SMSL SP400 Balanced Headphone Amplifier THX AAA

[NightlyNurse]

Is anyone else finding their SP400 running hot?

Yeah. Mine got hot after a few songs

 

[mkawa]

in balanced output mode it does run a bit hot. i put it on top of the m400 stack and np

 

[THIBAULT]

in balanced output mode it does run a bit hot. i put it on top of the m400 stack and

I did the same it's the best layout, but the SP400 heats normally without more as an amp must heat up, nothing abnormal for me.

 

[THIBAULT]

Hi,
after more than 10 days of break-in, my SP400 gives its full potential with very high sound transparency, deep bass and examples, great dynamics. The association with the M400 is really quite exceptional, full of listening emotions. I found that I need to decrease the sound volume a bit to 50 with low gain for my Focal Elear. So the power is there. A little break-in time is therefore beneficial.
Good listening.

 

[Veri]

I found that I need to decrease the sound volume a bit to 50 with low gain for my Focal Elear. So the power is there. A little break-in time is therefore beneficial.

Therefore? I can't understand the reason
unless, psychological break-in

 

[THIBAULT]

It is not the break-in that will give the SP4OO its quality, but listening to it for many hours is necessary to appreciate it, find the right settings and allow it to express its full potential and musical qualities. The break-in of all electronics is essential, minimum one week for small amps, one month for large ones. It's not psychological, it's logical.

 

[Veri]

It is not the break-in that will give the SP4OO its quality, but listening to it for many hours is necessary to appreciate it

This, I can totally get behind

 

[Lero]

It is not the break-in that will give the SP4OO its quality, but listening to it for many hours is necessary to appreciate it, find the right settings and allow it to express its full potential and musical qualities. The break-in of all electronics is essential, minimum one week for small amps, one month for large ones. It's not psychological, it's logical.

Logic=\= science ,its big so brake-in its longer its a concept based on void. Brake-in its already questionable...

 

[BenF]

Hi guys, got my SP400 last thursday. It sounded excellent from minute one on. I'm happy!

 

[THIBAULT]

Hi guys, got my SP400 last thursday. It sounded excellent from minute one on. I'm happy!

Happy for you

 

[lyyk]

I've been looking at getting the A90 for use as a headphone amp and preamp to my Schiit Vidar but would really like to have a remote control if possible. Would the SP400's XLR pre-out with an XLR/RCA transformer be as good as native RCA from an A90?

EDIT: Would I be better off just replacing my Schiit Modius with a D90 and using that as my preamp instead since it comes with remote volume control? Upgrading the Modius to a D90 and getting an A90 would be a bit out of my budget at the moment so I would most likely pair the D90 with a Magnius if so. What would you do? Modius/SP400 (with an XLR/RCA transformer?), D90/Magnius, Modius/A90 (and put up with the lack of remote) other janky options?

 

[JB5150]

After weeks of listening to the SP400 vs SP200, A90, HPA-M1, TA-20, HiBy R5, I have decided to return the SP400.
I do sometimes listen stupid loud, and this amp is not sufficient for my use.

it does sound very clean and well separated, and I’m sure it will have class leading measurements.
but I find it to lack enough headroom for me.
I don’t like running my amps at 85-100% volume.
I, in nearly 45 years of existence, have never had an amplifier (headphone or speaker) that would require even close to 100% on the volume knob.
In fact ALL of them have plenty of output at 50% on the volume knob, EXCEPT the SP400. I’m not saying it’s not loud, it is.
I feel for this amount of money, I should have MORE headroom than SP200. Not less.
Even at 0 Gain the SP200 is louder than SP400 at 0 Gain.

I’m not an audio engineer but,
an amp with 6 watts (no gain) shouldn’t be louder than an amp with 12 watts (no gain)

I do use a lot of Headroom Management in Roon, which causes -6 to -8db reduction in output, but as I said, even 1watt amplifiers seem to have more headroom than this.

I do also get minor ticks through the headphones as volume is raised or lowered.
this is NOT the sound that the relays make without headphones on. It is a LITTLE click through the headphones.

Again, at this price, I expect better.
I really wanted to keep this amp, but feel my money will be better spent elsewhere.

 

[Artaois]

After weeks of listening to the SP400 vs SP200, A90, HPA-M1, TA-20, HiBy R5, I have decided to return the SP400.
I do sometimes listen stupid loud, and this amp is not sufficient for my use.

it does sound very clean and well separated, and I’m sure it will have class leading measurements.
but I find it to lack enough headroom for me.
I don’t like running my amps at 85-100% volume.
I, in nearly 45 years of existence, have never had an amplifier (headphone or speaker) that would require even close to 100% on the volume knob.
In fact ALL of them have plenty of output at 50% on the volume knob, EXCEPT the SP400. I’m not saying it’s not loud, it is.
I feel for this amount of money, I should have MORE headroom than SP200. Not less.
Even at 0 Gain the SP200 is louder than SP400 at 0 Gain.

I’m not an audio engineer but,
an amp with 6 watts (no gain) shouldn’t be louder than an amp with 12 watts (no gain)

I do use a lot of Headroom Management in Roon, which causes -6 to -8db reduction in output, but as I said, even 1watt amplifiers seem to have more headroom than this.

I do also get minor ticks through the headphones as volume is raised or lowered.
this is NOT the sound that the relays make without headphones on. It is a LITTLE click through the headphones.

Again, at this price, I expect better.
I really wanted to keep this amp, but feel my money will be better spent elsewhere.

I'm curious as to what headphones you're using. I returned mine and tried another and with the Sennheiser 58x I'm at low gain 50 Vol fed by the m400. I can't imagine listening to it any louder. 85-100 would blow my ears out.

 

[JB5150]

I'm curious as to what headphones you're using. I returned mine and tried another and with the Sennheiser 58x I'm at low gain 50 Vol fed by the m400. I can't imagine listening to it any louder. 85-100 would blow my ears out.

You returned yours due to low volume, and new unit is louder?

 

[dmac6419]

You returned yours due to low volume, and new unit is louder?

Maybe you got a dud

 

[Artaois]

You returned yours due to low volume, and new unit is louder?

What dac are you using? The power it outputs with XLR matters too.
Well I couldn't side by side them and there was a large gap in-between listening because of shipping but I was on high gain at 50 with the Elex and it's easier to drive than the 58x. Even then I couldn't go to 85-100.

 

[THIBAULT]

After weeks of listening to the SP400 vs SP200, A90, HPA-M1, TA-20, HiBy R5, I have decided to return the SP400.
I do sometimes listen stupid loud, and this amp is not sufficient for my use.

it does sound very clean and well separated, and I’m sure it will have class leading measurements.
but I find it to lack enough headroom for me.
I don’t like running my amps at 85-100% volume.
I, in nearly 45 years of existence, have never had an amplifier (headphone or speaker) that would require even close to 100% on the volume knob.
In fact ALL of them have plenty of output at 50% on the volume knob, EXCEPT the SP400. I’m not saying it’s not loud, it is.
I feel for this amount of money, I should have MORE headroom than SP200. Not less.
Even at 0 Gain the SP200 is louder than SP400 at 0 Gain.

I’m not an audio engineer but,
an amp with 6 watts (no gain) shouldn’t be louder than an amp with 12 watts (no gain)

I do use a lot of Headroom Management in Roon, which causes -6 to -8db reduction in output, but as I said, even 1watt amplifiers seem to have more headroom than this.

I do also get minor ticks through the headphones as volume is raised or lowered.
this is NOT the sound that the relays make without headphones on. It is a LITTLE click through the headphones.

Again, at this price, I expect better.
I really wanted to keep this amp, but feel my money will be better spent elsewhere.

 

[THIBAULT]

Hi, are you plugged full balaced ? My SP 400 with M400 is at 50 volume low gain. I can go to 60/65 but my ears can't support. The sound is loud enough at 50 volume for rock'roll !! and I'am 65 old.....Think about it.

 

[JB5150]

Hi, are you plugged full balaced ? My SP 400 with M400 is at 50 volume low gain. I can go to 60/65 but my ears can't support. The sound is loud enough at 50 volume for rock'roll !! and I'am 65 old.....Think about it.

Yes. XLR from M400.
I’m in talks to maybe try a replacement unit. Maybe mine is faulty?

 

[THIBAULT]

Yes. XLR from M400.
I’m in talks to maybe try a replacement unit. Maybe mine is faulty?

I think so. M400 + SP400 is the best set that I've had, clear, with a black background, a large sound stage. I would keep them, I'm completely satisfied. It' probably a defective device. My SP400 was bought in France.