SMSL M400 Balanced USB MQA DAC Review

[3125b]

The weak S/PDIF input(s) seems to be a common flaw on many SMSL DACs compared to their respective counterparts.

 

[ModDIY]

The weak S/PDIF input(s) seems to be a common flaw on many SMSL DACs compared to their respective counterparts.

On which SMSL model are you based?

 

[3125b]

This one compared to D90 and the Sanskrit 10th MKII compared to E30 - the ones tested lately.
On earlier models other things seem to be broken, USB in on Sanskrit 10th MKI and balanced out on SU-8 for example.
I actually had a 10th MKII and, with USB in it sounded perfectly transparent as you´d expect, and worked fine exept for the underwhelming user interface and stubborn remote, but I feel like the measured performance could and should be more consistent. Make them 10$ more expensive, but do some testing before release.

 

[ModDIY]

OK, thanks. I just bought the M200, so far works well on USB and Bluetooth. I did not try the SPDIF entry.

 

[ModDIY]

Each brand has these little problems, like the SPDIF input of the Sanskrit 10MKII, the Topping with the problem of the ploc switch versus the DX3 which is rather silent.

 

[Abodh]

Earth terminal and that high voltage connector pushing one each other and there is a risk of it coming out. All that high voltage wires are pressed by the chassis and there is a risk to touch the chassis. The resistance between earth connection and the chassis is 0.1ohm and there isn't any direct clamping screw. If there is short circuit between earth and phase we can have 16A x 16A x 0.1ohm= over 25w on the 10cm of PCB earthe route.
Anyway, I don't care anymore. I notice that no one is interested in details like these. Do as you wish.

I am here to listen.. Bring it on!

 

[3125b]

ploc switch

What do you mean?

 

[ShiZo]

Guys, I believe this device will not work if galvanically isolated. I have a motherboard that allows me to turn off usb power to the dac. When I do that the dac disconnects from the computer (or vice versa depending on how you look at it). It says, "no signal detected".

I would really like to still use the feature of the motherboard but it seems it just might be the way the device is made and I'll just have to suck it up (was hoping maybe firmware could change it). It sounds awesome regardless though.

I've asked a couple of people about if it's possible to run the m400 without usb power but haven't really gotten a definitive answer. If it is the case, I'm trying to figure out why. @WolfX-700 said it may be that the usb is only activated if the usb port detects usb vcc power. @JohnYang1997 said he wasn't sure if the d90 also needed usb power to work, it made me wonder if it may have something to do with the ak4499 because most dacs that have their own power supply that I've owned can be run with data only and no usb power.

Can I get any confirmation on this @SMSL-Mandy, @SMSL_Liu?

@amirm, is there any way to test this on the device you have for measurement? I believe an ifi idefender 3.0 will disconnect usb power to test.

If anyone else has the DAC I would like to know if it is the same way with yours.

 

[wineds]

The remote de bounce issue is most likely the firmware and not the actual remote.

 

[Kiko1974]

Correct. A buffer is an amplification stage which doesn't increase the level but reduces impedance in this case. This stage has been eliminated resulting in higher output impedance. It now requires to pay attention to what you hook it up to.

Could a tube buffer like the Yaqin SD-CD3 sort this out? I own and tested Yaqin's SD-CD connected to my amp and with the use of headphones turned the volume all the way up, I then switched the SD-CD3 off and the amount of noise it induces is almost nothing, next to none.
And it has a very wide frequency response making it perfect for Hi Res sources. I use it with my Topping D50 and I love the sound of the combo with NOS (not new production) Tung Sol 6SN7 GTB.

 

[SMSL-Mandy]

I didn't design D90 or involved in the design. I just don't like disingenuous words from manufacturers.

The value mentioned before was asked by an ordinary technician, not the designer, I can verify it with the design for you.

 

[peterwen]

I didn't design D90 or involved in the design. I just don't like disingenuous words from manufacturers.

I have some test on the D90, why it is not 122dB as your guys show on the web?
I think your guy is the honest manufacturers before.
I also don‘t like the disingenuous words from manufacturers.

 

[majingotan]

Use A-weighted option under filters for that 122 dB SINAD

 

[SMSL-Mandy]

Use A-weighted option under filters for that 122 dB SINAD

But the M400 is 123dB in non-weighted and 125dB in A-weighted, and according to the test of wolf, it's true!

 

[ShiZo]

@SMSL-Mandy , the dac sounds amazing.

But I've been trying my hardest to try to figure out if the m400 cant have it's usb galvanically isolated. When i cut the usb power to the dac the audio device is no longer recognized by the computer.

Is this expected behavior? No big deal if it is. I just want to know if a firmware update could change it.

 

[ReaderZ]

Earth terminal and that high voltage connector pushing one each other and there is a risk of it coming out. All that high voltage wires are pressed by the chassis and there is a risk to touch the chassis. The resistance between earth connection and the chassis is 0.1ohm and there isn't any direct clamping screw. If there is short circuit between earth and phase we can have 16A x 16A x 0.1ohm= over 25w on the 10cm of PCB earthe route.
Anyway, I don't care anymore. I notice that no one is interested in details like these. Do as you wish.

More of this and less 2D sound talk is very much welcomed here.

 

[ReaderZ]

@SMSL-Mandy , the sac sounds amazing.

But I've been trying my hardest to try to figure out if the m400 cant have it's usb galvanically isolated. When i cut the usb power to the dac the audio device is no longer recognized by the computer.

Is this expected behavior?

Instead of taking jabs at each other, answer questions like this will be much more helpful.

 

[SMSL-Mandy]

@SMSL-Mandy , the dac sounds amazing.

But I've been trying my hardest to try to figure out if the m400 cant have it's usb galvanically isolated. When i cut the usb power to the dac the audio device is no longer recognized by the computer.

Is this expected behavior? No big deal if it is. I just want to know if a firmware update could change it.

The item can't be used without power. Like the other electric equipment. They all need power.

 

[ReaderZ]

The item can't be used without power. Like the other electric equipment. They all need power.

He is asking if it can run without USB port supplying power, of course he has the actual power cord plugged in.

 

[ShiZo]

That's not what i mean. I've tried to say it a couple different ways but there is definitely a miscommunication going on.

I have the dac plugged into the wall. But usb has power too. Usually with dacs that have their own power supply i disconnect the usb power and only have the usb data going to the dac with no power. I noticed that when powered, the dac still needs usb power for the dac to recognize the usb connection. Im not saying anything disparaging, just trying to figure out if the usb port needs power to work. Like i said i love the dac, im just trying to figure out it's design since i plan on owning it for a long time. I understand the device itself needs power from the outlet but that's delivered through the mains power supply. Im talking about turning usb power off, keeping usb data and having power come only through the wall outlet to the device, i want to cut the usb power too it.

In the end if the dac needs the usb power, im fine with that, since perfomance is amazing regardless.