SMSL SU9 DAC with ESS Sabre chip. What do you get?

At less than $500, the SMSL SU-9 is quite a sophisticated DAC. But how does that translated into its ability to reproduce music?

Thanks to Shenzen Audio for sending me one for review.
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[latzelsperger]

Above all I love your detached, sober and almost dry way of reviewing, I really do.

[DeepishMoog]

Excellent review. I really like your speaking pace. You clip right along, and offer a lot of information, but in understandable terms, often very pertinent on spec and detail, but also some impressions which demonstrate your wide experience. Balanced indeed. Subbed.

I think the SU-9 is my next DAC. (I may pair it with the SH-9, but we'll see.) Clean and very versatile...nice UI, ample screen, volume at a glance, and remote. Just what I'm after.

[SHENZHENAUDIO]

Really thanks for this review you given, we'd love to hear your opinion about SU-9!

[dakaroz]

This is why i like your reviews Amos. You always tell it like it is, no bullsh#t. I own the SU-9 and love it but i dont want to be ignorant as to where it exists in the overral scheme of things.

[dilbyjones]

Great Great Great Reviews I cant believe You tube made me wait so long to auto suggest.

[eddiebaby]

great review and thanks for clarifying you can use both outputs

[RobNotANumber]

Great review hanks. Cant wait to see more of the budget options with your very honest appraisals

[orthosympa]

Dacs technology has evolved quite a lot in the past few years. You can get a fantastic dacs for 200-300$ now and it will sound almost as good as any sub 1000$ dacs. I went from a SMSL SU-8 to a topping D90 and the difference is almost insignificant in term of sound quality. Put that money on better headphones instead.

[JPC]

How would a SU-9/SH-9 stack compare against a Schiit Modius/Magnus stack ?

[Alex]

Balanced connection is also good for mitigating ground loop issues common in computer audio systems.

[startop]

Hello, I understand that it would be crazy to answer all the questions that you are asked. . . but I hope you could take a couple of minutes and help me with a query of this model. I just bought this same dac (SU 8s) that you have published but when I go into the settings, specifically the "SOUND COLOR" setting when changing the "tube", "rich", "crystal" and "standard" options I can't perceive or the slightest change between one and the other, they all sound exactly the same, which makes me quite disappointed because I don't know if it's a problem with my dac or if the same thing happens to everyone. I know a person who has a dac of this same brand (smsl) I don't remember the model, but it is apparently more advanced since the screen shows the covers of the singers that are being played, I told him what is happening to me and he says that he It is strange because in his model he says that there are variations between one and the other.
If you could really help me with this question, I would really appreciate it since the value of this product, although it is true, is not that expensive, it is still a good amount of money.
Thank you in advance and I hope you can help me. Greetings.

[aceofspades]

fun content.. looks like you've got a nice view out of your office/listening room!

[moto-rambler]

Thanks for the upload. This video basically confirms for me that the SU-8 is the better/smarter choice at a much cheaper price.

[milesdufourny]

I had used an OPPO DAC/headphone amp (which utilized a Sabre chip) for about 3 years, then back in 2018 I bought myself a CHORD MOJO - WOW! I couldn't believe the difference in sound quality, the MOJO delivers much more space around the instruments, has impeccable timing and great display of harmonics - it captures the "feel" of the music. The OPPO with the Sabre chip has a fatiguing glare in comparison.

[AcydDrop]

First off let me say I really enjoy your no nonsense approach to reviewing it's clear, concise and I truly enjoy them so thank for sharing with the community. I do have a question then. I enjoy decent sounding audio, I really don't want or need the best. As long as it's good enough I'm happy enough, besides I'm too broke to get on the audiophile band wagon anyway. My current setup consists of a Topping D50s and an SMSL SP200 THX amp and a pair of Phillips Fidelio X3 headphones (because they were on sale for a really good price). Is there any reason to consider upgrading my from the D50s to the SU-9 considering I'm quite happy with what I have now and my system is more about bang for the buck vs having to have the best? The two things I'd like to add are a nice Schitt tube amp (The Lyr 3 most likely) and I'd like to add another headphone option (Thinking Sundara's or HD660 S). After I do those things I probably won't really be fussed about any changes to my system. I hope I asked my question right. Is the D50s good enough or should I really consider the SU-9? This whole "hobby" vexes me.

[JezJerzy]

Is SMSL SU-9 better than AudioGD DACs in terms of SQ?

[SanguinariusUmbra]

How does this DAC compare to a Topping D90? I don't want to buy another DAC in a few years but I'd like to know if this one is worth the money

[Dinasuke]

I like your review have very good information.

[navinadv]

How does this compare with Soncoz SGD1? The SGD1 uses the 2 channel 9038Q2M in dual mono, the SU 9 uses 4 channels of the 9038Pro for each channel. The SonCoz has a better power supply and really takes the Q2M to the limit of its performance.

[silverweed]

I would like to buy this dac. The Shiit Asgard you recommended isn’t available, what amp is best for me on a budget under 1000? Or do you recommend spending more money on a dac and less on an amp? I like the options in the SU-9, but the IFI NEO would be the easiest all in one choice, but I doubt it’s the best choice for my budget. Hifiman Sundara is my preferred headphone.