SMSL SU-1 DAC sound impressions and 3 options for best set up. Video Chapters 0:00 Introduction and overview. 1:00 Power supply. 1:22 Set Up 1. 2:00 Set Up 2. 2:38 Set Up 3. 3:30 Conclusion and wrap up.
I have had this DAC for a bit, I was going to send it back to Amazon, but it is so inexpensive I kept it. The sound over my previous gear was rather veiled and congested sounding. Well, I broke it out to experiment with my new ToneWinner AD-2PRO+ integrated and was quite honestly blown away at the sound quality this was producing. It reminded me quite a bit of my Denafrips Ares II. It was not as good as the one in the integrated, but it was darn close. I also have a PS Audio and Bel Canto DAC here, and again this little SU-1 is very impressive with the right gear. Gear that is not so warm sounding, and I cannot even remember what I had in here... I go through a bit of gear.
Could you tell me what converter you use bet. PC USB port and SU1 RCA (coaxial)? Thank you. Also, what specific LPS model (wattage?) you had on the desk?
so i got a MAcbook pro 2010 where it serves as my DJying source with iTunes, then a Mixer and from here it connects to 4 speakers. What is your thoughts about HOW to use this DAC having this set up ? I mainly play old Tango songs to big room audiences (Milongas)
I have a lg v60 phone and I'm going to get a liquid spark amplifier. Can i use the smsl su1 together using what cables a little help here im new to the audio hobby?
Have you tried different USB power supplies? I've had good luck with genuine Apple & Samsung phone chargers? Have you tried a several turns of the USB cable wrapped on a common mode choke* (plastic cased split ferrite core)? *the choke prevents high frequency common mode noise from your AC mains being injected into your system.
I have tried an Apple phone charger but I preferred the sound of the DAC using the LPS. In general I have always found an LPS improved the sound of a DAC considerably more than a SMPS.
The reason for my second suggestion is, an internal view of your LPS shows a common mode choke on the AC side of the LPS' transformer. In my system I use common mode chokes on the DC side of my streamer, DAC & CD player. Cheap & worth a try.
If you can pick up a linear power supply or even one of the battery 5v power supplies, you will be rewarded. This little DAC is worth the purchase, as the power supplies are more than likely going to cost more than the DAC itself.
Yes I was using the Rotel RCD 965BX. I will be trying another CD used as a transport soon. I believe the best CD transports help improve the sound quality a little more.
@@andrenunes2583 That's because the RCD-855 is much better utilizing a Philips TDA1541 DAC and not the bitstream DAC in the 965. And I'll bet that the RCD-855 outperforms the SMSL SU-1 DAC. Just more Asian junk, flavor of the month stuff that gets ballyhooed on Amazon. It's interesting when discussing how to build a cd player with the best engineers on the subject, everything matters, like a turntable design and that certain chips were great from the get go, the TDA1541a prime example. The designer of the Ypsilon CDT-100 said if the 1541 were still available, he would be using it, and called it the best most organic sounding DAC ever made. Now that's just one example.
