🎧 SMSL SU-8 2ES9038Q2M HiFi Decoder: Unleash the Ultimate Audio Experience with USB PCM32, 768kHz, DSD64, DSD512, and DSD Balance DAC Decoder Review

I haven't noticed much difference with PCM filters or even sound adjustments with my THX 789m with this balanced DAC and it sounds fantastic! I've never seen a DAC of this caliber and I'm not at all impressed with the sound when using an XLR. I had no problems.

I hate raining on some people's parade but I've had serious problems with this DAC. The remote control stopped working after less than 2 months. The remote control did not turn the device on or off or use other functions. Also, the power button was intermittent. This is the second DAC from this company to experience reliability issues. I sent both devices back for a refund. The SU8 was a Christmas present from my wife and was sent back. Be careful when buying from this company.

I can't fault the price. Drivers are easy enough to find and install. Connection options for input and output. Sounds pretty accurate to me. Eq native more than I need. I didn't get much use out of dsd. I bought two albums to try out a year ago and wasn't convinced of their superiority. Still no. I've listened to them and they sound good, as good as their PCM versions, but I can't use words like "better". Better. Now I prefer this DAC to my old emotiva xda-1. This certainly gives the impression

This is a great sounding and versatile DAC with some unusual and interesting features for all the reasons other reviewers shared. 5 stars for sound and controls. 4 stars for a remote that works great and includes some features not otherwise available but feels a bit unreliable, light and plasticky. 4 stars for the design of the device itself. Solid overall but the power/input button feels a bit flimsy. 1 star for delivery. I paid for a new device but received one that was clearly an "open box"…

So I can't comment too much and compare too many different models as the only DAC I had before was a portable TEAC HAP50. The appearance of the DAC is clearly not trying to stand out. It pairs beautifully with just about any amp you pair it with. Sonically, this is a device that you can customize in a variety of ways with PCM filters and SMSL equalizer options. I know most manufacturers don't use preset EQ settings, but they add a bit of color and don't turn the sound into a completely…

Received my smsl is-8 today. The packaging was perfect and the device felt as solid as a cinder block. My setup uses a Vizio Crave Pro as my main speaker (trust me, it's loud enough to bother the neighbors next door). But my most exciting recent purchases have been Hifiman he400i planar magnetic headphones, then my Loxjie P20 tube amp, and then SMS came just today. The sound and options offered by this DAC are simply overwhelming. I'm amazed at what really great sound can be. Everything is…

For context, in this review I'm listening to Dvorak's 9th with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Witold Rowicki. When listening to a Sony D-NE330 with Shure E3C in-ear headphones, the brass, especially the trombones, sometimes "torn the brass". The picture on the Sony was excellent thanks to the recording. The woodwind choir in particular was square and stable, with the bassoon to the right of center and the clarinet to the left. The headphone sound was slightly better when I put a CD…

I had pretty strict requirements. I had just bought some Yamaha DBR speakers and Behringer Eruo Live 12" subwoofers and needed a control center with great processing, XLR outputs and a volume control. This unit certainly ticks all the boxes. The use case is an open air cinema with a Rear projection system. I was used to a certain level of sound and options, and buying another receiver seemed pretty stupid for what I needed. An added bonus is the ability to slightly tint the sound with a variety