SMSL D400ES and SMSL D400Ex

[jaraheel]

I just received the SMSL D400EX from SoundImport and this unit also has volume problem. Streaming from Tidal using USB from a Mac and on some tracks very low volume and on others normal. Could not see that it is related to MQA or PCM tracks. When I switch to a RME ADI 2 all tracks has the same volume.
Very strange. I will return this unit for a refound.

I had similar experience with my unit, only that the volume was low on all audio. I too use a Mac desktop and connected it to the unit via the USB input

 

[MadMaxx]

My D400EX is connected via USB to my desktop PC running Windows 10 Pro. I stream audio with Amazon Prime and YouTube Music. Haven't noticed any volume differences with these services. My digital music stored on my computer plays louder, but that's been the case with any DAC I've used.

 

[jaraheel]

Perhaps some defective unit then, though Mac could be an issue. I will check the replacement unit on windows to see if that settles it

 

[larssa]

I also changed the labtop from Mac to HP and the problem remain / is the same , very low volume on some tracks and very high on others.

It is the same problem on with both labtops Mac and HP. Replacing the SMSL with the RMA ADI2 DAC and the problem gone. Everything works perfect.

It looks like something wrong with the SMSL D400EX DAC !

 

[Veri]

D400 ES measured by @WolfX-700

Measurements of SMSL D400ES ESS9039Pro DAC - L7Audiolab

台式设备 随着一个个项目评审会的结束，我忙乱的日子也开始看到了曙光……前两天双木的晶晶问我，说之前测了D400EX之后怎么没测同时送到的 SMSL D400ES 。我也只能很无奈的说了了期末+之前病休导致的忙乱。无论如何，接下来应该会逐渐拉上测量的频率……

www.l7audiolab.com

 

[staticV3]

does L7Audiolab look a bit desaturated lately, or is it just me?

 

[Veri]

Yeah I don't know what's up with that

 

[MadMaxx]

Found measurements for the D400EX on that site, too. I'm no expert, but it seems that the comments reflect a somewhat disappointing opinion of the dac. One criticism I agreed with was the knob. It's a bit clumsy to use.

Measurements of SMSL D400EX Dual 4499EX DAC - L7Audiolab

台式设备 前阵子测了本站的第一个AKM4499EX解码，在3K多的价位还是近乎首发的情况下，表现中规中矩。当时我就在想，三小强在干嘛呢……这芯片发布那么久了还没拿出机器……结果我很快就收到了来自SMSL的4499EX机器！这台还是双4499EX！

www.l7audiolab.com

 

[Veri]

Found measurements for the D400EX on that site, too. I'm no expert, but it seems that the comments reflect a somewhat disappointing opinion of the dac. One criticism I agreed with was the knob. It's a bit clumsy to use.

Measurements of SMSL D400EX Dual 4499EX DAC - L7Audiolab

台式设备 前阵子测了本站的第一个AKM4499EX解码，在3K多的价位还是近乎首发的情况下，表现中规中矩。当时我就在想，三小强在干嘛呢……这芯片发布那么久了还没拿出机器……结果我很快就收到了来自SMSL的4499EX机器！这台还是双4499EX！

www.l7audiolab.com

Wolf is saying he doesn't see a real maturity of this AK4499+AK4191 implementation and thinks there's more potential in these chips. Just for example, it took YEARS before we saw the AK4497 performance (overshooting the datasheet even!) as was seen in the Topping D70s. As you can see this D400EX is hardly a few dB better..

 

[jaraheel]

Wolf is saying he doesn't see a real maturity of this AK4499+AK4191 implementation and thinks there's more potential in these chips. Just for example, it took YEARS before we saw the AK4497 performance (overshooting the datasheet even!) as was seen in the Topping D70s. As you can see this D400EX is hardly a few dB better..

It begs the question then why get the EX over the ES?

 

[HiFindingnemo]

It begs the question then why get the EX over the ES?

Does it? Why get an ES over an SMSL SU-9 for $250? Why get an SU-9 over a Sanskrit for $120?

 

[jaraheel]

Does it? Why get an ES over an SMSL SU-9 for $250? Why get an SU-9 over a Sanskrit for $120?

That is true in some sense but going by the measurements, ES is better then EX

 

[HiFindingnemo]

Well, I think the answer is that people like AKM chipsets and what they perceive to be differences in SQ or signature compared to ESS chipsets.

 

[jaraheel]

Yup, that’s the thing I guess

 

[djgodlike]

I just received the SMSL D400EX from SoundImport and this unit also has volume problem. Streaming from Tidal using USB from a Mac and on some tracks very low volume and on others normal. Could not see that it is related to MQA or PCM tracks. When I switch to a RME ADI 2 all tracks has the same volume.
Very strange. I will return this unit for a refound.

I also had an volume problem with my new d400ex. (Very low volume) Only when playing USB PCM. This was not the case with BT or USB DSD (dop). After sending 1 email to hifi express.. got a direct reply from hifi express with a firmware update (from 3.11 out of the box) to 3.12. Now the volume problem is solved! Nice work!
My first opinion after only 50 hours burn-in.. very nice dac, "much" more detail in the lower end in contrast to my topping d70s. Also an more natural 3D image. Still playing with filters and sound color.. (at the moment I like pcm filter: short sharp, and sound color: 3) Setup: direct d400ex XLR dac out - mogami - nad c298 - siltech new York - Von Schweikert E3 MKII.
In the attachment the original zip with the firmware update to 3.12. (use at your own risk) Don't forget to install the audio driver before the update.

 

[jaraheel]

I also had an volume problem with my new d400ex. (Very low volume) Only when playing USB PCM. This was not the case with BT or USB DSD (dop). After sending 1 email to hifi express.. got a direct reply from hifi express with a firmware update (from 3.11 out of the box) to 3.12. Now the volume problem is solved! Nice work!
My first opinion after only 50 hours burn-in.. very nice dac, "much" more detail in the lower end in contrast to my topping d70s. Also an more natural 3D image. Still playing with filters and sound color.. (at the moment I like pcm filter: short sharp, and sound color: 3) Setup: direct d400ex XLR dac out - mogami - nad c298 - siltech new York - Von Schweikert E3 MKII.
In the attachment the original zip with the firmware update to 3.12. (use at your own risk) Don't forget to install the audio driver before the update.

Uh more people having problems with volume level. Seems like we’re in the beta testers (aka suckers) club

 

[djgodlike]

Uh more people having problems with volume level. Seems like we’re in the beta testers (aka suckers) club

I hear you, but as long as i only have to wait a couple of hours for a solution I'm ok with it. But i only received my d400ex just 48hours ago. Can we call this agile software development? To me it's still worth the upgrade from the d70s

 

[jaraheel]

I hear you, but as long as i only have to wait a couple of hours for a solution I'm ok with it. But i just received my d400ex just 48hours ago. Can i call this agile software development? To me it's still worth the upgrade from the d70s

As long as the problem gets addressed in a reasonable amount of time, I am with you.

 

[MadMaxx]

I didn't have any of the volume problems, but upgraded the firmware, anyway. Smooth and easy process. No idea if it makes any difference.

 

[WalkingInTheRain]

Amazon and Sweetwater just had the RME ADI-2 DAC FS for 1036 around Black Friday. I had one ordered for 1399 and quickly cancelled that order. I now have that DAC sitting in front of me and no longer concerned with anything else after many months of obsessing.