d40 pro ~$430 while the do400 ~$500. Why the price difference since they use identical PC boards?
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SMSL DO400 Fully Balanced Audio Decoder & Headphone Amplifier
d40 pro ~$430 while the do400 ~$500. Why the price difference since they use identical PC boards?
maybe because a70pro/d70pro are worth 3x the value of DO400 for the same benefit?
watch the video above, the boards are not exactly the same
They look EXACTLY the same from this comparison https://audiosciencereview.com/foru...ecoder-headphone-amplifier.47766/post-1724110
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Yup, seems like they use the same components. According to Bing AI, they are identical "but (the d0400) has 2 more TI1612 opamps for IV stage (9 to11), different and heavier case, better screen, preamp mode, and sound color function, otherwise they are the same."
I agree with this statement and I want to add that it is more convenient for me that everything is in 1 case
in my case, I paid less and got more since there was no discount on the d40pro, but if you compare, I think the do400 is better and justifies the higher cost, that's why the d40pro has problems with the firmware + the do400 software is more convenient and clearer the design of the do400 is better and 2 1612 is also good smsl is more well-known and it will be more convenient for me to sell it for years after 10 so I think the overpayment is definitely worth it
What sound problem?
11x 1612
Thank you!
Hey...just ordered it last night through Aoshida. I could have ordered through Amazon and received tomorrow (via Amazon prime) but I would have to pay $35 on sales tax
. Aoshida will take 2-3 weeks to ship to US but with free shipment and no taxes.Anyways, I currently have an EX5 dac with A30Pro headphone amp. The EX5 couldn't drive my 25 ohm Hifiman HE400se headphones adequately, even in high gain mode. The A30 does, but when the EX5 volume knob is at 70 or greater. I want a single unit instead of the stack I current have. I have space and heat issues on my desk plus EX5 sound quality reviews were ok but not glowing. But beggars are never choosers.
So, how does the do400 HP sound? How about its mains?
Thanks!
DancingFish
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I just received the DO400 about 4 days ago so I'll give my quick initial thoughts.
I originally had a Burson Play which had lots of power but was lacking quite a few features I wanted and after 5 years it was starting to have some issues (volume nob wouldn't always work, noise and distortion particular with sensitive headphones).
I was planning on buying one of the standard recommendations such as: Topping DX3Pro+, Topping E30 II/L30 II, JDS Atom+ Stack, JDS Element 3, FiiO K7, etc.
However, when I was looking, I noticed this new DO400 and it wasn't too much more expensive than the other options so I impulse bought it.
So far, sound quality wise and feature set wise I'm extremely happy. The only things I've changed so far are:
PCM Filter: Linear Fast
HPA Gain: Low
Sound Color: Standard
Pre Mode: Fixed
This all in one has all the features I wanted + room for additional things in the future which is awesome. Plenty of power and a super clean signal even for my sensitive headphones and IEMs. I'm mainly using this with Hifiman Arya Stealth and Beyerdynamic DT1990 but tested with Sennheiser HD6XX, Sennheiser IE300 and Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite as well.
My only issues/complaints so far are:
1. Audio delay when first starting and if you don't do the XMOS audio delay fix (to enable Always On audio streaming) then after 5 seconds of no audio, the dac/amp will go to "sleep" and there will be another audio delay. This can the fixed with the XMOS modification but still important to call out.
2. I'm getting occasional stuttering on my PC and I'm not 100% sure it's related to the DO400.
When I turn the DO400 on and off, I definitely get stuttering on PC but this may be normal? I'm not sure.
As for regular use, I'm not sure whether or not the DO400 in responsible for recent stuttering, I'm still troubleshooting .
My only thoughts could be: USB3.0 port issues (I have no USB2.0 ports to test with) or XMOS/SMSL Drivers
I originally had a Burson Play which had lots of power but was lacking quite a few features I wanted and after 5 years it was starting to have some issues (volume nob wouldn't always work, noise and distortion particular with sensitive headphones).
I was planning on buying one of the standard recommendations such as: Topping DX3Pro+, Topping E30 II/L30 II, JDS Atom+ Stack, JDS Element 3, FiiO K7, etc.
However, when I was looking, I noticed this new DO400 and it wasn't too much more expensive than the other options so I impulse bought it.
So far, sound quality wise and feature set wise I'm extremely happy. The only things I've changed so far are:
PCM Filter: Linear Fast
HPA Gain: Low
Sound Color: Standard
Pre Mode: Fixed
This all in one has all the features I wanted + room for additional things in the future which is awesome. Plenty of power and a super clean signal even for my sensitive headphones and IEMs. I'm mainly using this with Hifiman Arya Stealth and Beyerdynamic DT1990 but tested with Sennheiser HD6XX, Sennheiser IE300 and Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite as well.
My only issues/complaints so far are:
1. Audio delay when first starting and if you don't do the XMOS audio delay fix (to enable Always On audio streaming) then after 5 seconds of no audio, the dac/amp will go to "sleep" and there will be another audio delay. This can the fixed with the XMOS modification but still important to call out.
2. I'm getting occasional stuttering on my PC and I'm not 100% sure it's related to the DO400.
When I turn the DO400 on and off, I definitely get stuttering on PC but this may be normal? I'm not sure.
As for regular use, I'm not sure whether or not the DO400 in responsible for recent stuttering, I'm still troubleshooting .
My only thoughts could be: USB3.0 port issues (I have no USB2.0 ports to test with) or XMOS/SMSL Drivers
Thank you for this review. Where can I find the XMOS modification firmware? Is it part of the driver? I believe the latest driver is dated June/July 2023, so the fact that the problem still exists in your new smaple is troubling.
Yeah, I've had legacy devices (Logitech wireless mouse/keyboard dongle) that will not play well in USB 3.0 slots but works fine in 2.0 slots. Not sure why.
DancingFish
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I was just referring to this thread here: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...os-driver-settings-for-no-cutoff-delay.25838/
It shows a way to modify a file that adds a new "Options" menu to the XMOS driver and in there you can essentially turn off the power saving feature and having Always On audio streaming
What do you mean by "more interesting"? More interesting than a single deck DO400? Based on the Amir's reviews of the HO200 HP...
1) It cuts off for frequency content at 12Hz or lower.
2) It cuts off for HP with impedances of 20 ohms or lower.
3) It has much lower HP power than the Do400, for all HP impedances.
4) The Do300 has the CK-03 jitter reduction circuitry and the DO400 doesn't say what it has, but all these devices have jitter spurs less than -140dB, so very very inaudible.
5) The DO300 is $50 more than the DO400. Is the CK-03 worth it. BTW, the CK-03 is just a fancy FIFO based design, what is always used for jitter reduction/elimination.
6) Measurements wise, the Do300 and Do400 are identical, within 1dB of each other in THD+N or DNR and the Do400 is newer, released this month.
The first bug is a showstopper for me, especially when used as a preamp to my subs and desktop mains during movies. Lots of LFE content at those frequencies and lower. Its meant to prevent DC voltages from manifesting at the outputs but the cutoff is too high. Should be about 1Hz or lower.
IMHO, you'd be wasting money on the deck you are considering. The DO400 uses the latest dac and the few sound reviews out there say its excellent.
I currently have a 2 -deck...Topping EX5 dac and A30Pro HP amp. The amp is superb and powerful. The one in the EX5 was weak for my 25 ohm planar headphones and its SQ reviews were so-so.
Hope this helps!
1) It cuts off for frequency content at 12Hz or lower.
2) It cuts off for HP with impedances of 20 ohms or lower.
3) It has much lower HP power than the Do400, for all HP impedances.
4) The Do300 has the CK-03 jitter reduction circuitry and the DO400 doesn't say what it has, but all these devices have jitter spurs less than -140dB, so very very inaudible.
5) The DO300 is $50 more than the DO400. Is the CK-03 worth it. BTW, the CK-03 is just a fancy FIFO based design, what is always used for jitter reduction/elimination.
6) Measurements wise, the Do300 and Do400 are identical, within 1dB of each other in THD+N or DNR and the Do400 is newer, released this month.
The first bug is a showstopper for me, especially when used as a preamp to my subs and desktop mains during movies. Lots of LFE content at those frequencies and lower. Its meant to prevent DC voltages from manifesting at the outputs but the cutoff is too high. Should be about 1Hz or lower.
IMHO, you'd be wasting money on the deck you are considering. The DO400 uses the latest dac and the few sound reviews out there say its excellent.
I currently have a 2 -deck...Topping EX5 dac and A30Pro HP amp. The amp is superb and powerful. The one in the EX5 was weak for my 25 ohm planar headphones and its SQ reviews were so-so.
Hope this helps!
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