Introducing the SMSL SU-1 MQA DAC on Apos Audio: Compact Design, Hi-Res Audio

[Apos Audio]

Hi all,

We are excited to introduce a budget-friendly DAC from SMSL to the community. Meet the SMSL SU-1 MQA Audio DAC. designed to bring out the best in your digital music collection. The SU-1 features MQA decoding, a high-performance AKM AK4493S chip, and supports PCM 32-bit/768kHz and DSD512. Its ultra-mini design makes it the perfect addition to your audio setup without taking up much space. With the SU-1's 121dB dynamic range and SNR, you can expect a crystal-clear sound that captures every detail. Plus, the CNC aluminum alloy housing ensures durability and quality.

Here's the link to the blog for more information: https://apos.audio/blogs/news/smsl-su-1-announcement

 

[corgifall]

It's the most adorable desktop DAC I've had the chance to test out.

 

[Hyde00]

It's the most adorable desktop DAC I've had the chance to test out.

LOL yes I'm always a fan of those tiny / cute desktop units. I'm guessing review coming soon? Curious how it sounds.

Is this one of those linear/neutral dac or is it more like dac with warm tilt sound? For example Grace SDAC definitely has a "sound signature" to it despite the popular opinion is that all dacs sound the same.

EDIT: I really like how it looks though, it's clean yet stylish.

 

[corgifall]

LOL yes I'm always a fan of those tiny / cute desktop units. I'm guessing review coming soon? Curious how it sounds.

Is this one of those linear/neutral dac or is it more like dac with warm tilt sound? For example Grace SDAC definitely has a "sound signature" to it despite the popular opinion is that all dacs sound the same.

EDIT: I really like how it looks though, it's clean yet stylish.

Yeah I would call it a heavier warm-neutral sound signature. I’ve only spent an hour max with it but it’s not bad. Plus it’s tiny and low cost. I’m pretty sure MQA is close to dead so the little MQA stuff might not be useful down the road.

 

[solid12345]

Yeah I would call it a heavier warm-neutral sound signature. I’ve only spent an hour max with it but it’s not bad. Plus it’s tiny and low cost. I’m pretty sure MQA is close to dead so the little MQA stuff might not be useful down the road.

For as cheap as it is I ordered one just to mix things up for a change.

 

[oldmate]

Why are manufacturers still dishing up this MQA rubbish - it's dead baby.

https://www.billboard.com/pro/mqa-enters-administration-lost-investor/

https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2023/04/11/is-there-money-in-hifi-streaming-mqa-bankruptcy/

 

[Bansaku]

MQA?!

 

[Hyde00]

Yeah I would call it a heavier warm-neutral sound signature. I’ve only spent an hour max with it but it’s not bad. Plus it’s tiny and low cost.

lol that's good to hear, good to see manufacturers are slowly moving away from super flat/linear sound.

For as cheap as it is I ordered one just to mix things up for a change.

LOL I know eh? So temping to get one just because why not.

 

[Shanling]

Why are manufacturers still dishing up this MQA rubbish - it's dead baby.

https://www.billboard.com/pro/mqa-enters-administration-lost-investor/

https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2023/04/11/is-there-money-in-hifi-streaming-mqa-bankruptcy/

Can't comment for SMSL, but the MQA news is about a week old.

The product development has some inertia, so you can expect MQA products to keep coming for some time, no matter what happens with MQA right now.

 

[corgifall]

Can't comment for SMSL, but the MQA news is about a week old.

The product development has some inertia, so you can expect MQA products to keep coming for some time, no matter what happens with MQA right now.

I would imagine that some licenses are still active as well. I personally never used the MQA stuff so I’ve just ignored in when I get a new product

 

[Hyde00]

Oh though I do find SMSL lineup is very confusing, for example what's the difference between SU-1 and C100 aside from bluetooth antenna and remote?

 

[KaiFi]

Yeah the SMSL line-up is really convoluted and confusing. I like the price though and I don't mind if a device supports MQA, but it is kind of annoying when a product goes out of its way to make it seem like MQA is this special thing that's better than other formats, when it's really not.

 

[Hyde00]

Yeah the SMSL line-up is really convoluted and confusing.

Yeah at least the SU line of dac is more or less consistent, everything else is just kind of random.

They need to rework it into a more organized kind of system.

I like the price though and I don't mind if a device supports MQA, but it is kind of annoying when a product goes out of its way to make it seem like MQA is this special thing that's better than other formats, when it's really not.

I don't think it's just SMSL though, I wonder if it was one of those collective pressure where all the companies feels like they need to "keep up with industry trend". It's like if everyone else is doing it and you're not doing it then you lose out.

Despite the "trend" being a somewhat controversial one (MQA). Prior to that we also had that one trend where measurement is everything, and every company is pushing out as linear as possible gear (THX AAA, Topping....etc), then after that we have the Harmon Target crazy everywhere everything need to sound like Harmon Target.

I wonder what next trend would be LOL.

 

[seanheis]

urps i can't figure out how to delete my double comment

 

[seanheis]

This DAC is going to raise eyebrows over at Schiit....with Modi at $129 plus shipping....so like $60 cheaper.
I'm seeing the pre-Covid prices starting to return for a lot of gear.