Wolf's Measurements of SMSL M400 DAC

[mocenigo]

I sometimes get very, very quiet clicks when jumping to a new track when one is already playing via itunes on my mac book pro. Certainly nothing like I get on moode on my pi ess dac stack which can be a real digital glitch.

It's pretty much perfect all that's missing is the ability to lower the output level so i could use it without a pre amp. Like most modern dacs its 30-40db too hot straight into my power amps, which are only 20db gain...


I have a soncoz SDG1 coming this week to compare.

Wait! The volume control does not apply to the XLR/RCA outputs? It cannot be, it is a pure DAC (no headphone out) and has a volume control!

 

[sq225917]

I mean an additional level setting, like the Weiss 202 and Brooklyn dacs have

 

[mocenigo]

I mean an additional level setting, like the Weiss 202 and Brooklyn dacs have

You mean gain of output stage. Ok. I see that.

 

[ShiZo]

What is the likelihood of big variations when comparing mutliple smsl m400s (or any dac for that manner). I had an m400 that sounded amazing but it had a cosmetic issue so I was issued a replacement. What are the chances this one will measure different than the one I had?

 

[jaraheel]

Can someone suggest a good headphone amp to pair with the SMSL M400? I currently have JDS Labs Atom. If that’d work fine with it, then I can wait for the SP400. I use Sennheiser HD800S headphones

 

[ShiZo]

Monolith by monoprice thx amp, sp400, sp200, topping a90.

 

[jaraheel]

Monolith by monoprice thx amp, sp400, sp200, topping a90.

are these in response to my post?

 

[ShiZo]

Yes, jds atom is good. But with a dac that good you should use balanced connections. The dac performs better from xlr outm but the se in the atom would be audible transparent and sound perfect.

 

[jaraheel]

Yes, jds atom is good. But with a dac that good you should use balanced connections. The dac performs better from xlr outm but the se in the atom would be audible transparent and sound perfect.

Thanks. So this means that I can wait till SP400 is released and measured here. There is some output impedance which is higher than normal for this DAC as Amir notes. I have no idea what does that mean, but he recommends taking that into account when shopping for an amp so I asked here

 

[ShiZo]

If i knew the output and input impedance of the rca on both i could tell you

 

[Tks]

SO great to see you back wolfman! Congrats on the new family member coming btw. I got worried things were going bad or something even after the last time you touched base telling us everything was okay.

If I could ask one thing, is it possible to provide filter response? 48Khz or 44.1Khz is fine.

 

[jaraheel]

Yes, jds atom is good. But with a dac that good you should use balanced connections. The dac performs better from xlr outm but the se in the atom would be audible transparent and sound perfect.

I received the DAC today. May I ask which headphone amp are you using?

 

[ShiZo]

@WolfX-700, do you think the top being plexiglass (if there is no metal below it) could cause interference from being stacked?

 

[Toku]

@WolfX-700, do you think the top being plexiglass (if there is no metal below it) could cause interference from being stacked?

Plexiglass is an acrylic resin. Therefore, EMC (EMI & EMS) becomes a problem. I lost interest because I found the cover panel of the M400 to be plexiglass.

 

[sq225917]

Placing my phone on top of the dac didn't cause it to click, tick, pop, or make any untoward noises.

 

[WolfX-700]

SO great to see you back wolfman! Congrats on the new family member coming btw. I got worried things were going bad or something even after the last time you touched base telling us everything was okay.

If I could ask one thing, is it possible to provide filter response? 48Khz or 44.1Khz is fine.

God...I missed this...

Measure later!

 

[ShiZo]

Isnt the jds atom have plastic case.

 

[Tks]

Plexiglass is an acrylic resin. Therefore, EMC (EMI & EMS) becomes a problem. I lost interest because I found the cover panel of the M400 to be plexiglass.

Uhh, maybe someone with electrical knowledge can chime in, but isn't EMI resistence instantly lost to a large degree the moment you have any portion of the surrounding structure not completely housed? So even ports, displays (which is almost everywhere now), buttons, etc..?

 

[mocenigo]

Uhh, maybe someone with electrical knowledge can chime in, but isn't EMI resistence instantly lost to a large degree the moment you have any portion of the surrounding structure not completely housed? So even ports, displays (which is almost everywhere now), buttons, etc..?

Not really, but it is quite complicated. You could try reading this https://www.emcstandards.co.uk/files/part_4_text_and_graphics_21_may_09.pdf

I understand that placement and size matter a lot.

 

[James. B. Lansing]

Hmm. Yes agree m400 is not a good match with A90. Impedance mismatch resulting in significant lack of Bass and overall punch.
*Volume compromised, for example using D90 and several other DACs with A90 with DAC all set at max output; resulted in my listening volume sitting roughly around quarter dial on A90;
* M400 requiring A90 at half dial to see same volume and "maintaining afromentioned symptoms" although all throughout there was no apparent audiable impact in dynamics. M400 is an amazing! DAC when paired with an amp that can handle its huge output impedance; just not with A90.