SMSL M500 DAC and HP Amp Review

[Toku]

The meaning of Ver. Displayed on the display of M500 is as follows.
SW 1.5 system firmware version.
HW 1.2 hardware version.

To check the USB firmware version
When "Info" of "XMOS USB Audio Control Panel" is opened, it is displayed in Revision.

To check the bit rate of the song being played
When "Status" of "XMOS USB Audio Control Panel" is opened, "Current Sample Rate" is displayed.

To display the XMOS USB Audio Control Panel
(For Windows)
Expand START> XMOS> XMOS USB Audio Control Panel.

However, the information is not displayed if the M500 is not connected via USB.

 

[Toku]

The DSD 256 plays but cuts out every 3 seconds for a half second

There was a report of the same symptom as you in M500 which upgraded USB firmware to Ver. 1.08.
In my imagination, it may be related to PC performance.

 

[szhchen]

There was a report of the same symptom as you in M500 which upgraded USB firmware to Ver. 1.08.
In my imagination, it may be related to PC performance.

PC performance or USB port bad condition do cause there problem on other USB DAC. But I believe some M500 have defective USB interface. I have test 4 PC、2 laptop. I borrowed 2 8th gen i7 form ITM department. They are brand new hardware and OS. All behave the same.

 

[Toku]

PC performance or USB port bad condition do cause there problem on other USB DAC. But I believe some M500 have defective USB interface. I have test 4 PC、2 laptop. I borrowed 2 8th gen i7 form ITM department. They are brand new hardware and OS. All behave the same.

Thank you for the information. So it will be helpful.
There seems to be many problems with M500 USB connection.
I used to suffer from Topping D50 and D50s.

 

[NorthGraves]

The SMSL combo performs really well, by the way.
Balanced interconnects.
Dropped the volume on the DAC to 30 since I took that picture.

 

[Toku]

The SMSL combo performs really well, by the way.
Balanced interconnects.
Dropped the volume on the DAC to 30 since I took that picture.

View attachment 40804

Can DSD play 64, 128, 256, 512 without any problems?

 

[szhchen]

Thank you for the information. So it will be helpful.
There seems to be many problems with M500 USB connection.
I used to suffer from Topping D50 and D50s.

It is sad to hear Topping also have these issue.
I was considering refund and go for DX7 pro.
SMSL finally admit my M500 is defected and promise for replacement.

 

[Toku]

SMSL finally admit my M500 is defected and promise for replacement.

That's good news.
The M500 of the initial model I purchased has already been returned to China.

I was troubled by DX7s as well as D50, but I don't have bad information about DX7Pro.
I thought about ordering DX7Pro at Black Friday, but it was stopped because the release of D90 is scheduled.
Currently, the main DAC is DX3 Pro, which is the most stable operation.

 

[Palex]

It is sad to hear Topping also have these issue.
I was considering refund and go for DX7 pro.
SMSL finally admit my M500 is defected and promise for replacement.

At me, M500 isn't updated on 1.08 - DAC defective means?

 

[szhchen]

At me, M500 isn't updated on 1.08 - DAC defective means?

Do you have issue while high bitrate playback？

 

[Toku]

At me, M500 isn't updated on 1.08 - DAC defective means?

The M500 that will be ordere to China will be shipped with Ver 1.08.
But already purchased M500 must be updated by yourself.

 

[Palex]

Do you have issue while high bitrate playback？

when using DSD 256, interruption is rare

 

[Palex]

The M500 that will be ordere to China will be shipped with Ver 1.08.
But already purchased M500 must be updated by yourself.

Independently I update till 1.08, process of updating happens, but the XMOS USB program shows 1.05

 

[Toku]

when using DSD 256, interruption is rare

The problem of DSD256 does not seem to be improved even with Ver 1.08.

Independently I update till 1.08, process of updating happens, but the XMOS USB program shows 1.05

That's very strange.

 

[szhchen]

when using DSD 256, interruption is rare

My symptom is click/pop once about 5 second.that sound also happens when sample rate change or digital input change.

Independently I update till 1.08, process of updating happens, but the XMOS USB program shows 1.05

Exactly the same with me.

 

[Palex]

I am calmed by only one fact. In the MQA market, M500 one of all (with his characteristics) costs $400

On the market MQA many renderers, M500 full decoder and for 400 $, competitors there is NO

 

[ericpham]

My M500 version: v1.07, play Roon+Tidal upsampling through Asio to dsd 256, 512 or MQA 352 smoothie

 

[Palex]

My M500 version: v1.07, play Roon+Tidal upsampling through Asio to dsd 256, 512 or MQA 352 smoothie

I have established 1.07, but when it is established 1.08 - updating at me has passed on 1.05. Subsequently any updating isn't established.

 

[NorthGraves]

Can DSD play 64, 128, 256, 512 without any problems?

Haven't had a chance to try 512;
64-256 files play without issues.

 

[Toku]

Haven't had a chance to try 512;
64-256 files play without issues.

My purchased M500 is an early version,
SW: 1.4 HW: 1.2 2019-07-28 is displayed.

The video image of the noise that frequently occurs in DSD64 has been uploaded to Amzon.jp below.

https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/custome...ef=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B07X4FM42B