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Frequently bought together:
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Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX Headphones
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Drop + Audio-Technica Carbon VTA Turntable
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Drop + HIFIMAN HE5XX Planar Magnetic Headphones
Product Description
The SMSL SU-8s is an excellent audiophile DAC—providing incredible audio performance without all the extras that muddy the experience. In essence, the goal is to provide listeners with SMSL’s industry-leading audio performance without the spec sheet diving and research time usually required Read More
Simply unbeatable value at Drop's $180 price point
This uses the newest TOTL D/A chip from ESS Sabre specifically for the 2-ch audiophile market. It's provably/measurably among the top 20 most transparent DACs on the market, and it offers wonderful QoL features such as having one button on the remote control that toggles output between RCA single-ended and XLR balanced, which is incredibly convenient for me to toggle between my powered desktop speakers and headphone amplifier.
Amazing kit. Super glad I jumped on this.
Prior to this device I was using an Audioengine D1 DAC/Amp, connected to my laptop by USB, and the DAC to my HPA by RCA. I easily drove my Senn HDXXs, but I always thought that there was probably something missing from the sound. There was no space.
I now have the SMSL connected to a Monoprice THX 887 by balanced XLR, using the balanced headphone connection to the Senns. Certainly clearer and more expansive sound than the D1.
The downside is, now that I know what kind of sound quality I can get with $200 cans and a comparably priced DAC, there's no way I can resist finding out what level of SQ I can get out of a $400 DAC and headphones of a similar price.
And Drop inevitably gets more of my money.
I have been using 58x, THX One AAA amp, and a Schiit Fulla 2 (DAC only) and I believed this was a great setup. The music was clean and had no distortion.
When I replaced the Schiit Fulla with the Su-8s, I couldn't stop crying. For the first time ever I had soundstage, imaging, balanced details, and heard entire instruments/sounds that I didn't know were in sounds I've heard a hundred times, maybe thousands... I was crying because this system is everything I was looking for and now I can say I'm happy with my system, it's mine and at my home.
MalarioI understood the theory of hifi but never experience hifi for myself. When I got a dac, few amps,iem and headphones that are consider audiophile my ears were blessed and I can never go back. lol
This DAC seems to fit nicely into my desktop setup with my THX 789.
It has very good build quality, the screen looks great, I just wish I could turn it off when not in use. It has a plethora of options to connect to making this an all in one. I don't like the remote, it feels cheap and flimsy and sometimes it doesn't listen when I press the buttons. About the sound quality, I can't complain, I rate it as very good. His signature is flat and feels transparent, and many details can be seen.
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I can definitely recommend it, even more so knowing its price.
I REALLY wanted to hear MQA and judge for myself what it sounded like. I figured with the cost of this unit, I'd get a taste of it and if I didn't like it, well it wouldn't break the bank. WELL.....I'm SHOCKED at how great this sounds for the price. The Bluetooth is THE BEST I've heard so far when streaming from my iPhone. The REAL magic happens though when I hook up my laptop via USB and listen to TIDAL MQA....WOW!!!! Was NOT expecting what I was hearing especially at such a low price. I have it hooked up via balanced interconnects to my amp, and again just blown away how good this sounds for how little I paid. In my opinion? Can't go wrong. Oh...and I've NEVER been a fan of digital and have always (and never abandoned) vinyl. BUT....with this new little device? Digital finally has my approval.
This DAC sounds amazing. I don't have a ton of experience with high end audio, but I paired it with a Drop THX AAA 789 to power some planars and it sounds incredible! Sounds wonderful with my HD 600s as well!
I’m not an audiophile, and then is an end game Dac for me. The sound is fantastic, more spacious sounding than the IFi Zen Dac V2. Has huge power signal to the headphone amp I’m using (Zen Can). The sound is so immersive.
- Compact size with sturdy build. (smaller than my expectation)
- Bluetooth and came with complete accessories.
- Details and transparent, high offer excellent resolution.
- Low end can be impactful depends devices that you gonna pair.
- Dynamic presentation.
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