87%
s.m.s.l SU-9 ULTRA
Audio DAC
Both USB and SPDIF support MQA and MQA-CD;
Using AK4191+AK4499EX to play the full performance of Chips, the distortion is as low as 0.00006%(-124dB);
XMOS XU-316, true 32bit USB processing, supports DoP and Native DSD, and PCM reach up to 768kHz and DSD512;
The newly self-developed CK-03 clock processing circuit greatly reduces the clock jitter;
USB, Optical and Coaxial support DSD transmission, Coaxial, Optical support DOP64;
Use tempered glass display panel for higher light transmission and longer service life;
Built-in shielding, low noise power supply processing, while improving power supply efficiency, lower power consumption;
Specially designed discrete component linear regulated power supply and multiple low noise regulated power supplies to provide low noise power for analog circuits;
The latest Bluetooth supports LDAC, APTX/HD, SBC, AAC;
High-quality gold-plated input and output jacks;
1.9-inch LCD screen;
JAS Hi-Res certification;
Equipped with remote control and full-featured remote control.
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Professional Reviews 87/100
Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
92/100
Build Quality
80/100
Features Connectivity
82/100
Value for Money
85/100
The SU-9 ULTRA delivers organic warmth from an unusually composed, black-background presentation, blending vinyl-like ease with crisp resolution, dense mids and treble, plus tight, weighty bass. Prime Audio Reviews praised its assured staging, instrument separation and musical confidence, while reliable LDAC and aptX HD Bluetooth add welcome flexibility to this refined desktop DAC.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Organic, analog-like sound combines clear articulation with warmth and avoids an overly digitized character.
Strong spatial performance, with a blacker background, improved instrument separation and more defined imaging.
Tight, impactful bass gains low-end layering, while midrange and treble notes carry greater density.
Bluetooth performed reliably in testing and sounded very good with LDAC and aptX HD.
&
Cons
Lacks the I2S and AES digital inputs offered by the SMSL D300.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 92/100
Prime Audio Reviews found the SU-9 ULTRA unusually accomplished among the SMSL DACs they had heard, combining a robust, confident presentation with a calm and organic character. Its stronger separation, clearer resolution, blacker background and more defined staging support an involving, polished sound rather than a merely analytical one.
Tonal Balance and Musicality
94/100
The reviewer describes a notably analog-like, organic presentation that avoids sounding overly digitized, comparing its ease and allure to vinyl playback. They particularly praise the combination of clear articulation with warmth, plus bass that remains weighty and impactful while gaining control and low-frequency layering.
Resolution and Detail
91/100
Instrument separation, organization of the soundstage and overall resolution were all said to improve with the SU-9 ULTRA. The reviewer also heard tighter bass, improved low-end layering and greater density through the midrange and treble, suggesting strong retrieval of musical structure without sacrificing body.
Digital Performance
92/100
The SU-9 ULTRA was praised for its blacker background, more clearly defined space between performers and a precise emergence of individual notes. Its analog-like smoothness and lack of an overtly digitized character further suggest a refined conversion performance, while Bluetooth operation was reported to work flawlessly and sound very good with LDAC and aptX HD.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
80/100
The reviewed unit has a plain black aluminum chassis with a matte finish, giving it a straightforward metal enclosure rather than a luxury presentation. Reviewers say little about the internal construction, power supply, controls or long-term durability.
Features Connectivity
82/100
Connectivity is strong for a compact DAC, with USB, optical, coaxial and Bluetooth inputs alongside both balanced XLR and single-ended RCA outputs. It supports PCM up to 32-bit/768 kHz and native DSD512, while LDAC and aptX HD Bluetooth add useful wireless flexibility; the reviewer specifically found Bluetooth reliable in use.
Value for Money
85/100
At $499, the SU-9 ULTRA received a full recommendation from Prime Audio Reviews and was described as being in a different league from other SMSL units the reviewer had tested. The review does not directly compare its price against named competing DACs or make a detailed value claim.
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Authorized dealers for s.m.s.l SU-9 ULTRA
- Addicted to Audio — online and in-store — Epping, Victoria, Australia (website)
- Apos Audio — online and in-store — Oakland, California, United States (website)
- Audio 46 — online and in-store — New York, New York, United States (website)
- Audio Hum — in-store — Norte Sierra, Andalucía, Spain (website)
- Audio Magic - EU — online and in-store — Wola, Województwo mazowieckie, Poland (website)
- AUDIOPHONICS — in-store — Bordeaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France (website)
- Bloom Audio — online and in-store — Gibbsboro, New Jersey, United States (website)
- Elise Audio — online and in-store — Paddington, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Headphone Zone — online and in-store — Laxmi Industrial Estate, Maharashtra, India (website)
- Hifi Passion — in-store — Neustadt, Bremen, Germany (website)
and 4 more verified dealers