With the new SU9-Pro for $499 only ... not sure why I would even consider getting a used M400 w/ unknown hardware status/version. Just saying.
ok got it. May be the new D400EX with dual 4499EX could be your next upgrade. Have fun.^^ AKM 4499 DAC chip...
My M400 was one of the first produced, it has the 'broken - as some call it' RCA output.
My take was that as the XLR out has 4dB better SINAD than RCA output why would anyone use RCA if they were seeking the optimum sound quality.
The 'fix' was in hardware, swapping a couple of resistors IIRC. A label was attached to the rear panel on the newer version.
I think there is a picture in this thread.
Still sounding great after 2 years.
Wow, I hadn't heard about the D400EX but duel 4499EX chips and ldac sounds intriguing. Twice the price of a used M400 is rough though.ok got it. May be the new D400EX with dual 4499EX could be your next upgrade. Have fun.
I don’t know where my box is, but on the side of the DAC it says “upgraded” as pictured here:For those that want to see what the UPC code shows on a new one, here it is. I bet this has been sitting on a dock for awhile.
View attachment 240270
You are saying that you can hear a difference between two absolutely audibly transparent DACs? That is not something that is supported by science at all.I don’t know where my box is, but on the side of the DAC it says “upgraded” as pictured here:View attachment 267061
That being said, I have both M400/SP400 stack and Gustard X16/H16 stack, and M400 sounds better. Both with balanced Mogami 2549 Neutrik cables.
It might be different filters. I never matched their sound. Out of the box, m400 sounds better.You are saying that you can hear a difference between two absolutely audibly transparent DACs? That is not something that is supported by science at all.
The cable issue is a different thing, but the M400 cannot sound "better" out of the box. That is an impossibility. They are both completely capable of transparency so any difference you think you are hearing, is just that, you think you are hearing it. The filters won't make audible differences as far as I have ever known, with those devices anyway. I guess it is possible that a filter can be constructed poorly and become audible in the sense that you are suggesting, but then the DAC would be defective and so flawed because of this and again, neither of the devices you are writing about have those issues that I have ever heard reported.It might be different filters. I never matched their sound. Out of the box, m400 sounds better.
Also SP400 is a better amp.
And… same iPhone USB cable has issues with X16 but not M400. High res audio will cut off and connection is completely lost with Gustard sometimes.
Well, I bought both stacks because they had similar bench tests. Again, SMSL stack sounds better to me. You’re entitled to your opinion, but I own both stacks in different rooms. They both sound much better than my Hegel H190 internal DAC though.The cable issue is a different thing, but the M400 cannot sound "better" out of the box. That is an impossibility. They are both completely capable of transparency so any difference you think you are hearing, is just that, you think you are hearing it. The filters won't make audible differences as far as I have ever known, with those devices anyway. I guess it is possible that a filter can be constructed poorly and become audible in the sense that you are suggesting, but then the DAC would be defective and so flawed because of this and again, neither of the devices you are writing about have those issues that I have ever heard reported.
I own the X16 and use it with my main system and I have the SMSL M200 on my other system that I play music for drumming practice with. I cannot for a moment imagine that with level matched, blind listening I could hear any audible difference. And why would I expect to? They are both audibly transparent.
Adding a Topping P50 Power Supply takes it to another level...Almost got the m400 but went with the m200 instead. SINAD of -116db, less than half the price and plenty of features it pairs well with my VTV hypex252. Be nice if SMSL and Topping start making affordable amplifiers that can keep up with their crazy good DAC performance.
.Adding a Topping P50 Power Supply takes it to another level...
To what level? How did you determine that? Can you quantify?Adding a Topping P50 Power Supply takes it to another level...
Jimboaz, please don't take this as unfriendly, but no, it will not do anything.Adding a Topping P50 Power Supply takes it to another level...
It does a LOT if you can hearJimboaz, please don't take this as unfriendly, but no, it will not do anything.
I see. So only the special few with special hearing abilities can derive this benefit? How convenient. Even if 3 million people were to tell you they couldn't hear this supposed advantage, all you would do is tell them it isn't that the advantage is imaginary, it is that they can't hear it.It does a LOT if you can hear