S.M.S.L SU-6 DAC + SH-6 Amplifier Desktop Stack

[VSG]

S.M.S.L enters the TechPowerUp review database with its budget-friendly SU-6 DAC and SH-6 headphone amplifier, which stack together for a combination that is already a commercial success. We take a detailed look at both in this review, and see how the combo performs for those looking at a starter audio source set that doesn't take up much room or leave your wallet empty.

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[Operandi]

For the price I guess I'd rather go with Schiit or JDS Labs for the fact that they are designed and built in North America alone. Also subjective reviews tend to favor Schiit Modi (not sure about the JDS Atom) over DACs using the same chipset from Topping, SMSL and others. Thats probably mostly due to choices in the analog output stage but could also be in how the filter is designed. Either way it would be nice to see the Modi get a review.

 

[VSG]

For the price I guess I'd rather go with Schiit or JDS Labs for the fact that they are designed and built in North America alone. Also subjective reviews tend to favor Schiit Modi (not sure about the JDS Atom) over DACs using the same chipset from Topping, SMSL and others. Thats probably mostly due to choices in the analog output stage but could also be in how the filter is designed. Either way it would be nice to see the Modi get a review.

Let me see what I can do re: Schiit.

 

[Aynsley]

You mention the "Same ESS sterile sound for those not wanting it" in your conclusion. Would this be the result of the DAC architecture, or would it have something to do with the embedded filters?

I have a Topping E30 with an AKM chip, but have never owned an ESS DAC, so can't compare.

 

[VSG]

You mention the "Same ESS sterile sound for those not wanting it" in your conclusion. Would this be the result of the DAC architecture, or would it have something to do with the embedded filters?

I have a Topping E30 with an AKM chip, but have never owned an ESS DAC, so can't compare.

Bit of both really. The DAC architecture is more important but I've noticed TOPPING DACs with ESS and AKM options sound exactly like each other in a blind test. The company's implementations also tweak things slightly, so basically we need to see what is the goal of the audio brand. TOPPING especially goes with a measurement-first approach, SMSL seems to be more open in higher-end space.

 

[Kaleid]

You mention the "Same ESS sterile sound for those not wanting it" in your conclusion. Would this be the result of the DAC architecture, or would it have something to do with the embedded filters?

I have a Topping E30 with an AKM chip, but have never owned an ESS DAC, so can't compare.

They both measure way above human hearing capacity so it's doubtful people can pick them in a blindtest. I've owned both AKM and now ESS and I sure can't.
From my experience they both compete when it comes to top measurements if you read measurements over at audiosciencereview.
Topping also has a ESSS-based DAC which simulates different sounds by adding some distortion to the signal. This is built into some ESS DAC chips, "D90LE version of this DAC that dispenses with MQA decoding and in its place includes a couple of selectable “sound modes” that simulate either a tube-like or transistor-like sound profile."

Headphones and speakers measure far, far worse than these top-tier products. Personally I prefer SMSL not because of any sound signature but because the remote is more responsive. Unclear if Topping has improved on this lately though.

 

[VSG]

They both measure way above human hearing capacity so it's doubtful people can pick them in a blindtest. I've owned both AKM and now ESS and I sure can't.
From my experience they both compete when it comes to top measurements if you read measurements over at audiosciencereview.
Topping also has a ESSS-based DAC which simulates different sounds by adding some distortion to the signal. This is built into some ESS DAC chips, "D90LE version of this DAC that dispenses with MQA decoding and in its place includes a couple of selectable “sound modes” that simulate either a tube-like or transistor-like sound profile."

Headphones and speakers measure far, far worse than these top-tier products. Personally I prefer SMSL not because of any sound signature but because the remote is more responsive. Unclear if Topping has improved on this lately though.

Good point, and yeah I'd say the SMSL remote/sensor combo works better too. TOPPING one is more finicky.

 

[Aynsley]

Personally I prefer SMSL not because of any sound signature but because the remote is more responsive. Unclear if Topping has improved on this lately though.

I'd have to agree, and thanks to both you and VSG for the very informative responses.

I only twiddle with my Topping E30+L30 combo when, for some reason, my computer loses track of it. Restoring settings is a counter-intuitive nightmare.

 

[Operandi]

They both measure way above human hearing capacity so it's doubtful people can pick them in a blindtest. I've owned both AKM and now ESS and I sure can't.

You can only get so much out of what you are hearing when looking high level measurements like what you see at ASR. And yeah even entry level DACs are performing at levels well beyond human thresholds of detection human hearing is wildly logarithmic so its impossible to distill it down to a handful of graphs. The other thing to keep in mind is the performance of the chipsets digital filter is only half of the equation and there is a analog stage that is also part of the sound.

Headphones and speakers measure far, far worse than these top-tier products

When you are measuring speakers and headphones you looking at different metrics. A DACs performance is in no way relatable to speakers or headphones. I think I get the point you are trying to make and agree that you'll get a much higher improvement in sound by upgrading your speakers or headphones rather than chasing the next tier of DAC.

 

[Kaleid]

You can only get so much out of what you are hearing when looking high level measurements like what you see at ASR. And yeah even entry level DACs are performing at levels well beyond human thresholds of detection human hearing is wildly logarithmic so its impossible to distill it down to a handful of graphs. The other thing to keep in mind is the performance of the chipsets digital filter is only half of the equation and there is a analog stage that is also part of the sound.

When you are measuring speakers and headphones you looking at different metrics. A DACs performance is in no way relatable to speakers or headphones. I think I get the point you are trying to make and agree that you'll get a much higher improvement in sound by upgrading your speakers or headphones rather than chasing the next tier of DAC.

No, not different metrics. If the frequency response on an amplifier is messed up then it does essentially the same thing as speakers / headphones does. Or if it distorts easily. But it is however easier to keep the signal intact when it's electric rather than when it the final signal is released for our hearing.

The analog stage is of course part of the measurements, it's not just the digital part which is measured.

 

[lexluthermiester]

S.M.S.L enters the TechPowerUp review database with its budget-friendly SU-6 DAC and SH-6 headphone amplifier, which stack together for a combination that is already a commercial success.

Solid review. Would not disagree on any of the points you made in your conclusion.

This seems like a good design for headphone users on a budget. Does nothing for those who use speakers.
EDIT: After further discussion, it seems there is something on offer for those with HIFI systems after all.

 

[VSG]

Solid review. Would not disagree on any of the points you made in your conclusion.

This seems like a good design for headphone users on a budget. Does nothing for those who use speakers.

You can still use the DAC as a preamplifier with active speakers.

 

[lexluthermiester]

You can still use the DAC as a preamplifier with active speakers.

Yeah, but then you lose the volume control, if I'm understanding how that all hooks up. Or am I misunderstanding?

 

[Aynsley]

This seems like a good design for headphone users on a budget. Does nothing for those who use speakers.

"User on a budget" describes me perfectly, so I'm grateful to VSG for the time and effort he puts into his reviews of budget audio gear that would otherwise not merit such deep attention.

If I hadn't purchased the Topping E30-L30 combo soon after it was released, I would definitely be looking at the S.M.S.L. SU-6 + SH-6 pairing.

 

[VSG]

Yeah, but then you lose the volume control, if I'm understanding how that all hooks up. Or am I misunderstanding?

No, the DAC will provide volume control either on the unit via the screen + button or from the remote control. That's the whole point of the preamp feature and it works quite well. The goal is you can use the entire stack to power headphones or even control speakers, both of which can be connected at the same time.

 

[lexluthermiester]

No, the DAC will provide volume control either on the unit via the screen + button or from the remote control. That's the whole point of the preamp feature and it works quite well. The goal is you can use the entire stack to power headphones or even control speakers, both of which can be connected at the same time.

Ah ok, I misunderstood. Thank You for the clarification! Critique retracted.

 

[VSG]

Ah ok, I misunderstood. Thank You for the clarification! Critique retracted.

Yeah so basically if you only have active speakers and no headphones then all you need is the DAC unit.

 

[SOAREVERSOR]

For the price I guess I'd rather go with Schiit or JDS Labs for the fact that they are designed and built in North America alone. Also subjective reviews tend to favor Schiit Modi (not sure about the JDS Atom) over DACs using the same chipset from Topping, SMSL and others. Thats probably mostly due to choices in the analog output stage but could also be in how the filter is designed. Either way it would be nice to see the Modi get a review.

I've had SMSL gear before they are legit. I do prefer American or UK gear over chifi though. It just tends to cost more. For schiit everyone is talking about their cheapest units and makes sense they sell the most of those. But they do compete in higher end gear. They are a "budget" brand in the sense that they don't bother with middle men vendors and just sell them and make no bones about trying to be ultra premium. I love them though they have good stuff.

Getting themoutside of the US is hard though. They are strictly US based, US designed, US made, and sell to the US. Seems to be working for them though.

Yeah, but then you lose the volume control, if I'm understanding how that all hooks up. Or am I misunderstanding?

You're thinking about this all wrong. Case in point on my desktop I have powered studio monitors hooked into a DAC. But I can adjust volume in Windows, on the DAC, or on the speakers themselves.

 

[Operandi]

No, not different metrics. If the frequency response on an amplifier is messed up then it does essentially the same thing as speakers / headphones does. Or if it distorts easily. But it is however easier to keep the signal intact when it's electric rather than when it the final signal is released for our hearing.

The analog stage is of course part of the measurements, it's not just the digital part which is measured.

In absolute terms yes, its all frequency response and distortion but you are concerned with the specifics of those metrics in different components. All DACs and amps (solid state ones anyway) are pretty much completely flat in terms of frequency response which is not at all the case with even the best speakers or headphones so you'd never directly compare them with that metric. Distortion is exhibited in completely different ways in a DAC, in amp and a speaker so not comparable. Just because the majority of the distortion is happening at the electromechanical stage (speakers and headphones) that doesn't mean there are no differences to in how two DACs or two amps sound when they appear to measure nearly the same, relative to speakers or headphones. The distortion is different and human hearing being logarithmic is sensitive to things that would appear to be trivial (or not present at all depending on how its measured) on a AP test bench.

I've had SMSL gear before they are legit. I do prefer American or UK gear over chifi though. It just tends to cost more. For schiit everyone is talking about their cheapest units and makes sense they sell the most of those. But they do compete in higher end gear. They are a "budget" brand in the sense that they don't bother with middle men vendors and just sell them and make no bones about trying to be ultra premium. I love them though they have good stuff.

Yeah, its strictly my personal preference, not saying SMSL or Topping are bad, their higher-end offerings are actually pretty interesting. I like Schiit because they are one of the few North American companies that is going for the higher-end of the market while keeping things reasonable. There are speaker companies doing a good job at it but its pretty rare for electronics.

 

[VulkanBros]

A month ago I tried a friends Chord Mojo 2, I must say, the best dac/amp I ever have tried, especially for it's size.
Any chance @VSG, you review this?
I am currently saving up for this little beast (4200 danish kr ~ $580)

 

[VSG]

A month ago I tried a friends Chord Mojo 2, I must say, the best dac/amp I ever have tried, especially for it's size.
Any chance @VSG, you review this?
I am currently saving up for this little beast (4200 danish kr ~ $580)

I haven't reviewed anything from Chord unfortunately, and doubt it will happen since they never responded to my contact attempt.

 

[VulkanBros]

I haven't reviewed anything from Chord unfortunately, and doubt it will happen since they never responded to my contact attempt.

What a same, their mistanke, imo

 

[SOAREVERSOR]

A month ago I tried a friends Chord Mojo 2, I must say, the best dac/amp I ever have tried, especially for it's size.
Any chance @VSG, you review this?
I am currently saving up for this little beast (4200 danish kr ~ $580)

I had the OG mojo and it's still here somewhere and yeah Chord makes fucking amazing stuff. Doesn't have balanced though but it really shits on and clobbers balanced options in it's price range. For it's size and under a grand the thing is a steal.