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

Filter,   Fast Linear

DSD cutoff doesn't matter

Sound color, Standard which actually by-passes 

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.

 

 

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!

 

 

OP,

I would make sure you have a good 200+ hours before starting experimentation. That’s at least 8 days X 24 hours. My equipment takes over 600 hours to breakin… although to fully breakin 1,000. But 80% by 250 hours.