SMSL SU-9 Ultra AKM DAC Review and Comparison

[@Tharbamar]

↘Associated Component List In Video Description ↙ ☝Be careful of scammers in the comments or social media platforms who pretend to be me and trying to scam. 👋I'm not hosting giveaways or asking you to contact me. 👍A real comments/replies from me has a GRAYED OUT profile name just like this comment. 🫵 Also, due to spam posts, links are No Longer Allowed in comment section. Thanks for watching! 🙏

[@ramencurry6672]

I love his relaxing voice. I can hear him talk all day

[@AdiMaco]

This DAC is as good as any at almost any price. It is fluid and almost sounds like a good reel-to-reel. Kudos to SMSL! The Chinese have taken the DAC market by storm and I do not think any US or European company can keep up!

[@OMDF01]

Yeah, good luck with your Chi-Fi guaranteed one (1) year…

[@shawnpwatsons1]

Sounds very natural without any midrange dynamic glare. Sub-bass sounds wonderful and of a high quality. I like it.

[@allaboutkalergi5012]

Yes, nice speakers....

[@klaymoon1]

Great review! This DAC sounds great too. Among everything I heard on this channel (through MDR-7506), my personal preference is SMSL SU-X > SMSL SU-9 > Topping D90 III.

[@Tharbamar]

Cool, thanks!

[@itt9037]

thanks for the comparison =)

[@ColocasiaCorm]

Very interesting. Pronounced upper bass but quite smooth compared to sux and d90iii

[@REX4340]

Thanks for your content this year, how about stepping things up for 2024 by improving your capture and using a wider variety of music💪

[@Tharbamar]

Noted!

[@mxjoaoo]

@@Tharbamar i don't think that's useful as we need to use the same equipment both speakers and amp to compare different dacs sound signature and performance

[@filipviljamaasvensson]

Using vibration dampening makes a clear difference in sound quality, people should talk about this more! Good that you brought it up. Night and day on my DAC, soundstage gets bigger and more 3d. And less dull. I'm still only on Moongel, but it's an amazing value for the money.

[@Tharbamar]

Definitely must have for me.

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

Make a video of you blindfolded and consistently picking out your dac with the isolation feet over when they're removed.

[@YouSoundButtHurt]

@@crazyprayingmantis5596 stick with your wiim garbage clown 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡

[@OMDF01]

😂

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

@@OMDF01 I think he's on a bit more than moongel

[@landosazo7506]

thanks for the great review, on purely the DAC functionality, which sounds fuller - the DL300 or the SU9 Ultra? thanks

[@Tharbamar]

SU-9 Ultra is, thanks

[@jerrykendle9123]

Thanks for Grace Mahya 0:09

[@820SHAY]

four “sound color” modes, what are the differences....

[@maroz73]

hello , very nice review please what isolation are you using the DAC : soundsteel ? Many thanks for your work

[@aussie8114]

Why not just get the Accuphase DAC board then you have the amp and DAC in one unit. Surely the Accuphase DAC would be of great quality and designed to suit the amps sound. If I get the 4000 or 5000 next year I will get the DAC included.

[@Tharbamar]

Waiting for AKM Card, these are review samples.

[@mysonryu]

Thanks for your good review as always. May I ask you to compare it with do300ex in terms of sound from the Dac mode? Which is more music enjoyable? And Why? Thank again.

[@Nickhifi88]

You mentioned the dac running the classD amp directly. What’s your experience when compare with eg your Accuphase? Would you still prefer at least a pre added, even if no analog input is required? So in other words, is a dac with volume combined with a classD power on level with a highend class a/b amp like Accuphase?

[@Tharbamar]

I was paring it with Sabaj A8 iCE Power Mono blocks, resolution and sound stage width is there but image, refinement and depth is not comparable. I would say It's all depends on budget and individual mindset because it can be very good choice if anyone do not want to spend a lot of money, it can be as good as 70-80% of the sound for far less money.

[@Nickhifi88]

Can you maybe elaborate on saying resolution was there but not imagine and refinement?

[@Tharbamar]

Every Detail is there but precise stereo Image and refinement of music is not.

[@valterpazzi4041]

hi, I would like to know the insulating bases you use to support e-4000 and other electronics

[@akramhossain1931]

With wiim pro plus ➕ steamer which dac will be best for me DO400 or D300. I like warm sound.

[@benjaminqilafku5714]

Thank you for the review as always concise and detailed. I'm on the market for a worm and engaging dac under 500 bucks and would appreciate a suggestion by you given the knowledge. I don't like the neutral and transparent sound signature because I don't get involved.

[@VirusForPrez]

on the market for a worm ? wt ,...

[@user-xh2qi7tn2l]

SMSL SU-9 Ultra AKM DAC на 4499 звук лучше (ближе/лучше звучание к Сабре)

[@italorapisarda1944]

Hi but what would be the difference between do300ex and dl300? Thanks, nice video as always.

[@Tharbamar]

It should be the same, DO300EX is exclusive model for one of their distributor and DL300 is SMSL budget model with steel casing.

[@italorapisarda1944]

@@Tharbamar Well. I found the do300ex model on offer. A dealer gave me a nice price of around €300 in Europe. I bought it. I think it's also good for high end.

[@ivanbalbontin3236]

What is the difference between SMSL SU-9 ULTRA and SMSL DL 300

[@andreaspapandreu5717]

I think that Audalytic AH90 it have much better sound...I'am right?

[@Tharbamar]

Not better but more transparent, SU-9 Ultra is on warmer and richer side of neutral.

[@khallgrimsen]

Jeeez its many dacs out now. I wonder if this has more 3d debt than the Gustard a26. The a26 disapointed at this. Good at other things thou.

[@Tharbamar]

More the merrier for consumers, A26 is very good at making 3D sound stage but synergy with paring components is the major reason if not there.

[@khallgrimsen]

@@Tharbamar Thanx for reply:) i tested the r26 after and chord qutest. In my room they both added alot more 3D debt. But the A 26 more like a huge wall by the tv between the speakers. Ended up with the qutest.

[@Tharbamar]

Nice choice.

[@user-bq6ym2ee6y]

В моей идеально остроиной системе, а26 тоже играет с несколькими минусами. Думал вы это слышали, но увы вам только продать бы и рекламу (((

[@AhmedAddas]

Topping e70 akm

[@Tharbamar]

Very good 👍

[@user-wu9bk8mh6q]

The sound is small　Volume / Normalized 100% / 100% (content loudness -5.4dB)

[@Tharbamar]

It does not sound small in real world.

[@user-wu9bk8mh6q]

On KZbin, LUFS -14 is the standard sound size, so it's not a problem of raising the volume.

[@elrief1]

Little off subject, but what stand is that in your video?. Thanx

[@Tharbamar]

I' using custom made stands, thanks

[@ThePronin75]

what is your opinion about the DO300 EX?

[@Tharbamar]

it's a good DAC exclusive to one of their distributor.

[@albertalbertov5835]

TAD or JBL

[@Tharbamar]

I need both.

[@albertalbertov5835]

@@Tharbamar What is better TAD or JBL

[@Tharbamar]

Truly honest advice would be hear it for yourself, which ever you like is the better, to me both have strengths and weaknesses like all audio components. I can’t give personalized advice.

[@user-if6rq3zd3g]

Great review....I wonder when will the SMSL SU9 Ultra Super Pro Max come out?

[@anatoliyberg6369]

Мягкие Ножки под цапом- та еще дичь! Вы еще провода на мягкие подушечки положите )))))))

[@SerG4862]

An uninteresting outdated design.The display is outdated.There's nothing to talk about.There are more interesting DACs with a cool design and better circuitry, such as the smsl d400pro.

[@maroz73]

hello , very nice review please what isolation are you using the DAC : soundsteel ? Many thanks for your work

[@Tharbamar]

Hi, I'm using Virborg please check the video description for the links. Thanks