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SMSL D400ES DAC Review

Rate this DAC:

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 12 5.1%
  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 11 4.7%
  • 3. Fine (happy panther)

    Votes: 58 24.8%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 153 65.4%

  • Total voters
    234
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Really absurd...
It works fine in other Smsl dacs, which chip does it have?

Really absurd but ...
 

Blashyrkh

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Really absurd but ...
It's the almost carbon copy of my d300, with the addition of this bug
 

CleanSound

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Exact. I can do it but the music is heard distorted and I have to set the default values of the 400ES using the reset.
But I already returned it to the seller.
Now I am considering purchasing the SMSL 400EX or much better the Gustard A26.
And you contacted SMSL and they didn't have a solution for you?
 
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Yes, I contacted Mandy from SMSL and she told me that there is no firmware update planned at the moment and since I believe that it is not a firmware update problem, I returned it to the seller. My unit was damaged.
I´m waiting for the new TOPPING D90 III Sabre or the new SMSL SU-X.
I'll wait for the reviews and in case any teething problems appear.
 
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eyes-on-you

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What are the differences between min fast, min slow and min phase.

Unclear according to filter graphs in first page.

Which one has most extended frequency response three of them?
 

HarmonicTHD

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What are the differences between min fast, min slow and min phase.

Unclear according to filter graphs in first page.

Which one has most extended frequency response three of them?
Why would you want the most extended FR?

You dont want to load your tweeters with inaudible ultrasonic energy - worst case, it kills the tweeters, best case it just does nothing.

As Amir wrote take these two filters (Lin Fast or Apodizing).

index.php
 

eyes-on-you

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Why would you want the most extended FR?

You dont want to load your tweeters with inaudible ultrasonic energy - worst case, it kills the tweeters, best case it just does nothing.

As Amir wrote take these two filters (Lin Fast or Apodizing).

index.php
I ve asked because i like b/m filters much more rather than apo & linear fast.

Thats why asking which one is the most extended from below mentioned filters:
Minimum Phase
Minimum Fast
Minimum Slow
 

HarmonicTHD

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I ve asked because i like b/m filters much more rather than apo & linear fast.

Thats why asking which one is the most extended from below mentioned filters:
Minimum Phase
Minimum Fast
Minimum Slow
Neither. The red one. (Off) is the most extended.

Why do like them more? What is there to like?
 

Grooved

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Neither. The red one. (Off) is the most extended.

Why do like them more? What is there to like?

I'm not sure that @eyes-on-you is talking about this extension. I've already saw enough examples where some people talk about extended frequency range (so what you're answering to), but also some talking about the longest extension of the flat response, but only in the audible range.

Now, like you said, if you want to avoid hardware problem, better avoid risking a filter that extend higher than the audible range. The only point where I don't fully agree is the "best case, it just does nothing" because it's right from the same "hardware" point of view, but from what you hear (and depending on the content of what you're listening), the filter has not a impact in frequency response, but also in the time domain, and it's not only a measurement of impulse response that is different, you can hear it difference between some filters

I tested it on a DAC, and could ABX between some filters (not between all), and after finding the one I prefered and the worst in my taste, I measured the same recording done with each filter, and guess what, one I like was not the "perfect filter", but once comparing to the original track with DeltaWave, it was one of the two best results with less difference with the original than with 5 other filters, including one looking more like a "perfect filter"

So the filter question might be more complicated than what we thought or how we are used to describe it
 
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Short38

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Is there a setting in the 400ES which allows the gain setting for balanced output to be changed from +2db ? Just curious the dac works fine with the “default” setting. Thanks for any input.
 

Swissfish

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Well, since SMSL does not give me a solution to the sound distortions that occur in this DAC, I will return it to the seller tomorrow. It hasn't been a pleasure. This speaks very badly of the brand to me.
Bye bye D400Es.
So did you end up finding out if a firmware update was ever provided for the d400es? I'm about to purchase one and for 100 more I can get a used ex... Thoughts?
 
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Entonces, ¿terminaste averiguando si alguna vez se proporcionó una actualización de firmware para la d400es? Estoy por comprar uno y por 100 más puedo conseguir un ex usado... ¿Pensamientos?
Hola.
Lamento contestarte tarde pero finalmente devolví el DAC porque no soportaba el ruido y SMSL nunca se hizo cargo, menos mal que hice la compra a través de Amazon que me devolvió el dinero sin problemas. No lo recomiendo.
 

Swissfish

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No updates for the ES. It's smsl bastard stepchild and they hope it ends up tossed with the bathwater. Ended up sending it back and got the pro. Same thing btw lol. Thank God for Amazon. Also factory store ended up giving me 10% back on top so I got a pro for 500 pre tax
 
Last edited:
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No updates for the ES. It's smsl bastard stepchild and they hope it ends up tossed with the bathwater. Ended up sending it back and got the pro. Same thing btw lol. Thank God for Amazon. Also factory store ended up giving me 10% back on top so I got a pro for 500 pre tax
Hello.
What do you mean by the "pro"?
 

Swissfish

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The S.M.S.L D400 pro. It is essentially the exact same unit as the D400EX except it only has one 4499 as opposed to two and it's $300 less expensive. Given that it retails for around $750 but you can find good deals out there... The difference is only measurable with equipment and it's negligible at best. Its completely inaudible and just a numbers game between ex and pro.

Here is a very detailed and fantastic review for it in a different style than we find here on the forum

 

RichB

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The S.M.S.L D400 pro. It is essentially the exact same unit as the D400EX except it only has one 4499 as opposed to two and it's $300 less expensive. Given that it retails for around $750 but you can find good deals out there... The difference is only measurable with equipment and it's negligible at best. Its completely inaudible and just a numbers game between ex and pro.

Here is a very detailed and fantastic review for it in a different style than we find here on the forum

I read the review until the author mentioned that his favorite format was MQA. Too bad he did not say this earlier, it would have saved me some time.

- Rich
 

Swissfish

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I read the review until the author mentioned that his favorite format was MQA. Too bad he did not say this earlier, it would have saved me some time.

- Rich
Definitely shilling that for sure but a good review if you can get over his poor taste in format lol. His DSD and PCM deeper dives were great.
 

Swissfish

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I'd zoned our by the time he wrote " over revealing"
Lol. Did you at least make it to when he talked about the naive bypass. I mean he's def no amir but it was informational to me so I shall stand on my hill until i can stand no more .

On a side note y'all are brutal and it's hilarious
 
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