SMSL M400 DAC Review

SMSL M400 DAC, TBR Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½

Pros: Clarity, Vivid Detail Sound Signature.
Cons: Price is a little too High.

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Video Timeline
0:00 Build Quality
1:38 Setting Menu
3:29 Sound Quality
10:39 Sound Sample

#SMSL M400

[friedenstaube]

Hi my Friend, then I want to try again and write about the incredible experience I've had in the last few days. I had the M400 for testing from Amozon for a few days. Two months ago I bought a media player with the Sabre Chip ESS9038, that only cost one sixth of the M400. My hifi system is priced around 6K with high-quality cabling of all components and line filter strip. The speakers are high quality with ribbon tweeters. The best in my System ist the musical paradies tube preamp with very good tubes from psvane. My amp is the FM300A Clone with fantastic Sound.
I connected the two DAC's to the preamp and could easily switch the sound between them and did this very intensively and often with the same song. What can I say, to my great astonishment I couldn't hear the slightest difference, not in the sound signature and the pronounced soundstage,
Every person also has a very subjective hearing and perceives music impulses differently, I know that.
I admire you all the more for being able to subtly hear differences between the different DACs. Unfortunately I can't do that and have just sent the M400 back to Amazon.
I only know the one tube DAC, also from Musical Paradise, which can improve my listening experience because it is also very creative and you can replace a lot of internal parts without having to do any soldering and also replace the four standard tubes with better quality ones. However, the standard price is 1.3K with Rasperry 64GB. Best Wishes for You - Dieter

[amellauren]

hi, i really like this honest review. Anyway my suggestion, if you can demo just half of the song in 2 segments, with and without the DAC. So we all can hear the difference. Thx

[uncletoma]

Cool review, imho the most important comparison is with is "cousin" (or, maybe better, step brother) Topping D90.
I'm trying bot ATM, and they are very different. Better and larger soundstage on M400, more "musical" is the Topping.
On Freddie Freeloader the piano notes are nice to listening on Topping, hard (too hard) to listening on M400.
Ok, Kind of blue is a damn masterpiece on musical terms, but on tech terms is really, really old.
With more modern album, on every genre - classical, jazz, rock, and so on - differences about effort on listening via M400 disappear quickly, but not it's amazing and large soundstage.
D90 is more confidential, such as a nightclub, with lesser soundstage, more details (not always), more pleasure on some songs. But it's fast, too, transparent, maybe more dynamic
I need ti find a DAC with both DAC's "For" and lesser "Again", a recap of qualities of both dac. Hard to find, i suppose, under 1000 bucks

[friedenstaube]

Thank you very much for your open information and so you won't never more hear from me again, I just thought you were a multi-interested HIFI Fan. Further best wishes for you Dieter.

[larsv]

Can't wait for the comparison between de last few DACs you reviewed. ;-)

[GAUDIOPHILE]

Really like your reviews and channel - I dropped the $32 for Grace Mahya at Dug SACD great recording this song is good but Sunny is the jam! Take care and keep up the good work!

[maxbruhn]

I was hoping you would elaborate on the MQA inputs for the SMSL 400. I understand it only works with USB. I would appreciate any feedback from the owners. Always enjoy your reviews!

[scor]

For me Audio Phase and I2S Mode are identical (if we talk about using a balanced output only). Unless they use some relays with Audio Phase, and in this case I2S looks preferable.

[jimgardner]

Hi. Are you and the KEF on the same level of floor? If so, it looks a little imposing.

I daydream a lot lately, about winning a lottery and - somehow - landing myself the same Denon integrated amp. :)

Really enjoying your channel.

[annelouisemendoza]

Love your channel. I'm torn between the D90 and the M400.

[mcjunior]

Hello my friend! Tks for this great review!!
I don't know if only I realized this, but I found you much more enthusiastic in the reviews of the D50 and the iFi NEO DSD ... I would even say that from the way you spoke, among the three, The M400 would be your last option ... in the same price range, I would appreciate it very much if you made a direct comparison between these 3, and with what types of electronics each one matches better ... do you intend to review the Denafrips ARES II r2r?

[net_news]

Great review!! What's the bookshelf speaker next to the KEF? Thanks!

[altisekizz]

i don’t get bluetooth signal, does anyone experienced the same issue?

[kins]

Does this dac work with 5.1 optical input? When i use optical out from LG CX into smsl m400 its not working ... am i doing something wrong?

[andresjimenezg]

Una pregunta yo compré el smsl 400 le actualize los controladores y ahora el USB no envía sonido del PC al dac la entrada USB ahora la reconoce como entrada de auriculares o entrada de parlantes si usted puede ayudarme a solucionar este problema se lo agradezco mucho

[olegpa]

Thanks for good review !!! Would like you compare it with topping d90. Of course with sound tests one by one.
Thanks

[zsoltf.]

Dear Tharbamar! I would be very interested to know what you think of the Soncoz SGD1. What is the sound quality of this DAC? What quality does it represent compared to this SMSL M400 or Loxjie D50? Are you going to have a review of the SGD1 DAC? Thank you in advance for your kind reply! Sincerely, Zsolt

[SVK]

Hi...Wht is opinion on Rotel A14 plus BW606 S2 AE, SMSL M400 or SU9 which one to prefer..I fell BW on harsher side, considering that which one will b good... Thanks

[johnnycmn]

Hello what about RCA output ? Is it as good as xlr output. I have su9 and RCA output are outstanding ! My choice ? Loxjie D50 or Topping d70s

[beslemeto]

Hey my friend.I love your work!You are very informative!Which DAC can you recommend me for up to 1000 bucks?Your opinion will be appreciated!Thanks!