strange SMSL M500 high 3rd harmonic

[Veri]

Hi Mr SMSL-Mandy,

I'm a French customer, and I'd like to have my SU-9 unit firmware fixed/replaced.
I buy it early 2021 using amazon.fr

I am pretty sure you can have it serviced by Audiophonics FR. There is info in this thread.

 

[ABSNimes]

You're right Veri, thank you, confirmed by a quick answer from @SMSL_Mandy.
It shows SMSL EU Service Center (SU-9 trouble) to be Audiophonics.
They are qualified to perform the update.
Thanks you for your support and hint

 

[Domchuck29]

hmm ... but where did this comb around 1kHz come from?

You're right...I have no idea...

 

[chefffe]

Please, give informations about how to deal with Amazon...

Regards

Did you buy from Amazon as Seller or from Shenzenaudio as Amazon Reseller? I bought from Shenzenaudio and contacted them via Amazon after the buy. They forwarded me all the needed things and i sent the SU9 accordingly to Audiophonics. Everything worked very well and smooth ...

 

[ABSNimes]

Thank you cheffe

 

[ABSNimes]

Hi All,
I've got a replacement unit for my SMSL SU-9 from Amazon.
Now I've got a brand new unit with s/n beginning with DAC6xxxx.
This little black box is working fine by now, very nice DAC !
Thanks to @SMSL_Mandy and [email protected] for the help provided.

This SU-9 is a very good DAC

 

[Fooliophile]

Hi, a huge shout-out to @Audiophonics for taking in FW upgrades to units bought from different resellers via Amazon. Glad we have such service in EU so we are able to avoid costly shipping and cumbersome customs processes!

I too originally got the unit based on the review posted on ASR, and felt quite let down when the bug was found and no easy solution was promptly provided... Eventually, now the unit seems to be worthy again for many years to come (fingers crossed no HW faults alter that)

 

[mateoJazz]

What is the max output voltage at xlr outputs in pre AMP mode on the new firmware?

 

[BrokenOath]

I have read the whole thread and I have not seen a concrete solution to that particular problem for non-European buyers. I have just bought an SU-9 (not new for $350), and I can clearly ear an intermittent faint static noise at the left channel, and I do believe that it is related to that particular problem. I am in Canada, what tis the solution for us?

 

[Domchuck29]

an intermittent faint static noise at the left channel

Although my unit (now fixed) is an M500, not a SU-9, but they are practically the same: I do not think what you clearly hear is related to the higher distortion within the third harmonics range when the left channel is driven by itself, as discussed in this topic.

Mine had no static noise from one channel, I've read no similar feedback here.

I guess your unit (or maybe the source, the power supply or the speakers/headphones?) has an other issue.

 

[BrokenOath]

Although my unit (now fixed) is an M500, not a SU-9, but they are practically the same: I do not think what you clearly hear is related to the higher distortion within the third harmonics range when the left channel is driven by itself, as discussed in this topic.

Mine had no static noise from one channel, I've read no similar feedback here.

I guess your unit (or maybe the source, the power supply or the speakers/headphones?) has an other issue.

I have sent an email to SMSL regarding this problem, let's see what they'll come back with.

 

[Veri]

I see a whole new M500 Mk II pop up:

S.M.S.L M500 MKII ES9038PRO Desktop DAC & Headphone Amplifier

Descriptions: Ten years of ingenuity, with professional technology and attitude, present you with a high-quality auditory banquet. M5O0MKII uses the high-end ES9038PRO D/A chip of American ESS company, with the use of ES9311, ESS high-performance DAC dedicated power chip ES9311, power supply...

shenzhenaudio.com

 

[ceausuc]

I see a whole new M500 Mk II pop up:

S.M.S.L M500 MKII ES9038PRO Desktop DAC & Headphone Amplifier

Descriptions: Ten years of ingenuity, with professional technology and attitude, present you with a high-quality auditory banquet. M5O0MKII uses the high-end ES9038PRO D/A chip of American ESS company, with the use of ES9311, ESS high-performance DAC dedicated power chip ES9311, power supply...

shenzhenaudio.com

Looking very good. How many dacs has smsl in the 400-500 price range? 7-8? I lost count , maybe they did too

Now, by mistake I found something even more interesting: X18:

GUSTARD X18 ES9038PRO Digital to Analog Convertor (DAC)

Descriptions: - OLED screen has adjustable brightness, 10s automatic sleep, and any operation or display change will alarm the screen. - Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz +/-0.08dB - Line Out: Single-end (RCA) 2 5Vrms @0dBFS, Balanced (XLR) 5.0Vrms @0dBFS - XLR pinout: 1-Ground 2-Hot 3 Cold - AC...

shenzhenaudio.com

SINAD=127 ?! A new King? Is Gustard trying to upset Topping ?

 

[Veri]

SINAD=127 ?! A new King? Is Gustard trying to upset Topping ?

Well. No weighted it looks to be 123dB, which seems "on par" with the best 9038Pro implementations.

 

[ceausuc]

Well. No weighted it looks to be 123dB, which seems "on par" with the best 9038Pro implementations.

You are right. Nothing interesting then

 

[Veri]

You are right. Nothing interesting then

It's also fighting against the limits of the AP machine, so I doubt we'll ever see much better/higher unless that environment variable gets any better.

 

[BrokenOath]

Looking very good. How many dacs has smsl in the 400-500 price range? 7-8? I lost count , maybe they did too

Now, by mistake I found something even more interesting: X18:

GUSTARD X18 ES9038PRO Digital to Analog Convertor (DAC)

Descriptions: - OLED screen has adjustable brightness, 10s automatic sleep, and any operation or display change will alarm the screen. - Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz +/-0.08dB - Line Out: Single-end (RCA) 2 5Vrms @0dBFS, Balanced (XLR) 5.0Vrms @0dBFS - XLR pinout: 1-Ground 2-Hot 3 Cold - AC...

shenzhenaudio.com

SINAD=127 ?! A new King? Is Gustard trying to upset Topping ?

It would have been nice if they added a balanced 4-pins headphone connector.

 

[Ryctor87]

Hello to all!
I thought I should share this here as well.

I found an indicator of the new Firmware!

I want to thank everyone that provided support, in one way or the other, with this issue.
Hopefully this will help.
Just received word from Vendor, and my unit is new and updated with New Firmware.
I measured it, and left and right are showing equally good. so, if you have the same Version screen as
I do, with no "2020" Year, you are all set and good to go.

I hope this can help anyone trying to determine if their unit is updated or not.

The sound is detailed, smooth, not fatiguing, a lot of resolution without harshness.
Can listed for hours.
Great implementation of the ESS chip, this is end game for me.
SMSL SU-9 and SP-200, my new Monitoring setup, I want another one for the chain to AD back to the box.

Have fun and happy listening!
All the Best!
Ryctor_

 

[Laserjock]

I have a resolution to send my unit to China for repair/replacement.

Has anyone sent something to China from the USA (Texas)?

Not sure how that works.

TIA

 

[Cisco150]

Would you say this is less harsh or warmer? sound. I think I would like a warmer sound. I'm looking at this DAC the SU-9 and the SU-8S, DO200, LOXJIE D50, LOXJIE D40, M500 MK2, and the VMV D1SE or the SU-9N. I stream music with Tidal and never heard MQA but would like to have.