SMSL SU-9n DAC Review, Gone MQA, Best Dynamic Range?
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- Опубликовано: 31 июл 2024
- SMSL SU-9n DAC
Price: US$400 (Oct,2021) amzn.to/3phcnLd
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ½
Pros: Best in Class Dynamic Range, Good Sound Quality, Reasonable Price, No MQA.
Cons: Slightly More Precision Notes will make it True Giant Killer, Just Sayin.
If you like naturally accurate sound with rich tonality, do your ears favor this SU-9n DAC is a must audition for your musical enjoyment.
When testing audio components I spend my time to know actual sound quality and quality of the component.
I had this S.M.S.L SU-9n DAC since early October before anyone gets their hands on but I didn't want to publish my review until I'm fully convinced and satisfied with quality of it, so this DAC review is I can fully confidence that one of great buy for your money enjoy!
Sound Sample Associated Equipments
SMSL DA-9n DAC:
SMSL HO200 Pre Amp/A0200 Power: amzn.to/3lwDdNh
B&W 706 S2 Speaker with B&W 24” Stands.
Good 24” Stands, amzn.to/2YLuldZ, amzn.to/3luJRni, amzn.to/3aqVYve
Other Associated Equipments
Aperion Audio Coupon Code, bit.ly/3geRoVb
(Get 10% Off with TBR10 Coupon Code)
KEF R11 Speaker: amzn.to/3acMlB8 , ebay.us/nXCI8d
Denon PMA-SX11 Integrated Amplifier: ebay.us/NllM5G
Toppig E50 DAC: amzn.to/3oSRK81
Musician Draco R2R DAC: ebay.us/bc7EwU
PS Audio AC-12 Power Cable: amzn.to/2YQo2Tx
Sony HAP-Z1ES: amzn.to/3ckCZ5w
Monoprice Premiere XLR: amzn.to/3iAaUeS
Mogami Gold XLR Cables: amzn.to/3mlTGTB
Oyaide Neo D+ Class A USB Cable: amzn.to/3uGFAi4
AudioQuest King Cobra RCA Cables: amzn.to/33bDQlF
AudioQuest Big Sur RCA Cables: amzn.to/3aab3in
Oyaide Black Mamba Alpha AC Power Cord: ebay.us/5T2uZP
TBR Custom Speaker Cable: • Making High Quality Sp...
TBR Custom AC Power Cables: • Easy DIY Shielded Audi... , • Audiophile Grade Power...
Hey!
Only Option To Listen RUclips Sound Demo is with good headphones, not your favorite sound system because listening to two rooms at once is not a good thing, no matter how good your sound system is.,
Closest Possible You Can Hear My RUclips Sound Demo is with Sony MDR-7506 amzn.to/2wAkk54
Audio-Technica ATH-M50: amzn.to/3yomyPs
If you use these links above to purchase any items from Amazon or eBay(No Extra Cost To You), I get a small percentage which help support my work and helps me keep going.
0:00 Intro
0:35 Review
6:20 Menu Setting
7:41 Conclusion
9:16 Sound Sample
Always love your videos! Thank you for providing us this information and the demo. Awesome that you focus and cover products that are not in the astronomical price range.
Thank you for a great review.
Thanks for your review!
Another great review. Please review the new Topping DX3Pro+ DAC/amp and the PA3S amp.
Thanks man
Hello from Spain 🇪🇸 I’m in love of your channel!!
Gracias.
I find the resolution bit less in the sample playback. Is it due to USB noise i?
Am contemplating of getting the SU-9 to pair it with my DA-9 amplifier. But with this SU-9n, I will probably pull the trigger here. Thank you @Tharbamar for sharing this review. I first saw this last Saturday in @Cheapaudioman channel and you both have the same impressions on this DAC. My Elac DBR62 will definitely sound better with this..
I did the same su-9n with the DA 9.
Hi Tharbamar .I 've seen its measurements from ''audiosciencereview'' to be top class .Furthermore, the ''cheapaudioman'' has mentioned that it resembles an R2R dac in tonality and spoken very highly of it . On your video , it sounds marvelous . Can it compete with the 600-700 USD dacs in your opinion ?[i like the fact that it sports the ess 9038 pro dac chip at a reasonable price and i am on a limited budget ]
seem a good DAC to invest. :) but ARES II still a good rival if a little more budget is not a problem.
Hi, what about the combo SU-9N as dac with HO-200 as preamp?
I would like to connect them to my integrated to use it as a final.
What happened to Loxjie D50? How does this compare at $200 less?
I'm just bought this DAC what is your recommend settings?
I see you stil love your B&W 706s2 they are just great and can surprise every day.
WHich is the best between this su9n and the smsl d300 ? and comparaed to a nd8006 or equivalent marantz ?
How does it compare to SMSL D300?
Greetings to all. Can anyone confirm for me if the SMSL SU-9n DAC is compatible with an Android smartphone via USB port? Thanks in advance for the information.
Would this work well with an Audiolab 6000A? If not, what do you think would? Thanks for the great detailed videos!
It should work great together, thanks
Thanks for a great review! How do you like this one compared to the Topping E50 and the Loxjie D50?
Loxjie D50 offers a bit better resolution, SU-9n is quieter than E50, especially when streaming music, Thanks
They all sound the same.
Lucky me sold the su9 earlier and replaced with loxjie d50..No regret for this move. I experienced fatigue in my music listening with su9 ess chipset and loxjie d50 akm chipset solved it.
@@GloryOnSight Is Su9 really that bright?. Could you mention the amp, speakers and source you had used. Iam planning to purchase one. Thanx
@@ram0468 I think both DAC is good in clarity but I would not say they are bright depends on what kind of music you are listening and your setup ..I am still looking for new speakers to improve my listening. My setup amp cxa81, loxjie d50, streamer sd9, speakers wharfedale diamond 10.7 and sub woofer sunfire hrs12 for 2.1 channel configuration..I used su9 for few months and wanted to improve handling of top end frequency and mid bottom end bass.. d50 somehow solved the issue I had after switching from SU9
First comment with you Mr. Tharbamar. Thank you for all your efforts. Today I am a bit confused about the SU-9N vs D300. They both are priced the same down to the penny on Amazon at $359.99. I think I could live with either DAC but which one? 🤔 I do not use Blue Tooth. This will be connected to my PC and my Edifier R2850DB speakers. I will use for Music(spotify), PC Gaming, and watching Movies on my PC with Netflix and Amazon. Can you offer any help to my decision making? My Man Cave is 15' x 25' and sparsley funished as it serves as my Hobby building room with a Tile Floor.
Both of them can do great job for your need, personally I preferred D300 sound quality over many other DACs, thank you.
@@Tharbamar Your experience is appreciated. Cheers
Hi Tharbamar, thanks for your excellent review. Would this SU9n be suitable with my Yamaha As500 amp and Evo 4.2 speakers?
Yes, It should work well together with Yamaha amplifier, thanks
@@Tharbamar thank you
Hi Tharbamar what USB lead do use use from laptop to your DAC please?
I’m using Oyaide Neo Class A cable, thanks
What is that denon ID?
Could you run the dac straight into the power amp? Would that change the quality of the sound much?
Yes you can, quality of the sound is depending on paring components.
@@Tharbamar thanks for your reply. Let’s say we stay with your current components. For a less compromising sound it’ll still be better to use the dac as a dac and a preamp as a preamp correct?
Hi! Currently have an SU9. Is it worth the upgrade to the SU9n?
no
I have wharfedale diamond floor standing speaker.
Can that AO and HO combination handle my tower speaker ?
Yes it will definitely drive them up to 95db range with good quality sound, thanks
What is your sensitivity # on your wharf’s? Just check that up against Tharabamars Kef towers sensitivity level because he says it’s bangin’ with them.
Most of Diamond Towers are around 88db range and can’t handle nicely after 95db, thanks
Any chance you know how this compares with the Topping DX3PRO+?
I have not tried them yet, thanks
Great review - I thought the original SU-9 was over-rated all along - maybe I had a bad one - and sent mine back and kept my SMSL M200 for a while longer- just got the AO200 today - next DAC upgrade - need deal on D70S !! Maybe this....
i have d70s, it's a good dac but i think it lacks depth for speaker setup.
Which is warmer sounding? Topping E50 or SMSL SU-9n ? Thanks!
SU-9n is a bit warmer in my system, thanks
@@Tharbamar thank you for your answer! 🤘
@@Tharbamar Great review - I also saw your review on the E50 and in your opinion is it worth buying the SMSL SU9n compared to the E50 to use a system similar to yours, therefore with listening through speakers and not with headphones, given that the SU-9n costs about 60% more than the E50? Thank you
@HappyMax, Hi I’m not sure which system you’re referring to because I have a few different systems, I’m using E50 for computer desk system and I like them very much for what it can do for the money, SU-9n is a little warmer and richer sounding which also a great buy, it will only come down to your personal preference, thanks
Thank you for the nice review, Was going to purchase until you say wormer sound lol, any recommendation on DAC that are clean, wide sound stage and good imaging ?
Wait for next review, I may have something for you.
For sound quality which is recommended SU 9 or 9N? You have given 4 .75 stars for SU 9, 4.5 for 9N
Either of them is very good choice, SU-9 received slightly better rating for a bit more transparent sound, that’s is the only difference, thanks
Thank you for the detailed review. So, between SU-9n and SU-8s, which should I pick in your professional opinion? I remember you said SU-9n has the best dynamics but how about the soundstage compared to SU-8s. Could you also comment about the BT fedelity between these two? Thank again.
No BT for me, SU-9n has slightly deeper sound stage than SU-8s or SU-9, I would easily choose SU-9n over SU-8s personally, thanks
@@Tharbamar Thx. I just want to reconfirm that because I see you give better score (4.75) to SU-8s than SU-9 (4.5).
lanx0003 You asked the exact same question I had. What does "BT" stand for?
Bluetooth
@@lanx0003 Thanks. Haha! I had to laugh. It's no wonder why I didn't clue in right away. Many people see BT as an asset, but I see it as feeding an antenna of noise into a metal chassis that blocks out the high noise.
I don't want any stinking BT antenna polluting the inside of the DAC (amp, pre-amp.......) chassis, because BT and sound quality is an oxymoron.
I get it, BT has it's place for mobile devices, but a copper wire is always a better conductor than the air in your listening room. Even if you don't use it, the antenna and circuitry is going to add unnecessary noise to a very low signal that will be amplified several times in the DAC, pre-amp and amp.
Thanks for clearly that up. I have the SU-8 (and D1, it's a sweet DAC) and am looking for another, but if the SU-9 is a little better I might get it.
Just got one, it ain't warm or smooth unless it breaks in a bit. It's the usual dac clarity sound. I had a r2r now that was warm and smooth the smsl is not.
Your comment will make more useful if you include paring components because that’s main factor not only DAC, if you think SU-9n is not warmish you should try more DACs.
@@Tharbamar I have tried many many many dacs :) I have been an audiophile a long time, 30+ years. I bought the smsl for my family lounge for everyone to use not just me. Its easy to use and has great functionality and connectivity. And it seemed promising with good measurements so that made my decision, I just hoped for the best with its sound. It has slightly disappointed me though, tonally I would say it is more of a clarity dac over one that's nice to listen to and pleasing to the ear. Most definitely an ess chip mold of dac. It's used with a fairly budget marantz amp and DIY speakers here. I watch your videos though and you are right pairing equipment is everything to get a balanced, natural and near realistic sound. The trouble is though that there is just so much equipment out there.
There are much more smoother and warmer sounding dacs than the smsl though, but warm smooth sounding dacs are very few in numbers most aim for clarity. I really don't understand why they can't include a customisable EQ in this dac as well. They have other adjustments which are extremely subtle at best. And the sound colour settings are just about indistinguishable between each other. Maybe they can give it more in an update. I just want listening pleasure. So far it's usually vinyl that's still king for that.
If I remember it right SU-9n comes with Sound color setting, it even had tube setting, thanks
@@Tharbamar It does, but it offers no EQ, the sound colour changes it makes are extremely faint, it's hard to tell which one is which or if it makes much difference at all.
Very good DAC for the price ??
Yes, I like it more than SU-9.
Curious to know if SU-9n has wider soundstage than E50. Both look excellent dacs
E50 is a little more on neutral side compared to SU-9n, which has a little warmer and deeper sounding but E50 have a bit wider sound stage and a little more space between the notes in upper midrange areas, thanks
@@Tharbamar that's great to know, thanks for the detailed description.
@@Tharbamar Would it be possible to do a DAC comparison between several DACS that you have in your possesion so we could hear the differences between them?
Thank you :)
The ear-bleed B&W's
When only Toping and Smsl remain, prices will rocket above the ash. I won’t participate in this until 9038 DAC will have a fair price.
Hey
Please go through the inputs and outputs in future.
I sure did in menu setting, thanks
@@Tharbamar connections on the back, obviously...
Oh ok, will do. Thanks
Gone is my subscription
This thing ain't good. The highs are too sharp.
Sounds like a tin can echo chamber. Horrible recording or horrible system.
I bet u won't pass a blind test between su-9 and su-9n., for sure. The differences you describe is imagination / fantasy or highly marginal. Just marketing bla bla bla. In the past I think this was probably an independent channel, but I doubt it meanwhile.
Have you AB tested in your system?
I can bet you for sure if the price is right, How much is the bet?
Edit: everything is marketing on RUclips one way or another, do you think people do it for free? Ask big name reviewers to the smallest.
Horrible intro drum. Good luck with whatever the rest of the vid was.