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-8s Ensemble

The stars of the SMSL-8s Ensemble are the SMSL SU-8s High Resolution ESS DAC and SH-8s High Resolution Headphone Amplifier, a Bluetooth-receptive duo that delivers up to 32-bit music with total transparency. An Apos Flow XLR cable brings them together with pure-copper clarity. 

The SMSL-8s Ensemble includes:

• DAC: SMSL SU-8s High Resolution ESS DAC
• Headphone Amp: SH-8s High Resolution Headphone Amplifier
• Interconnect: Apos Flow XLR Cable

Spec Summary

Note: For full specs, please visit the individual product pages.

SMSL SU-8s High Resolution ESS DAC

• Inputs: USB, coax, optical, Bluetooth
• Outputs: RCA, XLR
• THD+N: 0.00009% (-121dB)
• Dynamic range: 126dB (XLR), 125dB (RCA)
• SNR: 126dB
• Output impedance: <10Ω
• USB transmission: Asynchronization
• USB compatibility: Windows 7/8/8.1/10, Max OSX, Linux
• Bit depth: 16-32bit (USB), 16-24bit (opt/coax)
• Max sampling rate: 768kHz, DSD22.57MHz (USB)
• Bluetooth version: 5.0
• Supported Bluetooth codecs: aptX, aptX HD, SBC, AAC

SH-8s High Resolution Headphone Amplifier

• Inputs: 1 balanced, 1 unbalanced
• Outputs: 1 balanced, 1 6.35mm unbalanced
• Output power: 6W x 2 (16Ω), 3W x 2 (32Ω)
• SNR: 136dB
• Output noise: 1.3uV
• THD+N: -123dB, 0.00006% (1kHz, 32Ω)
• THD+N: -120dB, 0.00013% (20-20kHz, 32Ω, -1dB)
• THD: <-125dB, 0.00006%
• Input impedance: 47kΩ
• Output impedance: Near 0Ω
• Frequency response: 20Hz - 500kHz (-3dB)
• Gain: Low (0dB), High (+17.5dB)

• Imported Japanese copper conductor
• 4-core audio wire
• A copper lattice braid with 94% density effectively shields the conductor from electromagnetic interference
• Each core made of 60pcs of 0.08mm copper wire
• Neutrik terminations