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Is there any point to getting the SMSL M400, when there is the Su-9n and DO100?

simplywyn

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There are several M400's on the used market, and I remember watching a few youtube videos that the M400 were giant killers. However, since M400 was released, we've had a slew of new releases for example the Su-9n (I have this one) and the DO-100. All of which measure amazingly, and are around the $200CAD to $300CAD range.

The used M400 are going for around $750 which means I can buy 3 DO-100's or SU-9n's to fill my house with great sound or just fill one external player with sound.

Currently I have the Denafrips Ares II, and the Su-9n, and switching them around, I like the SU-9n better than the Ares. There's another topping laying around the house I will try to A/B test that one out but as far as DACs, I feel like we've hit top end now at only around $300 rather than the original $1000+ I had to spend.

Any other thoughts on this?
 

Snoopy

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I have the SMSL D300 . It was affordable as well. Sounds great and even does DSD512.
I can't imagine that another DAC would give me a better experience. I would rather throw that money at better headphones, loudspeakers or other stuff.

But if I where looking for something with a nicer case or overall more "interesting" design I would wait for the new AKM chips.

I got the SMSL SP400 headphone amp and the M400 would make a nice match but even at 750 USD( used ) , I feel like that's way to much money for a DAC.

(I do all my upsampling and equilizer, filter stuff in roon.)
 

raif71

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I have the SMSL D300 . It was affordable as well. Sounds great and even does DSD512.
I can't imagine that another DAC would give me a better experience. I would rather throw that money at better headphones, loudspeakers or other stuff.

But if I where looking for something with a nicer case or overall more "interesting" design I would wait for the new AKM chips.

I got the SMSL SP400 headphone amp and the M400 would make a nice match but even at 750 USD( used ) , I feel like that's way to much money for a DAC.

(I do all my upsampling and equilizer, filter stuff in roon.)
I agree it is still expensive for a used DAC. I have both sp400 and m400. Both of them are in their boxes, unused now. I'm using singxer-sa1 and denafrips ares-II along with gustard p26 preamp. 2 more DACs connected to the preamp are r2r r11 (audio-gd) and gustard x16
 

alpha_logic

Active Member
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Aug 16, 2021
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There are several M400's on the used market, and I remember watching a few youtube videos that the M400 were giant killers. However, since M400 was released, we've had a slew of new releases for example the Su-9n (I have this one) and the DO-100. All of which measure amazingly, and are around the $200CAD to $300CAD range.

The used M400 are going for around $750 which means I can buy 3 DO-100's or SU-9n's to fill my house with great sound or just fill one external player with sound.

Currently I have the Denafrips Ares II, and the Su-9n, and switching them around, I like the SU-9n better than the Ares. There's another topping laying around the house I will try to A/B test that one out but as far as DACs, I feel like we've hit top end now at only around $300 rather than the original $1000+ I had to spend.

Any other thoughts on this?
I owned both, the M400 and the 9n; if you like the 9n, chances are you'll love the M400. I would prefer the M400 over the 9n not only in terms of performance, but also because it has I2S.
 
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