smsl su1 dac review and final thoughts

[@Colin623]

This DAC is now only £67 on Amazon, I received mine two days ago, used a separate power adaptor, not expensive though, has overload protection, heat protection, this I plugged into a silencer block extension, the results are great, most hi-fi gear are over rated by reviewers for many different reasons, but I can honestly say this little box has changed the way I listen to my CD player and Turntable (the turntable hooked up via an analogue to digital converter) the music has opened up no end, plenty of dynamics, great bass which is tight, treble is a delight with no sibilance at all, one happy bunny, listening to my CD player is now so much better via the Coaxial connection. My one tip would be to get the best out of this DAC is to get a separate power supply, regardless of price because using just the included USB cable as the power supply is equivalent to disconnecting a spark plug on a cars engine, it works but won't perform as it should !

[@briansanchez6065]

Can you connect a turntable to this dac via line out?

[@Colin623]

@briansanchez6065 No, their are no analogue inputs, so in this case I bought a analogue to Digital converter, plugged the turntable into the converter via RCA cables, then connected the digital converter to the DAC via optical cable, the reason for this is because the DAC doesn't have a analogue input, digital converter cost around £12 - £15 so not expensive, but works extremely well.

[@briansanchez6065]

@@Colin623 Thanks for the clarification. It's good to know that quality sound can be had for a reasonable price. Planning on getting a turntable once I sort out this dac to my wiim

[@Colin623]

@@briansanchez6065 I would suggest connecting the Wiim using a good quality coaxial cable, I've got a Van Damme coax cable for £14 off Ebay, but also available on Amazon, and an optical connection for the turntable !

[@alexn.4355]

Could you tell if that DAC can be powered on by itself just receiving 5V from the power source or pushing a power button is mandatory? Sure, nobody excited to power on all audio equipment by remote but then walk to the stand and power on the DAC by button:) Thanks

[@thinkIndependent2024]

You are right!! CLEAN POWER is everything I started building power supplies. But modifying may not be necessary just proper accurate voltage with proper current!! I built around 30 in that manner with various low cost USB DACs

[@jonasDoguedeBordeaux]

Hi thank you fir your positive contribution. I'd like to build a semetrical ppwer supply just for the opamp

[@thinkIndependent2024]

​@@jonasDoguedeBordeaux I would just consider a ultra clean since the SU1 uses a DC to DC boost from 5 to 12 volt if there is no current switching noise everything could be fine.

[@micinum]

@@thinkIndependent2024 cant we just skip the dc to dc and use lm7812 to supply straight 12v to the rail?

[@thinkIndependent2024]

​​@@micinumwhat ripple voltage do you get out of that circuit? Also 1.2 amps is a problem check your current noise I have

[@jemsmay2167]

I’m having trouble finding a decent power supply for my new SU-1. Using an apple block for now, but looking for a clean, linear supply that matches the value to performance of the SU-1. Been looking at some things from BRZ but still looking. Anybody got a suggestion for me?

[@videofoto555]

Hello. What kind of power can be supplied to SMSL - SU1? 6 volts 2 or is it possible?

[@jonasDoguedeBordeaux]

Hi please use 5 volts only

[@roybrolsbeak]

Can you help me. I have a pre amp and a power amp but i cant seem to get the su 1 to work. I connected the rca out on the su 1 to the rca in on the pre amp. Do i select usb then on the su1 ? Im confused

[@jonasDoguedeBordeaux]

Did you sort it, mate? I don't use isb

[@roybrolsbeak]

@jonasDoguedeBordeaux i did. I connected the rca to the power amp directly and the optical/coax goes to the pre amp. Done

[@paulduff3810]

How do these cheap DAC’s compare to the MF X-DAC V3 you done a while back?

[@raynerstuelgalid]

What the DC voltage from the TeraDak?

[@jonasDoguedeBordeaux]

5v dc near enough

[@jonasDoguedeBordeaux]

As I said in the video you have to drill a hole in the back then fit a socket. this power supply was made only for the trerrdak so must be adapted

[@erichill5328]

Any chance you can do a video on your mods on the SU-1 and power supply? Also where can I purchase that same power supply? Many thanks

[@deanryder4922]

How about a separate battery pack should be quieter then any other power supply out there no Emi or RF just clean power.

[@jonasDoguedeBordeaux]

There are some power packs that do not sound as good as a decent power supply. Car lead acid with a 5v suoer regulator would be ideal

[@deanryder4922]

Thanks for the input .cheers