SMSL SU-8 very quiet under Volumio (only)

I tested today a loaned SMSL SU-8 using a DigiOne and using a 2nd RPI-3 for USB mode.

Under Coax/Digione it plays little quieter than expected despite its 2V output vs. another DAC with also 2V output. Not really worth mentioning.

But under USB (XMOS U208)/Volumio it plays really really quiet. We had to crank up to Vmax on the headphone amp and also on the unit itself (it has volume control) and it was still not really enjoyable. We had then to put in place the amp’s gain switch (and now to move back the Volume knob to the half). Now it was ok. But this gain is simply impossible to listen to with any other headphone, it is way too loud and I rarely use the gain switch. The SQ indeed was actually simply fabulous.

This strange behaviour did not happen with a regular desktop PC, here it played loud as expected.

Is this an issue with the unit? … or with Volumio? … could this be solved after a firmware patch?

Try via SSH to check if a other mixer could be active or a boost option. To do that, enter alsamixer and check what is available.

There were two options available “SMSL SU-8” and a 2nd one named “SMSL SU-8 ,1”. Both behaved same way.

I am not familiar with SSH nor Linux. The only I can say is it happens only with RPI-3B/Volumio (USB), it does not happen while connected to battery driven Win10 Tablets/Foobar, where the SMSL SU-8 plays USB at regular volume. DigiOne/Coax into the SMSL SU-8 plays also at normal volume.
Screenshot_20180806-094730.png

Has the prob been resolved?

Looking either to purchase the SU-8 or the DX50 (same chipsets)

Nope, and device is not longer here, we sent it back, sorry. SQ via coaxial (fed by Digione) was superb actually clearly better than Allo Boss DAC (more natural, less machine).

Ok, no worries.

I bought the Topping DX7s and happy with it.

Yes this is on my radar as well as soon as it becomes cheaper.

Hi
I re-launch this thread on SMSL SU_8, Is there anybody happy with this device and Volumio, is the volume problem solved with the last versions, and is there a full compatibility now?
Rgds

We don’t have a device to test with, so it is as good as impossible to verify.
Yes, before you ask, smsl support (although their stuff is good) can’t/ won’t help much.
Try “Volumio Normalisation” in the playback section, even if that works, it is not a solution.
Other than that, I have no clue at the moment.

Thant you, I ask that because this device seems to match almost all my request except the full compatibility with Volumio which is, for me, a No Go for the moment to buy it.

rgds

Someone have resolved volume problem ? I like to try this dac

No, and we won’t be able to help before someone tries it.
Looks like a nice DAC, but I don’t have this one
This is the sort of thing you don’t get sent as an engineering sample :wink:

I just got the su8 v1. 6, using XLR to my integrated and the volume is normal for me. Volumio is the latest fw version too.
For dsd I am still on dop. May try direct.
Latest… On dsd direct and it works as well.
Volume is normal gain for dsd than when I was using the smsl m8. Then I had to really crank it up