SMSL SU-1 - THE Affordable DAC

Рет қаралды 17,997

Жыл бұрын

SMSL SU-1: amzn.to/3otOQss
Sony NW-A105: amzn.to/3y4xPH2
Cleer Audio Next: amzn.to/3PxsZbp
Apos Caspian: apos.audio/products/apos-casp...
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Austrian Audio Hi-X65: amzn.to/3ktkb9y
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Beyerdyanmic DT880: amzn.to/2Ljoi9K
Beyerdynamic T1 2nd Gen: amzn.to/3bnYsMa
Sennheiser HD650: amzn.to/36JtqMj
Avantone Planar: amzn.to/3iPD4R9
Audio-Technica ATH-R70x: amzn.to/2GcS6m6
Audeze LCD-1:amzn.to/2S9DiXE
Sivga Phoenix: amzn.to/35WkNy3
Final Audio B2: amzn.to/3nhGwWY
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Tin T2 Plus: amzn.to/37V2poQ
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TIME STAMPS:
Features & Build - 1:05
Testing Parameters - 2:34
Test Results - 4:39
Value & Conclusion - 9:32
MUSIC USED:
Losing My Mind - NEFFEX
No Turning Back - NEFFEX
All My Thanks - Read Mathis
Sunshine - The Mini Vandals
Stacy and George - The Mini Vandals
Bright Eyed Blues - Unicorn Heads
This Is Not A Christmas Song - NEFFEX
Wrong - VYEN
Scanline - Mike Relm
We March Together - Patrick Patrikios
Good Times - Patrick Patrikios
Running Out - Patrick Patrikios
Chilltronic - RKVC
Dove Love - Quincy’s Moreira
Auld Lang Syne - DJ Williams
Ince & Fire - King Canyon
******
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Twitter: @NoThemeReviews
My test playlist: open.spotify.com/playlist/5Bo...
Mountains: • Hans Zimmer - Mountain...
Pure Water: • Mustard, Migos - Pure ...
Want You Back: • HAIM - Want You Back (...
Angel: • Massive Attack-Angel (...
Scherzo for X-Wings: • John Williams - Scherz...
Heartbreak: • Kris Cerro - Heartbrea...
When You Walk Into The Room: NA
Dreamer: • Charli XCX - Dreamer f...
Superposition: • Young the Giant - Supe...
Flight From The City: • Jóhann Jóhannsson - 'F...
A Thousand Years: • The Piano Guys - A Tho...
The Only Thing That Matters: NA
The Runners: • The Naked And Famous -...
Moons: • Moons
Drum Solo: NA
Ignite: • Ignite
Kalypso: • Sorrow - Kalypso
Tomorrow: • Daughter - "Tomorrow" ...
Natalie: • Milk & Bone - Natalie ...
New Light: • New Light
Firefall: • Bjear - Firefall
The Big Ship: • The Big Ship (2004 Rem...
Familiar: • Agnes Obel - Familiar
Why Am I Like This: • why am i like this - o...
Some Music By: www.bensound.com
#headphones
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#microphone

Пікірлер: 93

@Emmanuele_Valente Жыл бұрын

Ho acquistato questa meraviglia qualche mese fa e mi trovo benissimo! È davvero sorprendente per qualità, costo e semplicità di utilizzo! 🎉

@DacMaster Жыл бұрын

Thank you for photos inside!!! ❤

@georgebogdangrigore3882 Жыл бұрын

Great review as always!Thank you!

@corumuk67 2 ай бұрын

A nice down to earth assessment. I've been tempted to buy a newer DAC with a Sabre or AKM chip but the more I look, the more I think my 14 year old DAC Magic Azur with its outdated Wolfson chips are probably still just fine.

@chuckblank9063 11 ай бұрын

My S.M.S.L. SU-1 has given beautiful life to my two year old Koss Pro AA. They have full frequency response and a wider soundstage. Clear, full sound!

@gprider1525 11 ай бұрын

I picked up one of these a couple weeks ago to be used in a mancave set up as i'll be swapping out various amps & cd player etc. from time to time, works a treat. Compared it briefly to my mojo, no noticeable difference.

@stephengriffin1541 7 ай бұрын

Very well made, articulate and informative video. I have been a confused “audiophile” for many years and it’s nice to hear a grounded opinion every now and then to help me avoid an unnecessary purchase. 👍🤔🎼

@carminedesanto6746 Жыл бұрын

Good morning from Toronto ☕️ Just picked up the Topping E 50 …and it’s pretty good 👍 Great video.

@IvanITpro Жыл бұрын

Returned my e50, was OK. Had to use a power bank for it to sound it's best, got tired of charging it, so stupid it's not plug and play. It's plug, try this power adapter, this supply than maybe a battery!? No thx, I'm not paying $200 to be an engineer for them.. ;)

@carminedesanto6746 Жыл бұрын

@@IvanITpro I just bundled it together with an IFI power supply…and it’s damn good.

@gdemirjian Жыл бұрын

I went for the SMSL C100 for a few more dollars so I can see the sample rate. Love your videos. Thank you!

@SmileyD1125 Жыл бұрын

I think you'll be quite interested in the Tempotec Serenade X. It works as a dac, dac/amp, streamer, bluetooth receiver AND a bluetooth transmitter. It truly is an all in one box. It is also on the affordable side of things considering its many features.

@glennclark6235 11 ай бұрын

I cant get my su 1 to connect at all to my small tube b.t module...either im dumb or got a bad unit

@RWmHII Жыл бұрын

Thanks. I wish I hadn't purchased the PO100 for around the same price a few months ago. SMSL is constantly cranking out variations.

@kenl2861 3 ай бұрын

Awesome, no nonsense review. Perfect!

@monterok006 8 ай бұрын

Can i use this with iphone via usb c to lightning cable?

@bentobox3140 10 ай бұрын

Do you test for hiss through USB connection? For example my ifi Zen Dac is ok through usb. No hiss or noise floor. But adding 5V DC power into the Zen Dac introduces noise floor. Same with zen can air. If you add power from mains outlet you get noise. With some dacs and amps I found them to have no noise floor. With others, the moment you add USB in power or DC power you get noise

@seanb3303 Жыл бұрын

Have you been able to discover differences between amplification?

@RetroGCo. Жыл бұрын

i linked this video in my channel ... TY !

@professionaloverthinker-x 6 ай бұрын

I know they both are different, what should i get - this or aiyima dac-a2

@RoyFJ65 8 ай бұрын

After my Sanskrit MkII died, the SU-1 provided me with a perfect replacement, one that matches of surpasses DACs worth much more.

@dbnpoldermans4120 3 ай бұрын

Does the SU-1 turn on when a powered usb cable is inserted? Or does it need to turn on with a button press? Does it remeber the last used input the next time a power is fed to it? I really do not want to turn on one million devices in the studio every time the power is turned on in the studio

@rajmangalpandey3910 7 ай бұрын

Should i get su 1 or soundblaster z se?

@crew4906 Жыл бұрын

Hi, SMSL SU-1 or TOPPING DX1?

@Arashi_Tsunade Жыл бұрын

Support USB UAC 1?

@purpasmart_4831 Жыл бұрын

This paired with a Sabaj a10h is crazy value. You are getting world class performance for around $160!

@jawileth5412 Жыл бұрын

Recently ordered the a10h for my record player! Might have to add this as a digital source! Don't know how anyone can reasonably justify spending more unless you absolutely need balanced for the power.

@steadisteve Жыл бұрын

would you buy a dac like this when using a WIIM pro streamer? would you hear any diff going out the RCA's on the WIIM vs going out the optical to a dac and then to an amp or receiver?

@NoThemeReviews 11 ай бұрын

If all you need is a basic dac for your streamer, then sure. Any dac will do just fine. I can't tell you without doing a proper A/B test whether there's any difference between your streamer vs dac; but, frankly, whatever differences MIGHT be present aren't going to be significant.

@jayem1826 10 ай бұрын

I connect my WIIM PRO to 3 different DACs and that's much better than using the internet DAC. And yes, they all sound different.

@gino3286 10 ай бұрын

Hi thank you for the very valuable review I wonder how the different digital inputs perform Is one better than the others?

@NoThemeReviews 10 ай бұрын

No, they all send digital signal. The only possible difference is that one type of connection may support a higher sample and bit rate, which makes no difference if you’re only listening to CD quality resolution.

@gino3286 10 ай бұрын

@@NoThemeReviews hi thank you very much for your kind and very valuable advice I have ordered one unit arriving this weekend I will be using the optical input at first then i Will try the others In the past I have got decent results with a cheap USB to spdif converter to DAC But I would like to keep the audio chain as simple as possible

@Rodnickeyyy 9 ай бұрын

Hi! Will it work with Active speakers? E.g. Klipsch the Fives? Would there be a noticeable improvement? My current setup is AppleTV4k->TV>[possible DAC]>Klipsch The fives.

@NoThemeReviews 9 ай бұрын

Yes it will work with active speakers.

@JM-ib9kb Жыл бұрын

Looks like a nice design, but the Lelon caps in the build kill it for me. I just replaced bloated Lelon PS caps in my sub!

@fritzkabeano1969 Жыл бұрын

Yeah, using those to save $2 is a joke

@monterok006 8 ай бұрын

Is it compatible with IOS??

@jonaslundberg5388 5 ай бұрын

Spot on. Focus on a rigg with 100% symbiosis , then pretty much any dac will do..

@arvin4287 Жыл бұрын

Could you recommend a headphone amp to partner with this dac?

@NoThemeReviews Жыл бұрын

Pick any that fits your budget. Schitt makes some very good amps.

@TheRealPodgy Жыл бұрын

I have the Fosi Audi dac q4. Would the SU-1 be worth upgrading to?

@NoThemeReviews Жыл бұрын

Not really. Unless you need what the SU1 offers in features, save your money.

@TheRealPodgy Жыл бұрын

@@NoThemeReviews txs!

@harisjaved1379 Жыл бұрын

Almost all dacs sounds same, I used to think that until one day I compared my EL-DAC to IFI micro iDSD. Something is way way way off there. Even level matched the IFI unit has less detail but more bass. You should buy the IFI unit and test it out.

@NoThemeReviews Жыл бұрын

I made a few videos about iFi. Yes, they generally have a different tuning, and it’s in bass. It’s nothing like night and day, the music is somehow more dynamic than ever before, but it might be noticeable, depending on track, headphones, and volume.

@hernanaqp25 Жыл бұрын

Please, review the Focal Elex :)

@NunkaOlvidar 2 ай бұрын

Good review... Those first comments with golden ears, hilarious and funny. They are mad by facts.

@multicyclist 4 ай бұрын

Thank you! The only substantive review I could find was yours. It does what a DAC should do well (great SNR, low distortion, flat frequency response) to produce an uncolored audio signal and has the codecs I need and want. It will do what a DAC is supposed to do. For my requirements, it is a no-brainer, I ordered one. Audiophiles are generally clueless about audio, physics, electronics, design, common sense, and reality so I don't listen to them.

@carlsitler9071 Жыл бұрын

I use my Sanskrit 2 daily and the only thing I don't like about the SU-1 is the single USB for power and data. The Sanskrit has two USB inputs so it won't drain my phone. I just wish the Sanskrit remote worked right.

@hixyhicks Ай бұрын

Silly question maybe ? I have a 10 year old dac which I use at the moment .Would buying this not make a difference ?

@NoThemeReviews Ай бұрын

Depends on your Dac. If your Dac exhibits electrical fault or doesn’t support resolution of your highest quality music files, then yes a new Dac would be an upgrade.

@hixyhicks Ай бұрын

@@NoThemeReviews Thank you .

@qddk9545 Жыл бұрын

For sure the analog stage has the most impact on the sound in a DAC. A lot of vendors use 1 or 2 5532 op-amps in the output stage, because they are dirt cheap, and that will ruin every output stage, be it in a DAC or else were. The chip is 50 years old, and it was good compared to others when it came out, but not anymore. And there is no point in starting a discussion on that. Everyone who has made serious measurements on a 5532, and more important: listened to it, will know it should never be allowed in serious HiFi equipment. So I would have loved to know which op-amp is in this DAC.

@eprpop Жыл бұрын

It depends on the implementation. Opamps alone are not that important.

@qddk9545 Жыл бұрын

@@eprpop It also depends on the quality of the op-amps, that is for sure.

@arnaudmarie2892 11 ай бұрын

LME49720

@qddk9545 11 ай бұрын

@@arnaudmarie2892 LME49720 are obsolete, but LM4562 are almost the same, and sound very good, if you are not willing to use discrete ones.

@nicktan4530 Жыл бұрын

How do you compare this with denafrips Aries and matrix elements dac ?

@ufopulse Жыл бұрын

lets just compare a ford fiesta to a lambo.. nice one

@nicktan4530 Жыл бұрын

@@ufopulse In sound

@1abdotheproducer Жыл бұрын

Let's compare it to dcs bartok

@nicktan4530 Жыл бұрын

@@1abdotheproducer Except tht nobody can afford it. Only rich people. Not sure if NTR will see our reviews, he always miss our comments as well.

@IvanITpro Жыл бұрын

Silence... 😅

@harukodsp 3 ай бұрын

I could definitely hear difference between D30 pro vs E50. Me and my friend were abing both devices and we came to a same conclusion. D30 pro was more mid forward and e50 had less mid. We both liked e50 more. The only explanation is either a30 pro was faulty or there was a difference. This was not night and day difference mind you it was more of like when you add 0.5dB peak to upper midrange somewhere between 1k to 2k region. Test was done on Adams active speakers

@Budfrog23 Жыл бұрын

I really like your 'down to earth' review of this DAC. I have rarely seen any blind testing of DACs on KZfaq - I wonder why that is?

@NoThemeReviews Жыл бұрын

Funny, isn't it? They spend thousands on dacs (or get them free, depending on the size of the channel), and can't figure out how to cobble together a basic A/B rig. Too busy regurgitating audiophile myths, I suppose.

@crazyprayingmantis5596 Жыл бұрын

Its because people don't want to embarrass themselves when the curtain is removed and they find out they like the $80 dac over the 2k one

@Budfrog23 Жыл бұрын

@@crazyprayingmantis5596 That's it in a nutshell - I often think that people would be better served investing in better speakers than looking to their DACs. If I were looking for an external DAC I'd certainly consider the SMSL SU-1.

@minnami778 10 ай бұрын

When I wanna listen to some story telling when I am around the house or cooking, I look for Dac review on KZfaq. It's very resolving 😂

@Meerlu Жыл бұрын

does it auto switch/detect inputs?

@NoThemeReviews Жыл бұрын

No you have to use the selector

@Meerlu Жыл бұрын

@@NoThemeReviews Thanks for the reply :)

@FabioKasper Жыл бұрын

PROZOR is my budget DAC. 😅

@familyng7223 Жыл бұрын

Yes, PROZOR dac01 is a nice dac.🎉

@NoThemeReviews Жыл бұрын

Goldensound apparently really hates it.

@hifirulezzz 7 ай бұрын

All DACs sound differently. Some sound simple and flat, and others provide a good sound stage or better resolution. The problem is only with what equipment you use to listen...

@NoThemeReviews 7 ай бұрын

Typical audiophile nonsense. You Dac fans have had decades to prove this claim and never have. Come up with a repeatable, consistent test that can be replicated by anyone else that proves your claims.

@hifirulezzz 7 ай бұрын

@@NoThemeReviews The only nonsense here is your stubborn opinion. OpAmps, Capacitors, Digital filters, everything affects the sound. However, you will never learn this using $100 speakers.

@NoThemeReviews 7 ай бұрын

Once again, repeating myths isn’t proof of anything. Funny how you Dac fanboys can hear digital filters that are active above the human auditory limit. If you guys put your effort into making a repeatable test to prove your claims, you could convince others-assuming your test proved what you claim. Why can’t you? Is it the lack of imagination or not wanting to put your tenuous beliefs on the line?

@thinkIndependent2024 Жыл бұрын

Not completely accurate please ro listin full range ( all devices are tuned) speakers,mics,amps OP-Amps most of your review is correct except!!! Input can definitely change Output Please understand headphones physically can't match full range properly setup speakers rhat is where majority fail I have 6 DACs in my 🗣️ me and there are differences with equipment from modern to vintage

@thinkIndependent2024 Жыл бұрын

Soundstage that is present in 2 channel audio ( CAN NOT )be captured in headphones the simple physics will not allow because wavelengths between a headphone or IEM are ro short De a brief study of the physics rhe govern al of rh world rhe creator gave us even our biology

@NoThemeReviews Жыл бұрын

Why are you talking about soundstage? That has nothing to do with this review

@thinkIndependent2024 Жыл бұрын

@@NoThemeReviews you spoke of keyboard warrior my point is again the only difference I can find after testing many DACs is Soundstage, that is the only concept your review missed This market of digital to analog converters that allow reviewers like yourself to have a place on KZfaq by the previous seven years of DACs being manufactured and sold with 5k to 20k mark-up The only difference I can find again and current devices it which comes output I agree most of the devices are equal

@chungang7037 Жыл бұрын

@@thinkIndependent2024 did you test them blind?

@d.s.cullom5461 6 ай бұрын

I truely wish that people that don't know what they are talking about will stop playing audio gurus.

@NoThemeReviews 6 ай бұрын

I wish audiophiles weren’t so easily fooled into wasting money based on bullshit: all dacs sound different, more money = better whatever, cables have sound, an SSD affects how the music sounds…so much bullshit, so many people eager to eat it up. Sad. We can’t all have what we want, right?

@d.s.cullom5461 6 ай бұрын

@@NoThemeReviews yeah, I was a bit harsh sounding, but I'm being truthful. I spent 22 years in audio, and when I heard your dialogue, It bummed me out for newbies, because you sound authoritative. It impossible to change your beliefs unless. It was hands on. Yeah, these things can't be resolved on here, but I've done plenty of double blind A/Bs and know what I know.

@NoThemeReviews 6 ай бұрын

You're not the only one who knows what he knows. At least you've done some kind of A/B tests, which is a hell of a lot more than the vast majority of so-called "audiophile reviewers" do. I wish you audiophiles would pressure your favorite pundits to put their necks out and do actual, proper tests rather than spewing the same tired nonsense about gear. Frankly, you all are wasting money on dacs for perceived differences that don’t measure, and can’t be explained without resorting to ad hominem attacks or conclusory statements that themselves lack verifiable evidence.