SMSL SU-1 DAC with Ultra?

[Modecorp]

Has anyone tried the SMSL SU-1 DAC with the Ultra and if so, what were your thoughts? Im loving my Ultra so far, but I am curious to how much more it could be improved with the addition of a relatively cost effective external DAC.

 

[NBK5LCB]

I tried to hook my SU1 to the Ultra via optical but no sound could be heard. I had my sub connected to Ultra and when I attempted to connect, I only heard the sub. No music out of speakers.

 

[Modecorp]

I tried to hook my SU1 to the Ultra via optical but no sound could be heard. I had my sub connected to Ultra and when I attempted to connect, I only heard the sub. No music out of speakers.

Does the SU-1 need to be connected to the Ultra via USB?

 

[Jeff29]

I have received my smsl su-1 dac connected via coaxial input and a ifi P2 power supply via the USB port and i am very impressed by the listening that i find smoother and more opened than the internal dac of lmy wiim Ultra which already quiet good .

 

[Fenny66]

Can I have my S U 1 powered through usb and connected via coax. Sounds very good. Can usb be utilised?

 

[David Sydney]

I also have one and set up side by side comparison playing a track and comparing the Saber ess DAC in the ultra by using line out. Then against my Advance Paris A10 Amp DAC (Saber ess I think) by using optical out from the Ultra to the amp. Then lastly using the SU1 attached to Ultra USB out and into an analog RCA input on my amp. I like the SU1 the most which uses the AK4493S sound much richer to my ears. I wish there were more new equipment using AKM DACs. Su1 I use mainly for my pc desk speakers. Easily the best $100 I have ever spent.

 

[Smartplug]

I also have one and set up side by side comparison playing a track and comparing the Saber ess DAC in the ultra by using line out. Then against my Advance Paris A10 Amp DAC (Saber ess I think) by using optical out from the Ultra to the amp. Then lastly using the SU1 attached to Ultra USB out and into an analog RCA input on my amp. I like the SU1 the most which uses the AK4493S sound much richer to my ears. I wish there were more new equipment using AKM DACs. Su1 I use mainly for my pc desk speakers. Easily the best $100 I have ever spent.

Akm velvet sound.

 

[Smartplug]

I tried to hook my SU1 to the Ultra via optical but no sound could be heard. I had my sub connected to Ultra and when I attempted to connect, I only heard the sub. No music out of speakers.

Did you chose optical out on ultra? Did you choose optical on on su 1? Both need to be the same.

 

[davmol]

I tried SU-1 and D50 DACs versus the Ultra and once they were volume matched I really couldn't tell any difference between them. I think the DAC in the Ultra is very good and transparent, so connecting an external DAC will only likely sound different if you are using something that colours the sound, to whatever you prefer. I'm glad in a way because I want the Ultra to be an all-in-one desktop device.

 

[Wiimer]

I tried SU-1 and D50 DACs versus the Ultra and once they were volume matched I really couldn't tell any difference between them.

To hear the difference, they say, you need to have 24-karat gold-plated ears, live in a quiet, secluded forest, and listen to only the same five tracks for at least 10 years.

 

[Smartplug]

To hear the difference, they say, you need to have 24-karat gold-plated ears, live in a quiet, secluded forest, and listen to only the same five tracks for at least 10 years.

Haha, I can tell since I only listen to 5 songs since I was a child. Plus, it’s quiet where I live where my neighbors are miles away. The sound of nature at night!

 

[Smartplug]

I tried SU-1 and D50 DACs versus the Ultra and once they were volume matched I really couldn't tell any difference between them. I think the DAC in the Ultra is very good and transparent, so connecting an external DAC will only likely sound different if you are using something that colours the sound, to whatever you prefer. I'm glad in a way because I want the Ultra to be an all-in-one desktop device.

Smsl usualy has feature that color sounds like tube and crystal.

 

[Mr Ee]

Haha, I can tell since I only listen to 5 songs since I was a child. Plus, it’s quiet where I live where my neighbors are miles away. The sound of nature at night!

Really?

Spooky how @Wiimer's post described you to a tee

 

[Smartplug]

Really?

Spooky how @Wiimer's post described you to a tee

It’s up to you if you believe or not. You’re entitled to your opinion which I respect.

 

[Mr Ee]

It’s up to you if you believe or not. You’re entitled to your opinion which I respect.

Sorry, not sure I understand your reply.
I have absolutely no reason to not believe you, quite the opposite in fact.
I was hoping the big, smiley face at the end of my post would convey that I already knew this about you too!
All good!

 

[harkpabst]

It’s up to you if you believe or not. You’re entitled to your opinion which I respect.

Rest assured, whenever we're making fun of you regarding your 5 songs, behind it there's always some admiration for such dedication.

 

[amix]

Sorry, no Ultra here, but on my Pro Plus, via optical, and fed by an Allo Shanti linear PSU, I get about 15% to 25% sound improvement. In any case, get a linear PSU for the SU-1!

 

[Danielck78]

I tested the internal DAC on the Ultra vs Su-1, can't say which is better but I prefer the sound of Su-1. Somehow if sounds fuller and more dynamic.

 

[rod]

Has anyone tried the SMSL SU-1 DAC with the Ultra and if so, what were your thoughts? Im loving my Ultra so far, but I am curious to how much more it could be improved with the addition of a relatively cost effective external DAC.

I totally agree with you about the su-1..I have had other dacs such as smsl su-10,smsl do400 just to name a few and always come back to the su-1..just great and punchy sound..its all you need until your ready to spend over $1,500 -3,000 for a dac

 

[Jeff29]

The Su-1 was sounding so good to me that i have decided to try the SMSL D-6 which use dual AKM 4493 chips and the result is just fantastic .