SMSL M500 DAC and HP Amp Review

[Toku]

Because version 2 is the most current with the manufacturers best effort on this product that's why . Honestly if it didn't matter I'd buy a Stello Signature Dac2 from 2012 because it worked wonderful till it melted down from over heating

The hardware version of M500 is the same as Ver.1.2 at the time of release, and I think there is no change to date.
The firmware of the system was Ver.1.4 at the time of release, but has since been upgraded to Ver.1.5 and remains the same.
The firmware of the USB interface was Ver.1.5 at first, but has since been updated to Ver.1.07 >> Ver.1.08.

Which M500 is Ver2 you say?

 

[Dean023]

The hardware version of M500 is the same as Ver.1.2 at the time of release, and I think there is no change to date.
The firmware of the system was Ver.1.4 at the time of release, but has since been upgraded to Ver.1.5 and remains the same.
The firmware of the USB interface was Ver.1.5 at first, but has since been updated to Ver.1.07 >> Ver.1.08.

Which M500 is Ver2 you say?

Can I suggest you read the previous 52 or so pages to find out, that way you will learn considerable more than me just telling you . It wasn't a software issue it was a hardware issue which version 2 was an effort to fix poor balanced output, which I definitely require .

 

[Jimbob54]

The hardware version of M500 is the same as Ver.1.2 at the time of release, and I think there is no change to date.
The firmware of the system was Ver.1.4 at the time of release, but has since been upgraded to Ver.1.5 and remains the same.
The firmware of the USB interface was Ver.1.5 at first, but has since been updated to Ver.1.07 >> Ver.1.08.

Which M500 is Ver2 you say?

And if its just the 2.01 USB interface he is after, that will come to all devices when they release an update that actually works. Its a DAC and amp, I doubt any update will change how it functions or sounds to a meaningful degree.

 

[Jimbob54]

Can I suggest you read the previous 52 or so pages to find out, that way you will learn considerable more than me just telling you . It wasn't a software issue it was a hardware issue which version 2 was an effort to fix poor balanced output, which I definitely require .

I think you mean hardware 1.2. No one will be selling v1.1 hardware unless used or really dodgy stick. Shenzen audio will have new stock.

 

[GregMort]

Hi,
I’ve bought M500 on amazon.de 2 weeks ago. it's probably the latest versions now.
System version SW: 1.6 HW: 1.3
USB XMOS firmware v2.01 preinstalled
Sounds great, even better direct connected to amplifier without preamp.

 

[Toku]

Hi,
I’ve bought M500 on amazon.de 2 weeks ago. it's probably the latest versions now.
System version SW: 1.6 HW: 1.3
USB XMOS firmware v2.01 preinstalled
Sounds great, even better direct connected to amplifier without preamp.

Thank you for the information.
Now I understand the mystery of M500 Ver 2.

 

[Jimmy]

It would be interesting to know what changes in revision 1.03, thermal stability?, toslink compatibility?, how to tell one revision from another, by SN?

 

[worldburger]

Did you follow the steps in the downloaded folder?
Only the Windows version PC can be used for updating.

1. Connect the M500 to the PC with the SMSL USB driver installed with a USB cable and turn on the power.
2. Click "XMOSUSBDACDfu.exe" in the DFU tool folder.
3. Click "Browse ..." on the right.
4. Select "SMSL_M500_DFU_2.01.bin" in the downloaded M500 2.01 USB firmware folder.
5. "SMSL_M500_DFU_2.01.bin" is put in the box of "Firmware".
6. Click "Start" at the bottom right.

Could someone link to the SMSL_M500_DFU_2.01.bin file?

 

[Jimbob54]

@worldburger i wouldn't bother. Didn't work, been pulled from the smsl site.

 

[osasglo]

@worldburger i wouldn't bother. Didn't work, been pulled from the smsl site.

The update worked for me first time I tried, and its been working great. I just ran the xmos installer on the new update (probably didn't need to cause the software didn't really change), it uninstalled the existing xmos and I rebooted and ran the installation again then it got reinstalled, after that I just went ahead with the firmware update.

 

[Jimbob54]

@osasglo seems hit and miss then. What HW and SW versions is your machine on?

 

[osasglo]

@osasglo seems hit and miss then. What HW and SW versions is your machine on?

SW: 1.5 HW: 1.2

you guys should fully extract all the files into a folder, maybe there is multiple dependencies in the update chain.

 

[Galaxian]

I have SW: 1.5 HW: 1.2 and it doesn't work for me. Tried extracting into a folder and running a administrator. Can't upgrade to 1.08 either.

 

[Jimbob54]

I have SW: 1.5 HW: 1.2 and it doesn't work for me. Tried extracting into a folder and running a administrator. Can't upgrade to 1.08 either.

Ditto. I'm in no rush, I will wait until 2.01 is back on the SMSL site and see people having success.

Im guessing there is slim to no chance of the DAC internal firmware ever being updated- doesnt look like something SMSL ever do.

 

[Galaxian]

I'm also limited to 24/384 in Win 10 pro. Did have 32/384 before attempting to upgrade to the 2.01 firmware. I've reset the DAC to the factory settings but it makes no difference.

 

[Toku]

It is a question.
If the update of Ver 2.01 fails, is it true that the firmware that was Ver 1.08 becomes Ver 1.05?

 

[Toku]

The update worked for me first time I tried, and its been working great. I just ran the xmos installer on the new update (probably didn't need to cause the software didn't really change), it uninstalled the existing xmos and I rebooted and ran the installation again then it got reinstalled, after that I just went ahead with the firmware update.View attachment 58608

After updating to Ver 2.01, was the filter setting divided into two, PCM and MQA, as shown in the attached photo?

 

[GregMort]

After updating to Ver 2.01, was the filter setting divided into two, PCM and MQA, as shown in the attached photo?

No, there is only one FILTER in the menu.
SW: 1.6 HW: 1.3 USB XMOS firmware v2.01

 

[tommyst]

It is a question.
If the update of Ver 2.01 fails, is it true that the firmware that was Ver 1.08 becomes Ver 1.05?

Mine was at Ver 1.8 on xmos driver before. However on the display it showed Ver 1.5 HW 1.2. After trying to update with 2.01 it revertet to Ver 1.05. There was no error showing up during the updating process.

 

[Toku]

No, there is only one FILTER in the menu.
SW: 1.6 HW: 1.3 USB XMOS firmware v2.01

Mine was at Ver 1.8 on xmos driver before. However on the display it showed Ver 1.5 HW 1.2. After trying to update with 2.01 it revertet to Ver 1.05. There was no error showing up during the updating process.

Thank you for the information. It will be helpful.

When I checked the M500 on AliExpress, it was replaced with a new Ver 2.01 model (M500 Ver 2).