SMSL M500 DAC Only “Thermal Issue” not “Golden Sample”

[mi-fu]

Generally I don't think this would be an issue. If one manufacturer does this, the whole forum will be very cautious about this manufacturer. The reputation would suffer.

Exactly. that's why i really look forward the third measurement of M500.

Thanks @WolfX-700 for bringing this up and @amirm for all the work.

 

[pkane]

Distortion harmonics are also much worse. Perhaps they changed some critical component that the production model performs worse.

Much worse is relative. This is still an exceptionally good performance. SINAD of 110dB is nothing to sneeze at and the IMD hump is low in level. It does indicate some difference between the tests, but I wouldn’t vilify the manufacturer just yet on the basis of this result. Test setup, differences in probes and their length can account for some of the differences between measurements.

 

[WolfX-700]

Much worse is relative. This is still an exceptionally good performance. SINAD of 110dB is nothing to sneeze at and the IMD hump is low in level. It does indicate some difference between the tests, but I wouldn’t vilify the manufacturer just yet on the basis of this result. Test setup, differences in probes and their length can account for some of the differences between measurements.

I think my test setup-at least the dashboard-won't make a difference of up to 6db or more.

And later I adjusted the settings carefully (44.1K) based on Amir's measurements, and the results showed more differences!

If this difference is only 1 to 2db, I don't think there is any problem. But the current difference is too obvious ...

 

[pkane]

I think my test setup-at least the dashboard-won't make a difference of up to 6db or more.

And later I adjusted the settings carefully (44.1K) based on Amir's measurements, and the results showed more differences!

If this difference is only 1 to 2db, I don't think there is any problem. But the current difference is too obvious ...

Right, and it will be interesting to figure out what caused this, but even the performance you measured is still in the exceptionally good category. Maybe some manufacturing differences caused it, or maybe it was a golden sample, regardless, this device is really well engineered.

 

[JohnYang1997]

Much worse is relative. This is still an exceptionally good performance. SINAD of 110dB is nothing to sneeze at and the IMD hump is low in level. It does indicate some difference between the tests, but I wouldn’t vilify the manufacturer just yet on the basis of this result. Test setup, differences in probes and their length can account for some of the differences between measurements.

Basically from dx7pro level of performance to su8. Objective difference is really big.

 

[pkane]

Basically from dx7pro level of performance to su8. Objective difference is really big.

Sure. But I’d like to see you identify the differences between a 110dB and 116dB SINAD device in a listening test

 

[Jinjuku]

I could order a unit from Amazon and drop ship to Amir.

 

[WolfX-700]

Make another IMD measurement with 44.1K:

 

[Hemi-Demon]

Yes, it may be a separate incident. I have recorded the serial number of this M500 and I will try to find another M500 for testing.

It would be a shame if SMSL did send a golden sample.

I know that you did the testing with ASIO4ALL, but can you install the drivers to check the device HW version? I wonder if it is v1.2, amd whether that may makes a difference.

Also in your testing, do you find that using the manufacturer supplied drivers impacts testing results?

 

[half_dog]

Wolfx, could you inform us its SW and HW versions? And anyone knows about Amir sample versions?

 

[WolfX-700]

Wolfx, could you inform us its SW and HW versions? And anyone knows about Amir sample versions?

In fact, I didn't find any HW version mark ... Can you give me some hints?

I just tested it with ASIO using the XMOS 4.67.0 driver (downloaded from the SMSL website) ...

The result ：

 

[Jinjuku]

Doesn't this just work the UAC 2.0 ?

 

[Matias]

Yes, these USB audio devices should work directly with Windows 10 drivers. USB Audio Compliance 2.0 has been implemented for a while now.

 

[WolfX-700]

Doesn't this just work the UAC 2.0 ?

ASIO

 

[WolfX-700]

Yes, these USB audio devices should work directly with Windows 10 drivers. USB Audio Compliance 2.0 has been implemented for a while now.

APx applications only support ASIO

 

[Hemi-Demon]

The HW version is located in either the info box or the about box in the xmos control panel.

 

[half_dog]

In fact, I didn't find any HW version mark ... Can you give me some hints?

I just tested it with ASIO using the XMOS 4.67.0 driver (downloaded from the SMSL website) ...

The result ：

View attachment 41671

SW and HW version information are on "system" option in DAC display.

I was thinking... How long it has been running? Maybe it needs warm up...?

 

[WolfX-700]

SW and HW version information are on "system" option in DAC display.

I was thinking... How long it has been running? Maybe it needs warm up...?

Thanks for your hints：

HW1.5 SW1.2

Warming up is a good idea ... In fact, I have warmed up for about 2 hours before measuring ...

Then ... Now it's about 6 hours of continuous operation ...

 

[Veri]

Thanks for your hints：

HW1.5 SW1.2

Warming up is a good idea ... In fact, I have warmed up for about 2 hours before measuring ...

Then ... Now it's about 6 hours of continuous operation ...




View attachment 41676

What?

 

[murraycamp]

Much worse is relative. This is still an exceptionally good performance. SINAD of 110dB is nothing to sneeze at and the IMD hump is low in level. It does indicate some difference between the tests, but I wouldn’t vilify the manufacturer just yet on the basis of this result. Test setup, differences in probes and their length can account for some of the differences between measurements.

Agreed. Also, a "golden sample" scenario connotes an intent to deceive in some respect. It could just be a QC issue. End result is the same, but the latter is much less pernicious.