SMSL D400ES DAC Review

[Lsc]

That´s too bad as I really like the sound. I think I send it back to get a new one ...

They all will have the same issue - it’s in the design that’s a problem and certain combinations can’t be used. Linear fast is what we should be using. Don’t let the louder volume fool you.

I was thinking of exchanging mine for the DO300 with the 2 additional inputs but because my unit sounds so good…might not be worth it.

 

[Lsc]

Well I just ordered the DO300. I like the option of having additional inputs that I may never use lol

 

[bobaachen]

They all will have the same issue - it’s in the design that’s a problem and certain combinations can’t be used. Linear fast is what we should be using. Don’t let the louder volume fool you.

I was thinking of exchanging mine for the DO300 with the 2 additional inputs but because my unit sounds so good…might not be worth it.

I contacted my dealer in the netherlands. That would not be oK and other DACs would not have that problem. He suggested to make a reset and if that would not solve the problem a firmware update should be done. After the first reset it was better by 50%. So I did 5 of them switching the DAC on and off between the resets and now everything is fine.

 

[Lsc]

I contacted my dealer in the netherlands. That would not be oK and other DACs would not have that problem. He suggested to make a reset and if that would not solve the problem a firmware update should be done. After the first reset it was better by 50%. So I did 5 of them switching the DAC on and off between the resets and now everything is fine.

I see, well I’m glad that worked. Based on the reviews setting the PCM filter off doesn’t seem to be an optimal setting. It’s louder but it doesn’t mean it’s the best setting. Per Amirm, I set it to Linear Fast. Of course I’m on my 3rd SMSL DAC. I returned the D400ES, bought the SU-9 pro then will be returning this as I just got the DO300. All 3 DACs pretty much sound the same - which means they sound excellent.

 

[bobaachen]

Do all 3 DACs you mentioned have the same options to adjust PCM Filter and Sound Color??
That´s really a nice feature and useful feature.

 

[Burns]

I see, well I’m glad that worked. Based on the reviews setting the PCM filter off doesn’t seem to be an optimal setting. It’s louder but it doesn’t mean it’s the best setting. Per Amirm, I set it to Linear Fast. Of course I’m on my 3rd SMSL DAC. I returned the D400ES, bought the SU-9 pro then will be returning this as I just got the DO300. All 3 DACs pretty much sound the same - which means they sound excellent.

and they share the same design flaws

 

[Burns]

Do all 3 DACs you mentioned have the same options to adjust PCM Filter and Sound Color??
That´s really a nice feature and useful feature.

Yes

 

[Lsc]

and they share the same design flaws

Technically yes. The sound color option should have been disabled if the pcm filter is set to none.

Well anyone who is reading this should now know that setting pcm filter to none is not recommended. And this doesn’t negate the performance of these low priced DACs. What a deal.

 

[Reynaldo]

The SMSL DO200 MKII from what I remember doesn't have the option of disabled filters.
And changing the filters or the color of the sound presents no problem at all.

 

[Lsc]

The SMSL DO200 MKII from what I remember doesn't have the option of disabled filters.
And changing the filters or the color of the sound presents no problem at all.

Exactly. That’s why the DO200 MKII doesn’t suffer from what sounds like massive clipping when you turn the PCM filter off and the sound color is set to tube1 or something like that.

If the DO300 was the same and you can’t disable filters then there most likely would be no issues as well.

Clearly someone didn’t test all the combinations during development. Thankfully it’s no harm no foul for the most part.

 

[Burns]

Exactly. That’s why the DO200 MKII doesn’t suffer from what sounds like massive clipping when you turn the PCM filter off and the sound color is set to tube1 or something like that.

If the DO300 was the same and you can’t disable filters then there most likely would be no issues as well.

Clearly someone didn’t test all the combinations during development. Thankfully it’s no harm no foul for the most part.

SMSL ( S.M.S.L ) DO300 DAC

I bought SMSL DO300 and I think I became its beta tester. - The device in the factory settings is +2dB by default, - the default filter is fast linear, but more importantly, when the filters are turned off, the volume increases drastically and the sound becomes hoarse (Is there jitter...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Reynaldo]

Exactly. That’s why the DO200 MKII doesn’t suffer from what sounds like massive clipping when you turn the PCM filter off and the sound color is set to tube1 or something like that.

If the DO300 was the same and you can’t disable filters then there most likely would be no issues as well.

Clearly someone didn’t test all the combinations during development. Thankfully it’s no harm no foul for the most part.

I'm using the iFi NEO but I'm going to leave the SMSL DO200 MKII in storage, as it turned out to be a great DAC and without any problems.
It seems that DACs with the new ESS chip still need to improve.

 

[Lsc]

I'm using the iFi NEO but I'm going to leave the SMSL DO200 MKII in storage, as it turned out to be a great DAC and without any problems.
It seems that DACs with the new ESS chip still need to improve.

I don’t have the DO200 MKII but just as a wild guess, I can’t imagine the performance of DO300 would be light years better than the DO200…probably marginal.

The next improvement with the Chinese made DACs will probably happen when the next ESS DAC is released. I don’t have enough experience to know if they will do a quick update to disable sound color - tube1,2,3 if pcm filter is off.

 

[Burns]

Nie mam DO200 MKII, ale po prostu zgaduję, że nie mogę sobie wyobrazić, że wydajność DO300 byłaby o lata świetlne lepsza niż DO200… prawdopodobnie marginalna.

Kolejna poprawa w stosunku do chińskich przetworników cyfrowo-analogowych nastąpi prawdopodobnie po wydaniu kolejnego przetwornika cyfrowo-analogowego ESS. Nie mam wystarczającego doświadczenia, aby wiedzieć, czy zrobią szybką aktualizację, aby wyłączyć kolor dźwięku - tube1,2,3, jeśli filtr pcm jest wyłączony.

DSP tube1,2,3 isn't necessary to hear audio distortion with PCM filter turned off. All you need is a song with the right frequency range. The DO300 has a PRO chip which has 7 filters, the non-pro DO200 has only three. This fact alone necessitates a different implementation. These ESS chips have had this split for several years now.

The past shows that SMSL doesn't issue firmware updates. In this situation, we are counting on the first miracle.

Basically these are turn on and hold devices best on factory settings. other functions don't work or work poorly. ( It works like a normal bridge. Drawbridge - we don't support this function, Ship return to sea, port closed ). Additionally, no power management. Device with screensaver pretends to be dead, no trigger, illegible display from a greater distance, cumbersome change of input on the device. +2.0dB is the main information taking up the whole screen, and that's in DAC-only mode instead of turning into sampling.

Topping E70 and DX7 pro+ are more functional

 

[Lsc]

DSP tube1,2,3 isn't necessary to hear audio distortion with PCM filter turned off. All you need is a song with the right frequency range. The DO300 has a PRO chip which has 7 filters, the non-pro DO200 has only three. This fact alone necessitates a different implementation. These ESS chips have had this split for several years now.

The past shows that SMSL doesn't issue firmware updates. In this situation, we are counting on the first miracle.

Basically these are turn on and hold devices best on factory settings. other functions don't work or work poorly. ( It works like a normal bridge. Drawbridge - we don't support this function, Ship return to sea, port closed ). Additionally, no power management. Device with screensaver pretends to be dead, no trigger, illegible display from a greater distance, cumbersome change of input on the device. +2.0dB is the main information taking up the whole screen, and that's in DAC-only mode instead of turning into sampling.

Topping E70 and DX7 pro+ are more functional

Did you return your DO300 yet? Like you said there are a bunch of variations that may be better for some. It works amazingly well for me given what I use it for - external DAC for the bluesound node and I don’t mess around with their “features”. Linear fast, fixed +2.0, balanced out, color filter standard, turn off display after 20 seconds, done.

SMSL actually sent me a firmware update for the D400ES a couple months back but I ended up returning it because I felt it was overpriced compared to the SU-9 pro and now the DO300. And yes, one can argue these DACs are almost disposable given their low prices and frequent new models so who knows. If it lasts me 2 solid years, I’ll be satisfied. I just need a matching preamp with HT bypass.

 

[Burns]

Did you return your DO300 yet? Like you said there are a bunch of variations that may be better for some. It works amazingly well for me given what I use it for - external DAC for the bluesound node and I don’t mess around with their “features”. Linear fast, fixed +2.0, balanced out, color filter standard, turn off display after 20 seconds, done.

SMSL actually sent me a firmware update for the D400ES a couple months back but I ended up returning it because I felt it was overpriced compared to the SU-9 pro and now the DO300. And yes, one can argue these DACs are almost disposable given their low prices and frequent new models so who knows. If it lasts me 2 solid years, I’ll be satisfied. I just need a matching preamp with HT bypass.

Returned. I left the e70. Do you forget to turn off the DO300 or do you keep it ON all the time even when you sleep?

 

[Reynaldo]

Linear fast, fixed +2.0, balanced out, color filter standard, turn off display after 20 seconds, done

Leaving it at +2db doesn't bring a distortion in the sound?

 

[Lsc]

Returned. I left the e70. Do you forget to turn off the DO300 or do you keep it ON all the time even when you sleep?

I’m not sure why you are asking this question but its programmed with my Logitech Harmony to turn off with everything else when I press the off button.

But even if I left it on, its not a big deal.

 

[Lsc]

Leaving it at +2db doesn't bring a distortion in the sound?

Based on their test results, it’s supposed to bring maximum s/n ratio and dynamic range.

It does bring distortion if the PCM filter is off but not when it’s set to linear fast. I don’t use other pcm filter settings so I’m not sure if they do or not.

 

[Burns]

Leaving it at +2db doesn't bring a distortion in the sound?

Audible NO . Too bad it wasn't measured.