Many asked about the native Spotify connect and Tidal connect support. There isn't one, you have to use a 3rd party app that can connect to these services and then cast the stream to the SD-9. I use Bubble UPnP app for Android, and it works great for both Tidal and Qobuz.
I have same streamer, if it freezes, don`t do hard reset, don`t unplug it. Use remote, press A, then B again and all is working well again. Try this. Regarding streamer sound quality, I am more than happy with it. BTW this was informative and nice review, good work!
What an honest and no nonsense review. Love your judgement and your sense of modesty. I bought the unit based on your review and must say it sounds REALLY good. The I2S interface is a very nice surprise. Everything just images better with it and the bass notes are cleaner and more defined. The Air setting in the MSEB menu is also very nice. I basically keep everything in the MESB menu at zero and only adjust Air to +5 or so. It adds a slight amount of details, but more importantly, smooth out some of the vocal sibilance. Great product and definitely a bang for the buck.
You are a really honest reviewer with great listening ears. You proved that again at your comparisons with other streamers. I also like very much the price range of products you review. About an other high quality affordable streamer: on my raspberry pi I use the. multi digital output HAT : Pi2AES , usd 199,. Gives amazing air/precision/naturalness with separated linear power supply: studer900 clone and even better sounding: Jung Super Regulator board , ordered from China at Ali E. Tine over time the choice of power supply makes a difference almost as much as the choice of the device (be it streamer or DAC especially).
I have the SMSL DP-3 Streamer, which is the predecessor of this one. That one have even more IN and OUTPUT. Not the easiest to operate, but great sounding especially for the asking price.
Thanks for the review. It looked interesting - integrated psu and the digital output options specifically. I'm not able to get around the that there is no App/UI. I'm a roon user and have become spoiled. Ultimately, I think I will be replacing my Allo DigiOne with a Sonore micro or ultraRendu still keeping it close to $1000 USD for the time being until I am ready to step into something from Lumin or Auralic.
Great Review! very interesting, it does Spotify or Tidal Connect ? I'm using RPi4B with Digi+ Pro modded linear power supply is connected directly to the HAT for cleaner sound for the Coax output. On the USB output I improve the digital signal by using iFi Purifier3 which turns RPi 4 in a very clean and resolving USB streamer enabling MQA playback on external DAC. I was inspired to build my Raspberry Streamer, thanks to your videos Srboljub :D. Much appreciated!
I know this is an older review but it seems like SMSL has done a firmware update addressing all the issues most people had. Can you do an update review if so? This streamers has the potential to be a game changer. Remote, color display, I2S all for under $400!
Ciao , thanks for review very clear and exaustive review! I have a question for you. Have you tried to connect your dac with aes/ebu or coaxial cables? In my case, when I try with aes cable to my Vincent dac, I cannot listen any sound. In SD9's poor software, in system tools the only voices reported are optical and l2s . There isn't any voice to aes/ebu or coaxial output. Could you tell me how can do to use aes or coaxial connection? Thanks in advance. Alberto.
I wish this unit came with an app. Basically I need this to play my collection of music files stored locally on external USB drives - but it must be a real pain in the neck to browse through the folders if you have lots of albums. An app is sorely needed. Have they released an update that fixes all the quirks you mentioned?
IWi - great review! Really great! One Q from me - please, try and tell us how it works when you connect the SD-9 to an Android phone via the USB cable. I stay very close to my DACs and AMPs but I want to feed Ares 2 with MQA from Tidal. So I want to understand would it work if I connect my Android phone to SD-9 via the USB in, unfold the MQAs and send the digital signal via USB to the Ares 2. This works for me for the SU-9 but it has no digital outputs, so I am looking for a standalone streamer to unfold Tidal MQAs for the Ares w/o using DLNA or other air connection - just an android phone to the the streamer and than the streamer to the Ares 2.
Thanks for the review. It looks like a good streamer/bridge with an affordable price. I have heard that it *sometimes make annoying noises when changing tracks*. I am not sure under which circumstances. Maybe they are using Bluetooth. Maybe they are using I²S output. I do not know. But is this something you have noticed?
I was waiting for a review of this unit, so thank you and I love the way you do your reviews usually. But on this one I would have love you to explain how to operate it with Qobuz/Spotify has these aren't set into the unit natively ! Could you make an add on ?
I couldn't find any way to run them natively on the unit, and browsing those services on the small screen would be a pain to be honest. I use Bubble UPnP app instead. It can connect to both Tidal and Qobuz, to few cloud services too, and cast UPnP stream to the SD-9. It's UI is rich and fast so it's quite nice experience in my opinion.
@@iiWiReviews I know the streaming services are not implemented. Using Bubble UPnP requires a smartphone or a tablet and I think this pose a problem, please confirm that if you take a phone call or switch to another application like watching internet for example, while listening, it will cut off the music session ! Right or wrong ?
@@chengo51 Use an old phone...or buy a cheap used phone, don't put in a SIM card, and just use it for your remote....( connected to the internet through wi fi.....not data)
Would you say ite SD-9 will roughly match the sound quality of a very good or a top CD deck, in playing local CD quality FLAC files? I am considering it to replace a Tablet PC USB output which sounds significantly better than my pretty good old CD deck. BTY, my system is a DIY dual ak4495 dac, a DIY tube preamp and a First Watt F7 power amp clone. Do you have any advice on other equipment which is good for replacing a CD player? Thank you for your wonderful sd-9 review. Tim King
Thanks, very nice and detailed review. I want some transport only to pass the audio signal from my removable HDD to DAC, not interessting in streaming. Is this streamer good enough to feed my Gustard A26 (sometimes RME ADI 2 FS) to Musical fidelity M5S to KEF Q950 in terms of audio quality, or do you have some other recommendation (your taste of course)? Thanks in advancce for answer.
Appreciate your review of sd9 .We could get the full picture of what you are trying to convey. Very neutral and informative. Now my query. Iam streaming from my laptop to rega dac using the WIFI DLNA of pioneer BDP 180, the pioneer BDP connected to my rega dac thru a optical output. The rega dac is connected to rega brio amp driving dali speakers. I don't use or intend to use any internet streaming services as my music is in my regional language tamil. My question is will routing the DLNA thru SMSL SD9 instead of pioneer BDP will add any value in terms of more quality etc.?
Thanks for the review. It’s hard to find reviews of this unit. When you described the sound quality, were you describing the sound from the internal DAC or from the external DAC connected to the digital out?
There is no internal DAC in the SD-9, it's a pure digital streamer and there are only digital inputs. So all testing was done with external DACs such is Denafrips Ares II, Topping EX5, etc.
Wow...this is a game change for me...as I've been deciding whether to upgrade my DAC or my streamer (I currently use the exact allo digione you mentioned here). Also wondering how it would compare to the Pi2AES, which also has insane connectivity (I2s included). and what type of 3rd party apps could be used to cast to it for streaming services? Really well constructed review and comparison! Thank you.
I’m still using Mac Mini with Audirvana b/c of USB out, into DDC Denafrips Iris to Pontus II DAC. Just can’t bring myself to spend thousands on a streamer, but this is interesting!
I use a windows laptop with Audirvana Studio. I also have a Cambridge Audio CXN V2 streamer. I get the best sound by using the USB from the laptop into the CXN (ie using the CXN as a DAC). There is not a HUGE difference when using the CXN as streamer+ dac but I think Audirvana is just so good that it would take a lot to beat it. The internet radio on the CXN functions better than Audirvana's radio streaming and it is useful to have chromecast on the CXN. CXN also handles Spotify natively. The CXN DAC is superb which makes the whole thing very desirable - but it is twice the price of the SMSL but still a bargain as you are getting a streamer AND a DAC in one box. (Using a dnla connection into the CXN sounds pretty well the same as USB.)
I started with the stock one but then proceeded to a Duelund 16GA power cable, and finally ended up with a great cable made of a locally sourced single crystal copper of a great purity. It does affect the sound quality for the better.
Thanks for a great review. I own the SMSL DP5 which is the big brother to this SD-9. I purchased the DP5 a few months ago for $630 on Amazon and wish I would have waited for this instead and would even trade for it if I could. Why? I don't stream music, I purchased the DP5 to play my FLAC files from an external hard drive which it does very well. I connect it to my system with an optical cable. It sounds excellent. My main issue with the DP5 is the display. it’s large rectangular and clear. But because it enlarges the artwork to fill the screen, it only displays approximately the top 75 percent of the track's artwork so the bottom 25 percent of the artwork is cutoff. Who looks at an album cover just to see about half of it? The current track information is superimposed over the bottom 3rd of the artwork which looks bad. The DP9 even though a smaller display, shows the full artwork and seems to have an updated user interface. You're correct about using 3rd party apps. I found that the only way to quickly get to a track if you have 2500 or so albums like I do, is to use the Hiby app that it works with. The Hiby app can control most of the music search and playback functions but has issues of its own and only connects to the DP5 using Bluetooth. I assume it works the same way with the SD-9. Better if these units had their own app that would work over a home network. Looks like you have the same cheesy remote that came with the DP5. You are 100% correct about dealing with finickiness vs. price and performance. I kept my unit because it sounds really great and I can deal with some of it's finicky issues. Other similar units from Cambridge and Sony are in the well over a $1000 range and out of my budget. If this SD-9 was available when I bought my DP5 I could have saved $200 . I like the smaller form factor too. Thanks again
Hello! Are you planning a review on Ifi Zen Stream, please? I am trying to choose! It is a similar price range, it would help me decide, it would be great!
I have the SMSL SP200 Amp Looking at a Dac Was looking at the SU-9 , EX5 and the E50. How is the amp on the EX5 and does the othere amps sound different then the SP200. Im on the Hihiman Anandas but going to the the Focal Elex of the clears cans
So your sound impressions on this device are all based on its streaming technology? Just on how cleanly it transfers the signal to an outboard dac? Thanks
Yes, because it's a streamer only, no DAC on board or analog outs. I know many people think that digital is always the same, but it's not that simple. Some transports do sound different.
Very interesting little unit. But i´m a bit disapointed that a company with that much experience make still a lot of basic faults in case of the usement.
At the expense of being laughed at, here it goes. 😅 With LS50 it seems to me there is some more midbass and midrange clarity this way. Same trick with KEF R3 for example has just barely noticeable effect and it's not worth doing it. Same thing goes for any peace of gear. For example, Schiit Modi Multibit sounds noticeably cleaner when weighed down. While many other DACs don't care about it. Denafrips Ares II even sounds worse that way (just more dry, no benefit).
@@iiWiReviews No laughing from me! 🙂 Thanks for replying. I’ve just ordered two for my Dynaudio Emit M10s just to see….. extra cabinet mass can only be a good thing I think 👍 If it works it’s a cheap upgrade!
I just ordered the SMSL SA400 and the SU9 DAC. I stream music from Tidal through my PC. I find it hard to believe that this player will add to the music quality as opposed to streaming from my PC? The DAC does all the work doesn't it? The PC just feeds the streaming file to the DAC via usb
If at all possible you should get your hands on an iFi Zen Stream for review. In my opinion and others it is awesome! In all honesty it has now replaced my Raspberry Pi options, and it's sound quality is better than the Allo Digione, and it has also surpassed my Pi2AES as well! It has big advantages mostly in the SQ area, but with the benefit of Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect built in but also exclusive modes that you engage based on what you are using, Roon, DLNA, NAA, and so on. Great Review of the SD 9 but at the same price the iFi is a huge winner! Hope you get the chance to review it here! Thank you for all you do!! Cheers!!
Hi, X Country, Which Zen output do you use to connect it to DAC? My question is because, in my experience, BNC and XLR sound much better than RCA and this is one aspect that I really like in Allo Digione. Thanks,
@@joaogilbertodesousaneves7210 I have an Allo myself and always preferred it as one of my favorites until the Zen came along. Another favorite was the Pi2AES as it sounds very good and offeres all output at an extremely attractive price! In the end it came down to sound quality period, the ZS is just stellar sound hands down! Which DAC I use dictates the output I use as DACs can sometimes favor one over the other...for instance, Schiit Bifrost 2 favored the Coax out of the ZS Denafrips Ares Ii sounds better on USB to me probably due to the isolation in it. Fiio K9 Pro AKM toss up with a slight edge to USB for me! Remeber these are my impressions only, there are some that agree and some that don't! 😂😂 You'd have to see what works best for your situation! Buy from a vendor with a good return policy and test it out in your setup!! Cheers!!
@@petrpulpytel Sorry I missed this, lol Tidal Connect when I use it works flawlessly! However there have been reports of TC being buggy by some! I am primarily a Roon User with Tidal and that is absolutely perfect, but then again Roon generally is, but it's an extra cost each month! Cheers!!
Another great review... Will it support Amazon Music HD Ultra 24/192khz? How would it's quality compare to IFI Zen streamer specially that it sells for same price ...?
I own an sd-9. I don't like the sound in its original form: very edgy and bright. I suspect it uses nichicon fw series filter capacitor which in my experience can be edgy. I uses two 6.3V 560uf capacitors in parallel with the nichicon at the output of the power supply. Gone is the edginess and brightness and the sound is much better, being more natural now.
very very good sound quality ,one of the best i heard from stremers.But has one BIG bug in software, in music high volume peaks it starts clipping !! its on all usb ,coax ,optical ports. looks like software problem. speaker sounds like it has drivers blown... please advise before buying !!! try "Heather Nova - Other Shores (2022) FLAC" to see what about im talking :)
I've noticed the same at times but my setup is a little odd because I run my SD9 into an Audio Alchemy DTI, and then into my Dac. The clipping does not seem to happen when I have no DTI in the chain. However I discovered something that may fix this -- try setting the Fixed Sampling Rate appropriately. For me that was the 44000 setting, and after I did that the clipping seemed to stop, so far.
I know you meantioned bubble upnp but I have an iphone. Will I be able to stream Qobuz in full 24/192 resolution if I use my iphone and mconnect instead of an android with bubble upnp? Thanks!
Hm, iOS and Android are two different systems and the problems I experienced with mconnect and SD-9 on Android might not be present on iOS. I don't own any Apple device to test it out but it can really go either way. If Mconnect works fine on iOS then yes, you can stream full resolution. I can on Android while it's working.
SD-9 is a streamer + a dsp device. You seem to be able to hear "bit perfect" audio OR digitally tweaked digital audio. I like my tweaks "after" the digital stage. My dac already has parametric EQ. (RME) What are the pros and cons? It might be a good idea to explain in a fuller way its use with or without DSP digital. The software part seems to be "work in progress" It is full of niggles and glitches.
Thanks for reviewing this as there is not much out there. I have a 2TB usb drive full of my cds and looking for something other then my blue ray player to use. I want to get away from BT streaming from my computer to my iotavx stack.
Did you find a solution you were happy with? I want to do same: simply connect SSD to streamer or DAC -- nobody seems to do this so there's very little info about what works...
good review.But In my experience,I have smsl su9 dac but Bt connectivity doesnt work anymore so looking that SD-9 that also drop connection from time to time is a no-no for me (not cheap device). Id prefer big time the "a little bit" narrower sound of a cheap raspberri pi if that connection doesnt drop and save some money .Or save and go for a bluesound node.
You can't. You either need to have digital inputs on your receiver such as optical or coaxial SPDIF (DAC inside it) or analog RCA outs on your streamer (DAC is inside the streamer in that case). This streamer doesn't have a DAC and analog outs. For your needs you should look at something like Bluesound node 2i, PecanPi Streamer, Allo Boss 2, etc. For the last two options there are full reviews here on my channel. Great devices.
@@iiWiReviews Hi there, do you have to pay for those third party apps? I was sold on zen streamer but I like qobuz the best and I heard its not compatible with ifi zen. So now I'm thinking I may go with the smsl sd90...Thanks
The difference between the two is not huge but if Zen Stream is used in one of the exclusive modes (so not all in one) it does sound cleaner and more revealing. In a transperent system that should be noticeable.
@@iiWiReviews Im thinking of purchasing this streamer or the IFI Zen streamer, to use on my SSD hard drive, if I use I2s on the SD9 will it sound better than the USB on the IFI Zen streamer listening to DSD files, What do you think or heard while you had it?
@@stephencosta6814 but from usability standpoint it is not too good. And it looks like there was no firmware update other than 1.01. And it stops me from buying it.
I ordered my sd9 over a month ago, but it hasn't even shipped yet. Do any other companies make a similar produce? Also, if I feed a high res encoded signal from a non high res device like a laptop, through my smsl su9 decoder, is the end result going to be me listening to it in high resolution?
@@ukspawn666 yes, finally a week ago. It arrived at my home in New Hampshire exactly 2 days after it left China. It really is awesome. I've got it running through my SU9 dac and into my mcintosh Ma6100 amp.
@@ukspawn666 yes. Yo plug the USB-A into the laptop, and the USB-B into the SD-9. But I did not configure it that way. I've got my entire music library downloaded onto a 256gb micro sd card and broken up into folders. HDTRACKS FOR HIGH RES, ITUNES FOR MP3, FAVORITES, CHRISTMAS, AND ANY OTHER FOLDER YOU MAY WANT. I popped it into my SD-9, and play from the card. You have to remember that I've got my sd-9, su-9, and tascam gigital recorder all hooked into my home Mcintosh system. It's not for listening through my headphones. I have an astell&kern kann alpha for that purpose. I use my computers for downloading and main storage of music files.
I've never enjoyed sound processing on any gear I've tried it on. Normally after about twenty or thirty seconds I've realised I've lost more than I've gained.
Reviewers seem to be reluctant to review streamer/network players. If they do it consists of features and user friendly aspects but seldom includes real SQ A/B comparisons. Are they all equal in this regard? Doubtful.
Many asked about the native Spotify connect and Tidal connect support. There isn't one, you have to use a 3rd party app that can connect to these services and then cast the stream to the SD-9. I use Bubble UPnP app for Android, and it works great for both Tidal and Qobuz.
Will it work with Roon
@@fc7424 No, it's not Roon-ready.
What OS did you test on Digi One? Moode Audio ?
I have different cards with MoOde, Volumio, and RoPieeeXL. I usually use the last one since it sounds best (cleanest) to my ears.
Can it be used as a renderer for the Linn kazoo upnp app?
I have same streamer, if it freezes, don`t do hard reset, don`t unplug it. Use remote, press A, then B again and all is working well again. Try this. Regarding streamer sound quality, I am more than happy with it. BTW this was informative and nice review, good work!
Just love your reviews. Thank you!
Such a concise review, and full of really helpful info 🙂
What an honest and no nonsense review. Love your judgement and your sense of modesty. I bought the unit based on your review and must say it sounds REALLY good. The I2S interface is a very nice surprise. Everything just images better with it and the bass notes are cleaner and more defined. The Air setting in the MSEB menu is also very nice. I basically keep everything in the MESB menu at zero and only adjust Air to +5 or so. It adds a slight amount of details, but more importantly, smooth out some of the vocal sibilance. Great product and definitely a bang for the buck.
did you have any issues with the dlna wifi connections on streaming music?
Great review! So many dilemmas answered.
Excellent review. This Is what I want to know about devices. Details, comparisons, sound description, flaws, everyday use
You are a really honest reviewer with great listening ears. You proved that again at your comparisons with other streamers. I also like very much the price range of products you review.
About an other high quality affordable streamer: on my raspberry pi I use the. multi digital output HAT : Pi2AES , usd 199,. Gives amazing air/precision/naturalness with separated linear power supply: studer900 clone and even better sounding: Jung Super Regulator board , ordered from China at Ali E. Tine over time the choice of power supply makes a difference almost as much as the choice of the device (be it streamer or DAC especially).
Thanks! I just got a Pi2AES and I'm eager to try it out. Unfortunately I own few 5V linear power supply but no 24V one. It is a rare voltage choice. 😐
I have the SMSL DP-3 Streamer, which is the predecessor of this one. That one have even more IN and OUTPUT. Not the easiest to operate, but great sounding especially for the asking price.
Thanks for the review. It looked interesting - integrated psu and the digital output options specifically. I'm not able to get around the that there is no App/UI. I'm a roon user and have become spoiled. Ultimately, I think I will be replacing my Allo DigiOne with a Sonore micro or ultraRendu still keeping it close to $1000 USD for the time being until I am ready to step into something from Lumin or Auralic.
I am happy with my Bluesound Node and Chord Qutest
Maybe you get to test a Bluesound Node.
Great Review! very interesting, it does Spotify or Tidal Connect ?
I'm using RPi4B with Digi+ Pro modded linear power supply is connected directly to the HAT for cleaner sound for the Coax output.
On the USB output I improve the digital signal by using iFi Purifier3 which turns RPi 4 in a very clean and resolving USB streamer enabling MQA playback on external DAC.
I was inspired to build my Raspberry Streamer, thanks to your videos Srboljub :D. Much appreciated!
ifi zen stream, bluesound node, volumio primo, primare nd5 all worth a listen.
So I am going to wait for your review of the IFI Zen Streamer >>> just hope you can do that soon !
Pi2AES is next on the line, but I'll see about Stream too. May the best win! 🙂
I just received my SD 9 and love everything about it. Only thing is I can seem to get my FM tuner to play through it
I know this is an older review but it seems like SMSL has done a firmware update addressing all the issues most people had. Can you do an update review if so? This streamers has the potential to be a game changer. Remote, color display, I2S all for under $400!
Agree! A follow up wd be ace. Is this a size match with D300?
Very informative review, wish you can compare it side by side with Ifi Zen Stream..btw I purchased Topping D70s based on your excellent review :)
That’s a fantastic dac d70s👍❤️
Is the sound quality better with this smsl bridge compared to Node (as bridge as well) ?
Ciao , thanks for review very clear and exaustive review!
I have a question for you. Have you tried to connect your dac with aes/ebu or coaxial cables? In my case, when I try with aes cable to my Vincent dac, I cannot listen any sound. In SD9's poor software, in system tools the only voices reported are optical and l2s . There isn't any voice to aes/ebu or coaxial output. Could you tell me how can do to use aes or coaxial connection? Thanks in advance. Alberto.
I wish this unit came with an app. Basically I need this to play my collection of music files stored locally on external USB drives - but it must be a real pain in the neck to browse through the folders if you have lots of albums. An app is sorely needed.
Have they released an update that fixes all the quirks you mentioned?
IWi - great review! Really great! One Q from me - please, try and tell us how it works when you connect the SD-9 to an Android phone via the USB cable. I stay very close to my DACs and AMPs but I want to feed Ares 2 with MQA from Tidal. So I want to understand would it work if I connect my Android phone to SD-9 via the USB in, unfold the MQAs and send the digital signal via USB to the Ares 2. This works for me for the SU-9 but it has no digital outputs, so I am looking for a standalone streamer to unfold Tidal MQAs for the Ares w/o using DLNA or other air connection - just an android phone to the the streamer and than the streamer to the Ares 2.
Hi iiWi Reviews, Is the sound quality better with this smsl bridge compared to Node ? :)
Thanks for the review. It looks like a good streamer/bridge with an affordable price. I have heard that it *sometimes make annoying noises when changing tracks*.
I am not sure under which circumstances. Maybe they are using Bluetooth. Maybe they are using I²S output. I do not know. But is this something you have noticed?
I was waiting for a review of this unit, so thank you and I love the way you do your reviews usually. But on this one I would have love you to explain how to operate it with Qobuz/Spotify has these aren't set into the unit natively !
Could you make an add on ?
I couldn't find any way to run them natively on the unit, and browsing those services on the small screen would be a pain to be honest. I use Bubble UPnP app instead. It can connect to both Tidal and Qobuz, to few cloud services too, and cast UPnP stream to the SD-9. It's UI is rich and fast so it's quite nice experience in my opinion.
@@iiWiReviews I know the streaming services are not implemented. Using Bubble UPnP requires a smartphone or a tablet and I think this pose a problem, please confirm that if you take a phone call or switch to another application like watching internet for example, while listening, it will cut off the music session ! Right or wrong ?
@@chengo51 Use an old phone...or buy a cheap used phone, don't put in a SIM card, and just use it for your remote....( connected to the internet through wi fi.....not data)
Would you say ite SD-9 will roughly match the sound quality of a very good or a top CD deck, in playing local CD quality FLAC files? I am considering it to replace a Tablet PC USB output which sounds significantly better than my pretty good old CD deck. BTY, my system is a DIY dual ak4495 dac, a DIY tube preamp and a First Watt F7 power amp clone. Do you have any advice on other equipment which is good for replacing a CD player? Thank you for your wonderful sd-9 review. Tim King
Thanks, very nice and detailed review.
I want some transport only to pass the audio signal from my removable HDD to DAC, not interessting in streaming.
Is this streamer good enough to feed my Gustard A26 (sometimes RME ADI 2 FS) to Musical fidelity M5S to KEF Q950 in terms of audio quality, or do you have some other recommendation (your taste of course)?
Thanks in advancce for answer.
Appreciate your review of sd9 .We could get the full picture of what you are trying to convey. Very neutral and informative.
Now my query. Iam streaming from my laptop to rega dac using the WIFI DLNA of pioneer BDP 180, the pioneer BDP connected to my rega dac thru a optical output. The rega dac is connected to rega brio amp driving dali speakers.
I don't use or intend to use any internet streaming services as my music is in my regional language tamil.
My question is will routing the DLNA thru SMSL SD9 instead of pioneer BDP will add any value in terms of more quality etc.?
Thanks for the review. It’s hard to find reviews of this unit. When you described the sound quality, were you describing the sound from the internal DAC or from the external DAC connected to the digital out?
There is no internal DAC in the SD-9, it's a pure digital streamer and there are only digital inputs. So all testing was done with external DACs such is Denafrips Ares II, Topping EX5, etc.
Still the best guy on youtube. Period
Would like to your good advice on the sound quality on the Streamer Amplifier Cambridge Audio Evo 170 and Naim unity Atom , thanks
Wow...this is a game change for me...as I've been deciding whether to upgrade my DAC or my streamer (I currently use the exact allo digione you mentioned here). Also wondering how it would compare to the Pi2AES, which also has insane connectivity (I2s included). and what type of 3rd party apps could be used to cast to it for streaming services? Really well constructed review and comparison! Thank you.
Pi2AES review is coming soon too. Quick preview - it's very good. 😊
@@iiWiReviews Awesome! Very much look forward to it 🙏🏼
I’m still using Mac Mini with Audirvana b/c of USB out, into DDC Denafrips Iris to Pontus II DAC. Just can’t bring myself to spend thousands on a streamer, but this is interesting!
Same here!
I use a windows laptop with Audirvana Studio. I also have a Cambridge Audio CXN V2 streamer. I get the best sound by using the USB from the laptop into the CXN (ie using the CXN as a DAC). There is not a HUGE difference when using the CXN as streamer+ dac but I think Audirvana is just so good that it would take a lot to beat it. The internet radio on the CXN functions better than Audirvana's radio streaming and it is useful to have chromecast on the CXN. CXN also handles Spotify natively. The CXN DAC is superb which makes the whole thing very desirable - but it is twice the price of the SMSL but still a bargain as you are getting a streamer AND a DAC in one box. (Using a dnla connection into the CXN sounds pretty well the same as USB.)
@@jgsburnett9532 I use 3.5 and Studio, and prefer Studio. Good to hear you prefer AS from computer.
There's a little buzz around the ifi streamer. Around $300 I think.
Hello! Great video. Did you use stock power cable on the SMSL streamer, may I ask?
I started with the stock one but then proceeded to a Duelund 16GA power cable, and finally ended up with a great cable made of a locally sourced single crystal copper of a great purity. It does affect the sound quality for the better.
Thanks for a great review. I own the SMSL DP5 which is the big brother to this SD-9. I purchased the DP5 a few months ago for $630 on Amazon and wish I would have waited for this instead and would even trade for it if I could. Why? I don't stream music, I purchased the DP5 to play my FLAC files from an external hard drive which it does very well. I connect it to my system with an optical cable. It sounds excellent. My main issue with the DP5 is the display. it’s large rectangular and clear. But because it enlarges the artwork to fill the screen, it only displays approximately the top 75 percent of the track's artwork so the bottom 25 percent of the artwork is cutoff. Who looks at an album cover just to see about half of it? The current track information is superimposed over the bottom 3rd of the artwork which looks bad. The DP9 even though a smaller display, shows the full artwork and seems to have an updated user interface.
You're correct about using 3rd party apps. I found that the only way to quickly get to a track if you have 2500 or so albums like I do, is to use the Hiby app that it works with. The Hiby app can control most of the music search and playback functions but has issues of its own and only connects to the DP5 using Bluetooth. I assume it works the same way with the SD-9. Better if these units had their own app that would work over a home network. Looks like you have the same cheesy remote that came with the DP5.
You are 100% correct about dealing with finickiness vs. price and performance. I kept my unit because it sounds really great and I can deal with some of it's finicky issues. Other similar units from Cambridge and Sony are in the well over a $1000 range and out of my budget. If this SD-9 was available when I bought my DP5 I could have saved $200 . I like the smaller form factor too.
Thanks again
c'mon man, why the novel, sheesh
@@prufrok I guess you have a very short attention span.
Hello! Are you planning a review on Ifi Zen Stream, please? I am trying to choose! It is a similar price range, it would help me decide, it would be great!
I'm in the same situation
Спасибо. Очень объективный обзор.
Thank you for great review question is it possible to connect regular hard drive with MP3 files on it it will handle it? Thank you.
I have the SMSL SP200 Amp Looking at a Dac Was looking at the SU-9 , EX5 and the E50. How is the amp on the EX5 and does the othere amps sound different then the SP200. Im on the Hihiman Anandas but going to the the Focal Elex of the clears cans
So your sound impressions on this device are all based on its streaming technology? Just on how cleanly it transfers the signal to an outboard dac?
Thanks
Yes, because it's a streamer only, no DAC on board or analog outs. I know many people think that digital is always the same, but it's not that simple. Some transports do sound different.
Great Review, as usual, Thanks, how does it sound if fed to Ares II, will it match well? Thanks again
It matches very nice with Ares in my opinion. There's enough details and clarity, but never overwhelmingly so thanks to Ares.
@@iiWiReviews Thanks dear for all your great work and prompt reply, wish you a great day
Very interesting little unit.
But i´m a bit disapointed that a company with that much experience make still a lot of basic faults in case of the usement.
still got this? any poping/crackling? others have reported it
Love the doorstops on your LS50s! 🙂 Much improvement?
At the expense of being laughed at, here it goes. 😅 With LS50 it seems to me there is some more midbass and midrange clarity this way. Same trick with KEF R3 for example has just barely noticeable effect and it's not worth doing it.
Same thing goes for any peace of gear. For example, Schiit Modi Multibit sounds noticeably cleaner when weighed down. While many other DACs don't care about it. Denafrips Ares II even sounds worse that way (just more dry, no benefit).
@@iiWiReviews No laughing from me! 🙂 Thanks for replying. I’ve just ordered two for my Dynaudio Emit M10s just to see….. extra cabinet mass can only be a good thing I think 👍 If it works it’s a cheap upgrade!
I just ordered the SMSL SA400 and the SU9 DAC. I stream music from Tidal through my PC. I find it hard to believe that this player will add to the music quality as opposed to streaming from my PC? The DAC does all the work doesn't it? The PC just feeds the streaming file to the DAC via usb
Better than Yamaha WXC-50 or Bluesound Node?
If at all possible you should get your hands on an iFi Zen Stream for review. In my opinion and others it is awesome! In all honesty it has now replaced my Raspberry Pi options, and it's sound quality is better than the Allo Digione, and it has also surpassed my Pi2AES as well! It has big advantages mostly in the SQ area, but with the benefit of Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect built in but also exclusive modes that you engage based on what you are using, Roon, DLNA, NAA, and so on. Great Review of the SD 9 but at the same price the iFi is a huge winner! Hope you get the chance to review it here! Thank you for all you do!! Cheers!!
Hi, how is you experience with tidal connect on the ifi, does it work flawlessly? thanks in advance for sharing your experience
Hi, X Country,
Which Zen output do you use to connect it to DAC? My question is because, in my experience, BNC and XLR sound much better than RCA and this is one aspect that I really like in Allo Digione.
Thanks,
@@joaogilbertodesousaneves7210
I have an Allo myself and always preferred it as one of my favorites until the Zen came along. Another favorite was the Pi2AES as it sounds very good and offeres all output at an extremely attractive price!
In the end it came down to sound quality period, the ZS is just stellar sound hands down! Which DAC I use dictates the output I use as DACs can sometimes favor one over the other...for instance,
Schiit Bifrost 2 favored the Coax out of the ZS
Denafrips Ares Ii sounds better on USB to me probably due to the isolation in it.
Fiio K9 Pro AKM toss up with a slight edge to USB for me!
Remeber these are my impressions only, there are some that agree and some that don't! 😂😂
You'd have to see what works best for your situation! Buy from a vendor with a good return policy and test it out in your setup!!
Cheers!!
@@petrpulpytel Sorry I missed this, lol
Tidal Connect when I use it works flawlessly!
However there have been reports of TC being buggy by some!
I am primarily a Roon User with Tidal and that is absolutely perfect, but then again Roon generally is, but it's an extra cost each month!
Cheers!!
@@xcountry6709 thanks for info and have a nice weekend👍
Can it be used an upnp renderer for kazoo app?
How about Yamaha wxa-50, that you used before?
can this be controlled from audirvana ?
Has SMSL released any firmware or software updates in the meantime?
SD9 is half baked, many software related issues. Any firmware updates expected to resolve ?
Another great review...
Will it support Amazon Music HD Ultra 24/192khz?
How would it's quality compare to IFI Zen streamer specially that it sells for same price ...?
Thanks! No it doesn't support Amazon Music (funny but no streamer I ever tried do). I haven't tried Zen Stream yet but I hope to test it.
@@iiWiReviews It seems to be the one to beat for sound quality at 399usd and above , specially with better power supply
Smsl sa9 amp vs Yamaha a-s501?
I own an sd-9. I don't like the sound in its original form: very edgy and bright. I suspect it uses nichicon fw series filter capacitor which in my experience can be edgy. I uses two 6.3V 560uf capacitors in parallel with the nichicon at the output of the power supply. Gone is the edginess and brightness and the sound is much better, being more natural now.
Is it Roon Ready?
very very good sound quality ,one of the best i heard from stremers.But has one BIG bug in software, in music high volume peaks it starts clipping !! its on all usb ,coax ,optical ports. looks like software problem. speaker sounds like it has drivers blown... please advise before buying !!! try "Heather Nova - Other Shores (2022) FLAC" to see what about im talking :)
I've noticed the same at times but my setup is a little odd because I run my SD9 into an Audio Alchemy DTI, and then into my Dac. The clipping does not seem to happen when I have no DTI in the chain.
However I discovered something that may fix this -- try setting the Fixed Sampling Rate appropriately. For me that was the 44000 setting, and after I did that the clipping seemed to stop, so far.
Its internal eq set to crossfeed. Like chord dacs do to headphones. Its posible to turn off with moded firmware
Does it support any streaming services such as Spotify connect..natively?
No, only trough third party apps such as Bubble UPnP and Mconnect.
I know you meantioned bubble upnp but I have an iphone. Will I be able to stream Qobuz in full 24/192 resolution if I use my iphone and mconnect instead of an android with bubble upnp? Thanks!
Hm, iOS and Android are two different systems and the problems I experienced with mconnect and SD-9 on Android might not be present on iOS. I don't own any Apple device to test it out but it can really go either way.
If Mconnect works fine on iOS then yes, you can stream full resolution. I can on Android while it's working.
So does this have Spotify connect? I'm a simple streamer (more vinyl and CDs ) looking to buy one to feed into my hifi gear.
No Spotify connect at the moment. If someone knows a way to make it work on this unit, please feel free to pitch in.
@@iiWiReviews ahhh that's a shame!! Thank you for responding
SD-9 is a streamer + a dsp device. You seem to be able to hear "bit perfect" audio OR digitally tweaked digital audio. I like my tweaks "after" the digital stage. My dac already has parametric EQ. (RME)
What are the pros and cons? It might be a good idea to explain in a fuller way its use with or without DSP digital.
The software part seems to be "work in progress" It is full of niggles and glitches.
Did I miss it. Is So this a proper DAC? What is the chip set? Are there RCA outputs for an amp?
No, this is just a digital transport, a source you can use instead of PC.
Thanks for reviewing this as there is not much out there. I have a 2TB usb drive full of my cds and looking for something other then my blue ray player to use. I want to get away from BT streaming from my computer to my iotavx stack.
Did you find a solution you were happy with? I want to do same: simply connect SSD to streamer or DAC -- nobody seems to do this so there's very little info about what works...
good review.But In my experience,I have smsl su9 dac but Bt connectivity doesnt work anymore so looking that SD-9 that also drop connection from time to time is a no-no for me (not cheap device). Id prefer big time the "a little bit" narrower sound of a cheap raspberri pi if that connection doesnt drop and save some money .Or save and go for a bluesound node.
so this MUST output to a DAC first,
not to amp ?
👍 yes
This or Yamaha WXA-50?
can i connect this device to my current A300?
Hi. Did you test it?
For me it looks like a good companion for the A-300.
good morning, if i have a vintage receiver with regular RCAs how can i plug this streamer to it?
You can't. You either need to have digital inputs on your receiver such as optical or coaxial SPDIF (DAC inside it) or analog RCA outs on your streamer (DAC is inside the streamer in that case). This streamer doesn't have a DAC and analog outs.
For your needs you should look at something like Bluesound node 2i, PecanPi Streamer, Allo Boss 2, etc. For the last two options there are full reviews here on my channel. Great devices.
@@iiWiReviews how about the cambridge audio cxn v2 can I hook up this one to my vintage receiver?
Thank you
tidal?
Does it do spotify connect, tidal connect, qobos, roon? How easy/difficult is it to get these?
There is no native support for any of these. I use Tidal and Qobuz trough third party apps such as Bubble UPnP and Mconnect.
@@iiWiReviews Hi there, do you have to pay for those third party apps? I was sold on zen streamer but I like qobuz the best and I heard its not compatible with ifi zen. So now I'm thinking I may go with the smsl sd90...Thanks
ROON?
Hi, how is SD-9 compared to Ifi Zen Stream sound quality wise? Thank you.
The difference between the two is not huge but if Zen Stream is used in one of the exclusive modes (so not all in one) it does sound cleaner and more revealing. In a transperent system that should be noticeable.
@@iiWiReviews Im thinking of purchasing this streamer or the IFI Zen streamer, to use on my SSD hard drive, if I use I2s on the SD9 will it sound better than the USB on the IFI Zen streamer listening to DSD files, What do you think or heard while you had it?
What Is the point of a streamer if I can access Tidal with laptop or phone? And export digital sound bitperfect?
Better sound depending on the rest your system. Also user interface preferences. “Bit perfect” is just marketing jargon.
Because a laptop is electrically noisy and a phone usually resamples everything in the operating system.
Even if you go with Apple iPhone lightning directly into usb of a DAC?
@@imagrisso You need to use the Apple CCK adapter to get unadulterated digital audio out of iPhone.
@@steven2809 yes using that. So not sure why I would need a streamer if it still needs a phone to stream music from Tidal?
Will this stream Amazon Ultra HD music?
Not that I'm aware of. I haven't seen a streamer yet that supports it, don't know why is that.
Now my audio setup is connected to nvidia shield pro via USB. Will this streamer sound better?
💯 percent
@@stephencosta6814 but from usability standpoint it is not too good. And it looks like there was no firmware update other than 1.01. And it stops me from buying it.
@@siamxiii exactly right it does sound fantastic once it gets going and it doesn’t quirk out on you
I have the Ifi Zen stream it sounds perfect 👍
I ordered my sd9 over a month ago, but it hasn't even shipped yet. Do any other companies make a similar produce? Also, if I feed a high res encoded signal from a non high res device like a laptop, through my smsl su9 decoder, is the end result going to be me listening to it in high resolution?
u recieve it yet?
i am thinking of this unit
@@ukspawn666 yes, finally a week ago. It arrived at my home in New Hampshire exactly 2 days after it left China. It really is awesome. I've got it running through my SU9 dac and into my mcintosh Ma6100 amp.
@@dont4450 thank you for the reply. i also have su9 .. do you have any problem with cracking poping sounds on the SD-9? others say it has ? thanks
@@dont4450 also did it work as you wanted with Laptop>SD-9>SU-9 i want to run the same config.
Thanks
@@ukspawn666 yes. Yo plug the USB-A into the laptop, and the USB-B into the SD-9. But I did not configure it that way. I've got my entire music library downloaded onto a 256gb micro sd card and broken up into folders. HDTRACKS FOR HIGH RES, ITUNES FOR MP3, FAVORITES, CHRISTMAS, AND ANY OTHER FOLDER YOU MAY WANT. I popped it into my SD-9, and play from the card. You have to remember that I've got my sd-9, su-9, and tascam gigital recorder all hooked into my home Mcintosh system. It's not for listening through my headphones. I have an astell&kern kann alpha for that purpose. I use my computers for downloading and main storage of music files.
Can you use a dragonfly with this?
You should be able to just insert it back into the USB port, as any other USB DAC. But I don't have any Dragonfly with me at the moment to check.
I've never enjoyed sound processing on any gear I've tried it on. Normally after about twenty or thirty seconds I've realised I've lost more than I've gained.
Couldn't agree more. 👍
Reviewers seem to be reluctant to review streamer/network players. If they do it consists of features and user friendly aspects but seldom
includes real SQ A/B comparisons. Are they all equal in this regard? Doubtful.
Still quirky? Thanks.
Yes, it didn't receive any updates as far as I know.
Too bad it’s not Roon Ready.
Bluesound node.
Is it Roon Ready?