This SMSL DAC will WOW you
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- Опубліковано 4 лип 2024
- SMSL D400 Pro DAC goes for $619 and this is my review. Read my written reviews with scores at iiwireviews.com/
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SMSL D400 Pro: shorturl.at/lryE1
D70 Pro Octo: shorturl.at/uwNT1
00:00 About D400 Pro
02:09 Sound
04.34 vs SMSL SU-9 Ultra
07:17 vs Topping D70 Pro Octo
10:04 Final Thoughts
Follow me on Instagram for behind the scene stuff: / iiwireviews
Room test system:
Eversolo DMP-A6: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DEh...
Gustard R26 DAC: bit.ly/3XLyNCF
Acoustic Invader AMP and PREAMP (Fulcrum version): acousticinvader.com/
Spirit Wind Speakers: • High End 2-way speaker...
Head-Fi:
Aune S17 Pro: amzn.to/3u2O6gu
Verum 1: www.verum-audio.com/store
Goldplanar GL2000: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DkW...
AKG K702: amzn.to/3TSlnUF
#hifi #audiophile #dac #stereo - Наука та технологія
Loving the new design and interface update! Great coverage as always!
Great review as always ! By the way
I noticed that the most important thing is not the characteristics of the chips but the quality of the power supply of the device. This is what gives “weight” to the music and expands the sound space.
Detailed nuanced review as always. Thank you. I was also impressed that you never once made a mistake in reciting the tiresome names given to these dacs. Since SMSL and Topping release so many dacs, they should change their naming schemes to make them easier to say and distinguish (Topping…TD1, TD2….;SMSL…SD1, SD2…). Boring yes, but also easy.
since list kind of enough/sufficient for reference i can relax now
i wont add another comparison since thatll make list a text wall and harder to read, thats for people to measure on their own considerations
SMSL does good work. I settled on the VMV D1se and couldn't be happier. Detailed with a very natural tonality.
Bingo !!!! I have a D1SE also and the M400 and can't decide the "Winner".....
I have this from day 1 they released it in the US. It sounds really good and aesthetically pleasing. I have no regret buying it.
Good afternoon from Toronto 🍕
Great video …seems that there’s not enough of a difference in the range of DAC’s .
May you and yours enjoy the Christmas 🎄 season .
Another detailed, interesting and honest review. You're one of the VERY few reviewers without an agenda, and it's really appreciated 😁😁😁. I'm really happy to be a patreon! 👍😁👍
Seems like every new DAC is better than the last. In my 50 year hifi 'career' there have been very few major improvements in sound quality delivered by today's 'flavour of the month' products. I think back to my Dual CS501 turntable/ Trio KA1033 amp and Videoton Minimax speakers and the musical enjoyment it delivered and genuinely wonder whether there has been much progress beyond the marketing hype.
The more hype, the faster the manufacturers will push out revision after revision so they can achieve better numbers on their spec sheet/ASR's list of best performing converters and send out more units to UA-camrs for marketing purposes.
Eventually people are going to realize that the real bottleneck is the output level - using a professional balanced output stage calibrated to -20dbFS for a +4dbU reference level with a high supply voltage will do more for noise floor performance than optimizing the DAC chip itself. But of course, manufacturers don't want to invest in that. It's about gain staging. Hifi world doesn't recognize this as much as studio world. Stage your gain properly and your SNR will always be optimized. Then you can properly identify weak links in your signal chain.
@@strangemobius yeah you got it all figured out, you know more than the HIFI experts.
Great review! It would be fine to test these DAC's integrated preamp as well.
Informative. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you very much for the excellent review. This DAC can be an excellent choice if you have, for example, a DDC or streamer with I2S output, because in my experience, the I2S connection will result in an improvement in the sound that will certainly surpass the SU9 ULTRA and the D70 PRO OCTO.
I have the Octo for about a week now. And I like it very much.
You are right, SMSL is insane, their models just keep on coming... They just released the new SU-X that used dual ES9039MSPRO, dual transformer linear PSU and new family design language too😅
older dacs is fine, older players arent, they (ffdshow, klite mpc) sound badly obsolete
keep updating the software/s and your desktop will improve, theyre free
Does the DAC cones with streamer?
@@ZEN_X999 No
I like the tv size comparison. Nice visual. How does the preamp function sound when connected to an amp?
Sorry for the unrelated question, but ive been curious for a while when you'll have a video about your DIY tube DAC?
Nice video! Very helpfully
Another DAC of the week. Quality over quantity I say. Appreciate your reviews but would love to see smaller manufacturers or less chip DAC coverage. Audio Mirror, Aqua, Merason, Metrum etc. Thanks for what you do and happy holidays.
smsl is getting better, looking forward for the PS200 cs player review
Hi, I have the Beyerdynamic DT 700 pro x that I really like, it has a neutral and balanced sound for a closed headphone. I'm looking for a DAC to exploit its full potential because at the moment I'm using it connected to an elgato wave XLR. Which DAC would you recommend with a maximum budget of around $250? I like my DT 700 pro x but I just find that it lacks a little of dynamics, soundstage and airiness, what DAC could counterbalance these shortcomings? Thank you for your work and your videos, greetings from france
Thanks for your recommendation of the two song. How would you comment on SMSL VMV D1SE with D400 Pro series? cos VMV D1SE do come with NORA Tel transformer.. would it be make the differences? Or we shouldnt be comparing it since it use different chip dac? thanks again for your sharing.,
To make it easy for us there is a D400 ES, D400 EX and a D400 Pro (this one)
Please review new topping d90 iii and smsl d400ex. Both of this will be good comparison which got 2 ess3039pro chip and got 2 akm4499ex chip.
@iiWiReviews, is Pure DAC mofe a thing anymore? Would a comparison on Pure DAC mode yield any differences?
Good afternoon ☕️
Listening.
love the look of it
Hello my friend. How would you compare it to the Chord Mojo 2?
What is the best streamer to coonect with this device. Standalone Gustard A26 is enough or more needed?
I compared the D400 Pro vs the D70 OPTO directly, in my system the D400 Pro was a much better sounding DAC VS OPTO, The OPTO was not as detailed, seemed to laid back in my system.
I would OPT for OCTO.
Great review as always.
Now a days mid dac are good really.
How the topping d70 pro compare to smsl su10?
There is a review about it in this channel. You can find it there.
@@AttilaBalla87 yea found it thnx
Excellent
Please keep in mind, if you don't adjust volume to be absolutely the same using a multimeter, and you are just using your hearing, the comparisons are not worth a penny.
Hi which one would you prefer-SMSL D400PRO or Gustard A26. Please do also let me know the reasons if possible. Thanks in Advance.
Hi, thanks for your review. But speaking about smsl su-10, do you think It Is still Better then these others here? Is It a good choice at 800€ now? Or Is Better a new cheaper DAC?
SU-10 is better. Both D70 pros, Mojo 2,etc. are snapping at its heels, but SU-10 is still my personal favorite up to 1000.
@@iiWiReviews thank you. And buon Natale!!
In my country, Topping D7 pro OCTO costs 600$. SMSL D400 - 370$. EASY choice for me, I'll go for SMSL
How does it compare to gustard ah90?
I totally adore the new Gustard Audalytic AH90 which I believe gives you 80% of what the Gustard A26 does at 1/3rd the price. The AH90 does great instrumental separation, and sound stage and does not flatten the images like most of the DACs in the under 600. The Audalytic does not have an I2S outlet and does not have Bluetooth, but it does have Ethernet and Wi-Fi so it connects to internal systems.
As a professional musician I love the AH90 which is also warmer than Sigma DACs and more livelöy the Rohm machines.
I love mine. I will listen to your observations and try a listening test. I thing the Audalytic AH90 is the unit to beat.
What would interest me is the hear you compare the Gustard Audalytic AH90 to the more expensive Aune c9s. That is probably a fair comparison.
Have you got the SMSL H400 yet? The matching headphone amp for this DAC.
Hi...what would you suggest for a music studio..ie..looking for the unflattering, objective sound, simply reflecting what the actual sound is.. TIA
I don't know what sort of inputs and outputs you need but this one is pretty good, resolving and tonally uncolored. Topping D70 Pro Octo that was mentioned in the video is another strong competitor too.
@@iiWiReviews Thanks for the prompt reply..will investigate your choices
I would take the d6s over the d400 and d70 pro sabre and invest the extra money other places.
Hello, can you compare between the smsl 400 pro and the aune s9c pro. As in my country the aune is cheaper than the smsl. I’m interest which one will you choose in terms of the sound
They are practically equal in performance. I would just go for the more affordable one in your case.
@@iiWiReviews Thank you for your review and once again thx for the quick reply
The SMSL SU-9 Ultra is $200 AUD less expensive. Worth it?
How does it compare to the Topping E70 Velvet which has the same DACs?
If you go to the SMSL SU-9 Ultra review, there's a section dedicated to how it compares to E70 velvet. This one sounds exactly the same as Ultra so you can just copy paste all of that.
@@iiWiReviewsCheers, will do 👍🏼
Question for those smarter than me about audio setups- could I use this DAC for a 2.1 desktop setup using active speakers (Kali LP6 V2’s and Klipsch 12” Synergy sub) running the XLR outputs to the Kali’s and the RCA outputs to the Klipsch sub?
I am using Ifi Neo DAC in a 2.1 desktop setup >> Focal Solo6 active speaker and SVS SB-1000 sub. I guess that SMAL D400 Pro DAC would work fine as well with its integrated preamp.
@@joshomassai2483 would any DAC that has XLR/RCA outputs work? I thought I read somewhere that the DAC needed to have some sort of low pass filter.. The sub has a built-in low pass filter though and RCA inputs, so I got confused.. I don’t want to spend a bunch of money on something I don’t need
Yes, the low pass filter is in the active sub. You can set this filter to your active loudspeaker's low end. Question is if the DAC sends the signal to XLR and RCA output at the same time? Ifi Neo works this way.
Thank you for the great review! I had to choose between this one and SU-10 not so long ago, and I preferred SU-10. It was only 15% pricier, so I took it. But D400 Pro in silver looks nicier as for me))
The D400 PRO looks cool and the filling there is separate power supply for analog and digital.👍
The SU 9 ULTRA does not have a good design, it looks like a cheap box.👎
Would you say that the d70 pro SABRE is still lusher and richer? Im interested in the pure performance and dynamics of the pro sabre, but Ive tried the topping d50 and im really quite scared the d70 pro sabre will be too clinical and deathly cold. Thanks
D50 is probably the worst balanced, most analytical and sharp sounding DAC that Topping ever produced. I never liked it. D70 pro Sabre is a very different story, night and day in comparison to D50. And it sounds slightly richer than this SMSL.
@@iiWiReviews Thank you
Have you listened to the SMSL D1SE2?
I haven't heard it.
Srboljub Thank you for posting.
Left field comparison with a Chord Mojo 2?
Mojo 2 sounds tonally richer and also more revealing.
I totally adore the new Gustard Audalytic AH90 which I believe gives you 80% of what the Gustard A26 does at 1/3rd the price. The AH90 does great instrumental separation, and sound stage and does not flatten the images like most of the DACs in the under 600. The Audalytic does not have an I2S outlet and does not have Bluetooth, but it does have Ethernet and Wi-Fi so it connects to internal systems.
As a professional musician, I love the AH90.
I love mine. I will listen to your observations and try a listening test. I think the Audalytic AH90 is the unit to beat.
What would interest me is the hear you compare the Gustard Audalytic AH90 to the more expensive Aune c9s. It is more money but I don't think it will be better. It is also 300 more money
Thanx! How do these DACs compare to the Aune X8 XVIII with Sparcos op-amp as you reviewed earlier?
I don't have that DAC anymore for a direct comparison, but going out of the memory it would be a close call. Aune/Sparkos has great deteil retrieval but slightly colder tonality. So I think that tonality and system matching would mean a lot.
Try Geshelli J2S with AKM 4499 + Sparkos SS2590 on single ended or Sparkos SS3602 on the balanced😉😉😉😉😉😉😉
@@iiWiReviews Thanks! I happened to run across the Aune for 200 €, so even with the sparkos it is still less than half price.
@@giulianof8687 Geshelli sadly don't ship to Sweden 😞
@@manserlandson1793
Nooooooooooooo
Sibilant? Listening fatigue?
I can't use the I2S output from Douk Audio USB DDC to my current DAC because left and right channels are reversed. So having the I2S input on the D400 Pro with the ability to swap the channels makes worth considering.
@@johnm3544 I would cross the left and right analog out from my DAC to my amp if the I2S input was the only one I used. The optical out from the DDC is still a difference maker, so that is acceptable for now.
@@johnm3544 I haven't done a proper A/B test, but I didn't notice a significant difference between the I2S and the optical outputs. That Douk DDC is only about $65 retail. So I wouldn't expect sophisticated I2S clocking. But overall it does make a difference compared to using the USB input directly on my DAC.
Have u tested Geshelli Labs J2?
Wow
Is it better than the RME ADI2?
No it's not. It's not far behind however.
@@iiWiReviews thanks!
Какой лучше ? Smsl su9 pro или D400 pro?
Very close but SU-9 pro has slightly better deteil retrieval.
♥
Just when I thought there is no more different SMSL DAC model available for review…..
Get ready, new SU-X is coming on)))
How can lusher sound be more revealing?
For example tone harmonics and tone decay are both deteils in the recording that make sound lusher once they're added to crisp edges. DAC that can do only edges can appear clean but it is actually less revealing and informative.
I never buy a DAC that only have optical in.
The best sound is through optical, that's why I only buy DAC that also have optical out to a amplifier (power or integrated).
Optical out? Do you mean Toslink? It's digital, so how can it be connected to amplifier? You need a DAC to convert digital signal to analog one, that amplifier can use.
@@Revan83 Many new amplifiers has optical in, I use a digital integrated amplifier with my DAC, but many new normal amplifiers is also build with optical in.
@@michau_12 never saw one like that. In fact, they myst have their own DAC to convert digital signal to analog. So this make external DAC useless. I have new headphone amp Aune S17 Pro, and it has analog inputs only.
Give him Darwin Award , lol
SMSL is getting ridiculous now... Another mid range dac?! With no substantial upgrades/ innovation. (yes, a new UI but that's it) Please smsl, use rohm chips or include trigger in/ out, add mids tone Control(like The sa400) and hdmi arc, or add dsp/ peq/ some sort of room correction, or a streamer, an improved preamp section, something! Or just improve the rest of your gear. I for once would like to see a new and/or improved sa400, sabaj a30 pro or a2. A new/ improved a1 would also be great. And maybe a streamer, a usb dongle dac, a fully featured amp (with a high pass filter that existed in the a300, a surround mode that existed in other of their units, balanced, trigger in, etc.), a portable amp or dac/amp, etc. There's so much options, why this obsession with mid range dacs? I wonder if this actually means they're making serious money with all of these units.
Well, better more than less. So we are able to choose from)).
@@Revan83 i actually gave up trying to choose. I'm confused. So i'll try to find something else or just wait till they actually do something a bit different.
@@JoseFerreira-zb7wh SU-X that just have been announced must be a monster))
Is this a streamer also ?
It's not. You could take a look at this one instead ua-cam.com/video/N4wvEDk4AqQ/v-deo.htmlsi=cPSmTBxp2nT0v5QJ
Sorry, but where is the „Wow“?
This DAC has been in the market for some time, it's not a new release.
But is it worth it? ))
@@Revan83 there so many reviews on YT just dial in to any one. AK4993 DAC gives you a neutral sound like most AK chipset, this latest chip is more expensive than the AK4991 which belongs to the previous generation but good enough for and much cheaper. I bought the Topping E30 II which has this chipset cost less than US$200
@@yttean98 I referred to name of this channel, "Is it worth it reviews")) And chip is only one part of many in the DAC that have influence of sound quality. Maybe even not biggest. Two DACs with one chip inside can sound very different.
@@Revan83 Many DAC reviewers noted and commented the differences between DAC of different brands with the same chipset their sound differences are ONLY marginal very difficult to hear the differences only if you A B them one after the other in the same system.
whereas DACs with different chipset than the difference is more noticeable even then the differences are not huge.
Really it is up to individuals what is important to them. Cost or money no object sound quality, for me I can afford a US$1000 DAC I would not buy, why, reason: 5-10years ago a $1000 DAC then is so obsolete now.
@@yttean98 well, I had a 600$ DAC\AMP named Daart Aquila 2. It has 9038PRO chipset too, just like SU-10. But Aquila 2 uses only 2 channels of this chip instad of 8 as SU-10 does, and does not have 21 OP-amps like installed in SU-10. As a result, sound difference is like night and day. SU-10 sounds much more spacious and dynamic, with more bass punch and weight. Detail revealing is no comparision too. No way I go back on 600$ DACs))
a lot of smsl these days 😅 you need to source some real dac to fell some life and love like singxer sda-6 pro 😊
It is recycled aluminum😂