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.
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
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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. |
That’s a lot of options!
I would start with The ones recommended by @djones51 above me. Standard for sure… turn everything off that you can. Listen for a couple to few months. Get to really know the sound. Then make one change. If not good or no difference go back to your initial settings. Then listen for a couple weeks. Then try something else. Flipping around is just confusing… at least to me. Long term listening sets a reference point. Ultimately you have to try.
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Thank you for all who have taken your time to reply. Great advice and I sincerely appreciate it...First things first and I’m running this puppy for a few days to break in before I play with the different settings...It does not have a standby mode so I’ll take your advice @spenav and turn it off when not in use - thanks again:)
You know I know the manufacturer did a good thing by giving options, but I find as I’ve gotten older and the world has gotten crazier and everything has seemingly become so complicated and complex, I yearn for the good ole days when everything seemed much simpler. Sometimes less is more :)
You’re all great for being here and for taking the time to reply to those in need-like myself. So thank you again!
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