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Edited June 23, 2022
at 09:05 AM
by
SPECS
SMSL
DAC: ESS ES9068AS
Processor: XMOS 16-core
Sampling rate: Up to 32-bit, 768 kHz
Output impedance: <10 ohm
THD+N: 0.00009%
SNR: 126 dB
Dynamic range: Up to 126 dB
Power consumption: 5 W
Bluetooth version: 5.0
Bluetooth codecs supported: aptX, aptX HD, AAC, SBC
Inputs: Optical, coaxial, USB
Outputs: RCA, XLR
Dimensions: 7.3 x 6 x 1.5 in (18.8 x 15.4 x 4 cm)
Weight: 1.7 lbs (0.79 kg)
https://drop.com/buy/smsl-su-8s-dac/
141 Comments
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@lovelygiraffe4883 it depends on who you ask. Audiophiles typically fall into two categories, subjective reviews (people) and objective reviews (measurements).
Objectively this DAC is the best at this price ($180). Below is the audio science review's SINAD scores for all the DACs they've tested.
https://www.audioscienc
I checked on Amazon and everything that scored better is more money. You may find a deal, like this one, where something is on sale and beats it in the future though.
Subjectively, this has been well reviewed but you'll need to take it home and listen for yourself.
My take, I just placed an order for one to add it to the collection. This will be my highest rated DAC. If you want to play the subjective game then the one to purchase is the Schiit Modi Multibit, but it goes for ~$350/250 new/used if you can find it.
Different DAC chips can process different bitrate signals. The Apple dongle is only good for CD quality bitrates. MQA (Master Quality Audio) is another standard that an Apple/Google dongle doesn't support… there are loads more of these sampling rates and chances are if you pay for Amazon prime you have access to higher than CD quality music already. If you know what to listen for you can tell a difference easily in dynamic range.
The second reason DAC's matter is because the electronics produce noise. The SINAD graph I provided in an earlier post shows the noise floor of each DAC. What this means is that at a certain dB you'll start hearing distortions, noise, or static. There was a person in an earlier post who described his listening experience as such, he needs a better DAC. This is caused by placement of resistors and capacitors, wire placement, electrical noise from the dc converter…
So while yes the chips produce a pretty tight toleranced digital to analog conversion not all DACs are created equal.
*Edit*
More reasons to purchase this over a dongle DAC…
More and higher quality inputs (LDAC BT, toslink, coaxial…) / outputs (balanced xlr…)
Tone control ( 3 roll off modes and 10 sound color modes)
Remote volume control
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@lovelygiraffe4883 it depends on who you ask. Audiophiles typically fall into two categories, subjective reviews (people) and objective reviews (measurements).
Objectively this DAC is the best at this price ($180). Below is the audio science review's SINAD scores for all the DACs they've tested.
https://www.audioscienc
I checked on Amazon and everything that scored better is more money. You may find a deal, like this one, where something is on sale and beats it in the future though.
Subjectively, this has been well reviewed but you'll need to take it home and listen for yourself.
My take, I just placed an order for one to add it to the collection. This will be my highest rated DAC. If you want to play the subjective game then the one to purchase is the Schiit Modi Multibit, but it goes for ~$350/250 new/used if you can find it.
@lovelygiraffe4883 it depends on who you ask. Audiophiles typically fall into two categories, subjective reviews (people) and objective reviews (measurements).
Objectively this DAC is the best at this price ($180). Below is the audio science review's SINAD scores for all the DACs they've tested.
https://www.audiosciencereview.co...ng.207893/ [audiosciencereview.com]
I checked on Amazon and everything that scored better is more money. You may find a deal, like this one, where something is on sale and beats it in the future though.
Subjectively, this has been well reviewed but you'll need to take it home and listen for yourself.
My take, I just placed an order for one to add it to the collection. This will be my highest rated DAC. If you want to play the subjective game then the one to purchase is the Schiit Modi Multibit, but it goes for ~$350/250 new/used if you can find it.
Really great price
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SUMMEROF22
^ This. I also own the SU-9 and it's amazing. But a DAC is fine tuning an already good system, it's not going to make your SHP9500s sound like a Focal Clear. If you have a Clear or even an Elex or an Ananda level headphone then a good DAC is a no brainer. Even with an HD600/650/6xx/660S. But with entry level mid-fi and lower....get a cheap all in one.