Review: Smsl Su-9 Ultra – Asahi-kasei Rides Again

The SMSL SU-9 Extremely is a mid-budget powerhouse with a hard-to-fault sound and nice technicalities.

Again within the day, maximum Delta-Sigma DACs, neatly… sucked. They labored high quality for on a regular basis stuff, however vinyl and tape guys argued that virtual is dead and sounds sharp, and as a rule, they had been proper.

To treatment that, I looked for my first multibit DAC – the Parasound D/AC-1600. It was once large, heavy, ran sizzling, and, let’s be fair – sounded beautiful coloured. But it surely had soul and steadily stored me up till 3 am with numerous “only one extra” songs. And I purchased it from none instead of Currawong!

This present day, it’s miles, if no longer parsecs, higher. There is not any wish to hunt for virtual dinosaurs – the newest and largest from ESS and Asahi-Kasei are steadily just right sufficient. After all, the DAC chip on my own doesn’t inform the entire tale, however maximum implementations are just right sufficient.

The SMSL SU-9 Extremely pulled a vital feat and not left me short of to achieve for multibit. Learn directly to learn the way SMSL and Asahi-Kasei did it!

Unboxing and First Affect

Design and Construct

The outer look of the SMSL SU-9 Extremely is modest. Whilst the case is same old anodized aluminum, what assists in keeping it with the exception of the extra reasonably priced SMSL choices is that the enclosure is CNC machined with each backside and best panels detachable to get admission to the circuitry inside of.

The entrance panel incorporates a pushable encoder knob that controls the quantity and we could the consumer navigate the UI. The show is a TFT-based LCD, taking into consideration handy navigation between the menu sections.

The again panel properties all the IO. I’ve simplest two gripes right here – as soon as once more, coaxial makes use of RCA as an alternative of BNC, which reasons fallacious termination impedance matching. Secondly, the unbalanced RCA outputs are stacked on each and every different, so it’s tougher to resolve which facet is which.

Bluetooth

Like different SMSL DACs, the Bluetooth connection helps the entire same old formats – LDAC, AptX, Aptx HD, AAC, and SBC. The rated connection vary is as much as 10 meters with the integrated antenna hooked up. As at all times – maximum Bluetooth connections will scale back audio high quality as connection power drops.

Controls

Whilst the SU-9 Extremely is completely usable with simply the encoder knob, it’s means more straightforward to navigate the menus with the far off. Make sure to have 3 AAA cells at hand since the far off has none inside of.

I do know that some will lament the exclusion of an onboard ON/OFF transfer, however the 10W energy draw shouldn’t inflate your energy invoice an excessive amount of.

I worry conserving the default sign standing display at all times on would possibly purpose burn-in.

There’s an method to routinely transfer off the LCD display after a collection time, which will have to keep away from burn-in. The disadvantage is that it makes it not possible to inform whether or not the unit is on.

Similar to with ESS-based DACs, the AKM-based SU-9 Extremely comes with a collection of output filter out presets to choose between:

1. Sharp roll-off
2. Sluggish roll-off
3. Brief sharp
4. Brief gradual
5. Tremendous gradual (simulates NOS)
6. Low dispersion

Once more, I’m no longer a large fan of this because it kicks my ADHD-addled mind into research overdrive. At the vibrant facet, the filters are simply switchable, so evaluating them is a breeze.

However wait, there’s extra! The AK4499EX chip has 4 “sound colour” modes to choose between on best of the filters.

Beneath the Hood

Take note 2020? With the entire unhealthy that the pandemic introduced, we audiophiles were given the AKM chip manufacturing facility fireplace because the cherry at the cake. I used to be beautiful thinking about what it might carry to the audio business.

The SMSL SU-9 Extremely makes use of the latest AKM chip they offered after the incident.

Let’s get started originally – the virtual entrance finish. USB is treated by means of the newest XMOS XU316 receiver, which matches high quality on my Home windows 11 gadget with out devoted drivers. Putting in the motive force provides an ASIO output method to gamers that make stronger it.

The PCB has many chips with all markings milled off.

Different virtual inputs are treated by means of a thriller IC (more than likely an AK4118) that had all markings erased. Now not cool, SMSL! Perhaps it’s because of fears of pageant copying designs, but it surely most commonly makes upkeep extra of a headache than want be.

The clock control is finished by means of a PLL gadget that SMSL devised. I’d say it really works beautiful neatly as a result of I may no longer stumble on any sound distinction between all the stressed out virtual inputs.

After a jitter blank up, the virtual sign will get routed to the AK4499EX or, reasonably, to the AK4191EQ modulator chip. AKM has made up our minds to make its flagship DAC modular by means of reducing it up into two ICs – a modulator that takes the IIS sign after which sends it to the true DAC chip.

Whilst it’s tough to inform from the markings, the analog portion of the circuit perhaps makes use of OPA1612 opamps. For some explanation why, those chips by no means have easy-to-ID markings. This opamp has been the darling of SMSL and different manufacturers and is able to very spectacular efficiency.

How Does the SMSL SU-9 Extremely Sound?

I describe the total sound signature of the SMSL SU-9 Extremely as impartial.

A Goldilocks tuning between coloured and scientific. The icing at the cake is the super technical capacity the SU-9 Extremely is able to. Low distortion, microdetail, and a practical sense of recording environment are the secret right here.

Bass

Have there been any DACs with unhealthy bass in recent years? Until the outputs are capacitor-coupled or use transformers, the bass will have to be tough to fault. The SU-9 Extremely most often turns out to have subjectively much less bass than some ESS implementations I’ve heard in recent years. It beats me which one is nearer to the recording.

Midrange

There’s a positive richness to the midrange of the SU-9 Extremely; alternatively, it’s very recording-dependent.

After going via many alternative recordings, I attempted my best possible to pin down whether or not the SU-9 provides some further sugar to the mid-frequencies. Whilst I’ve heard Blackjazz by means of Shining sound extra abrasive, there’s a superb opportunity this DAC is simply very impartial.

Treble

The upper registers at the SU-9 Extremely are tremendous detailed, but and not using a trace of coldness.

In different phrases – I may blast dying steel all day, and my ears wouldn’t protest. Some Delta-Sigma DACs were in charge of imbuing their output with a undeniable sheen other folks have referred to as “digititus.” With the SU-9 Extremely, there wasn’t any signal of it in spite of no longer the usage of unique circuit answers.

Comparisons

Having lately reviewed the SMSL D6-S, it was once my primary level of comparability. It makes use of the ESS Applied sciences ES9039Q2M chip, with the accompanying portions very similar to the SU-9 Extremely. It’s additionally necessarily an identical function-wise.

Whilst the rapid replica element was once an identical on each gadgets, the SU-9 Extremely edges the D6-S in relation to microdetail, imaging, and environment. There was once additionally a marked development in realism when switching to the AKM DAC. I’d regard the SU-9 Extremely as a profitable improve from the D6-S.

The place to Purchase

Who Will have to Purchase This?

I optimistically suggest the SMSL SU-9 Extremely to any individual searching for a DAC on this worth vary. It does the whole lot neatly and has no idiosyncratic tuning alternatives that would scare away choosy listeners.

When it comes to gadget matching, the SMSL SU-9 is a Swiss Military knife. It’ll be the downstream equipment that can dictate the total sound signature. Because of its very good quantity regulate and far off, the SU-9 Extremely will paintings properly with energetic audio system and setups that use true energy amps and not using a quantity regulate.

Ultimate Ideas

For the longest time, I disregarded SMSL because of its cookie-cutter designs. I love to peer one thing fascinating after I pop the quilt of my equipment. The SMSL SU-9 Extremely proved me flawed – who cares about unique electronics if the sound is excellent?

With the assistance of my favourite chip maker, AKM, SMSL has created a Delta-Sigma DAC that sounds analog sufficient to stay me from peeking over my shoulder at multibit R2R designs. I will simplest bet what they might do with discrete output phases and double-chip designs.

What’s within the Field?

• SU-9 Extremely DAC
• Energy twine
• USB-A to USB-C cable
• Bluetooth antenna
• Far off
• QC card
• Guide

Technical Specs

• Shape: DAC
• Weight (g): 790g
• Inputs: USB-C, SPDIF RCA, TOSLINK, Bluetooth
• Outputs: XLR, RCA
• Bluetooth Model: 5.1
• Bluetooth Audio Codec: LDAC, AptX, Aptx HD, AAC, SBC
• Far off: Sure
• THD+N: 0.00006% at 5VRMS
• SNR: 132dB (XLR), 127dB (RCA)
• Dynamic vary: 132dB (XLR), 127dB (RCA)
• Information charges (USB): PCM – 32bit (44.1 – 768kHz), DSD – 1bit (2.8224 – 22.5792Mhz), DoP256
• Information charges (Optical & Coax): PCM – 24bit (44.1 – 192kHz), DoP64
• Energy intake: <10W, <0.5W stand-by
• Measurement: 187.5x154x40mm (WxHxD)