SMSL D400 Pro Balanced DAC Review

[xaviescacs]

600 for a stand alone DAC, no streaming, no DSP, no headphone amplifier, the same remote again and again...

 

[CleanSound]

but it is a Striking fact that most brands from Europe or USA or other places don´t turn to ASR to get their DAC:s or whatever reviewed. I don´t know if they think it is not important, since they assume the large numbers of buyers dont care about performance in terms of metrics, or if they just can´t compete on a technical level.

They don't send it because they know it will get measured and then stack ranked by SINAD. One, many don't have the engineering chops to get down to 3 zeros and two, if they don't stack ranked top 10, well, there goes sales.

 

[Sokel]

If I was about to think strictly money,this enormous flood of DACs by the same companies serves yet another goal:
The absolute bricking of the previous models,as their second hand value gets near to nothing two models after (shipping alone would cost more) so the margin stays strong selling constantly another near identical model with nicer case of 2db SINAD better.
(second hand market was always an enemy,cuts clients)

It would be funny actually if a lot of people didn't ended up owning 4-5 DACs who are similar outside and with absolutely inaudible performance.

 

[Sokel]

They don't send it because they know it will get measured and then stack ranked by SINAD. One, many don't have the engineering chops to get down to 3 zeros and two, if they don't stack ranked top 10, well, there goes sales.

There are measurements for most of them,Stereophile comes first in mind.They just don't care and they don't want to associate themselves with cheap gear.

 

[CleanSound]

There are measurements for most of them,Stereophile comes first in mind.They just don't care and they don't want to associate themselves with cheap gear.

That's also true.

 

[respice finem]

My impression is, they are still "testing the waters", marketing-wise and design-wise. And more models usually mean more sales (the shiny new thing effect).

 

[CleanSound]

And what is the deal with MQA? Why are these measurement focused brands into snake oil MQA?

 

[FrantzM]

I am thinking companies should move to next phase. The SOTA war is over for now, if they want to charge premium price then more meaningful features, please! To me the most amazing feature is the in-built PEQ like in RME and Qudelix product. System level EQ not a brighter screen is worth paying hundred $ for

I second that... I Like the look though..
Next steeps:
. Negotiate with the power that .. are ... and go for a serious AVR-type product, perhaps a Pre-Pro. Serious DRC + the usual CODECs + The now-customary excellent level of performance. Of course Keep the price in line with similar but hopefully inferior in performance products. I believe there is a market...
One can dream


Peace.

 

[respice finem]

My best guess: a) because MQA support is in the chips anyway and b) because it may help justify the price.

 

[Matias]

And what is the deal with MQA? Why are these measurement focused brands into snake oil MQA?

ESS released a batch of DAC chips that support MQA, so manufacturers just stick the MQA logo on the chassis and on marketing material too.

 

[respice finem]

I am thinking companies should move to next phase. The SOTA war is over for now, if they want to charge premium price then more meaningful features, please! To me the most amazing feature is the in-built PEQ like in RME and Qudelix product. System level EQ not a brighter screen is worth paying hundred $ for

For a start, at least loudness would be nice, and crossfeed (for those with an included HPA).

 

[Hipster Doofus]

SMSL has 28 DACs listed in their website as of today. It can be 30 by the time you check it out. They should measure them all, send Amir their measurement data for validation and we should close the topic of SMSL DAC until 2024Q4 in my opinion.

I agree, we all know where the DAC’s are in Target stores…right next to the toasters and microwaves.

 

[Timmeon]

I'd like to imagine that I was part of the inspiration for the display update:
https://audiosciencereview.com/foru...-m500-mkiii-dac-amp-review.38209/post-1346135

 

[Robbo99999]

Isn't the market saturated for these kind of products now!

EDIT: but I appreciate the testing by Amir, because we need to know how it will perform before we buy it.....but I'm thinking more along the lines of the suppliers.

 

[sacguy231]

Great measurements, but as others have noted I don't see a great deal of value at this price point since there are cheaper offerings with fantastic measurements. The case/build seems very nice, but I'd love to see some DSP features at this price.

 

[mdsimon2]

I'd like to imagine that I was part of the inspiration for the display update:
https://audiosciencereview.com/foru...-m500-mkiii-dac-amp-review.38209/post-1346135

And yet they still have an inconsistent serif font on "PCM". So close and yet so far.

Michael

 

[ALaylowguy]

I second that... I Like the look though..
Next steeps:
. Negotiate with the power that .. are ... and go for a serious AVR-type product, perhaps a Pre-Pro. Serious DRC + the usual CODECs + The now-customary excellent level of performance. Of course Keep the price in line with similar but hopefully inferior in performance products. I believe there is a market...
One can dream


Peace.

well, call me a basic b*tch, I watch a lot of YouTube and Netflix, lossless sometimes from foobar. I want to justify my love for Macbook and until PEACE APO or similar system lever software appear on Mac, all I ask for is that God-sent feature

 

[TonyJZX]

yeah this looks like audio art in the casing and screen but that's kind of overkill for what it essentially is... one could probably get the same performance for $300 with a black steel case and B&W screen

but i would rather smsl not get into streaming and dsp and other stuff if they just arent able to do it well

 

[CleanSound]

View attachment 322959

Ooh! It comes complete with a saucepan lid!

*edit*
Also, its DAC supports DSD, but the player doesn't handle SACDs.

This is the only product in SMSL's line up that generates some sort of excitement so far. Too bad no SACD support, otherwise, I would have already submitted an order.

 

[Billy Budapest]

SMSL has 28 DACs listed in their website as of today. It can be 30 by the time you check it out. They should measure them all, send Amir their measurement data for validation and we should close the topic of SMSL DAC until 2024Q4 in my opinion.

Why in the world have they fragmented their product line so much? Not only does this cause consumer confusion, it also must be very expensive for SMSL to maintain different production and supply chains for so many products.