Raw POWER!! S.M.S.L SA400 Stereo Speaker Amplifier Review

The S.M.S.L SA400 is a surprisingly powerful stereo speaker amplifier. If you have some power hungry speakers definitely check this out! 😁
#smsl #amplifier #audiophile
Click ❤️ Thanks above ☝🏾to highlight your question and show support to the channel🙏🏾
0:00 Introduction
1:38 Specs
1:44 Design
3:19 DAC Needed
4:14 The Fan
5:10 Power Handling
7:24 Sound Quality
10:32 EQ Modes
11:44 Final Thoughts
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S.M.S.L DA-9 Review: • A Nice Little Stereo A...
Arendal Sound 1723S Review: • Need a Theater Experie...
Klipsch RP-150M Review: • Klipsch RP-150M Review
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If you want to purchase the SA400 or anything else use these links:
SMSL SA400 (AMP) - bit.ly/3RwZAz5
SMSL M400 (DAC) - bit.ly/3UWFL76
SMSL DA-9 (AMP) - bit.ly/3xOZcnt
SMSL SU-9 (DAC) - bit.ly/3xNGUTD
Topping D90SE - bit.ly/3OAmuoX
Topping A90 - bit.ly/3xPB2er
Headphones
HIFIMAN Arya - bit.ly/3vE8ge2
HIFIMAN Sundara - bit.ly/333OF94
HIFIMAN Ananda - bit.ly/2Hhzlhk
Apos Caspian - bit.ly/3FIpYkg
Dan Clark Audio AEON 2 Closed Headphone - bit.ly/3arv31u
Meze Audio 99 Classics Closed Back Headphone - bit.ly/31TPkZJ
In Ear Monitors
Moondrop Starfield In-Ear Monitor (IEM) Earphone - bit.ly/2E1UHhe
Moondrop Blessing 2 In-Ear Monitor (IEM) Earphone - bit.ly/3iCzKIA
Tin Audio T2 In-Ear Monitor (IEM) Earphone - bit.ly/3iH7AMF
Accessories & Cables
Apos Flow Cable - bit.ly/32PJWv2
Fanmusic C006 Female-Male Balanced HiFi Cable - bit.ly/3kKMGxX
Fanmusic J6 Cocobolo Wood Headphone Stand - bit.ly/2PWmVNb
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Links to my home theater setup
Front Left/Right: Klipsch RP-260F - amzn.to/2MaM8An
Center: Klipsch RP-440C - amzn.to/2Jy8v0E
Surrounds: Klipsch RP-150M - amzn.to/2kZN8eo
Atmos Speakers: Energy Take Classics 5.1 - Purchase amzn.to/2l0ubbs
Subwoofer: Hsu Research VTF-2 MK5 - Review • HSU Research VTF-2 MK5...
Speaker Wire: Monoprice Access Series 12 AWG CL2 Rated 2 Conductor - amzn.to/2y4btcT
AV Receiver: Denon AVR-X4400H - amzn.to/2JuznyM
External Amplifier: Monoprice Monolith 7 - amzn.to/2ZXrTvu
4K UHD BluRay Player Panasonic UB820 - amzn.to/3bGwOcc
Television: LG C1 77" - amzn.to/3O8ZVqe
TCL 55" 6 Series - 55 Inch: amzn.to/2QUvKsN
Projector Screen: Elite Screens Yard Master 2 -amzn.to/3iObztN
Valencia Theater Seats- us.valenciatheaterseating.com...
Television Stand: Z-Line Flat Panel 3 in 1 TV Mount System - amzn.to/2Lys9N0
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1. Patreon: / hometheaterhobby
2. Amazon Affiliate: amzn.to/2JD0wmx
3. Paypal: paypal.me/hometheaterhobbyist
4. HTH Merchandise: teespring.com/stores/home-the...
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[@johnd7268]

Great video! I just came across your channel yesterday searching for reviews of the Monolith/Emotiva amplifiers. Great comparison video! I’ve been watching other videos of yours. As others have said, your delivery of content is very well thought out. I feel like this video confirms my impressions of my recently purchased SMSL AO200 paired with the DO200 MKII, balanced. Very clean and dynamic sound! Just added the Cayin Mini-CD MK2 so that I could listen to my collection of older CD’s. It’s like listening to them for the first time!

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Nice!!! Thanks for watching the videos! Sorry I’m late responding to this but it’s been a busy week 😁

[@droidzhunterz6861]

Man that Arendal is just mighty

[@RoyFJ65]

This amp manages to push my NS1000Ms with no coloration and with similar authority like my regular Yamaha PC2002m and MX-1 amps, both rated for 200W rms. I run it in direct mode, truly impressed with the pffb technology in this amplifier.

[@TerryWindell]

Great video - very helpful. I have to ask...what background track are you playing? I absolutely love the cool jazz vibe!

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Thanks! The song is called "Sleepy + Hungry" by Baegel. I found it on Epidemic Sound. Hopefully that helps. 😁

[@TerryWindell]

@@HomeTheaterHobbyist Thank you! I'm always on the lookout for cool new grooves.

[@peterseaman9542]

Great video Cody thanks. Can anyone please help me ? - I am confused. Is the SMSL SA400 a power amplifier (that works best connected to a pre-amplifier like my Topping Pre90) or is the SMSL SA400 an 'integrated' amplifier that can be connected directly to a source like a DAC ? It is advertised as a 'power' amplifier but seems more like an integrated ? Thank you, Peter.

[@kiskez8640]

Nice review... Will you recommend this for a pair kef q150?

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Yes, it would work with the q150s

[@Mikeymikemike]

Hi Cody, thank you for the review! I’m thinking of getting many of the products you recommend. Do you know how this amp behaves in terms of volume control if I connect it to a streamer like a blue sound node? Ideally I want to just set the volume on the SMSL to what I consider is max and control the rest via the node. So opposite to your use. Can I use it like a power amplifier box and just set it and forget? And does it have a standby mode or does it always run hot?

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

I don’t remember if you can use the volume control on your processor once this is set to a level. I think that will work but don’t quote me. It does have a standby mode. It does run hot, always so be aware. Thanks for watching the videos!

[@Mikeymikemike]

@@HomeTheaterHobbyist much appreciated! Thank you!

[@vinylmonster4907]

Thanks for this. I'm curious if you have any information about the SMSL AO300 released Sept. 2023? Has both USB and HDMI with front headphone jacks. There is no information about it on KZbin.

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

No, I don' t have any info on the A0300.

[@vinylmonster4907]

@@HomeTheaterHobbyist The AO300 was released in September 2023, its the newest SMSL DAC/AMP and there are literally no reviews on youtube...NONE!

[@kaylumstubblefield]

👍🏾🤗👍🏾

[@Pentenfi]

SDB is SMSL's version of a loudness button if I am not mistaken

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Thanks 🙏🏾

[@Dan_______________nnnn]

Great review, Cody! I like your subjective opinions because I've seen enough of your videos to think that I understand what you mean when you describe things. If you are looking for some more objective data, the folks over at the Audio Science Review forums took some measurements of this amplifier. In short, the amplifier does meet its power and distortion claims. I'm not sure how useful the XLR inputs are because the amp digitizes the analog inputs, so I probably wouldn't use this with a high end DAC, but use a digital source instead to avoid an extra conversion. I think it's a bit overpriced for what it is, but if you need a lot of power in a very small size then maybe you'll be willing to pay a little more. It also looks great. Love your videos! Keep it up!

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Thanks for commenting, I’ll take a look at the audio science review. I’m working to add more measured data to my videos in a way that’s easy to understand. It’s a work in progress so we’ll see how it goes. 🙂

[@Dan_______________nnnn]

@@HomeTheaterHobbyist Measurements are only half the story. I think hearing the opinions of someone who's listened to a lot of systems and knows how to listen critically is just as important. It also helps to know what features are more and less useful since these products are getting more and more features over time.

[@brandonstroud5148]

Yes! I would use a travel case.

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

😁😁

[@youngworld6646]

Can I use this to run sound from tv to speakers without using a receiver or preamp?

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Maybe, if your tv has RCA audio out then you can connect it. Just make sure you go into the tv’s audio menu and select the correct audio output.

[@o.c.g.m9426]

Hey brotha. Love your channel, but played a video you did 3 yrs ago reviewing the Emotiva A500. Great review but since then it seems you purposefully lightened your video voice & you shaved the facial hair. Any particular reason ?

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Hi! Thanks for coming back and checking out the videos! I don't think I've lightened my voice but I have changed the cadence, some folks said I talked to fast in the earlier videos 😁. I have changed mics since the earlier videos so that maybe a little different. I decided to shave the beard just because at some point I'll probably grow it back.

[@linkingaj]

Watch "Fight Club" join "Fight Club" and stop buying shit you don't need!