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SMSL SU-9 DAC
01 / 06
SMSL SU-9 DAC
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621 requests
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22 Sold
Product Description
Staying on the cutting edge of digital-to-audio conversion, SMSL has unveiled the new SU-9: an instrument-grade DAC optimized for convenience and crystal-clear decoding. Powered by the flagship ES9038PRO SABRE DAC, the SU-9 can decode 32-bit, 768-kilohertz PCM and native DSD512 with an impressive 132-decibel dynamic range Read More
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keyboard_arrow_downAlex_May
164
Jan 24, 2021
Drop, listen. Like many other members here who made a request for this DAC, we expected some kind of discount at least to compensate for all the negative aspects of buying here versus retail stores. Do you understand, Drop, that by offering an item at full retail price, you're actually making it much worse by depriving us of the manufacturer's warranty, extending wait times for the delivery, charging for the delivery overseas, and limiting 'sales' to a week or less. Why are you doing that? This is not a sale! This is a slap in the face! Don't you understand that this is the reason that nobody buys this stuff from you? Make a brave decision already and fire the marketing director!
GuyInPittsburgh
509
Feb 28, 2021
Alex_MayBy the time that Drop buys it from Amazon or Aliexpress and sticks it in its warehouse for six months so that you can wait the appropriate amount of time, there isn't much margin left. Storing everyone's toys for so long doesn't come cheap. Where else can you buy something and have such a robust sense of anticipation while you wait for the delivery? Yeah, you could have it in two days but then it's sort of like Christmas where it comes and goes in one day and there's a feeling of let down because there was so much of a buildup and then it's just over. Drop is trying to provide you with an extended buyers' orgasm by shoving your shit in their warehouse for awhile.
GuyInPittsburgh
509
Dec 4, 2020
Currently the Apos.audio price for the SMSL SU-9, SH-9 and Fanmusic C006 Balanced HiFi Cable "ensemble" is $731. So compared to drop you are getting a $70 interconnect cable for free, you'll have everything within a week, you'll get a 2 year warranty and excellent customer service (at least that's what my experience was with their customer service folks).
There is just no upside to ordering anything from drop other than their partnered products like the HD6XX 598, HE500, etc. Everything else you'll find elsewhere at better prices with much faster shipping, actual warranties and customer service that actually exists.
Seriously, drop, your pricing totally sucks on a consistent basis anymore. Ever since the name change it's as if you are just begging to be driven into bankruptcy. So far you are well on the road there; it's not if, it's when.
PCgaming4ever
184
Jan 24, 2021
GuyInPittsburghYeah seriously what the heck drop just stop with this no one came here for MSRP
Macready81
0
Jan 26, 2021
GuyInPittsburghIt's showing 750.99 for the combo for me. You must have the hook up!
amb3cog
90
Dec 3, 2020
Not once you consider how bad Drop is at customer service, and after sales support it isn't. Full retail, and as much support as buying from a stranger off Craigslist is what it really is. "But hey, you get some points. So you can roll the dice again later." No thank you. It would have to be half this price for me to take the risk. And I feel the need to remind everyone that this isn't full retail. It's OVER FULL RETAIL! I know, it's only a buck, but still. It's pathetic!
tbjs
484
Dec 3, 2020
This seems to be a thing with Drop lately. No discount, but we'll let you redeem the extra points you get. If you love Drop, this seems fine. But many don't love Drop anymore...
(Edited)
UncleMusket
166
Dec 3, 2020
jkrichardsAnd many get 3-5% cash back from Amazon via credit card rewards, free shipping and better support and return options.
toodamnfrank
78
Jan 20, 2021
jkrichardsDrop has been slacking with pricing and even worse with their quality control on their own items / collaborations. So I would say people should keep in mind that Apos price matches if Drop keeps screwing around. Because when drop has a “sale” they're still not even the cheapest. Sure you get reward points, but they usually give you less than normal when an item is “on sale” and Apos gives you a better return policy, a longer warranty than the factory or Drop, and free shipping. I love the products drop sells for collabs / when they work with existing companies to make stuff cheaper, but lately their prices have not been competitive. Even the Drop THX 789 is seriously overpriced compared to the SMSL amplifiers that have the newer chips with better specs and they sell for cheaper from the company and you don't have to wait for a drop / a bulk order. They're shooting themselves in the foot.
dougms3
19
Jan 28, 2021
I bought this amp from Apos 2 weeks ago. I was previously using the Topping DX3 Pro and I had no complaints with that dac/amp but I wanted a balanced setup because I have an issue with RF and EMI. If the DX3 was balanced I wouldn't have upgraded.
Most people said I wouldn't be able to hear any difference between the SU-9 and DX3, let me tell you that they are 100% wrong. Is it enough to justify a $210 difference in price...yes, yes it is.
I didn't think it could any more clear than it was with the DX3 but damn, its a new level. Its enough to change the flavor of all my headphones, they all sound a little more clear, detailed and higher resolution.
SinisterDev
7
Mar 1, 2021
dougms3I can imagine! I upgraded from an O2 DAC/Amp and the difference is crazy! This SMSL stack is on a completely different level. And yeah, ive enjoyed how all of my headphones/IEMs have sounded on it thus far. I wish i could have sprung for the even sexier SMSL 400 stack, but its twice the price, and im not sure its worth it at that price...
dougms3
19
Mar 1, 2021
SinisterDevI think the SU-9 is a logical and signficant upgrade from the O2 or Topping DX3 for the price. At that level, I think thats where there will be diminishing returns. I'm sure it will sound better but the difference in performance might be 5-10%, or in some cases just 1 tiny detail or feature. I've come to notice that, in this hobby, thats usually the case. I've already been looking at R2-R dacs like the Audio-GD R-1 or Denafrips Ares. I forget who said it but everytime I'm about to upgrade, I try to remember this. They said "Just enjoy what you have". It is so tempting though, especially since everything has become so affordable. 5 years ago, these devices cost triple or more of what they are now.
GuyInPittsburgh
509
Feb 28, 2021
wein07For some reason people keep buying things here so why should they try to do better? Sure, you could pay the same price on Amazon but then you would get in in a day or two. Buying from Drop you might get it sometime this calendar year. Drop provides a much more robust sense of anticipation while you wait for your new toy.
As for me, I don't think I would consider buying this from any place other than Apos.
brainwave
704
Nov 22, 2021
SDK1This is correct. MQA was developed not necessarily to add quality, but specifically to add DRM.
In essence, it is just FLAC with applied digital filters, though usually, because it is "tuned up" to the human ear perception MOA sounds better than old plain vanilla FLAC at the same resolution.
When used thru digital streaming services (like Tidal, etc.) MQA is worth it IMO since it frees you from applying your own digital filters, but if you are buying files to build your own musical library MQA is superficial and very inconvenient to have actually.
Bobby_Newmark
13
Jan 24, 2021
How is this a Drop “Deal”? It’s the same exact price as buying it from the Shenzhenaudio website... You guys (Drop) should really be careful, or it’ll become obvious how hard you’re shilling for these Chi-Fi brands.
Seriously, gimme a break.
(Edited)
GuyInPittsburgh
509
Mar 1, 2021
Bobby_NewmarkIt's not supposed to be a deal. Nothing here is anymore. The executives at Drop have been laughing in the boardroom for almost a year now over how long it's taking people to figure that out.
prasb
18
Feb 28, 2021
I don't understand, the same price as Amazon? I requested it and was going to buy, but not at the exact retail price.
scottlu
346
Feb 28, 2021
prasbsame price on apos too, I just got sabaj d5 from amazon. should be similar specs
kyeblue
67
Jan 24, 2021
Again, amazon price is less, although only by a cent, but it is going to be delivered in two days and I can return it the next day if you don't want to keep. If you think that the reward system is going to work, you are kidding yourself. My amazon credit card gives 5% reward on Amazon purchases but that's the money that I can spend on anywhere that takes a credit.
(Edited)
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