SMSL M500 DAC and HP Amp Review

[the_brunx]

Did Liu get banned?

 

[Veri]

Did Liu get banned?

No. Liu himself requested a complete account closure.

 

[the_brunx]

Why?

 

[Jimbob54]

Why?

Its fair to say he had a bit of a tussle with another member, said he felt bullied (or words to that effect) and apparently requested deletion which was obliged.

 

[the_brunx]

Shame, I had a few questions I wanted to ask him. Thanks for the replies.

 

[NorthGraves]

Btw, USB driver 5.12 is out.
Working great so far, no issues.

https://download.shenzhenaudio.com/#all/1

 

[+DS_DV+]

Btw, USB driver 5.12 is out.
Working great so far, no issues.

https://download.shenzhenaudio.com/#all/1

can confirm

 

[Laserjock]

Btw, USB driver 5.12 is out.
Working great so far, no issues.

https://download.shenzhenaudio.com/#all/1

Is this SU-9 thread or M500 ?

 

[+DS_DV+]

Is this SU-9 thread or M500 ?

i recommend using first party only donwload links so no one will add funny stuff to it
https://www.smsl-audio.com/portal/product/downlist/id/11.html
so just check yourself

 

[Laserjock]

i recommend using first party only donwload links so no one will add funny stuff to it
https://www.smsl-audio.com/portal/product/downlist/id/11.html
so just check yourself

Thanks, I meant this thread but I guess people are lumping the SU-9 in with the M500 issue here.

 

[+DS_DV+]

Thanks, I meant this thread but I guess people are lumping the SU-9 in with the M500 issue here.

oh sorry ^^

yeah i guess so.
and here: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ds/strange-smsl-m500-high-3rd-harmonic.22710/

 

[NorthGraves]

i recommend using first party only donwload links so no one will add funny stuff to it

First party would be shenzhenaudio.com link.

 

[+DS_DV+]

First party would be shenzhenaudio.com link.

how?

SMSL is the manufacturer of the device? So its the first party.
shenzhenaudio is a distributor so it is 3rd or even further party depending how you count.

the only "first party" you could put before a manufactuer would be ESS Technology since they produce the ES9038PRO.
but unlike laptops where you can get drivers first hand from the chip manufacturers (to my knowlage) you cant do that with ESS.

in conclusion the primary source (first party) for consumers would be SMSL

 

[morespinach]

Does anyone actually use this? Does it get really hot as some users suggest it does?

 

[+DS_DV+]

Does anyone actually use this? Does it get really hot as some users suggest it does?

i have a V2 and did not notice heating problems yet.
(but i dont touch the device that often. It is on for about 10 hours a day but only in use for around 2 - 4 hours.)

 

[Chris_KA]

I have V2 (HW 1.3) and the device is in use all day as audio output for my iMac. It never runs hot. After some Minutes it gets slightly warm to the touch and stays so for the rest of the time.

 

[Chris_KA]

IR Remote reverse engineered
While I am extremely satisfied with the performance of the M500 I have however some issues with the handling of the device. Especially the switch between Line and Headphone output is very cumbersome. You need to use the remote and press the FN key twice while aiming at the unit because the direct input using the turning button on the device is way worse. And I hate to have a remote lying on my desk just to do that.

So I came up with a solution:
First I reverse engineered the remote to decode the signals. The remote uses the NEC protocol and these are the commands all with bitlength 32
ON/Standby 0x486C807F
FN (switch between Line and Headphone) 0x486C10EF
Mute 0x486C906F
Input 0x486C906F
Up Arrow 0x486C40BF
Down Arrow 0x486C609F
Left Arrow 0x486CC03F
Right Arrow 0x86CA05F
Enter Key 0x486C20DF

with this data you can use a very cheap esp8266 or esp32 and a IR LED and the arduino library "IRremoteESP8266" to send the right codes to the device and to receive commands via WIFI

In my case I put a esp32 in the cieling cover of my room lamp with the IR LED pointing to the M500. I was now able to define some keys on my keyboard to trigger the IR commands to toggle the output.

If there is interest I can go into more detail. Just for now I wanted to publish the remote codes because this is quite a hassle to decode.

regards
Chris

 

[overherz]

I don’t understand why dsd doesn’t play
the DSD icon is lit on the screen, but there is no sound

 

[Labjr]

I have a different DAC. However, after spending many hours trying to get DSD to playback, this guide worked for me:

 

[overherz]

I have everything the same, there is no sound