SMSL PA400 GaN 500W

[Tommy_Tango]

All competently designed amplifiers sound the same when not driven into distortion. You need to test blind and level matched.

I dont have the possibility of blind testing or instantly switching between amps, I'm a normal person so I report what I hear in differences of songs I know. Every time I switch cables I also have to match gain level to the new amp in the dsp crossover. I wish I could get my cake and eat it too. It's just how life is. And I can't set the volume at max like balls to the wall to hear all the fidelity because I have neighbours in most directions who won't be pleasant.

 

[Svend P]

I dont have the possibility of blind testing or instantly switching between amps, I'm a normal person so I report what I hear in differences of songs I know. Every time I switch cables I also have to match gain level to the new amp in the dsp crossover. I wish I could get my cake and eat it too. It's just how life is. And I can't set the volume at max like balls to the wall to hear all the fidelity because I have neighbours in most directions who won't be pleasant.

Fair enough. But then you have to trust the science and the people who have done blind testing. The truth is, It is your mind playing tricks on you when you hear differences where there are none. This has been known for decades, but the business and reviewers have not disclosed this because it would stop people from buying new equipment and magazines.

This is a good read on the subject. From page 80 and onward


https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Audio/Archive-HiFI-Stereo/80s/HiFi-Stereo-Review-1987-01.pdf

 

[Roland68]

Where's the common sense here?)) Everything you've listed is improper use of technology and a safety violation. Something like, "Don't install manual transmissions in cars because you can leave it in gear and drive off the road when you start it!") You don't need to make a knife so sharp because you can cut yourself with it!) Who's to blame for not supervising the child? Who's to blame for the high signal level on the DAC? The amplifier or the person?))

Have you ever thought about looking at the thread before posting a reply?
I simply warned one user against using amplifiers with excessively high power. I only posted a few examples from my 40 years of experience where this had fatal consequences. Accidents happen and can't always be prevented, especially with small children.

It's truly sad that you're using a well-intentioned tip and warning to another user, intended only to protect them from harm, as an excuse to write such an aggressive post.

 

[hk5007]

OK, so here is my verdict comparing the PA400 to the Fosi V3 Mono and the Parasound Halo A21. The speakers I used are Ø Audio horn speakers.

I first tried the PA400 on the horns, playing from 900 Hz and up, to compare it to the Fosi V3 Mono I had there before.

The PA400 has worse imaging than the Fosi monoblocks. The PA400 sounds crisp, clean, and clear with better instrument separation, but I was a bit underwhelmed by how small the overall improvement was over the Fosi V3 Mono (when just playing from 900 Hz).

Now comparing it to the Parasound Halo A21 on the mid-bass woofer playing from 1100hz and down, I find the PA400 to be less warm than the Parasound (not very surprising, but still something to note). The PA400 also has less punch and dynamics in the low end than the Parasound. However, it is very clean and detailed; I hear more detail and texture in the low end on the PA400 than on the Parasound. The PA400 is flatter, but I don't feel like I'm missing out on any fidelity. It doesn't sound like an old classic Class A or AB amplifier, but that doesn't mean it sounds bad—just different and modern.

Couldn't agree more. I have 2 units of PA400 working in monoblocks. I also have a unit of XTZ A2-400 and a unit of Aiyima A07 MAX with LM4562s. At the time of purchase, the 2 units of PA400 cost less than what I paid for one unit of XTZ A2-400 inclusive of tax and shipping. Comparing to the XTZ A2-400, the PA400 is clearer and cleaner with better highs but less involving, less warmth and less dynamic. Bass is well controlled, deep but less poundering. The XTZ A2-400 has more body, sounded weightier and more musical.

The PA400 is a step up from the Aiyima 07 MAX.

 

[Svend P]

Couldn't agree more. I have 2 units of PA400 working in monoblocks. I also have a unit of XTZ A2-400 and a unit of Aiyima A07 MAX with LM4562s. At the time of purchase, the 2 units of PA400 cost less than what I paid for one unit of XTZ A2-400 inclusive of tax and shipping. Comparing to the XTZ A2-400, the PA400 is clearer and cleaner with better highs but less involving, less warmth and less dynamic. Bass is well controlled, deep but less poundering. The XTZ A2-400 has more body, sounded weightier and more musical.

The PA400 is a step up from the Aiyima 07 MAX.

We don't do subjective impressions of electronics here. When properly designed, they will all sound the same, since they all have a flat frequency response and noise and distortion below what human hearing can detect. Next time you have to test blind and level matched:

 

[sharkinswamp]

I want to share my experience with this "product".

I first ordered an SMSL PA400 from Amazon. Shipping was fast and the total price was around €540 including delivery. Unfortunately, right after turning it on, I noticed that the control knob was defective. Volume adjustment worked, but the selector function didn’t respond at all. I contacted support about the issue.

While waiting for the refund, I ordered another PA400 from AliExpress using a discount coupon. The price was €380, plus customs fees later. When the second unit arrived, the situation was even worse — after a few minutes of use, the amplifier started randomly shutting down.

This says a lot about the quality control of these devices. Support claims that every unit is tested before shipping, but based on my experience, that clearly isn’t true. Faulty units are being sent to customers.

What really pushed this over the edge is that today a friend of mine, who bought this amplifier based on my recommendation, told me that his PA400 also started shutting down randomly after about a month of use.

I’m extremely disappointed with this brand, their products, and their attitude toward customers. Shipping unreliable equipment like this is unacceptable.

I strongly recommend avoiding this brand.

 

[Scrivs]

SMSL SU-X

 

[JimFarrell29]

I have a pair of PA200s in a second system, but wanted a single amp to take over front speaker duties in my AV system, so got the PA400 from Hifigo.
However it cuts out repeatedly, after a few seconds or minutes of use, then starts agsin, then cuts out.
I have tried using it as an integrated with a cd player, using it with several different preamps and preamp/dacs, and different speakers at different impedance settings.
So clearly a fault, and its going back, but I wonder if anyone else has had similar problems.

Im not sure whether to ask for a new one or get my money back.

 

[JimFarrell29]

Oops. I just saw Sharkinswamps post. Clearly i am not alone.

 

[Sir Sanders Zingmore]

I want to share my experience with this "product".

I first ordered an SMSL PA400 from Amazon. Shipping was fast and the total price was around €540 including delivery. Unfortunately, right after turning it on, I noticed that the control knob was defective. Volume adjustment worked, but the selector function didn’t respond at all. I contacted support about the issue.

While waiting for the refund, I ordered another PA400 from AliExpress using a discount coupon. The price was €380, plus customs fees later. When the second unit arrived, the situation was even worse — after a few minutes of use, the amplifier started randomly shutting down.

This says a lot about the quality control of these devices. Support claims that every unit is tested before shipping, but based on my experience, that clearly isn’t true. Faulty units are being sent to customers.

What really pushed this over the edge is that today a friend of mine, who bought this amplifier based on my recommendation, told me that his PA400 also started shutting down randomly after about a month of use.

I’m extremely disappointed with this brand, their products, and their attitude toward customers. Shipping unreliable equipment like this is unacceptable.

I strongly recommend avoiding this brand.

I'm struggling to understand why while you were waiting for a refund on an amp that didn't work, you bought a second one and recommended that your friend buy one?

 

[Tommy_Tango]

Hey does anyone know how to set the pa400 into stereo power amp mode, the only 3 modes i can find is rca, xlr and mono power amp? Does turning the volume to max automatically disengage the preamp/volume circuitry? I’m using xlr cables of course.

 

[Roland_606]

Hey does anyone know how to set the pa400 into stereo power amp mode, the only 3 modes i can find is rca, xlr and mono power amp? Does turning the volume to max automatically disengage the preamp/volume circuitry? I’m using xlr cables of course.

I had the same question as you when i read the following in the manual, “Stereo pure amplifier pass-through mode, use with a pre-amp, the sound is more direct and pure.”
I initially used a single unit in stereo mode xlr, fed from a Quad Artera Pre. I set the PA400 to max volume and attenuated using the Quad. I don’t think this way disengages the volume circuit. The quoted comment from the manual is I think referring to two units in mono mode. I ended up buying a second unit to run in mono mode and I am much happier with it operating this way.

 

[sharkinswamp]

I'm struggling to understand why while you were waiting for a refund on an amp that didn't work, you bought a second one and recommended that your friend buy one?

Essentially, I really liked the sound of the amp when it was working, which is why I recommended it to my friend. As for why I ordered a second one, it was available at a significantly better price, and I thought the first issue might have been a coincidence and that the next unit would be fine.

 

[Tommy_Tango]

I had the same question as you when i read the following in the manual, “Stereo pure amplifier pass-through mode, use with a pre-amp, the sound is more direct and pure.”
I initially used a single unit in stereo mode xlr, fed from a Quad Artera Pre. I set the PA400 to max volume and attenuated using the Quad. I don’t think this way disengages the volume circuit. The quoted comment from the manual is I think referring to two units in mono mode. I ended up buying a second unit to run in mono mode and I am much happier with it operating this way.

Yes i find it the same way, but if i wanna buy two and use them in mono, isn’t it just better getting a class d amp with more power like the icepower 700as2 module for example? When you run a stereo amp in mono mode it is bad for the fidelity? Dampening factor will half for instance? I’m not an expert in measuring but my 15 inch mid-bass drivers eat power so i find the pa400 having a less headroom than i would prefer when i turn the volume high.

 

[Roland_606]

Yes i find it the same way, but if i wanna buy two and use them in mono, isn’t it just better getting a class d amp with more power like the icepower 700as2 module for example? When you run a stereo amp in mono mode it is bad for the fidelity? Dampening factor will half for instance? I’m not an expert in measuring but my 15 inch mid-bass drivers eat power so i find the pa400 having a less headroom than i would prefer when i turn the volume high.

I have a hypex nc252 stereo power amp that I was using prior to the PA400 and I appreciate the headroom of the mono setup now. My speakers are B&W floor standers 8ohm nominal, around 4ohm minimum and the mono amps don’t even get warm to touch, for around 70-80 dB(A) at my listening position. I originally thought of getting some diy hypex nilai monos but couldn’t justify the cost.

 

[Tommy_Tango]

Tharbamar discovered the difference between the the pa-x and the pa400, the pa-x has a little better powersupply, otherwise they are identical inside. He said the treble is about 3-5% better in the pa-x than the pa400.

 

[jmc06]

Tharbamar discovered the difference between the the pa-x and the pa400, the pa-x has a little better powersupply, otherwise they are identical inside. He said the treble is about 3-5% better in the pa-x than the pa400.

Can i add these four chips myself?

 

[Roland68]

Tharbamar discovered the difference between the the pa-x and the pa400, the pa-x has a little better powersupply, otherwise they are identical inside. He said the treble is about 3-5% better in the pa-x than the pa400.

Can i add these four chips myself?

I think that's utter nonsense. This reviewer always thinks the newer or more expensive devices are somehow better, just like magazines used to be (or still are).
Besides, he gets most of his equipment from Shenzhen Audio, and lo and behold, the PA-X, which is a Shenzhen Audio device, naturally sounds noticeably better than the completely identical PA400, which is distributed directly by SMSL. What a coincidence.
Die Geräte sind komplett identisch und haben die gleiche Ausgangsleistung, ebenso wie die Netzteile.

An acquaintance of mine bought the PA400 and the PA-X on sale during Prime Day. He listened to both devices extensively, and we took turns comparing them blindly. There was absolutely no difference. The PA-X was returned; unless you're buying it for its looks, it's a waste of money.

With such inexpensive Chinese power supplies, different batches often use components with identical power ratings, but which may differ visually. This has no effect on the power supply's performance and certainly no difference in sound.
Anyone who knows anything about switching power supplies knows what kind of nonsense is being spouted in the video. That's not how switching power supplies work.

You shouldn't replace or tinker with components in switching power supplies unless you know 110% about them; that's something for specialists.