SMSL SU-9 Ultra brings AK4499EX DAC to everyone

SMSL SU-9 Ultra is a $500 DAC and this is my review. Read my written reviews with scores at iiwireviews.com/
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00:00 What is ULTRA?
03:53 Sound
06:23 vs Topping E70 velvet and SMSL DO400
09:40 vs SU-9 Pro
11:28 vs Topping D70 Pro Octo
13:16 Conclusion
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Room test system:
Eversolo DMP-A6: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DEh...
Gustard R26 DAC: bit.ly/3XLyNCF
Acoustic Invader AMP and PREAMP (Fulcrum version): acousticinvader.com/
Spirit Wind Speakers: • High End 2-way speaker...
Head-Fi:
Aune S17 Pro: amzn.to/3u2O6gu
Verum 1: www.verum-audio.com/store
Goldplanar GL2000: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DkW...
AKG K702: amzn.to/3TSlnUF
#hifi #audiophile #dac #stereo

[@pdcragin33]

Dang man! I’m so impressed with how you convey your impressions of what you hear into words (and a few hand gestures) that make me feel as if *I* have heard theses DACs. Thank you.

[@m0t0rh3ad]

@iiWi Reviews, thx for review. It will be great if U will make DACs rating table (your own rating) for undesrstanding DACs value and results...

[@jcgoobee]

Thanks for the awesome review as always. SMSL has a new DAC model: D400 Pro, hope you will consider reviewing it in the future. Thank you.

[@iiWiReviews]

It's in the works...

[@mnmlist1454]

​@@iiWiReviews👍

[@shawnpwatsons1]

SUGGESTION: In all your reviews, mention how DACs perform when the music gets busy with many instruments playing at the same time. Many DACs can apparently sound fantastic with a few instruments playing but fall apart separating instruments during fast paced rock etc. This SUGGESTION came to me when a reviewer named Wave Theory dished up some shit on Topping DACs about no sub-bass and inability to separate out instruments during busy passages (his OCTO D70 review). In that review he was comparing to a lower-end Schitt DAC as being superior in that regard. And he was also comparing to Schitt Bifrost which is a multi-bit DAC. I'll include the link to his review of the D70 Octo which runs counter to your review. Ryan Ho did a review on the D70 Octo also comparing to the old SU-9 and felt the OCTO was lacking which I can't understand because I hated that DAC. Anyway, just my thoughts as a listener of reviews. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnOmZ4uNfZhnqZo

[@sean_heisler]

It has been reported by the CDC that a new DAC is released to the market every 26 seconds.

[@liamporter1137]

Thanks for sharing.

[@clarice1001nights]

I can't wait to hear your Gustard Audalytic AH90 Review. At under 600 isn't it better than this one? I can imagine a Gustard Audalytic AH90 vs Topping D7 Octo comparison would be mega interesting. Thanks for your efforts and insights.

[@iikatinggangsengii2471]

this might be another rare item

[@test40323]

Thanks for the review. Neutral is how I like it but how's the tone and timbre?

[@markcompton6750]

Still using the SMSL SU-1. It’s great, it’s 80 quid and I love it.

[@sloboat55]

Excellent review. I wonder what the DAC scene will look like in a year. Will my Tradutto still be in my rig. Cool runnings

[@iiWiReviews]

Those improvements are incremental, Tradutto is still a strong player.

[@jasonhilliker2266]

I'd like to see someone review the new VMV D2R High Resolution Desktop DAC. It's good to see more development of an alternate chip dac.

[@test-by5rg]

do300ex vs su-9 ultra ?

[@hi-fi-guru]

I realize you are overwhelmed with SMSL DAC's but was wondering if you have plans on reviewing the latest AKM DAC from them... the DO300EX which has been getting fairly "glowing" reviews from others. I'd be interested in seeing your take on this model. Also, what are your thoughts on using the I2S (hdmi format) cable vs USB? Thanks again for the great reviews! As a follow-up, the big box mail order company currently has it listed with $94 coupon making it $375.... which appears to be a great value.

[@ysubman]

The SMSL PL200 cd transport + dac seems great, hope you can give it a review.

[@pdcragin33]

Thanks!

[@iiWiReviews]

Thanks for your support!

[@JosephTongret]

I can't wait until SMSL and the other top Chinese hi-fi manufacturer's begin adding HDMI as a standard input on all DACs. Once they do it then other brands will eventually follow suit. I really don't think we're that far off from it at this point. Give us even just a few bands of basic peq filters and all my wishes will have been granted, lol.

[@991carreras3]

Don't think it will have any benefit it's not an A/V receiver so hdmi is passing just a stereo signal same as using optical.

[@Yoku-San0]

@@991carreras3 With HDMI ARC input you could control the volume/attenuation of the DAC with your TV remote.

[@simoSLJ89]

Any chance you will be reviewing the AO 300 ?

[@liegelord135]

Recommendations for sub $1000 DAC with wide and deep soundstage?

[@chatpimooksriphasuthakul4526]

Base from your review, I just bought smsl d300 to my set with leak130, wharfdale linton85. Everything better than internal DAC of leak130 but the midrange vocal is biting, too much open sound. Would you please recommend a DAC with bluetooth that would give equally sound quality like D300, but warmer midrange considering these set of amp and speaker. Note:SMSL can adjust DSD filter, HPC filter i adjusted everything to warmer sound already. With bluetooth, spotify become much better sound on every aspect with D300 compare to internal DAC, JUST midrange too harsh. It nearly perfect to my ear.

[@D1N02]

I like your Paul McGowan sign off😏 This one could be used to spruce op a more warm and rolled off setup.

[@iiWiReviews]

We old dudes be rolling like that. 😄

[@WiiNV]

​@@iiWiReviews L🤣L

[@asan1050]

Thanks Much !.......

[@kdomster9141]

Analog section and power supply could have huge affect on the sound of it , rather than DAC chip itself. I think dual chip dual mono AK4499 with better analog section and better power supply , say separate LPS section for analog and separate for Digital would make such DAC a knock out product , make it for under 900usd and use quality discrete op amps like superb Sparkos or tubes and it would be killing 5000usd DACs .

[@Revan83]

Thank you for this great review! But how does SU-9 Ultra compares with SU-10?

[@iiWiReviews]

SU-10 has a bigger soundstage, smoother and fuller tonality.

[@Harvy75a]

I am still waiting for a review of the SMSL VMV D1SE2 ...

[@kaifa76]

wow....the fourth su-9...exciting...

[@oahupc4688]

The case is the same size as the da-9?

[@StimsonNguyen]

Dear iiWi please help me on selecting a DAC here. Which among these will be the best sounding in terms of warmness, depth, clarity, soundstage, spaciousness, Tight as well as clear and extented bass, Superb mids, fuller body and detailed but smooth highs? (1) Topping D70 Pro Sabre or (2)TOPPING - D70 PRO OCTOZ or (3) SMSL SU-9 Ultra DAC or (4) Topping E70 Velvet DAC. Also I wd like you to remember for reference that once you mentioned akm4499ex dac chip as the better one in comparision to Sabre ESS chips.

[@spectre9233]

Except connectivity as good as D400EX?

[@leodesforges161]

You’re making me feel better and better that I got a SMSL M500 mkII for $307 earlier this year. I also hope you get a chance to listen to the newest Geshelli J2 with the dual AKM flagships and the sparkos op amps (and a better power supply). I’m sure they’d send you one! Anyways, thank you.

[@iiWiReviews]

It's on my way thanks to a fellow viewer and a patron Niel.

[@leodesforges161]

@@iiWiReviews Awesome. Looking forward to the review.

[@mnmlist1454]

​@@iiWiReviewscan't wait. Pls compare against the PecanPi+ as well which also has the same AKM dac chips.

[@tallpaull9367]

SMSL DAC like a DO400, SU-10.... with a good Preamp, Sub Out, Bass Management, HDMI Input, XLR, RCA, Coax, Optical at a killer price would be amazing !! That's what I want ! Or even better, a Preamp with 1-2 HDMI Inputs, 2 XLR Inputs, 2 RCA Inputs, 2 Coax Inputs, 1-2 Optical Inputs. XLR and RCA Outputs, Sub Out XLR and RCA, Bass Management for a killer price

[@pdcragin33]

Sounds like you want the EMOTIVA XDA-3. Seriously.

[@sevsev1712]

Hi great job you are doing and thank you for that. Do you have in plans to review ifi go link dongle DAC at some point? Or if not could you consider to do this? Thank you 😊❤

[@hakan7346]

I dont understand. Cant you just get a warm amp and balance that neutral thin sound?

[@lextr3110]

please review smsl d2r

[@rajasankar1245]

Topping D70 Octo VS SU 9 Ultra. Which is your choice of taste

[@iiWiReviews]

11:28

[@michau_12]

In real live music, every thing happen fast, just like I want it 😊

[@AWEG-qu8bz]

After buying the D-300 I don't need another AKM DAC. I'm just waiting for a well-supported streamer from SMSL. But that probably won't happen.

[@loko306]

Does it sound better than the Musician Draco?

[@Jon-nz3dm]

I hope you grow out of these delusions. Some folks never do, though.

[@iiWiReviews]

No it doesn't. Draco has richer tonality and bigger soundstage... SMSL SU-10 is on that level.

[@Raymondey]

The new SMSL D400 Pro with same AKM chip looks better

[@nonchalantd]

❤

[@mnmlist1454]

How does this compare to the PecanPi+ which you have reviewed. Tq.

[@iiWiReviews]

They have similar tonality and soundstaging. But going by the memory, I belive PecanPi had just a bit more fine deteil retrieval. Take this with a pinch of salt because I had short time with PecanPi.

[@mnmlist1454]

@@iiWiReviews TQVM

[@carlsitler9071]

My 60 year old ears are fine with my $100 SMSL Sanskrit 2. I got the Hidizs S9 Pro for my phone and didn't hear much difference. If it ain't broke...

[@thedownunderverse]

Why not criticize the digital volume control in the Wiim Pro Plus, for example? Is it somehow better than the similar implementation in the SMSL?

[@iiWiReviews]

No it's not. I just mentioned this from time to time because people keep asking why I don't review them as preamps. It's always because they're not so good at it. I just don't say it every time. If there's something different on that front, like with RME ADI-2 FS DAC, then I talk about it more.

[@thedownunderverse]

@@iiWiReviews Good stuff. Thanks for clarifying… it’s a shame this limitation exists for those of us who prefer an all-in one digital streamer/DAC/Pre-Amp solution.

[@StefanUrkel]

SMSL has way too many DACS options.

[@johnpajestka5022]

Was just thinking that. Trying to research them for purchase. It's confusing.

[@ramencurry6672]

It probably doesn’t matter. They should all sound good. Just pick the one that has the coolest name model

[@samlee2562]

​@@ramencurry6672😆SU9000 woo!🌞

[@WorldView22]

SMSL has lost the sense of measure with the rate of releasing new products. It's detrimental to its reputation. The rate of new product releases resembles software updates, it's ridiculous.

[@erikliterature8162]

Shouldn't you really say you're listening to it through an amplifier? You can't listen to this dac unless it's connected to an amp. I find it odd that they are selling them as separate items when one simply doesn't work without the other.

[@iiWiReviews]

High-quality hifi components are often separated into many specialized devices (but not always, there are highly integrated all-in-one products too). I don't mention that because my reviews and this whole channel are aimed at those standalone components and HiFi enthusiasts who like to change them, combine them in different ways, etc. They already know that kind of stuff so it's not needed to be repeated in every DAC review. But yes, it might be difficult for a fresh viewer to stumble upon these videos.

[@russellgooding7475]

This gentleman is a very good reviewer. He is almost at the level, in some ways as the top guy (British Audiophile). But please, these endless reviews of Chifi Dacs etc that are now released at a rate of ten a month :-( His talent would be of great value on companies that spend a bit more time developing a product that may be in their range and radar for more than 5 minutes! I subscribed for his review clarity. But I am becoming bored of these endless SMSL, Toping products tbh....

[@Hakku1403]

Every 3 months the same boring and sterile sounding dacs in a new cases. good job topping & smsl

[@junzhang2087]

All these DAC sound differences are subtle. Get one is enough. No need to get new one. Invest your money in a good pair of speakers

[@AWEG-qu8bz]

Believe me: after you get a new pair of speakers the whole process starts again. Every single new part of the chain will change the sound. real or imagined, And that is also part of the business model in the hi-fi industry.

[@darrellross8609]

"Shine that turd".

[@123456789million]

Another dac from SMSL 😒

[@winfriedscharff9881]

was soll eigentlich der scheiss, Deutscher Titel, Deutscher Text und dann alles in Englisch. Schon wegen diesem clickbaitbeschiss kann ich das nicht honorieren, da sehe ich mir lieber die englischsprachigen reviews an, die nicht mit so tricks arbeiten, dass man auf ihre seite geht. Das ist kein seriöses verhalten und da ist der Inhalt für mich auch nicht mehr vertrauenswürdig! Nochmal fall ich darauf nicht mehr rein!

[@iiWiReviews]

KZbin has the option to automatically translate title, description, and subtitle. I do it for many languages to help people that don't speak English at all but might be interested in the topic... So at least they can read. I belive it's better then not having any translation at all, but I'm sorry it offends you so.

[@humanitech]

It's a bit strange, confusing and questionable that many good chinese hifi companies and manufacturers seem to have adopted a very different product development and marketing process - developing, refining and releasing new updated versions of the same model every few months or so! Which is great for new buyers who for a month may have the latest and greatwst....but also a bit confusing and frustrating too!