strange SMSL M500 high 3rd harmonic

[Feyire]

also, in product flyer it states it's using opa1612:

View attachment 125630

tear down reveals they are three lme49720:


View attachment 125634

Currently, OPA1612 costs $4.35 while LME49720 costs $1.43. so this is just 1/3 of the price.

Was there ever a conclusion to this question? Because it is serious, we are talking about fraud here.

Any other SMSL M500 owner like to open up theirs, so we can see if this is more widespread?

 

[liu]

Any other SMSL M500 owner like to open up theirs, so we can see if this is more widespread?

it's already done by other forum member.

SMSL immediately updated their flyer after getting my feedback. so new buyers know what they are getting and won't be affected:

 

[Feyire]

SMSL immediately updated their flyer after getting my feedback. so new buyers know what they are getting and won't be affected.

The official SMSL product website is not updated, it still mentions OPA1612. Soundimports.eu also still mentioning OPA1612. Various listings on AliExpress also still mention it.

People will unfortunately continue to be misled. At least a refund should be guaranteed, given false specifications.

 

[Pdxwayne]

Hmm, may be I was lucky that the m500 I got came with defective display and was returned.....

 

[dpippel]

I'm still very interested to see if this issue affects the SU-9.

 

[MusicNBeer]

Anyone with a PC soundcard can see if SU-9 has the issue. It's not subtle.

 

[Evgeniy]

Very strange level's of distortions.
Can owners measurenot only Line out , but HP out too ?
high levels of 3rd harmonic will be on HP too ?

 

[dpippel]

Anyone with a PC soundcard can see if SU-9 has the issue. It's not subtle.

Which makes it odd that no one has checked and posted about it yet.

 

[solderdude]

it's already done by other forum member.

SMSL immediately updated their flyer after getting my feedback. so new buyers know what they are getting and won't be affected:


View attachment 127632

They just have to learn to read... it states: LME46720 are used while the picture shows LME49720..... time to contact them again and point this error out to them...

 

[MusicNBeer]

Yea my confidence in SMSL is hovering around 1%.

 

[Jimbob54]

Yea my confidence in SMSL is hovering around 1%.

Who do you hold in greater esteem at the minute, SMSL or Tidal?

 

[JSmith]

Anyone with a PC soundcard can see if SU-9 has the issue. It's not subtle.

Have you done this, or can someone do this and post please?



JSmith

 

[mkawa]

jeez. give SMSL a minute to investigate this *reminder: inaudible* anomaly. LME49720 is no slouch either, the difference between LME49720 and 1612 in this circuit is likely not measurable.

however, their contract manufacturer for the boards could have easily slipped that into the BOM without SMSL knowing. unfortunately this kind of thing happens in china all the time.

obviously SMSL is scrambling to figure out what's happening. give them some time to work. your M500s still function and sound exactly the same as before you found out about this *inaudible* distortion, so give them some time to investigate and work this out. it won't kill you to get a precise answer and rectification if needed.

 

[lizhuoyin]

jeez. give SMSL a minute to investigate this *reminder: inaudible* anomaly. LME49720 is no slouch either, the difference between LME49720 and 1612 in this circuit is likely not measurable.

however, their contract manufacturer for the boards could have easily slipped that into the BOM without SMSL knowing. unfortunately this kind of thing happens in china all the time.

obviously SMSL is scrambling to figure out what's happening. give them some time to work. your M500s still function and sound exactly the same as before you found out about this *inaudible* distortion, so give them some time to investigate and work this out. it won't kill you to get a precise answer and rectification if needed.

No second chance for repeat offender just imagine asr didn't exist...

 

[misterdog]

Imagine the outrage of the outraged generation if Toyota decided to fit Michelin tyres rather than Pirrelis.

'Its fraud' how would people sleep at night.

The audiophile community loves the fact that instrument grade DACs and devices are being produced for a few hundred pounds, but is then outraged if a different component or engineering choice is made.

The solution is obvious, buy a Benchmark, Weiss or RME DAC.

I have the SMSL M400, I'm more than content.

 

[mkawa]

i would love a set of michelin pilot sport cups on my new car

 

[4udio]

Imagine the outrage of the outraged generation if Toyota decided to fit Michelin tyres rather than Pirrelis.

'Its fraud' how would people sleep at night.

The audiophile community loves the fact that instrument grade DACs and devices are being produced for a few hundred pounds, but is then outraged if a different component or engineering choice is made.

The solution is obvious, buy a Benchmark, Weiss or RME DAC.

I have the SMSL M400, I'm more than content.

This is not valit argument. New device should work correctly no metter the price.

 

[MusicNBeer]

Different tires, and they're not bolted on the wheels. Lol.

 

[k525]

Well guys Amazon Italy is refunding me completely for my M500 bought in July 2020! Great Amazon I have to say! I declared "Hight distortion"
now the question is "witch DAC"?
I am thinking about a Gustard X16, but I am a bit worried at this point

 

[chefffe]

Well guys Amazon Italy is refunding me completely for my M500 bought in July 2020! Great Amazon I have to say! I declared "Hight distortion"
now the question is "witch DAC"?
I am thinking about a Gustard X16, but I am a bit worried at this point

The Gustard is really good but has terrible BT and bad screen. If you dont mind about that, its a good buy. As I dont hear absolutely any bad thing at any volume from my SU9, I will keep it regardless if the issue will be confirmed to be present here as well ...