Heco Direkt 2 ways Sugden A21SE amp and SMSL SU9 DAC playing Your Precious Heart by Bill Medley

got a new DAC, the SMSL SU-9. Forget the KZbin quality, the idea is that I find this little DAC a very capable one, easy to listen to, warm and bold, big sound

[@bellay111]

Oh my God lovly

[@johnnyholm1493]

How does the Heco image? It seems to have a nice tonalety. I have Martin Logan ESL at the moment but I feel like I'm ending up listening to musik that sounds good on them. But one thing that ML does very good is space and image.

[@blackcatsarenopussies]

Man, you got me here. It's a very esoteric term, sound image and so. Not familiar with ML but heard nice things about them. However, I understand what you mean by listening to music that complements certain speakers. From my experience the Direkt sounds great with everything, even with music I don't like or with poor recordings. They bring a sense of joy to listening which is very hard to define, I've become less hifi listener and more music listener, if it makes sense

[@jimsregaturntableshifijukebox]

Hi, may I ask, how do you find this DAC sounds in comparison to the Audiolab 8200cqd? I have an 8200cqd, that's why I'm asking. Oh, and I have an RP6 too. 😉 Jim 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🙂

[@blackcatsarenopussies]

I love the 8200cdq but it died on me. Had to replace it hence the SMSL. Very clean, fast but musical sound. However the SMSL sounds as clean but bigger, bolder, warmer and with huge bass, a very analogue sound for a DAC especially a ESS Sabre based one. Nothing that can be labelled as clinical

[@jimsregaturntableshifijukebox]

@@blackcatsarenopussies thank you for taking the time to reply, very much appreciated. I have subscribed. Jim 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🙂

[@blackcatsarenopussies]

If the actual question is if you should change the cdq for a smsl I would say stick to the audiolab until it dies. The SMSL sounds better but CDQ is still very solid and actual

[@jimsregaturntableshifijukebox]

@@blackcatsarenopussies that was going to be my next question, thank you for answering it in advance.