SMSL M400 Balanced USB MQA DAC Review

[gvl]

Sorry about your brother. I’d be tempted to ditch the DAC and just use the WiiM amp as the Spotify endpoint. If you must use the DAC yes you can connect your iPhone to it with a cable or use an additional streamer. You will need a lightning camera adapter to establish a wired connection unless your iPhone is a usb-c. The knob will let you control everything but I’m sure you can buy a remote too.

 

[imacheath]

Sorry about your brother. I’d be tempted to ditch the DAC and just use the WiiM amp as the Spotify endpoint. If you must use the DAC yes you can connect your iPhone to it with a cable or use an additional streamer. You will need a lightning camera adapter to establish a wired connection unless your iPhone is a usb-c. The knob will let you control everything but I’m sure you can buy a remote too.

Thanks for the condolences. I'm green. Why ditch the DAC? Is it because I don't plan on playing from CD's or vinyl or perhaps not typically listening to music on headphones? I guess I thought the DAC will aid in sound quality somehow but again...I'm learning.

 

[gvl]

Thanks for the condolences. I'm green. Why ditch the DAC? Is it because I don't plan on playing from CD's or vinyl? I guess I thought the DAC will aid in sound quality somehow but again...I'm learning.

The WiiM amp has a good built in DAC, an external DAC is a complication you don’t need. Keep it simple.

 

[A Surfer]

My condolences as well. Yes, but if you do wish to use the external DAC just because, and in keeping with the idea of keeping it simple, you can just stream to the M400.

I don't care what anyone says, you won't hear any difference. I had a very good Gustard DAC, quite nice speakers and a more than capable integrated amplifier and I very quickly stopped worrying about using a wired connection. I used to go JRiver well configured for transparent sound out by USB into the DAC.

I became tired of the computer and wires and just went via Bluetooth to the DAC and there was absolutely no audible difference ever. You do not need a wired connection for audibly transparent music playback.

 

[Svperstar]

Perhaps someone will see this. I received this same m400 DAC from my now deceased brother. He was much more into all things audio, but nonetheless, I'd like to get his system up and running. Yes, I have his nice speakers, sub, and WiiM amp too. I think he got lossless music/file from somewhere and that's probably how he listened to music. My questions:

I'm used to simply streaming spotify to my Sonos speakers. Using standard Spotify and my iphone 14...what is the best way to connect to this DAC hardwired?
Lastly, I now see this unit came with a remote which I did not get as i didn't know it had one and no telling where it is now...probably long gone. Do I need the remote or will the knob do everything?

Thanks to anyone that replies.

I've only had the M400 for a month but the knob should do everything. I haven't touched the remote. For an iPhone Bluetooth is the simplest way to connect, but if you want to do hardwired you would need either a lightning to USBC for an older iPhone or USBC to USBC cable for a newer USBC iPhone and then just plug into the DAC and use the knobs to select USB output if it isn't automatic.

The amp in this combo is extremely weak and is more for convenience so it probably won't be very impressive.

 

[imacheath]

The WiiM amp has a good built in DAC, an external DAC is a complication you don’t need. Keep it simple.

Hi, looks like what I thought was a Wiim Amp is actually a Wiim Pro Hi Res Audio Streamer. So, i have the streamer and the DAC plus his nice speakers and sub. I'm guessing he had a small Amp somewhere for this set up, correct? If so, anyone care to recommend some Amps to consider? I wonder if something newer has everything built into one package...amp...dac...streamer...Again, these may be basic questions but I'm just starting out.

 

[gvl]

Tell us more about the nice speakers and the sub, and how big the room is.

 

[imacheath]

Tell us more about the nice speakers and the sub, and how big the room is.

Well, I went to the closet where I put his stuff because I honestly wasn't ready to deal with it. Looking at everything more closely he did have an amp...S.M.S.L SA 400. He paired that with the M400 DAC and the Wiim Pro Streamer. His pair of speakers are QUAD Model S-2's and the Sub is the SVS SB 1000 Pro. Looks like I have everything needed to get it up and running after all. The Room is roughly 20x18.

 

[gvl]

The icing on the cake would be using PEQ on the WiiM device after taking room measurements.

 

[A Surfer]

Well, I went to the closet where I put his stuff because I honestly wasn't ready to deal with it. Looking at everything more closely he did have an amp...S.M.S.L SA 400. He paired that with the M400 DAC and the Wiim Pro Streamer. His pair of speakers are QUAD Model S-2's and the Sub is the SVS SB 1000 Pro. Looks like I have everything needed to get it up and running after all. The Room is roughly 20x18.

The speakers are nice, but on the smaller side for the room. At least if you are hoping to fill it with sound. You didn't mention if there were speaker stands. If not that would be a reasonable investment to make.

You wouldn't have to spend lots of money, but if you anticipate keeping the speakers, and I'm sure you will getting them some decent stands would be a great idea.

Again, I'm really sorry for your loss. I'm sure it would make your brother happy to know that his system was getting used. Hope you get pleasure from listening to it.

 

[imacheath]

The speakers are nice, but on the smaller side for the room. At least if you are hoping to fill it with sound. You didn't mention if there were speaker stands. If not that would be a reasonable investment to make.

You wouldn't have to spend lots of money, but if you anticipate keeping the speakers, and I'm sure you will getting them some decent stands would be a great idea.

Again, I'm really sorry for your loss. I'm sure it would make your brother happy to know that his system was getting used. Hope you get pleasure from listening to it.

He did have speaker stands that I'll use. Thanks for reminding me. Not sure how much it helps but the listening position will be roughly 12 feet from the speakers. His room that he had them in was probably 12x14 or so.

 

[A Surfer]

He did have speaker stands that I'll use. Thanks for reminding me. Not sure how much it helps but the listening position will be roughly 12 feet from the speakers. His room that he had them in was probably 12x14 or so.

My brother and I have always shared a love of audio and gear. It will be always be bitter sweet for you, but having your brother's system will be a comforting connection. Enjoy.

Room placement is complex and not something I ever had a great deal of say in so I rarely attempted to master it. Hopefully others with knowledge can give you some placement suggestions.

I try and have the speakers placed one third along the length of the wall, but there are so many factors to consider. Frankly, I just tend to accept the room and make do with fitting the speakers where they best work for the room. Good luck and great listening. Please update the thread with how things turn out.