Desperately seeking some advice/tips for my S.M.S.L. SU-9 DAC


Hello All,

 

So I just upgraded (?) my DAC from my Schiit Audio Modi to the SMSL. SU-9. I had read such great reviews on this unit so decided to pull the trigger. I figured my Sonus Faber Sonetto III’s were worthy of a better DAC (not that there’s anything at all wrong with the Modi).

 

However I didn’t really realize the SMSL had so many different setting options. You know sometimes less is more :(. First question should I turn the SMSL off when not in use?

 

So now settings questions. I have the SMSL connected to an old Pioneer 101 disc cd carousel via a Voodoo Cable optical. I know I know about the cd player but I love the convenience the old carousel changers offer. As this DAC offers multiple settings any advice here on each of the settings and choices below? I truly have no idea as I have never seen settings like these and I honestly don’t even know what most of them mean and the manual is NO help:

 

PCM Filter:

Fast Linear

Slow Linear

Fast Minimum

Slow Minimum

Fast Hybrid

Apodizing

Brickwall

 

DSD Filter:

47kHz Cutoff

50kHz Cutoff

60kHz Cutoff

70kHz Cutoff

 

Sound Color:

Standard

Rich 1

Rich 2

Rich 3

Tube 1

Tube 2

Tube 3

Crystal 1

Crystal 2

Crystal 3

 

DPLL:

Range 1-15 (though the manual says lower for better de-jitter) - do I even need to play with this? Default setting is 7

 

I would sincerely appreciate any advice on any of this. Thank you so much in advance...

 

Best Regards,

Brian

 

Sorry rest of associated equipment-this is used as a second system 2 channel audio/tv/movie system:

Marantz 1510 receiver (used as pre)

Bel Canto REF 501S stereo amp

Transparent RCA's from SMSL to the Marantz

 

kingbr

If you bought new, your dealer will be more than happy to help you. Customer service is part of the dealer’s margin. If you bought direct, the company should have an in-house customer service rep. Good luck. 

Thank you @spenav and @lordmelton for taking the time to reply. Your time and advice is truly appreciated :)

 

I'll start with @lordmelton's suggestions and then play around from there. I know the manufacturer is just giving options-which is a good thing I do know this but damn that's a lot of options, LOL! But thanks for the encouragement @spenav :)

 

Leave unit on or power off when not listening?

Most have a stand by option, that is the preferred state. If not, turn it off. 

i personally found the pcm and dsd filters to have  little audible effect (which may be a function of my dwindling hearing). wrt the sound colors, i though the standard setting sounded very close to the tube setting, while the crystal setting sounds a little edgier/brighter and the rich mode had a bit of warmth and sounded the most natural. ergo, i keep mine on the rich mode, with everything else on default settings; @lordmelton may well have more discerning ears.

@loomisjohnson 

i keep mine on the rich mode, with everything else on default settings; @lordmelton may well have more discerning ears.

Not necessarily. This is the nature of the beast. We all are different and have different taste. That’s why it’s difficult to choose settings for others.