Apos
Apos SMSL-9 Ensemble
Note: Looking to pair a set of headphones, IEMs, or another piece of gear? Click the “Request a Headphone Pairing” button to chat with our Support Team, get suggestions, and save even more.
Apos Ensembles are equipment bundles that have been specially curated by our team of audio professionals. Just as an ensemble refers to a group of musicians playing together, each of our ensembles is a coordinated group of equipment that we’ve brought together to form a superior listening experience.
Meet the SMSL SU-9 Series Ensemble
The stars of the SMSL-9 Ensemble are the SMSL SU-9 DAC and the SMSL SH-9 headphone amp. This duo delivers 32-bit music with total transparency. A Fanmusic C006 balanced cable brings them together with pure-copper clarity.
The TOPPING-30 Series Ensemble includes
Headphone Amp: SMSL SH-9 THX AAA-888 Balanced Headphone Amp
Interconnect: Fanmusic C006 XLR cable
Pair a Headphone For More Savings
Below, you’ll find a list of headphones we recommend for the SMSL SU-9 Ensemble. Although any of these headphones will prove an excellent complement to the ensemble, they represent different price points and sound signatures, so we invite you to explore their product pages for more information.
We will of course pair any headphone, IEM, or piece of equipment in our store with the Ensemble. All you have to do is click the “Request a Headphone Pairing” button above to speak to our Support Team and see how much you’ll save.
Our headphone recommendations
Product highlights
Note: For full specs, please visit the individual product pages.
SMSL SU-9 Balanced MQA-Enabled DAC
DAC: Flagship ES9038PRO DAC
Highest Bitrate Support: 32-bit/768kHz and DSD512
Bluetooth Codecs: LDAC, APTX/ HD, SBC, AAC, 24-bit/192kHz
Inputs: USB/optical/coax/bluetooth
Outputs: RCA/XLR
THD+N: 0.00009%
SNR: 130dB
SMSL SH-9 THX AAA-888 Balanced Headphone Amp
Frequency response: 0.1-500,000Hz
SNR >137dB
THD <0.00006%
Ultra-compact design that’s perfect for desktops
Balanced stereo headphone output
Balanced stereo line input
HIgh precision resistors for temperature stability
Pop-less design with high-quality relays
256-level relay volume control
Switchable gain control
1.9” LCD display
Fanmusic C006 Cable
Material: Two-core braided HiFi line L-2T2S of CANARE
Jack: Black Gold-Plated NC3MXX-B and NC3FXX-B of NEUTRIK
Wire Length: 20cm (excluding plug)
Number of Conductors: 2pcs
Dan Clark Audio Æon 2
Type: Open-back or Closed-back
Driver: Planar Magnetic
Efficiency: 92dB
Impedance: 13ohms
Cable: Detachable 2m premium dual-entry cable with 1/4" termination
Weight: 340g
QUAD ERA-1 Planar Magnetic Headphone
Type: Open-back
Driver: Planar Magnetic
Impedance: 20 ohms
Sensitivity: 94db/mW
Frequency Response Range: 10 Hz - 40 kHz
Total Harmonic Distortion: ≤0.2% (1kHz,100dB)
Related Input Power: 100mW
Weight: 420g (without cable)
HIFIMAN Arya
Type: Open Back
Driver: Planar Magnetic
Frequency Response: 8Hz-65kHz
Impedance: 35Ω
Sensitivity: 90dB
Cable: 1.5m Crystalline Copper Cable
Weight: 14.3oz (404g)
HIFIMAN HE1000v2
Type: Open Back
Driver: Planar Magnetic
Frequency Response: 8Hz-65kHz
Impedance: 35W
Sensitivity: 90 dB
Weight: 14.8 oz (420g)
HIFIMAN Ananda
Type: Open-back
Driver: Planar Magnetic
Frequency Response: 8Hz-55KHz
Impedance: 25Ω
Sensitivity: 103dB
Weight: 14.7oz (399g)
Includes: 1.5m cable (3.5mm), 3m cable (6.35mm)
HIFIMAN Sundara
Type: Open-back
Driver: Planar Magnetic
Frequency Response: 6Hz - 75kHz
Impedance: 37 ohms
Sensitivity: 94db
Weight: 13.1oz (372g)
Cable Length: 1.5m
Headphone Connectors: 3.5mm
Audeze LCD-2 Open Back
Type: Over-ear, open-back
Driver: Planar Magnetic
Frequency response: 10 - 50,000Hz
Impedance: 70Ω
Sensitivity: 101 dB/1mW (at Drum Reference Point)
Weight: 1.31lbs (595g) (Rosewood), 1.27lbs (580g) (Shedua/Bamboo)
Audeze LCD-X
Type: Over-ear, open-back
Driver: Planar Magnetic
Frequency response: 10 - 50,000Hz
Impedance: 20Ω
Sensitivity: 103 dB/1mW (at Drum Reference Point)
Weight: 1.39lbs (635g)