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SMSL D400ES DAC Review

Rate this DAC:

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 12 5.1%
  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 11 4.7%
  • 3. Fine (happy panther)

    Votes: 58 24.8%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 153 65.4%

  • Total voters
    234
Joined
Dec 6, 2023
Messages
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14
Really absurd...
It works fine in other Smsl dacs, which chip does it have?

Really absurd but ...
 

Blashyrkh

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May 10, 2023
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Really absurd but ...
It's the almost carbon copy of my d300, with the addition of this bug
 

CleanSound

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Exact. I can do it but the music is heard distorted and I have to set the default values of the 400ES using the reset.
But I already returned it to the seller.
Now I am considering purchasing the SMSL 400EX or much better the Gustard A26.
And you contacted SMSL and they didn't have a solution for you?
 
Joined
Dec 6, 2023
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Yes, I contacted Mandy from SMSL and she told me that there is no firmware update planned at the moment and since I believe that it is not a firmware update problem, I returned it to the seller. My unit was damaged.
I´m waiting for the new TOPPING D90 III Sabre or the new SMSL SU-X.
I'll wait for the reviews and in case any teething problems appear.
 
Last edited:

eyes-on-you

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Nov 3, 2020
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What are the differences between min fast, min slow and min phase.

Unclear according to filter graphs in first page.

Which one has most extended frequency response three of them?
 

HarmonicTHD

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What are the differences between min fast, min slow and min phase.

Unclear according to filter graphs in first page.

Which one has most extended frequency response three of them?
Why would you want the most extended FR?

You dont want to load your tweeters with inaudible ultrasonic energy - worst case, it kills the tweeters, best case it just does nothing.

As Amir wrote take these two filters (Lin Fast or Apodizing).

index.php
 

eyes-on-you

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Why would you want the most extended FR?

You dont want to load your tweeters with inaudible ultrasonic energy - worst case, it kills the tweeters, best case it just does nothing.

As Amir wrote take these two filters (Lin Fast or Apodizing).

index.php
I ve asked because i like b/m filters much more rather than apo & linear fast.

Thats why asking which one is the most extended from below mentioned filters:
Minimum Phase
Minimum Fast
Minimum Slow
 

HarmonicTHD

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I ve asked because i like b/m filters much more rather than apo & linear fast.

Thats why asking which one is the most extended from below mentioned filters:
Minimum Phase
Minimum Fast
Minimum Slow
Neither. The red one. (Off) is the most extended.

Why do like them more? What is there to like?
 

Grooved

Addicted to Fun and Learning
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Feb 26, 2021
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Neither. The red one. (Off) is the most extended.

Why do like them more? What is there to like?

I'm not sure that @eyes-on-you is talking about this extension. I've already saw enough examples where some people talk about extended frequency range (so what you're answering to), but also some talking about the longest extension of the flat response, but only in the audible range.

Now, like you said, if you want to avoid hardware problem, better avoid risking a filter that extend higher than the audible range. The only point where I don't fully agree is the "best case, it just does nothing" because it's right from the same "hardware" point of view, but from what you hear (and depending on the content of what you're listening), the filter has not a impact in frequency response, but also in the time domain, and it's not only a measurement of impulse response that is different, you can hear it difference between some filters

I tested it on a DAC, and could ABX between some filters (not between all), and after finding the one I prefered and the worst in my taste, I measured the same recording done with each filter, and guess what, one I like was not the "perfect filter", but once comparing to the original track with DeltaWave, it was one of the two best results with less difference with the original than with 5 other filters, including one looking more like a "perfect filter"

So the filter question might be more complicated than what we thought or how we are used to describe it
 
Last edited:

Short38

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Mar 9, 2023
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Is there a setting in the 400ES which allows the gain setting for balanced output to be changed from +2db ? Just curious the dac works fine with the “default” setting. Thanks for any input.
 

Swissfish

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Apr 7, 2024
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Well, since SMSL does not give me a solution to the sound distortions that occur in this DAC, I will return it to the seller tomorrow. It hasn't been a pleasure. This speaks very badly of the brand to me.
Bye bye D400Es.
So did you end up finding out if a firmware update was ever provided for the d400es? I'm about to purchase one and for 100 more I can get a used ex... Thoughts?
 
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