Do You Really Even Need MQA? SMSL SU9N Review - A Brave New DAC Bucks the Trend!

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Test Track Playlist:
Satanic Panic Playlist:
Leg Warmers Playlist

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Recommended Speaker List

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Pioneer AJ First Gen - Laid Back

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Polk Reserve R100 - Neutral

Recommended Amp List

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Recommended DACs

Subs

[tabithamaydavis]

“Turnie, turnie, pushie, pushie, clickie, clickie” oh yeah! Using the right technical terminology adds real technical bonafides to any review channel, especially when you are delving into details of thingamagies and whatchamacallits! Way to go! 😉

[halrichard]

Randy, your command of english and your eye to eye connectivity with your viewers makes for an outstanding review medium. Thank You. I have seen so many reviews on speakers, DACs, AMPs, etc., that I have now entered the "review the reviewer mode". Keep up the good work.

[tomhamilton]

Congrats, on 50k subs. I believe back when you had like a couple hundred I told you I expected you to reach that mark by the end of 2021. Outstanding! Your hard work has paid off.

[canadianwildlifeservice]

The chart at 03:30 is misleading. Bluetooth codecs are rated in terms of Kbps, not KHz. The most common codec, the SBC codec, only has a data rate of around 320 Kbps, but "CD quality" is 1, 411 Kbps (44.1 KHz). Currently there is NO bluetooth codec available that can stream LOSSLESS CD-quality audio. Even LDAC tops out around ~900 Kbps. UAT is not even CD quality, since the highest rate of 1.2Mbps is still only 1, 200 Kbps which is STILL less than CD quality at 1, 411 Kbps

[riccitone]

Recently purchased a Toping D70s, and completely in love with it. Have you checked it out? I'd argue that it sounds more "r2r" than my r2r dac. Super clean, but flowing, rich, dynamic, detailed, BIG stage (actually). You're so right about the latest Chinese made dacs. Real passion for audio coming from SMSL and Toppings. Thank you for these great reviews, and congratulations on hitting 50K!

[laurelhardy]

Randy, I think you should have a second YouTube channel as food critic, you really did a good job on the banana bread with butter thing, truly multi talented, thanks for the review.

[mankepoot]

The advantage of not having UAT is that you can justify buying a new DAC later.

[rjzlwop]

The blocks are building fast for the cheap chief audio man you’re awesome dude keep up the amazing work and congratulations on 50 K

[datadriven]

Randy Rocks!!! Congrats on 50k !!! Onward to 100k 👍🚀🎉

[ptg]

Could not agree with you more !! Well DONE ! For those that believe MQA makes a difference, go for it !

[JohnScheppler]

I don't need MQA so I'm glad companys are offering high quality dacs at a more affordable price without out it but still offers the same enjoyment as warm banana bread with melted butter. Great review and congrats on 50k, now I'm off to bake and fill my soul in two ways. 🎶🍞😋🎶

[beeker]

Bob's lawyers in the back heckling.

[willmac]

Great to see they have done this. Obviously read the feedback.

[dungysphincter]

Randy...you are the first to review this item! Congrats! The 3 main differences from this and the SU-9. Clock, MQA, and xmos.

[nicklaplaca]

Thank you for this very helpful review. Based on your recommendation, I purchased the SMSL SU-9N and the DA-9 and paired them with a set of Kanto YU4s and a Kanto Sub8. The source is either my iPhone 13 (via optical or digital RCA through a Topping D10S) or my laptop via USB. The combination, used at my desktop, sounds great - very smooth and full. I am very satisfied with the complete setup. Thank you again!

[josephhawley]

Watching this channel SOLEY DUE to the Skeletor thumbnail I saw on a different video....well played sir..you have the power....

[harackmw]

Indeed, I will make a cup of coffee. Thanks for the reminder!

[NathanPallas]

Congratulations on 50k subs Randy, keep up the great work!

[sabrowenie]

Note: the opinion expressed here is subjective.
Never drank the MQA Kool Aid but really like the Tidal interface. I'm teleworking a couple days a week, spend a lot of time listening to my office system. Tidal streams on an iPad/Schitt Modi3 combo. My main system streams Tidal on a Bluesound Node 2i. Put the Node 2i on my office system this AM. TBH I can't tell a difference between the same tracks on either the Modi or Bluesound streams. BTW: Tried Amazon music but hate the interface and lack of a "Connect" like feature. Since I'm a vet the cost difference is inconsequential.

[jipillow]

14:30 the superb analogies are why i come here