To negotiate the best possible price for our customers, we agree to hide prices prior to logging in.
456 requests
Product Description
The SMSL SU-9n is a streamlined take on SMSL’s popular classic SU-9 DAC. The “n” version takes the core of what’s great about the bigger brother—clean audio, reliable performance—and removes some bells and whistles to hit a more accessible price point Read More
Preface: I am not an audiophile, and this is my first foray into this area of electronics. I have nothing to compare it to besides basic onboard sound. This is purely for my Drop points.
Headphones Used: Massdrop x Sennheiser 6XX, Beyerdynamics DT770 Studio
Current Stack: SMSL SH-8s Amplifier + SMSL SU-9n DAC
Yeah dawg, it's a pretty great DAC. Low profile, and supports my very unrefined ear nicely. The difference between my motherboard DAC and this one is pretty nuts. The clarity was immediately noticeable, which I suppose could be said for any DAC. The LCD is nice and displays its current sample rate, which is neat to me. It also has a handy remote control, which gets no use aside from turning it on and off. Overall, it's a nice product, supports what I need and took little to no effort to get setup.
Let me start with my system. My best headphones are the Hifiman HE6se Ver. 2 and they are not the easiest to drive. The headphones were paired to the Drop AAA 789 and the Grace Balanced SDAC. I suspected that the Grace SDAC was the weak link in my audio chain and it turned out that I was right. The music came alive much more with the SMSL DAC with better bass response. I was questioning whether I needed more power to drive my headphones, but with this DAC (all in balanced mode), I think the power from the 789 is more than adequate. I find the SMSL SU9n to be a solid upgrade from my Grace SDAC. The improvement in sound quality was readily apparent. But keep in mind how this product might (or might not) integrate with your system.