Lol, I can't believe everyone in the comments complaining about having to pay $10 dollars more for MQA. It's $79 and punches way above that price. Jeesh
So all DACs that have low distortion measurements sound the same? How are the soundstage and imaging? Or are those just “fine” too? I’m not one of these audiophile snobs who think that a $10,000 set of speaker cables will let me sense whether the cellist is ovulating or that a $7,000 pair of interconnects will provide extra information about the brand, model, number, and specific placement of the acoustic tiles within the recording studio. But this also is not purely an objective matter of whether a system is just transmitting “0s” and “1s” accurately - the “A” in DAC brings a qualitative component, rather than purely a quantitative figure, into how a DAC sounds.
@@WisGuy4 Pretty much yeah, assuming both dac's are complelty linear in their FR response, and the distortion + noise is below audible levels. You will not be able to tell which dac is which in a blind test. Most of the sound signature comes from the speakers or headphones, then the amp usually.
Yeah selling these cheaper without MQA would have been perfect. It would outsell a lot of entry-level DACs on the market. They must have had an MQA lobbyist present on the design meetings.
E30 can be fully powered via USB... You don't need to use another power cable. You have the option, but its not required as long as you plug it in USB 3.0 port which can deliver 5V.
How is this even a review? Just telling the audiences the info that’s already available on the site. “Sounds pretty much the same as my E30”, it’s a dac and it does what it does. Lol
I just bought this product to improve TV audio sound. I have LG 55" OLED with optical cable out, into the SMSL, then RCA to my old Arcam amp. The MCA light doesn't show up....is that a problem? I noticed you said you'd rather not have MCA, so I clearly don't understand what this is, when it's used etc! Can you help? Cheers.
If the usb cable is inserted, does it turn on? I really dislike pressing one million buttons every time I turn on the power in my office. That's why I am looking for hardware that turns on by itself, just like old equipment.
The usb c.. an Android phone with type C can connect and there's enough power to turn on and play? The Khadas tone 2 Pro can do that as well and if you have the correct lightening to type c cable an iOS device will do that too
@@VortexReviews1 I see. I'm guessing it would work. You used the USB with a computer? Thanks for your reply. I'm in the 3rd world. There's virtually no market for good gear in the place I'm in. Sucks
@@jayem1826 I used it with a computer indeed. It's designed to be used with a computer or laptop and not cell phones. A dongle dac seems a better choice and cheaper for your situation?
@@VortexReviews1 Thanks. I have 3 DACs. An Audio Alchemy DDE 3.0 with a DTI PRO. Topping e30 and Khadas Tone 2 Pro. Also the WIIM PRO. If the SU-1 out preforms the e30 I'd like to try otherwise I'd rather get the gustard, but that's not gonna happen. Maybe the Soncoz sdg1
Best value DAC around, beats many high priced ones.
I agree with that 👍
good times, lacks many by todays standard but very strong in important 'newbie' areas
Lol, I can't believe everyone in the comments complaining about having to pay $10 dollars more for MQA. It's $79 and punches way above that price. Jeesh
Exactly, how they are so called enthusiast complaint about 10$ for MQA , when it is a great addition for already cheapest DAC in the market 😂
“Works perfectly fine“ is hardly a detailed review of the device’s sound quality and sound signature.
I noticed no difference between this and my E30. Sounds "perfectly fine" to me.
Once an dac is transparent there are no differences in sound.
@@purpasmart_4831 Indeed. This sounds transparent to me and measures very well according to ASR.
So all DACs that have low distortion measurements sound the same?
How are the soundstage and imaging? Or are those just “fine” too?
I’m not one of these audiophile snobs who think that a $10,000 set of speaker cables will let me sense whether the cellist is ovulating or that a $7,000 pair of interconnects will provide extra information about the brand, model, number, and specific placement of the acoustic tiles within the recording studio. But this also is not purely an objective matter of whether a system is just transmitting “0s” and “1s” accurately - the “A” in DAC brings a qualitative component, rather than purely a quantitative figure, into how a DAC sounds.
@@WisGuy4 Pretty much yeah, assuming both dac's are complelty linear in their FR response, and the distortion + noise is below audible levels. You will not be able to tell which dac is which in a blind test. Most of the sound signature comes from the speakers or headphones, then the amp usually.
Yeah selling these cheaper without MQA would have been perfect. It would outsell a lot of entry-level DACs on the market. They must have had an MQA lobbyist present on the design meetings.
Could be possible and now they need to sell one without the MQA
This is not a review. It's just an unboxing. Lame effort'
Would have preferred the non-MQA version of this DAC as well to save the extra $10 or $20. Like the DSD capability though.
Same here 👍
Hi and thanks, It replaced my little Khadas Tone Board on my desk. I generally prefer the AKM DACs sound compared to the ESSs one.
Thanks for watching.
This is the baby brother to the D12. Only difference is the D12 has an amp out and small screen, but they’re the same dac.
You could be right.
E30 can be fully powered via USB... You don't need to use another power cable. You have the option, but its not required as long as you plug it in USB 3.0 port which can deliver 5V.
Correct.
Wait. What? You're referring to the USB B type? Really? I didn't know that and I only use that (printer type port) to connect to a laptop. Thanks
MQA have gone bankrupt lol
I saw that. Maybe they make a revised version of this dac to make it even cheaper.
How is this even a review? Just telling the audiences the info that’s already available on the site.
“Sounds pretty much the same as my E30”, it’s a dac and it does what it does. Lol
I just bought this product to improve TV audio sound. I have LG 55" OLED with optical cable out, into the SMSL, then RCA to my old Arcam amp. The MCA light doesn't show up....is that a problem? I noticed you said you'd rather not have MCA, so I clearly don't understand what this is, when it's used etc! Can you help? Cheers.
You mean MQA? MQA is a basically snake oil and I don't recommend it as they could have made this DAC cheaper if they didn't have to license it.
If the usb cable is inserted, does it turn on?
I really dislike pressing one million buttons every time I turn on the power in my office. That's why I am looking for hardware that turns on by itself, just like old equipment.
Been a while since I used this but I am sure it was auto. I can't confirm this as I don't have it with me.
The usb c.. an Android phone with type C can connect and there's enough power to turn on and play? The Khadas tone 2 Pro can do that as well and if you have the correct lightening to type c cable an iOS device will do that too
I never tested this with a cell phone.
@@VortexReviews1 I see. I'm guessing it would work. You used the USB with a computer?
Thanks for your reply.
I'm in the 3rd world. There's virtually no market for good gear in the place I'm in. Sucks
@@jayem1826 I used it with a computer indeed. It's designed to be used with a computer or laptop and not cell phones. A dongle dac seems a better choice and cheaper for your situation?
@@VortexReviews1 Thanks.
I have 3 DACs. An Audio Alchemy DDE 3.0 with a DTI PRO. Topping e30 and Khadas Tone 2 Pro. Also the WIIM PRO. If the SU-1 out preforms the e30 I'd like to try otherwise I'd rather get the gustard, but that's not gonna happen. Maybe the Soncoz sdg1
@@jayem1826 I doubt the SU-1 out performs the E30 and it's a different kind of dac with different functionality.
Will it work with apple devices? Does it supports ALAC PCM up to 24bit/192kHz?
Isn't it possible to connect it directly to the AV-Receiver with USB?
I have no idea if that will even work.
Good point about MQA licensing fees.
Cheers.
@@VortexReviews1 I honestly hadn’t thought of that.
@@thethirdman225 Would have sold more units without the MQA and lower price lol
this or fiio bta30 pro?
Never tried that Fiio model.
The reviews for this are awsome for the money ,apparently it stands up to £300 dacs ?
Stands up to my E30 for sure.
Is this driverless? Can this be used for streamers, specifically the IFI Zen Stream?
No idea about the ifi zen stream, Can be used without installing a driver.
I have a Q11 which is a DAC AMP, not much dearer and can't fault it. Also it is portable when you need.
That's a different product for a different purpose but I do understand you. The outputs are very different on both the SU1 and Q11.
Is the coax jack on the back an input or an output connection?
Input.
So you can't just connect to your laptop and plug head phones in? You need an amp?
No. This is only half of the signal chain so an amp is needed as well.
@@VortexReviews1 ok thanks so much for the information ill buy another time now thanks
@@raymika2804 Np worries
Nice review
Cheers.
remote control, source/volume?
Could not test remote control and you can change the volume in Windows.
Hi, SMSL SU-1 or TOPPING DX1?
Depends on what you need? DX1 is a amp/dac and the SU-1 is just a DAC.
@@VortexReviews1 only dac
@@crew4906 Su-1 or Topping D10S is another option but I did not try it.
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Will it work with IOS devices? Does it supports ALAC PCM up to 24bit/192kHz?
Why the hell would anyone send you anything to test and show i learned absolutely nothing wow nothing