outs.


JSmith

 

[JuggyRSA]

Yes, lower is better so use the lowest DPLL setting that doesn't result in drop outs.


JSmith

Thank you, I'll give it a try

 

[krappo]

Just ordered one

 

[okok]

hey folks, any actual users around here, got a question about the setting:

there's a DPLL setting, 15 steps, my question: does this DPLL setting only available for usb input, or you can also change the dpll with spdif inputs?

thanks

 

[JSmith]

there's a DPLL setting, 15 steps, my question: does this DPLL setting only available for usb input, or you can also change the dpll with spdif inputs?

The DPLL level adjustment (if available to user selection) always applies globally, so yes all inputs. The default setting is 7 FWIR,


JSmith

 

[JuggyRSA]

Yes, lower is better so use the lowest DPLL setting that doesn't result in drop outs.


JSmith

I set the DPLL to min and have no cut outs. Thanks for the tip.

 

[okok]

I set the DPLL to min and have no cut outs. Thanks for the tip.

0 is "DPLL OFF" in the datasheet

 

[JuggyRSA]

0 is "DPLL OFF" in the datasheet

It doesn't have a 0, it goes down from "2" to "Min" at the lowest end then "14" to "Max" at the highest end. 1 is lowest and is called Min, 15 is highest and is called Max.

 

[okok]

It doesn't have a 0, it goes down from "2" to "Min" at the lowest end then "14" to "Max" at the highest end. 1 is lowest and is called Min, 15 is highest and is called Max.

datasheet of the chip, 0 to 14, 15 steps

 

[JuggyRSA]

datasheet of the chip, 0 to 14, 15 steps

Very interesting, the OSD is a bit missleading then

Thanks for the information

 

[cosmom3]

Update after owning mine for a couple of weeks now - I love it paired with the SH-9 and it actually bumps the power up to the full marketed 6Ws of power with the matching DAC.

 

[anphex]

Still very happy with this gadget since purchase. Does anyone else have the impression that the Brickwall filter has by far the most transparency or did I just a have a good mood/health for listening while switching to it ?

 

[Sp12]

Edit: replugged the wires and it works now. Sounds great

Hey all want to see if yall can help me with what im doing wrong as I cant get any sound to come out. I just got my smsl su-9u today and using a monoprice thx 887 connected to my arya's. My 887 and arya work fine as I been using them with my old dac with regular RCA cables

-Im running balanced cables from the 887 to the su-9.
-running a usb output from the snu-9 with an apple usb adapter to my iphone
-from the thx 887 im running a 6.35 cable to my arya's.

Is the issue that I need a balanced to 3.5mm cable for my arya? Im confused on how to connect the cables. I cant get too much light in my room but i'll put some screenshots here and thank you all.

(Sorry for the poor cable management im shifting my table)

 

[Veri]

-Im running balanced cables from the 887 to the su-9.
-running a usb output from the snu-9 with an apple usb adapter to my iphone
-from the thx 887 im running a 6.35 cable to my arya's.

Is the issue that I need a balanced to 3.5mm cable for my arya?

Seems fine and all outputs should be active. No such thing as a 'balanced to 3.5mm' BTW!
Seeing your edit I suppose you figured it out~

 

[nematode]

Have you adjusted the DPLL setting?


JSmith

i have my sony tv hooked up through mine as well by optical and the tv volume is def not loud enough..any ideas?

 

[JSmith]

i have my sony tv hooked up through mine as well by optical and the tv volume is def not loud enough..any ideas?

So what is your setup... are you using the SU-9n as a pre/volume control with a power amp?

If your Sony TV is newish... you should be able to adjust the output;

https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/articles/00180150

JSmith

 

[prerich]

Although I loved my Gustard x16 - subjectively there was something just to..."clean", as a friend of mine commented. I've recently moved on to the Su-9N and my question is concerning the PCM Filters available. I started off using the Brickwall filter and it did an excellent job - but it seemed that the highs were a bit cut off in the decay. I changed to the default Fast Linear filter and the highs (namely the symbols in my favorite tracks) have the proper decay. Does anyone else have a preference as to which filter they use? As far as sound color - I haven't tried that yet, as I find Standard enjoyable all by itself.