Very nice review. I like the way you assess the performance of the SU9 by comparing it to other popular DACs. Your pronounciation is clear and very easy to understand. Keep it up, man.
I think you defo have the best DAC reviews. Really well organised and clear. I also enjoy how you describe the sound. You tell me exactly what I want to know, which is very hard to get from many professional Hi-fi publications. Thank you!
I have started using this as a preamplifier, connected to my monoblocks and its sounds really clear also powerful for its small footprint, happy with it.
Hello! I have this dac hshund and your representation of it is absolutely spot on! That's why I will only follow your reviews from now on. I wish you much health and happiness and to continue with your wonderful presentations.
This was such a wonderful review! I think you'll quickly have a lot more subscribers. I so much preferred your review to another review of the SU-9 on a channel with a lot more subscribers (yes, you: TNBG Studio). I think you answer all the questions that people who might be interested in purchasing this would want to know. You definitely sold me on the Denafrips Ares II. Bravo! Love the sincerity and enthusiasm.
I like your reviews. you give good feedback on devices and your personal opinions on the sound quality. Unlike some reviewers that asks the question " which do you prefer ? or what do you think" back to the viewers.
Wonderful review! But now, SMSL has another new product for you to take a look at: the brand new SU-8s balanced DAC! I hope you can get your hands on one for review.
Ćao @iiWiReviews! Pre svega iskrene čestitke na svemu do sada urađenom kao i na kvalitetu istog. Želim ući u audio svet i trenutno razmatram opciju za moj prvi sistem: smsl da9 , su 9n i Proac response D1 (ili Kef ls50meta). Veoma bi mi značila bilo kakva povratna informacija ili sugestija od tebe vezano za ovakvo uparivanje! Hvala unapred & keep up the amazing work! Veliki pozdrav!
How is the edginess compared to the E30? More or less? I wanted to like the E30, but ended up with the Sanskrit 10th Mkii because of the edginess of the E30.
Great review. Bought it in January too - because i wanted something to match my Pro-ject DS2B (a balanced midrange/higher end headphone amp). And as i only use headphones, i thought of it, and this review ensures me - not even going for price/performance ratio, this actually is a fantastic dac for headphone use. It maxes out/surpasses the capabilites of my midrange headphones (DT1990pro, HD660s, Hifiman Sundara). And i will stick to this combination, which plays perfect for me - and i feel, still has quality/sonic headroom/reserve, as i plan to get 1 or 2 midrange/higher end headphones later (something like Arya, Ananda, HD800s, Audeze LCD2 or similar).
Just wanted to say thank you for recommending the sanskrit. Went ahead with the stack that you recommended :) although I had to return the L30 because of quality issue (got the a50s) now. I’m now considering the su-9 Because of your detailed review 👍🏻
I just ordered the Topping 50s stack from Apos audio which comes with the A50S, D50S, and the P50 power supply. A day after my order was placed Apos contacted me and told me they were out of the D50S DAC and due to supply chain issues it would likely be at least 2 months before they could get more or they could set me up with an alternative package. They ended up giving me a Topping A90 amp and a Topping D10S DAC and knocked a few bucks off my order. I wanted a more feature filled DAC so I just ordered this today. I haven't used Topping or SMSL products before but I'm looking forward to it.
Opet odlican video.Voleo bih da vidim od tebe videe vise za pocetnike .Back to basics ... kao sklopiti sistem , opcije aktivan pasivan setup , da li strimer ili buetooth. Ima dosta mladih koji neznaju prosto uparivanje zvucnika sa pojacalom. Znam da je opsirna tema ali moze biti zanimljiv serijal. Internet je pun reviewova ali malo je ovakvih videa koji pricaju o osnovama.
@@iiWiReviews To je za nekog ko hoce da predje sa kompjuterskih zvucnika ili Bluetooth Jbl na nesto ozbiljno.Mislim da je takvih vise koji gledaju RU-vid.
Ako možeš otiđi u male dućane i pričaj s prodavačima. Ono što je zgodno ovih dana. Računalo -> DAC -> Aktivni zvučnici. Može se za relativno malo novaca složiti nešto lijepo. I ima dosta internetskih radija koji daju kvalitetan audio. Ostalo je velika avantura. S vremenom će se uši izoštriti i naučiti selektivno slušati tako da ne bih preporučio prekvalitetan Hi-Fi u samom početku. Skok nabolje da, ali ne previše jer slušatelj onda me može sve to obraditi i postaje naporno.
@@Mladenac Ali prvo svega danas je tesko i naci male prodavnice sa ljudima koji znaju nesto.Obicno su to veliki trzni centri i tamo rade ljudi koji neznaju nista.Upravo to je kombinacija koja je odlicna za nekog ko samo strimuje sa Spotify , ko nema ploce diskove .To su danasnji klinci.Ali treba da se uprosteno prikazu stvari ovako gradis setup oko kompa ,ovako je oko strimovanja i na sta obracas paznju. Ovaj youtuber Darko ima takve serijale samo su krasti i dosta generalni ali opet pokaze par varijanti.Mialim da bi iiwi mogao tubda doprinese ,a ujedno bi bilo i gledano.
@@absolutegenerique Darko je prodana priča, ima puno bolje ekipe za audio. Ako kupuješ komponente onda ih treba sparivati, kao hranu :-) Ali badave ti to ako ti zvuk nije dobar, ma koliko god bila bitna preporuka. Ima raznih foruma za Hi-Fi, na eng i na hr jezicima. Vjerujem i na ostalim srodnim jezicima hrvatskom. Ja sam svoje zvučnike kupio u jednom malom dućanu specijalizirane opreme u Zagrebu. I dolazio dosta puta na preslušavanje. Ono što je dobro nećeš kupiti u velikom trgovačkom centru. Ako hoćeš dobre i povoljne aktivne zvučnike pogledaj marku Edifier. Imaju Bluetooth prijamnik i to ti je više nego dovoljno za puštanje glazbe s računala. Većina laptopa i mobitela ima BT i youtube radi. Ne treba ti dodatni DAC, pojačalo, ništa. Ti "mali" dućani su većinom zastupnici i tamo ćeš sigurno moći i isprobati, a i dobiti dodatan popust kojeg nećeš dobiti u trg. centru.
How would you compare SU-9 to Modi Multibit, dac that you've often praised ? You point out SU-9 has punchy character with a frontal sound, without much soundstage. Could it ever sound too nervous, like Soncoz LA-QXD1? You've always described Multibit as being realistic, having space and nuance. Thx for review, was waiting for this one.
Modi Multibit sounds fuller in midrange and I think it has more believable vocals. But it's also softer with edges and transients, digs lesser amount of tiny details, and not as dynamic as SU-9. Between the two I would probably choose SU-9 (and use Rich 1 sound option that I liked) but I know some would still prefer Multibit for that unique midrange fullness. SONCOZ LA-QXD1 is clearly more analytical and edgy than SU-9 but not as punchy, so it sounds leaner and more tiring to my ears.
How would you compare Loxjie D30 to this? E30 < D30 < SU-9 I assume, but is D30 closer to E30 or SU-9? Nice review, you are great at describing sound differences. Feels like we speak the same language!
You're right, and to my ears D30 is probably a bit closer to SU-9... Unfortunately I didn't have SU-9 to compare directly so this is from my memory and compared over E30.
@@iiWiReviews Thank you. Btw, if you ever get the chance a Gustard X16 review would be very interesting. It's got 2x ES9068AS, a nice feature set, and measures extremely well. Theres basically no subjective reviews/comparisons on it regarding audio quality on the net. Have a nice day!
The description you make of the SU-9 sound signature - full bodied, energetic sound, restricted soundstage - looks very similar to the usual description of Naim products.
Thanks for the nice and trustworthy reviews you are broadcasting! Would love to see a review of SMSL SP400 and xDuoo TA-20 in combination with SMSL M400, if you have the possibility.
well..I thought this dac would be unreachable for me but saved money like crazy and I bought It.. playing with Su9 for 2 weeks since arrived and yes Its very punchy but 1.- Im not sold yet on MQA (certain albums sound great and others "meh")and Im not gonna listen to music only because certain sampling rate or codecs ..but definitely I prefer DSD and 2.- Sometimes the "perfection" of the chip sound gets boring (for me) and I miss sometimes the sound ok AKM chip on my previous Topping e30 for the "warm factor"...dont get me wrong ..This SU-9 has more fetures and better/more powerful sound ..but maybe the match with my Sony TAF707 ES amplifier gets that clarity and punch of the dac out to the speakers so well but I would need to try with a valve amplifier which I dont think I will do. Even Mp3 files sounds fine with this dac but at this point Id rather invest in other audio equipment than other dacs.
Try setting the SU-9 color settings to Rich 3, or Tube 3. I ended up settling for the Tube 3 color setting to smooth out the top end, and give a full bodied sound. I also have a tube pre-amp I am using in my rig, which was part of my rig before I even got the SU-9. I have had my SU-9 since March of this year. I was not regretting getting the SU-9, but it was not as great as I had hoped. Only up to a week ago I tried out the different settings. Now, my system sounds way better than I ever could have imagined. You can get a Tube preamp for about $42US - FX AUDIO Tube Preamp for Home Audio NE5532 Replaceable Tube and OP Amp Chip Mini HiFi Stereo 6K4 Vacuum Tube Buffer Preamplifier with Bass and Treble Control RCA Cable for Amp/Active Speaker. I have 12 of this same tube preamp. Works great. You can even swap out the opamps inside (Easy) to change the sound signature to more fit your liking. I hope this helps you! 🎶
Thanks for your detailed review of the smsl su 9, i was wondering if i would benefit if i connected this to my monoblocks instead of using my dedicated preamplifier?
Really happy with the SU-9 brings digital music to another level. Wondering how to update the USB firmware in the SU-9, have downloaded the firmware update to my Windows computer not sure how to transfer to SU-9 unit.
Great review 👍 I ready like the way you simplify your experience in detail keep it up I am a new fan. Can I ask you if the smsl m400 has the sound coloured filters as the su-9 please it would really help me finalize my decision thanks
Hey ! Very nice review ...I saw also review of SMSL M400 ... I have in my system an old DAC DA-10. Do you know it / hear it ? If you do ... could make a fast comparison with SMSL DAC signature. I'm in position to upgrade my DAC with new DSD and hirez features and that's way I ask about comparisons. Also I have in short list Topping D90. I saw you have some roundup with Topping but without D90, who is new I presume. Thank you in advance.
I bought the SU9 and was disappointed, I then bought the Loxjie D30 and did an A - B test I was so surprised how good it is for 160 Euros. Before you buy the SU9 for 400 Euros compare it to the Loxjie D30 you will not be disappointed guys. I kept the D30 and smiled :) saved 250 Euros I enjoy your reviews thx.
Great review as always. I am using HD6XX with Spotify and Tidal (90/10%), which D/A combo would you recommend? Topping D+A+P50s / SMSL SU-9+SH-9 / Schiit Magnius+Modius, thanks
Hi, I tried half of those devices that interest you. D50s/A50s is a very good combo but SU-9 sounds better (more dynamic, more punchy) than D50s. I still haven't heard SH-9 or Schiit combo so can't comment on these.
Hello all looking for an answer if one could be provided, I have SMSL SU-9 on the way, regarding the Dac Drivers, I'll be using Windows 10 USB output, question is should i download the driver for the DAC or just Plug in and let window find drivers for it?? Thanks all stay well Marc
@@iiWiReviews F.Y.I I have the latest Raspberry Pi. I also have the Topping D10s connected to the Raspberry Pi. I use the D10s as a USB transport. I then connect my SU-9 to the D10s via optical cable. I am able to playback from my Raspberry Pi without issue, and without installing drivers. I figured you already knew this. But, thought I would state this anyway for your audience to read. TY for your wonderful review.
I found using the Tube 3 setting really smoothed out the top end. I loved the sound of the SU-9, but ended up returning it due to non-functioning Bluetooth. Faulty Bluetooth seems to be a chronic issue with this DAC. I wish they would offer a bare bones version of this without BT, MQA,.......
Thanks! SU-9 sounds bolder, more punchy and energetic. It also has quite a bit fuller midrange. If used in an entry level system this might not be that important, but for any decent midrange setup, SU-9 would be clearly better.
Hello!! What do you think combining Su9 with topping A30 Pro? I personally think it's best combo under 850$ but I've no experience at all. What amp dac do you recommend (both being under 850$)?
I think it's a very good idea... And if you don't have SU-9 already, I suggest to take a look at the newer SU-9n that is both cheaper and sounds a touch better (more open) in my opinion. It just omits MQA support if that's something you can live with.
I'm very close to ordering a monoprice thx 887 amp and the su 9. Or getting the monoprice monolith 124459 dac /amp instead. Either one would be an upgrade from my topping a30/d30 stack. My a30 has a messed up 6.3mm jack anyways.
Please clarify...in your written reviews you rated the SMSL SU9 at 9.0 for sound/musicality while you rated the Loxjie D30 at 9.5 for sound/musicality....so, are you saying then the Loxjie D30 sounds better the SU9 with better soundstage, definition, etc, etc? Thanks
Please read the part about how ratings are formed on the website and it will be clearer. iiwireviews.com/scoring-system SU-9 is still a little bit better sounding device but it defends significantly higher price tag, so I'm being tougher on it.
I had two SD-9 DACs: one died after one week and the other one stopped working on Bluetooth after one year. Which is a real shame because the SU-9 sounds really good...
@@danielkowalski7527 I bought a Musical Fidelity MX-DAC... it doesn't have MQA (which I didn't need) or Bluetooth streaming, but it has a very good sound and is very reliable...
Question re SMSL dac, regarding optical input, has anyone had issues where the input doesn't make a good connection and the cable end keeps disconnecting/falling out of the unit. Been my experience.
I had similar experience with some DACs and some cables (usually older ones that have been connected and disconnected many times so the plastic is wearing slowly). Didn't notice that on SU-9 with my current cable.
There should be slight difference but not a big one. I've ordered D70s for my main system and SU-9 will replace D50s for headphones since it is more pleasant to listen. Main advantage of D70s for me is auto-stanby feature that SU-9 don't have. This is very useful in everyday life. For desk setup, it is not that important.
Unfortunately, Chinese brands have no QC , the same models could play differently if you buy now and after week, depends on worker on fabric, I suppose. No warranty at all. Buy anything expensive 100$ it's on your responsibility and pray that should work long
I've both Topping D50s+A50s+P50 and had no issues at all. Same with Topping MX3. Craftsmanship is superb and no problem with sound. I can recommend Topping to anyone. SMSL is a bit different story since some people informed of bad QC. I've both SU-9 and had zero issues but it might be only my good luck.
That is a complete nonsense. Do you even think about what you say? Bread can be different if various bakers make it, but when it comes to digital audio either it works or it dosent. Topology, implementation is the same with same model. And if it dosent work you either get new device or a refound.
