SMSL D400 Pro Balanced DAC Review

[Kiko1974]

I am really sorry I did not provided more detailed instruction as I promised. I found firmware 2.2 and decided to upgrade, then I realize that I forgot how I did it previously and started to search this thread to remind myself what to do. This time I took screenshots, so it should be easier - steps this time were:

1. install usb driver for Allwinner FEL mode (as shown in SMSL instruction) using "Zadig" tool - please follow instruction/explanation on https://linux-sunxi.org/FEL/USBBoot in section "Mandatry USB driver" (please use "Zadig 2.9" tool linked on mentioned page)
View attachment 480090
Left side of the above picture is Instruction - right on my execution of Zadig 2.9 tool - during driver installation D400PRO was in FEL mode (press knob and turn-on power - pressing still knob for 5 seconds) and connected to my laptop - you have to choose from the list device with USB ID 1F3A EFE8 - if it is not clear which is the right one - please try one by one untill you will see expected USB ID - if it is not on the list, than your D400PRO is either not in FEL mode or not connected proprly using USB cable.

1a. (optional) test if usb driver installation was successful by checking in Windows Device Manager - start D400PRO in FEL mode (press knob and turn-on power - pressing still knob for 5 seconds) and check if you see in Device Manager new device having VID 1F3A and PID EFE8 and assigned the driver you just installed
View attachment 480091
After proper driver installation you should be able to find your D400PRO connected in FEL mode in Windows Device Manager (most likely under "Universal serial bus controller" tab) - the name of the device will be the same as in Zadig tool during installation (so not necessarly "FEL" as in my case) - in device Properties you should see similar texts/values for Driver details.

2. download newest sunxi-tools (also linked on mentioned page) - unzip files - copy sunxi-fel.exe insted of the version received from SMSL
It was mandatory step for me - after extracting sunxi files you should see following programs:
View attachment 480093
visible above sunxi-fel should be used for the test in next point

3. start D400PRO in FEL mode (press knob and turn-on power - pressing still knob for 5 seconds), open command prompt, change directory to the one where you have sunxi-fel.exe and test if the tool properly "see" D400PRO using commans:
sunxi-fel -l
(it should list available devices - ideally just one)
View attachment 480095
first time it was executed without Zadig driver loaded - second time it was executed with Zadig driver properly loaded - if you have "Allwinner F1C100s" reported than you are ready for firmware upgrade.

4. I used this time commands taken from .bat file and slightly edited. -d parameter value was taken from "sunxi-fel -l" output - you will notice that with every restart of D400PRO in FEL mode reported device number will change - just before commands execution it was reported as 001:009

sunxi-fel -d 001:009 -p spiflash-write 0x0 "..\firmware\boot0.bin"
sunxi-fel -d 001:009 -p spiflash-write 0x6000 "..\firmware\LOGO_SMSL.bin"
sunxi-fel -d 001:009 -p spiflash-write 0x50000 "..\firmware\SMSL D400PRO_Soc_V2.2.bin"

, with following results:
View attachment 480097
As mentioned earlier downloaded sunxi-fel.exe was copied instead of the one provided by SMSL. Third command on the screenshot failed because of mistake in the path - after correcting the path it was executed successfully as last command. After proper execution of all three commands you can turn-off D400PRO - it is already upgraded.

I hope it will help.

Thanks for your help. Despite having updated tons of devices firmware, I find this one tricky. I don't know if my Knowledge about computers (I've always used Windows based computers) is enough to do this.
I'll give It a try next week.
I don't know why SMSL doesn't provide a more straightforward way to update this DAC. I updated my former SMSL DO400 and It was pretty easy.

 

[A Surfer]

That's absolutely ridiculous to require of customers. I would never purchase a device that is so poorly supported. SMSL could compile an updater program executable.

 

[AdrianusG]

How weird. I own a Sony UBP X-8OO M2 (and an X-800 in mint dondition that I used before and I keep as spare player) and none of them have a display.
I just open the tray, put the disc on, close the tray or just press play and the disc plays.

How to know that physical media are going "the way of the Dinosaur"... when major companies who produce BLu-Ray players don't even think it's worth their time and effort to equip them with a basic displays anymore, shameful really

 

[Kiko1974]

How to know that physical media are going "the way of the Dinosaur"... when major companies who produce BLu-Ray players don't even think it's worth their time and effort to equip them with a basic displays anymore, shameful really

I agree with you, it's a shame that a disc player doesn't even have a display.
I like my disc Player, even if it is an UHD BD player to have a display. It's not really necesary to play BD or UHD BD discs, but the Sony UBP X-8OO M2 also plays CD's, SACD's (DVD-AUDIO and BD-AUDIO don't count as you need your TV set on to navigate through menus), and both are pure audio discs with no video content at all, and we've been used to play optical audio discs with a display for over four decades. I don't get UNUSED to play audio discs without a display, maybe because I'm an old fashioned 51 years old Guy.

 

[EJasonC]

I'm late to the party by a couple years it seems, but thought to share my experience with a recent purchase. Admittedly, I've not read every single thread on this review, but the few mentions of I2S connectivity I've read on this forum and others got me wanting to hear it for myself. So I decided to take the plunge and got an SMSL PL200-T & SMSL D400-Pro. I have them connected via I2S, the D400 configured as a preamp connected via balance XLR to two REL subwoofers and then to two Adam Audio active pro audio monitors. Red Book CD's, for which I primarily use this 2.2 rig, have never sounded better! The resolution, dynamics, soundstage width and depth are end game for me. Never mind MQA or DSD at this point even though this pairing has those features/functionality; I don't even feel the need especially given there are not enough source material in those formats that interest me. For any members here that have this type of setup, namely CD transport connected to DAC via I2S, what has been your experience?

 

[Roland68]

I'm late to the party by a couple years it seems, but thought to share my experience with a recent purchase. Admittedly, I've not read every single thread on this review, but the few mentions of I2S connectivity I've read on this forum and others got me wanting to hear it for myself. So I decided to take the plunge and got an SMSL PL200-T & SMSL D400-Pro. I have them connected via I2S, the D400 configured as a preamp connected via balance XLR to two REL subwoofers and then to two Adam Audio active pro audio monitors. Red Book CD's, for which I primarily use this 2.2 rig, have never sounded better! The resolution, dynamics, soundstage width and depth are end game for me. Never mind MQA or DSD at this point even though this pairing has those features/functionality; I don't even feel the need especially given there are not enough source material in those formats that interest me. For any members here that have this type of setup, namely CD transport connected to DAC via I2S, what has been your experience?

Have you also tried it via coaxial or AES?
The i2s connection is inferior with these devices and adds measurable jitter to the signal. You'd likely lose more than you gain. But it shouldn't be audible.

 

[Kiko1974]

Have you also tried it via coaxial or AES?
The i2s connection is inferior with these devices and adds measurable jitter to the signal. You'd likely lose more than you gain. But it shouldn't be audible.

I own an SMSL D400 PRO, that I have connected to the Chinese HDMI audio extractor, source is a Sony UBP X-8OO M2.
I own two of these Chinese HDMI audio extractor, one is I²S only version (for DSD), the second is the DSD over PCM DoP version.
Guess what kind of connection sounds the best, I²S or the SPDIF?
SPDIF sounds better than the I²S, this is even more noticiable when playing DSD, either from an SACD disc or from DSD files from my ripped SACD's.
When using I²S input, the digital Signal goes directly to the AKM D/A IC pins, when using SPDIF the digital Signal goes to a 2nd order PLL and a built in master clock, the "famous" CK-03 developed by SMSL, all this to reduce jitter.
And believe me, with this set up, using the SPDIF input does make a difference as the D400 PRO does reclocking, when using I²S It doesn't.

 

[Roland68]

I own an SMSL D400 PRO, that I have connected to the Chinese HDMI audio extractor, source is a Sony UBP X-8OO M2.
I own two of these Chinese HDMI audio extractor, one is I²S only version (for DSD), the second is the DSD over PCM DoP version.
Guess what kind of connection sounds the best, I²S or the SPDIF?
SPDIF sounds better than the I²S, this is even more noticiable when playing DSD, either from an SACD disc or from DSD files from my ripped SACD's.
When using I²S input, the digital Signal goes directly to the AKM D/A IC pins, when using SPDIF the digital Signal goes to a 2nd order PLL and a built in master clock, the "famous" CK-03 developed by SMSL, all this to reduce jitter.
And believe me, with this set up, using the SPDIF input does make a difference as the D400 PRO does reclocking, when using I²S It doesn't.

You don't need to tell me that; that's precisely why I pointed out the use of SPDIF and AES.
Many newer DACs, especially Topping and SMSL, have very well-designed circuitry for jitter reduction with SPDIF and USB. With I2S, however, jitter is actually added.

 

[EJasonC]

Have you also tried it via coaxial or AES?
The i2s connection is inferior with these devices and adds measurable jitter to the signal. You'd likely lose more than you gain. But it shouldn't be audible.

I took the time last night to compare I²S, AES/EBU, Coaxial, & Optical (Glass); nice thing about the PL200-T is that it outputs all simultaneously.
All I had to do for an A/B/C/D comparison is toggle the input on the D400 Pro.
So far, virtually all connections in terms of soundstage, dynamics, & resolution sound equally fantastic.
However, in terms clarity & precision, I²S sounds the most focused in distinguishing instruments & vocals.
For reference I'm using Diana Krall 'The Girl in the Other Room', Patricia Barber 'Modern Cool' and Norah Jones 'Come Away With Me' since these are among of the very best engineered/mastered recordings in my collection of Redbook CD's.
I was also surprised by Hans Zimmer's 'The Dune Sketchbook' CD, particularly the track 'Grains of Sand' where the vocals are a multitude of whispers.
All connections sound exceptional, but no connection is as crystal clear as I²S.
It's not night & day but it is enough of a difference.
If 4K is the standard benchmark in video, then I would place the AES/EBU, Coax, & Optical in my setup on the '4K' category of audio.
I²S I would place in the '5K' category, using my Apple Studio Display for reference.
My BenQ 4K side by side my Apple 5K are almost indistinguishable.
That is, until I pay close attention to much finer details such as tiny fonts or photo's taken with my mobile phone as compared to photos taken with my DSLR camera.
The 5K is clearly better than 4K.
So far I'm hearing clearly discernible '5K' clarity with I²S by comparison.
I only have my ears to trust and no measurement instrumentation.

 

[Kiko1974]

You don't need to tell me that; that's precisely why I pointed out the use of SPDIF and AES.
Many newer DACs, especially Topping and SMSL, have very well-designed circuitry for jitter reduction with SPDIF and USB. With I2S, however, jitter is actually added.

I agree with you. I think I²S can sound amazing, but that's when the source that outputs I²S is a high quality one with very low jitter.
That's not the case with my set up, Sony's UBP X-8OO M2 with its HDMI port 2 intended for audio only, connected to the Chinese HDMI audio extractor that Amir review some time ago and if remember right It outputs a high jitter digital Signal, and from the Chinese audio extractor to the I²S input or the SMSL D 400 PRO. That way I'm not using the circuitry this DAC has to reduce jitter, the digital Signal of the Chinese HDMI audio extractor goes (supposedly) straight to the AKM chipset pins, that also has its own jitter reduction measures but It seems these are very basic, unlike the ones featured on Sabré IC's.
I think the latest AKM chipset AK4191 (It does oversampling and Delta Sigma modulation) and AK4499EX (the IC that does the actual D/A convertion) is intended for use with either with a high quality source with a los jitter output, or with a DAC that has its own jitter reduction circuitry.
And two more things: the Chinese HDMI audio extractor as with all HDMI audio devices has to generate its own clock Signal. For this device, and if the source doesn't provide enough power to work, a high quality linear power supply is a must, otherwise It outputs a terrible sounding digital Signal. I use an inexpensive 5 Volts. linear power supply I got from AliExpress that Costs around 70 €. Also, I think jitter has more impact on sound than PCM.
Comparing the sound of this Chinese HDMI audio extractor vía I²S to the SPDIF with the D 400 PRO even if using a linear power supply renders a very different sound quality. I think SPDIF IS the way to go.

 

[ClaudeJ1]

I have now repaired over 10 PA5s without having to replace a single OPAmp or other components, so much for the overheating problem.
The problem was improper use of the potting compound, nothing more and nothing less.

I never had to repair any of them V1 and VII. Most of what I read was on other forums, where less sophisticated users (polite version) like to complain. Thank you for you contribution to my factual database.