SMSL M500 DAC and HP Amp Review

[Toku]

me that is upsam

Hi is there someone that can confirm me that is upsampling to 768Khz without distortion?

Best regards

Early versions of the M500 had problems with "distorted sound" and "noise" during 768kHz playback. After that, the USB firmware was updated to Ver1.08 and the problem was solved.
So I was curious about your M500 version and asked.
Since your M500 is a new Ver2 model, I think that the cause is another problem such as audio play.

 

[k525]

Early versions of the M500 had problems with "distorted sound" and "noise" during 768kHz playback. After that, the USB firmware was updated to Ver1.08 and the problem was solved.
So I was curious about your M500 version and asked.
Since your M500 is a new Ver2 model, I think that the cause is another problem such as audio play.

Yes
I was sure to have a problem free hardware an software version.. the m500 arrived at the middle of May, I am not sure if the problem was there from the beginning, I do not thing the problem is due to the playback chain because I tried different computer (Mac, PC) and different player (Roon, Audirvana, HQPlayer), I asked Amazon a return that was accepted, in few day I will have a new one to test and l will let you know

Bye

 

[scherbakov_al]

I recently purchased M500. I also have a computer under Mac OS. 768kHz is reproduced with digital distortion. Versions 1.6 and 1.3 .. Sometimes the Audirvana turns off the sound when switching tracks. I do not know what the problem is in the dac or the player .. otherwise there are no problems. Sound is excellent.

 

[k525]

I recently purchased M500. I also have a computer under Mac OS. 768kHz is reproduced with digital distortion. Versions 1.6 and 1.3 .. Sometimes the Audirvana turns off the sound when switching tracks. I do not know what the problem is in the dac or the player .. otherwise there are no problems. Sound is excellent.

Hi

I suppose that, as with my device, you will also have distortion with Windows 10, in my case in Windows 10 I have less distortion than Mac but if you pay attention you will be able to hear

I am waiting for a new M500 in a couple of days and let you know

Regards

 

[robertospeed]

Hi everyone, I should buy a new dac today, and I don't know whether to take a Topping D70 or an M500, but is the D70 better in quality and sound? I would like to know just this please.
I am Italian and I do not understand English and with the translator I do not understand some discussions well unfortunately, please help me and I apologize if I wrote this on the SMSL M500 post.

 

[lucadoc]

Hi,

Just received my M500 and I've not the xmos panel il my win10 notebook but the dac has been recognized correctly.

How to do to have the xmos and what are the benefits?

In the menu I have a Dpll sub menu with bandwidth settings : what is this?

My version is FW 1.7, HW 1.3

 

[RichardK]

Well I like my M500! I use the Tidal “plugin” from the audirvana app on my MacMini and I like having the ability to stream things natively. I do like this MQA format despite what others may find... I like what I hear and even though I shouldn’t hear an audible difference between this M500 and and my former topping D10 I think I do and that’s what counts. Music is emotion and that is something that everyone perceives in a different way therefore it’s an endless discussion ... please people follow you’re own ears and if 128kbps mp3 works for you don’t let anyone tell you it’s crap

 

[k525]

I recently purchased M500. I also have a computer under Mac OS. 768kHz is reproduced with digital distortion. Versions 1.6 and 1.3 .. Sometimes the Audirvana turns off the sound when switching tracks. I do not know what the problem is in the dac or the player .. otherwise there are no problems. Sound is excellent.

Have I to accept the m500 in NON ABLE to reproduce 768Khz contents?
I would like to understand if a Topping D50 (half the price) can do it

I understand that may be not so important but I find strange no-one have found the problem..

Bye

 

[osasglo]

Have I to accept the m500 in NON ABLE to reproduce 768Khz contents?
I would like to understand if a Topping D50 (half the price) can do it

I understand that may be not so important but I find strange no-one have found the problem..

Bye

Where can I get a test file to try it out?

 

[w1000i]

Hi,

Just received my M500 and I've not the xmos panel il my win10 notebook but the dac has been recognized correctly.

How to do to have the xmos and what are the benefits?

In the menu I have a Dpll sub menu with bandwidth settings : what is this?

My version is FW 1.7, HW 1.3View attachment 74202View attachment 74203View attachment 74204

Me too, there is option for DPLL mode ( 14 mode ) any idea about it ?!

 

[Jimbob54]

Hi everyone, I should buy a new dac today, and I don't know whether to take a Topping D70 or an M500, but is the D70 better in quality and sound? I would like to know just this please.
I am Italian and I do not understand English and with the translator I do not understand some discussions well unfortunately, please help me and I apologize if I wrote this on the SMSL M500 post.

The M500 is the better measuring DAC- neither should "sound" of anything. Buy the one that has the best functionality for you/ price

I have the M500 and have no issues. Plus it has a headphone amp built in , the D70 doesnt. Whether that is of use to you is a different question.

 

[k525]

Have I to accept the m500 in NON ABLE to reproduce 768Khz contents?
I would like to understand if a Topping D50 (half the price) can do it

I understand that may be not so important but I find strange no-one have found the problem..

Bye

Hi guys

A brand new M500 arrived as replacement from Amazon
I can confirm that the first one was not broken, also the new one was unable to reproduce undistorted 768Khz !
I tried with a Window 10 ASIO, Mac Min, Mac Book Pro 16" an also a Raspberry!
Upsampled with Roon and Audirvana, my be I am particularly unlucky..

Ok I can live with it, I think that M500 is still a very good DAC but for me 768Khz is not an option

Regards

 

[Toku]

Hi guys

A brand new M500 arrived as replacement from Amazon
I can confirm that the first one was not broken, also the new one was unable to reproduce undistorted 768Khz !
I tried with a Window 10 ASIO, Mac Min, Mac Book Pro 16" an also a Raspberry!
Upsampled with Roon and Audirvana, my be I am particularly unlucky..

Ok I can live with it, I think that M500 is still a very good DAC but for me 768Khz is not an option

Regards

Any of my M500 (Ver1) D50s E30 DX3 Pro can play PCM 768kHz 24/32bit without any problem. The player uses foober2000 and TuneBrowser on a Windows 10 PC, and the playback modes are ASIO and WASAPI.

 

[k525]

Any of my M500 (Ver1) D50s E30 DX3 Pro can play PCM 768kHz 24/32bit without any problem. The player uses foober2000 and TuneBrowser on a Windows 10 PC, and the playback modes are ASIO and WASAPI.

Dear Toku, that's a good news, I will for sure try your configuration

Regards

 

[laidick]

Hi,

Does someone uses this as preamplifier (with adjustable volume) with hypex ncore in xlr?

I do, pair with Apollon nc800SL, works perfect. Although remember to switch off amp before smsl.

 

[MalinYamato]

What is new in the latest FW version 1.7 and is it safe to upgrade from 1.6 to it?

 

[lucadoc]

I do, pair with Apollon nc800SL, works perfect. Although remember to switch off amp before smsl.

I use now ncore 400 dual mono, and m500 does not any pop noise in xlr even when I forget to switch off the ampli first

 

[lucadoc]

What is new in the latest FW version 1.7 and is it safe to upgrade from 1.6 to it?

I don't know, it was delivered like that.

I didn't install xmos driver : should I?

 

[laidick]

I use now ncore 400 dual mono, and m500 does not any pop noise in xlr even when I forget to switch off the ampli first

That's good for you. May be different version .


Which version are you on? SW and HW?

 

[Toku]

Hi,

Just received my M500 and I've not the xmos panel il my win10 notebook but the dac has been recognized correctly.

How to do to have the xmos and what are the benefits?

In the menu I have a Dpll sub menu with bandwidth settings : what is this?

My version is FW 1.7, HW 1.3View attachment 74202View attachment 74203View attachment 74204

DPLL setting (MIN-MAX)
The setting value is 15 steps and the default setting is 7. The higher the number, the longer the range for adapting to jitter, and the lower the number, the better the performance against clock jitter.