---
product_id: 523799771
title: "SMSL SU-1 MQA MQA-CD Audio Decoder AK4493S XU316 768kHz/32Bit DSD512 Hi-Res DAC"
brand: "fanmusic"
price: "£88.48"
currency: GBP
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 13
category: "Fanmusic"
url: https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/523799771-smsl-su-1-mqa-mqa-cd-audio-decoder-ak4493s-xu316
store_origin: GB
region: United Kingdom
---

# USB input with 768kHz/32Bit & DSD512 hi-res decoding AKM AK4493S DAC chip, ultra-low distortion <0.00013% Supports MQA & MQA-CD for studio-quality sound SMSL SU-1 MQA MQA-CD Audio Decoder AK4493S XU316 768kHz/32Bit DSD512 Hi-Res DAC

**Brand:** fanmusic
**Price:** £88.48
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 🎶 Elevate your audio game—hear what others miss!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** SMSL SU-1 MQA MQA-CD Audio Decoder AK4493S XU316 768kHz/32Bit DSD512 Hi-Res DAC by fanmusic
- **How much does it cost?** £88.48 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.uk](https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/523799771-smsl-su-1-mqa-mqa-cd-audio-decoder-ak4493s-xu316)

## Best For

- fanmusic enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted fanmusic brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **Hi-Res Audio Compatibility:** Seamlessly supports ultra-high resolution formats up to 768kHz/32Bit PCM and DSD512 for audiophile-grade listening.
- • **Studio-Grade Sound Clarity:** Experience pristine audio with the AKM AK4493S DAC chip delivering distortion below 0.00013%, elevating every note to perfection.
- • **Universal USB Connectivity:** Plug-and-play with Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS devices—your versatile gateway to premium sound.
- • **Authentic MQA & MQA-CD Playback:** Unlock the original master studio quality from your digital and CD sources with full MQA decoding and authentication.
- • **Compact & Copper-Built Durability:** Sleek, lightweight design with premium copper material ensures both style and lasting performance on your desktop setup.

## Overview

The SMSL SU-1 is a compact, high-performance MQA and MQA-CD audio decoder featuring the advanced AKM AK4493S DAC chip. It supports ultra-high resolution audio formats up to 768kHz/32Bit PCM and DSD512, delivering studio-quality sound with ultra-low distortion. Compatible across major OS platforms via USB, it transforms your digital and CD audio sources into authentic, crystal-clear listening experiences, all housed in a durable copper chassis.

## Description

Product description USB supports MQA-MQA working principle Support MQA CD AKM AK4493S SU-1 utilizes the latest AKM DAC chip, AK4493S, for achieving a distortion lower than 0.00013% Ultra- Mini Design 96mm*78mm*27mm Aluminum alloy CNC machined housing Adopt anodizing technology and chamfering process, delicate and textured workmanship USB In Compatible with Windows 7/8/8.1/10/11 (driver is required), Mac OS X10.6+, Linux(driverless), Android, i0s Specification

Review: Broke after 10 days of use, but now fixed - Update: March 13, 2024 (previously 1 star rating, now I give it 5 star rating). After several exchange of messages between Leaudio seller and myself, it was suggested that I install SMSL SU-1 driver from smsl-audio.com official website, which I did. To my surprise that fixed my DAC! Now I am finally able listen to music from my PC sent to SU-1 by USB cable, which is connected to my SMSL A300 by RCA. It seems the driver installation to my Windows 10 fixed whatever issue I was having with SU-1 DAC. As result of this, I'm updating the previous 1-star rating to 5 stars. As for the sound quality from SU-1, as stated below, it's an improvement over my SMSL A300 amplifier by 15 - 20%, but more specifically, it is the sonic clarity and separation that are the most notable. Though a minimal audio improvement over my amplifier's internal DAC, the sound clarity and instrument separation are noteworthy, and for that I give a 5-star rating. Also, through this DAC, vocals seem to be slightly more forward and clearer. March 6, 2023, initial review, I gave it 1 star rating due to the DAC's failure after 10 days of use. Bought this SMSL SU-1 DAC in November 2023, but I couldn't use it since I didn't have a pair of RCA cables to connect it to my class D SMSL A300 amplifier that I purchased from desertcart at the same time. The DAC was on Black Friday sale, so I figured to try it with my new amplifier. Fast forward to Feb 2024, I finally ordered a pair of CESS 163-4i RCA cables, connected the DAC to my amplifier. The SMSL SU-1 DAC improved the quality by about 15% over my SMSL A300 internal DAC. I used the DAC on and off for about 10 days, then today it simply failed on me. It simply fell dead silent while playing a music file from my PC (PC to USB cable to SMSL SU-1 DAC to RCA cables to SMSL A300 amplifier). I tried another RCA port in the back of my SMSL A300 amplifier, but that too didn't work. The DAC simply does not work at all. I also tried powering down my amp completely, unplug RCA cables between the DAC and the amp, then powered both up again, and toggled between various input options in the DAC to no avail (USB, coaxile, and optical just in case the internal circuit's connectivity had glitched and that toggling among input sources might reset it). The source-light LED still functions on the DAC, but I get absolutely no audio signal going into my amplifier. Heck, I even rebooted my PC just to see if that may be causing an issue, but it was futile. After 2 hours of wrestling with the connections and toggling between input sources and settings, I gave up. Now I'm back to connecting my PC directly to my SMSL A300 amplifier by USB cable, which works fine. As far as SMSL SU-1 DAC is concerned, it was a decent DAC for the price (while it worked). However, the unit I got simply failed after about 10 days of usage. I'd instantly return it for a refund, but the Jan 31 deadline return date is closed, so sadly it's not an option for me. A good-sounding, affordable DAC with a high quality DAC chip, but in my case, I must have received a lemon, so quality control seems questionable. Maybe it's just bad luck on my part, but I still wouldn't recommend this DAC to anyone. You'd be better off to spend a bit more money on a high quality DAC with its own power supply built in. Update On March 11, 2024 I emailed with photo attachments of the failed SMSL SU-1 DAC to support@shenzhenaudio.com. According to their site, they'll honor their product warranty up to 6 months with either a repair, replacement, or refund if their product proves to be defective. Hopefully they'll reply in a timely manner with a resolution. As others may encounter a product failure after the desertcart's 30-day free return policy, I'll post further updates for reference. Update, March 11, 2024, 8 hours later, shenzhenaudio.com support staff replied my to my email, asked for the desertcart purchase invoice and order number. I forwarded them the necessary information. According to their reply, they'll forward my case to their desertcart Support Team. I hope this will be resolved asap as I'll need to either get a replacement DAC or get a refund and buy another DAC, so for now I'm stuck in a limbo with 70 bucks tied up in a failed DAC unit. For now I'm stuck to using the internal DAC of my SMSL A300 amplifier, which is quite ok, but I did like the somewhat improved audio fidelity of SMSL SU-1 DAC. Update March 12, 2024. Got a reply from Leaudio requesting detailed info on what's wrong with my SMSL SU-1 DAC. I forwarded an account of how it simply stopped working while playing music from my laptop connected to it by a USB. Also forwarded 3 photos of the DAC. Hope this matter will be dealt with either a refund, replacement, or repair soon, because at this point, the DAC is useless.
Review: Amazing DAC Offered at a Reasonable Price - I am not typically impressed with modern audio gear. It just doesn’t seem to compare with the great sound that we get from the vintage audio gear. That said, audio chip designers are coming up with some interesting products. And audio component designers are taking advantage. I wanted to improve the audio system connected to my multimedia workstation. The systems already has a pair of vintage RCA Minimus 7 speakers and more modern Lepai LP-2020A Class T amp. These are far from audiophile quality but, for their modest price and demur size, they do a credible job. Sadly, the same can’t said for my DAC. It doesn’t sound great and has become intermittent. It was time for a replacement. I read reviews of the S.M.S.L SU-1 MQA MQA-CD Audio Decoder. Reviewers and osers described it as “amazing." Since it sells for a very reasonable $85, it was worth the gamble so I bought it. After connecting it up to my PC and audio system I tested it with a number of high def audio files. It sounded quite good. Then, just for fun, I fed a DSD file into it. I expected noise because few DACs can handle DSD files. What I got instead was a DSD decode from the device. Apparently, the designers included DSD decode into the chip that runs the S.M.S.L SU-1 MQA MQA-CD Audio Decoder. Amazing! What was more amazing was what I heard when a started listening to “Billy Jean” on the Michael Jackson “Thriller” album. It is a DSD file mixed from the original master tape. The drum beats at the beginning of the song were so sharp, so clear that it literally startled me! Hats off to the designers of this inexpensive, amazing DAC!

## Features

- USB supports MQA:1.Clean up the recording 2.Encapsulate the sound
- Support MQA CD:CD Player + MQA- Enabled DAC,Your CD player's digital output (optical or coaxial) can be fed to an MQA de coder. The MQA decoder can restore the original high-resolution signal heard in the studio and confirm it, using the authentication signature.SMSL SU-1 support MQA CD.
- AKM AK4493S :SU-1 utilizes the latest AKM DAC chip,AK4493S, for achieving a distortion lower than 0.00013%
- USB In:Compatible with Windows 7/8/8.1/10/11 (driver is required),Mac 0S X10.6+, Linux(driverless), Android, i0s

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| ASIN | B0C1Y7C9HH |
| Best Sellers Rank | #16,328 in Electronics ( See Top 100 in Electronics ) #26 in Digital-Analog Converters #31 in Signal Converters |
| Brand | Fanmusic |
| Brand Name | Fanmusic |
| Compatible Devices | Speaker, Headphone |
| Customer Reviews | 4.2 out of 5 stars 1,684 Reviews |
| Included Components | SU-1*1, Type-A to Type-C USB Cable*1 |
| Interface | Coaxial, USB |
| Interface Type | Coaxial, USB |
| Item Dimensions L x W | 3.78"L x 3.07"W |
| Item Weight | 195 Grams |
| Manufacturer | SMSL |
| Material Type | Copper |
| Model | SU-1 |
| Mounting Type | Coaxial,Plug Mount |
| Number of Channels | 2 |
| Number of Pins | 8 |
| Part Number | SU-1 |
| Product Dimensions | 3.78"L x 3.07"W |
| Smart Home Compatibility | Not Smart Home Compatible |
| Unit Count | 1.0 Count |

## Product Details

- **Brand:** Fanmusic
- **Interface Type:** Coaxial, USB
- **Mounting Type:** Coaxial,Plug Mount
- **Number of Channels:** 2
- **Number of Pins:** 8

## Images

![SMSL SU-1 MQA MQA-CD Audio Decoder AK4493S XU316 768kHz/32Bit DSD512 Hi-Res DAC - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/21AA7hVlMAL.jpg)
![SMSL SU-1 MQA MQA-CD Audio Decoder AK4493S XU316 768kHz/32Bit DSD512 Hi-Res DAC - Image 2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41YWk85tRmL.jpg)
![SMSL SU-1 MQA MQA-CD Audio Decoder AK4493S XU316 768kHz/32Bit DSD512 Hi-Res DAC - Image 3](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61Fh5P3jQHL.jpg)
![SMSL SU-1 MQA MQA-CD Audio Decoder AK4493S XU316 768kHz/32Bit DSD512 Hi-Res DAC - Image 4](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51VXAcljlAL.jpg)
![SMSL SU-1 MQA MQA-CD Audio Decoder AK4493S XU316 768kHz/32Bit DSD512 Hi-Res DAC - Image 5](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61OH+PEhn8L.jpg)

## Questions & Answers

**Q: When I hook it up to play there is music for a second or two and then no music for a second or two. This repeats itself over and over again. Ideas?**
A: I do not have that problem with this device, HOWEVER, I do have that very same problem with another SMSL dac ( M500 MKII), and I have not been able to figure out why this happens. I do not use Windows, and I only play wav files with Linux based software, and Linux operating system. Make your own conclusions.

**Q: how come the output voltage is so low when I connect it to the optical on my TV?  I thought the output was suppose to be 2 Vrms.**
A: only tried whit coaxial in rca out

**Q: Without a separate power input, how much faster does the battery drain on the cell phone?**
A: It consumes very low energy. I don't use it via USB. I haven't tested it.

**Q: I'd like to listen to one of those new MQA-encoded CDs. Will the optical output of my legacy CD player pass the MQA-encoded signal to this SMSL?**
A: Yes, because the SMSL is reading, converting the signal and your legacy CD player is functioning as a transport only.

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Broke after 10 days of use, but now fixed
*by W***K on March 6, 2024*

Update: March 13, 2024 (previously 1 star rating, now I give it 5 star rating). After several exchange of messages between Leaudio seller and myself, it was suggested that I install SMSL SU-1 driver from smsl-audio.com official website, which I did. To my surprise that fixed my DAC! Now I am finally able listen to music from my PC sent to SU-1 by USB cable, which is connected to my SMSL A300 by RCA. It seems the driver installation to my Windows 10 fixed whatever issue I was having with SU-1 DAC. As result of this, I'm updating the previous 1-star rating to 5 stars. As for the sound quality from SU-1, as stated below, it's an improvement over my SMSL A300 amplifier by 15 - 20%, but more specifically, it is the sonic clarity and separation that are the most notable. Though a minimal audio improvement over my amplifier's internal DAC, the sound clarity and instrument separation are noteworthy, and for that I give a 5-star rating. Also, through this DAC, vocals seem to be slightly more forward and clearer. March 6, 2023, initial review, I gave it 1 star rating due to the DAC's failure after 10 days of use. Bought this SMSL SU-1 DAC in November 2023, but I couldn't use it since I didn't have a pair of RCA cables to connect it to my class D SMSL A300 amplifier that I purchased from Amazon at the same time. The DAC was on Black Friday sale, so I figured to try it with my new amplifier. Fast forward to Feb 2024, I finally ordered a pair of CESS 163-4i RCA cables, connected the DAC to my amplifier. The SMSL SU-1 DAC improved the quality by about 15% over my SMSL A300 internal DAC. I used the DAC on and off for about 10 days, then today it simply failed on me. It simply fell dead silent while playing a music file from my PC (PC to USB cable to SMSL SU-1 DAC to RCA cables to SMSL A300 amplifier). I tried another RCA port in the back of my SMSL A300 amplifier, but that too didn't work. The DAC simply does not work at all. I also tried powering down my amp completely, unplug RCA cables between the DAC and the amp, then powered both up again, and toggled between various input options in the DAC to no avail (USB, coaxile, and optical just in case the internal circuit's connectivity had glitched and that toggling among input sources might reset it). The source-light LED still functions on the DAC, but I get absolutely no audio signal going into my amplifier. Heck, I even rebooted my PC just to see if that may be causing an issue, but it was futile. After 2 hours of wrestling with the connections and toggling between input sources and settings, I gave up. Now I'm back to connecting my PC directly to my SMSL A300 amplifier by USB cable, which works fine. As far as SMSL SU-1 DAC is concerned, it was a decent DAC for the price (while it worked). However, the unit I got simply failed after about 10 days of usage. I'd instantly return it for a refund, but the Jan 31 deadline return date is closed, so sadly it's not an option for me. A good-sounding, affordable DAC with a high quality DAC chip, but in my case, I must have received a lemon, so quality control seems questionable. Maybe it's just bad luck on my part, but I still wouldn't recommend this DAC to anyone. You'd be better off to spend a bit more money on a high quality DAC with its own power supply built in. Update On March 11, 2024 I emailed with photo attachments of the failed SMSL SU-1 DAC to support@shenzhenaudio.com. According to their site, they'll honor their product warranty up to 6 months with either a repair, replacement, or refund if their product proves to be defective. Hopefully they'll reply in a timely manner with a resolution. As others may encounter a product failure after the Amazon's 30-day free return policy, I'll post further updates for reference. Update, March 11, 2024, 8 hours later, shenzhenaudio.com support staff replied my to my email, asked for the Amazon purchase invoice and order number. I forwarded them the necessary information. According to their reply, they'll forward my case to their Amazon Support Team. I hope this will be resolved asap as I'll need to either get a replacement DAC or get a refund and buy another DAC, so for now I'm stuck in a limbo with 70 bucks tied up in a failed DAC unit. For now I'm stuck to using the internal DAC of my SMSL A300 amplifier, which is quite ok, but I did like the somewhat improved audio fidelity of SMSL SU-1 DAC. Update March 12, 2024. Got a reply from Leaudio requesting detailed info on what's wrong with my SMSL SU-1 DAC. I forwarded an account of how it simply stopped working while playing music from my laptop connected to it by a USB. Also forwarded 3 photos of the DAC. Hope this matter will be dealt with either a refund, replacement, or repair soon, because at this point, the DAC is useless.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazing DAC Offered at a Reasonable Price
*by J***Z on July 3, 2025*

I am not typically impressed with modern audio gear. It just doesn’t seem to compare with the great sound that we get from the vintage audio gear. That said, audio chip designers are coming up with some interesting products. And audio component designers are taking advantage. I wanted to improve the audio system connected to my multimedia workstation. The systems already has a pair of vintage RCA Minimus 7 speakers and more modern Lepai LP-2020A Class T amp. These are far from audiophile quality but, for their modest price and demur size, they do a credible job. Sadly, the same can’t said for my DAC. It doesn’t sound great and has become intermittent. It was time for a replacement. I read reviews of the S.M.S.L SU-1 MQA MQA-CD Audio Decoder. Reviewers and osers described it as “amazing." Since it sells for a very reasonable $85, it was worth the gamble so I bought it. After connecting it up to my PC and audio system I tested it with a number of high def audio files. It sounded quite good. Then, just for fun, I fed a DSD file into it. I expected noise because few DACs can handle DSD files. What I got instead was a DSD decode from the device. Apparently, the designers included DSD decode into the chip that runs the S.M.S.L SU-1 MQA MQA-CD Audio Decoder. Amazing! What was more amazing was what I heard when a started listening to “Billy Jean” on the Michael Jackson “Thriller” album. It is a DSD file mixed from the original master tape. The drum beats at the beginning of the song were so sharp, so clear that it literally startled me! Hats off to the designers of this inexpensive, amazing DAC!

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good DAC with many uses.
*by B***Z on May 1, 2026*

Nice DAC worth the money...So far I have just used this connected to my CD player for experimentation, and evaluation. I'm not really a digital aficionado, more of an analog person, but I wanted to try something new and this seemed like a safe bet....My CD player has a Wolfson WM 8718 DAC which was a pretty good chip in its day. My CD player still has a very good sound and I remember when new, how much better it made my CDs sound over the DVD player it replaced... Any way the sound of this DAC hooked up to the CD player using optical was very good, a more detailed, forward sound, treble slightly elevated. On my system this was not offensive as treble is slightly recessed to begin with. I did not notice any anomalies like sibilance or distorted bass, or digital jitter, Soundstage was present and had plenty of non-turbulent air between instruments. Bass extension also seems to be better controlled at the lowest frequencies. Overall I think its a good DAC...I haven't tried any really expensive DACs so what improvements they might add couldn't say, This DAC is slightly analytical but I did not find it offensive. I think it does everything a good DAC should do and probably punches above its price range.

## Frequently Bought Together

- S.M.S.L SU-1 MQA MQA-CD Audio Decoder AK4493S XU316 768kHz/32Bit DSD512 Hi-Res DAC
- TOSLINK – Optical Audio Cable – 3ft – Designed in Germany – Fiber Optic Cable for Soundbar, SPDIF Digital Optical Audio Cord – for Sound Bars, Stereo Systems, amps, Xbox One or PS4 – by CableDirect
- SMSL PO100 PRO MQA DDC XMOS XU316 Digital to Analog Audio Converter Type-C USB Input IIS/Optical/Coaxial Output Mini Portable USB Interface for Phone/PS5/Switch/TV

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*Product available on Desertcart United Kingdom*
*Store origin: GB*
*Last updated: 2026-05-16*