SMSL SU-6 Bluetooth USB DAC Review
A desktop USB DAC with an ES9038Q2M chip, a Bluetooth V5.0 input with LDAC and a remote control, listed at $169.99. It suits PC listeners who want wireless input next to USB; the page names no outputs.
Our verdict
A fit for a PC desk setup where the buyer wants a USB input and a Bluetooth LDAC input in one DAC with a remote. Look elsewhere if the outputs, optical or coaxial inputs or measured figures matter to you, since the page names none of them. Every number here is the store's own.
- Best for
- PC listeners who want a USB DAC with Bluetooth LDAC input and a remote control.
- Skip if
- You want the outputs named or distortion and noise figures given.
Why 3.4/5: Held down by three things at once: no specification list as text, the store's own contradictory terms, and no independent test checked for this review.
At $169.99 the SMSL SU-6 is a desktop DAC that adds Bluetooth V5.0 with LDAC to a USB input. The page names an ES9038Q2M ESS Sabre chip, a 2nd Gen XMOS USB processor, four OPA1612 op-amps and a Qualcomm Bluetooth chip, and says it decodes 32-Bit/768kHz PCM and native DSD512 over USB. A tempered glass display panel and a remote control are listed, but the page gives no output list.
Specifications
| Spec | Page says |
|---|---|
| DAC chip | ES9038Q2M (ESS Sabre) |
| USB processor | 2nd Gen XMOS |
| PCM and DSD | 32-Bit/768kHz PCM, native DSD512 |
| Bluetooth | V5.0 with LDAC (24-Bit/96kHz per the text) |
| Bluetooth chip | Qualcomm's latest Bluetooth chip |
| Op-amps | Four OPA1612 (listed as dual) |
| Clock | Ultra-low jitter clock; custom audio clock circuit |
| Display | Tempered glass display panel |
| Power supply | Built-in, specially developed low-noise switching supply |
| Remote control | Listed as fully functional |
| Certification | Listed as Hi-Res Audio Certified |
| Color | Black |
Options and pricing
Black is the only option shown, at $169.99, and the page showed it as orderable. The page names no plug type, no cables and no box contents. It lists a remote control among its features without describing it, and no other color is offered.
How it compares
The TOPPING D10s USB DAC is $109.99 against $169.99 here; its page gives up to 32-bit 384 kHz PCM and DSD256 over USB and its name lists no Bluetooth. The SMSL B100 is $215.99 and is a Bluetooth 5.1 audio receiver by name, while the SU-6 pairs USB with Bluetooth V5.0. The SMSL D200 is $319, with Bluetooth 5.1 in its name and the same 32-bit/768kHz PCM and DSD512 in its spec line. The SU-6 is the middle-budget choice for a PC desk.
Shipping, returns and warranty
HiFiGO sells from hifigo.com and says every order leaves its warehouse in China, usually 1-3 business days after it is placed, and says its delivery times are estimates, not promises. Its shipping policy gives the United States 1-2 weeks (about 10 days on average) by Priority and 6-10 days by Premium, both with duties and taxes prepaid by the store; Canada 2-3 weeks; the United Kingdom 1-2 weeks; and Australia 10-15 days. Express couriers (DHL, UPS, FedEx) take 3-7 days, but then the buyer pays any duties and taxes. No shipping page names New Zealand, PO boxes are not accepted, and the free-shipping thresholds differ between the store's own pages, so check the cart. One of its two shipping pages adds that a lost parcel on an order above $50 gets only a 50% refund. A US buyer reported a $40 tariff charge in August 2025, after which HiFiGO said it had added a customs notice at checkout.
Read the return terms before you order. The homepage advertises 7-day returns. Both of HiFiGO's policy pages offer a 7-day dead-on-arrival cover (a replacement or a full refund, with the return postage refunded) and also describe 30-day returns, but a request made 7 to 30 days after delivery loses 30% of the MSRP as a restocking fee (10% more if the packaging is incomplete), plus shipping both ways and duties, and the FAQ on the same pages says there is no refund or exchange once 7 days have passed. One version recommends reselling an opened product locally. Custom IEMs and custom cables cannot be returned, no return address is published, and buyers describe sending items back to China.
HiFiGO's warranty runs one year from the order date for parts and labor; its policy names desktop DACs and amps, IEMs and dongles at one year and gives cables and adapters three months. HiFiGO decides between repair and replacement, the buyer pays the shipping, and faulty items go back for service, not for a refund. Claims go to [email protected], the only contact the store lists: its pages name no company, street address or phone, and its terms are governed by the laws of China.
On Trustpilot, HiFiGO had 4.6 out of 5 from 378 reviews when we checked on 2026-10-28 (91% five-star, 5% one-star), and it had replied to about 75% of negative reviews; Trustpilot notes the store has not invited customers to review recently. The one-star reviews mostly concern the short return window and the deductions on returns, items listed in stock that turned out back-ordered, slow email support and a tariff charge on a US delivery in 2025. HiFiGO says its products are genuine and come in the brands' retail packaging; it does not claim to be an authorized dealer.
What we liked
- Combines a USB input with Bluetooth V5.0 and the LDAC codec, per the page
- USB decoding is listed at 32-Bit/768kHz PCM and native DSD512
- A remote control and a tempered glass display panel are listed among the features
- Names its main parts: ES9038Q2M, a 2nd Gen XMOS processor, OPA1612 op-amps and a Qualcomm Bluetooth chip
Worth noting
- The page text has no specification section, so output level, THD+N, SNR, size and weight are all missing
- No outputs are listed, and no input other than USB and Bluetooth is named
- LDAC is the only Bluetooth codec named, at 24-Bit/96kHz in the text
Questions before you buy
Does the SU-6 have Bluetooth?
Yes, per the page: Bluetooth V5.0 on a Qualcomm chip with LDAC, which the text says supports 24-Bit/96kHz wireless streaming.
What does it decode over USB?
The page lists 32-Bit/768kHz PCM and native DSD512 over USB, handled by a 2nd Gen XMOS processor.
Which outputs does it have?
The page does not say. Its features mention a display, a remote and a clock circuit but name no output connector.
Where does HiFiGO ship from, and how long does it take?
From its warehouse in China, usually 1-3 business days after the order. The shipping policy gives 1-2 weeks to the US by Priority (6-10 days by Premium), both with duties and taxes prepaid, 2-3 weeks to Canada, 1-2 weeks to the UK and 10-15 days to Australia. Express couriers take 3-7 days, but the buyer pays any duties.
Can I send it back if I change my mind?
HiFiGO gives 7 days to report an item that arrives dead, damaged or wrong. Its policy also describes 30-day returns, but requests 7 to 30 days after delivery lose 30% of the MSRP plus shipping both ways and duties, and the FAQ on the same page says no refund or exchange after 7 days. Ask [email protected] before you open the box.
What warranty does HiFiGO give?
One year from the order date for parts and labor, for faults in build or materials (the policy names desktop DACs and amps, IEMs and dongles; cables and adapters get three months). HiFiGO chooses repair or replacement, the buyer pays the shipping, and a faulty item is serviced rather than refunded. Claims go to [email protected].
Sources & verification
What this review is based on and the day we last read it. Specs and claims from the maker are the maker’s own; the verdict and the rating are ours.
From the store
- SMSL SU-6 DAC Bluetooth 5.0 LDAC USB Decoder product page: specs, options and price (the buy buttons go there)Specs, options and the listed priceRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO shipping policyShips from China in 1-3 business days; US 1-2 weeks by Priority or 6-10 days by Premium, duties prepaid; Express buyers pay dutiesRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO shipping and order tracking pageA second shipping text: Premium also for Canada and Australia, Canada free shipping from $99.99, lost-parcel rulesRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO refund policy7-day dead-on-arrival cover; 30-day returns minus a 30% restocking fee; its FAQ says no refund after 7 daysRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO warranty and refund policyWarranty by product class (1 year; cables and adapters 3 months); 30% fee for resealing an opened productRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO terms of serviceOperator named only as HiFiGo; governed by the laws of China; contact [email protected]Read October 28, 2026
Independent
- HiFiGO reviews on Trustpilot4.6 of 5 from 378 reviews (91% five-star, 5% one-star); the store has not invited reviews recentlyRead October 28, 2026
What we couldn’t verify
- The page text has no specification section: inputs beyond USB and Bluetooth, outputs, output level, distortion and noise figures are not given.
- 'Hi-Res Audio Certified' is stated without certificate details, and 'ultra-low distortion and high SNR' comes with no numbers.
- 'Lag-free and stable' Bluetooth and the 'ultra-low jitter' clock are the page's claims; the page text gives no measurement.
- HiFiGO's policy pages contradict each other: 30-day returns with a 30% restocking fee in one place, no refund or exchange after 7 days in the FAQ.
- HiFiGO's pages name no company, street address or phone number; the only contact given is [email protected].
Spotted an error or something out of date? Tell us and we’ll fix it and update the date.
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