SMSL D400EX DAC Review - Beautify HiFi

My written review can be found here: soundnews.net/sources/dacs/sm...
Get the D400EX (1): hifi-express.com/products/sms...
Get the D400EX (2): apos.audio/products/smsl-d400...
Video Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
00:45 - Design & Build Quality
01:59 - Controls
02:33 - Tech Inside it
03:53 - Sound Performance
06:23 - D400EX in a stereo setup
07:58 - Resolution & Transparency
09:38 - Transient Response
11:25 - Soundstage
12:53 - Bass
13:49 - Midrange
14:31 - Treble
15:02 - D400EX Versus SU10
15:15 - My Conclusions
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📷 / soundnews.net_
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Desktop headphones I’m using:
🎧 Hifiman Susvara: bit.ly/3a39pm2
🎧 Hifiman HE1000SE: bit.ly/3gwkXRW
🎧 Hifiman Arya Stealth: bit.ly/3HORBss
🎧 Audeze LCD-5: bit.ly/3nb5KbD
🎧 Audeze LCD-4: bit.ly/35LFYAK
🎧 Kennerton Rognir: bit.ly/3zD1IxT
🎧 Meze Elite: bit.ly/3RPojys
🎧 Erzetich Phobos V2021: bit.ly/3HMWBhf
🎧 Sennheiser HD800S: amzn.to/3T5FX2J
🎧 Sendy Peacock: bit.ly/3EyZxQf
🎧 Apos Caspian: bit.ly/3nab1QO
Wireless headphones I’m using:
🎧 Sennheiser Momentum 4: amzn.to/3CodrCc
🎧 Sony WH1000XM5: amzn.to/3RUfQKu
🎧 Apple AirPods Max: amzn.to/3rGHQqr
IEMs I’m using:
👂 7Hz Timeless: bit.ly/3q7RNgm
👂 Meze Rai Penta: bit.ly/3j2EhVa
👂 FiiO FH9: bit.ly/3zSWka5
👂 FiiO FH7S: bit.ly/3fYOgi9
👂 FiiO FD7: bit.ly/3nEqw4h
Loudspeakers I’m using:
🔊 KEF Reference 3: amzn.to/3qZKbMm
🔊 Natural Sound NS17: bit.ly/2TuUXx3
🔊 Sound Of Eden Crescendo UNO: bit.ly/3f5jO1X
Integrated/Power Amps I’m using:
💪 Chord Electronics Ultima 5: amzn.to/3CLWVxi
💪 Burson Timekeeper 3X GT: amzn.to/3Ext5hm
💪 Benchmark AHB2: amzn.to/37jcR9M
💪 Topping LA90: bit.ly/3SPThbj
Best DACs I tried so far (in no particular order):
🥇 Gustard R26 Discrete: bit.ly/3TemlZP
🥇 Gustard X26 PRO: bit.ly/2ORB7Ko
🥇 Chord Electronics DAVE: amzn.to/3Tbs2aY
🥇 Denafrips Terminator Plus: bit.ly/3rLr35m
🥇 Rockna Wavelight: bit.ly/3hD33xl
🥇 Audiobyte HydraVox: bit.ly/2VXJjZM
🥇 Musician Aquarius: bit.ly/2U9qwwT
🥇 Matrix Audio Element X2: bit.ly/3Eryerb
🥇 Matrix Audio X-Sabre 3: bit.ly/34oBFyG
🥇 SMSL VMV D2: bit.ly/3q9lIF7
Best Mid-Fi DACs:
🥈 Gustard X18: bit.ly/3CMcJ2W
🥈 Gold Note DS-10 Plus: bit.ly/3f7pYie
🥈 Topping D90SE: bit.ly/3gC5FcO
🥈 Musician Pegasus: bit.ly/2OvCOgn
🥈 Matrix Mini-i Pro 3: bit.ly/3t97FkN
🥈 SMSL SU-10: bit.ly/3Eq9jEm
🥈 SMSL VMV D1SE: bit.ly/3nbaTjT
🥈 SMSL M500 MKIII: bit.ly/3yvztl8
🥈 Soncoz SGD1: bit.ly/36IUQ5r
Best Entry-Level DACs:
🥉 Gustard X16: bit.ly/3SQr6ZL
🥉 Topping D30 PRO: bit.ly/3taPWcE
🥉 Topping E50: bit.ly/3q9e6CE
🥉 Topping D10S: bit.ly/3r1hWNh
🥉 SMSL DO200 MKII: bit.ly/3elkZO4
🥉 SMSL SU-9N: bit.ly/32U7qj3
🥉 Soncoz LA-QXD1: bit.ly/3gf8ONt
Best DAC + Headphone Amp combos:
🎶 Burson Conductor 3X GT: amzn.to/2xcfSKx
🎶 FiiO K9 PRO: bit.ly/3ejKRd3
🎶 Topping DX7 PRO+: bit.ly/3rH6siH
🎶 xDuoo XA-10: bit.ly/39UsS7K
Best Headphone amps:
💣Trafomatic Primavera: bit.ly/3Co8wAZ
💣Trafomatic Head2: bit.ly/3VdNrC1
💣Enleum AMP-23R: bit.ly/3CV2QQN
💣Ferrum OOR + Hypsos: bit.ly/3tbjNSn
💣Burson Soloist 3X GT: bit.ly/3q7nrus
💣Flux Lab Acoustics Volot: bit.ly/3fJegep
💣Benchmark HPA4: bit.ly/2xb6hn5
💣Sparkos Labs Aries: bit.ly/2xcOps1
💣SMSL SP400: bit.ly/3sAUEO2
💣Topping A90 Discrete: bit.ly/2YBwCnZ
💣Singxer SA-1: bit.ly/3eI6aCC
Best USB Dongles & Bluetooth DAC/Amps & Portable DAC/Amps:
📱 Chord Mojo2: amzn.to/3fWXYkM
📱 FiiO BTR7: bit.ly/3fJUhij
📱 Shanling UA5: bit.ly/3yuksQR
📱 xDuoo Poke II: bit.ly/3CIewWO
📱 Topping G5: bit.ly/3Evjs2p
Best DAPs:
🎵 FiiO M17: bit.ly/34pgo84
🎵 FiiO M11 Plus: bit.ly/3Ew0l8K
🎵 Shanling M9: bit.ly/3r4swDh
🎵 Shanling M7: bit.ly/3I9rldH
🎵 Shanling M6 Ultra: bit.ly/3RXGsKQ
🎵 Hiby RS6: bit.ly/3t9mUKw
🎵 Hiby RS5 MKII: bit.ly/3KSqiyE
🎵 Hiby RS2: bit.ly/3EgakPb
These are my honest opinions in different categories. Some of them are affiliated links that help me manage this KZbin channel at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
#SMSL #dac #review

[@user-bp7cl9fy8t]

Твое произношение стало гораздо лучше, чем раньше

[@user-yk7op7eu4z]

Author, please tell me how this dac compares to ares 2?Thanks

[@gfsanches1]

Great review. What about D400ES? I heard that it is close to this even with Sabre chip

[@6DarkKnight9]

Hi Sandu, how does the D400EX fare against Ares2? I am looking for a chip based dac around the same price range as the Ares2

[@user-yk7op7eu4z]

У вас есть ares2?и вам он не нравится?зачем тогда искать dac на чипе?

[@mehmetcamat4458]

How would you compare it to gustard A26 since they both use the same dual AKM chip

[@mehmetcamat4458]

can you review Weiss DAC204 by any chance

[@dimamircea]

Super review-uri, multumim. Ai idee cum pot conduce semnal MQA dintr-un streamer cu iesire coax si optical intr-un DAC care poate prelua semnal MQA numai pe USB? Multumesc frumos.

[@TheTastefulThickness]

Is he romanian?

[@dimamircea]

@@TheTastefulThickness Probably, Sandu as he calls himself is a Romanian short from Alexandru, his English souns "Romanian" as well, but who knows?

[@TheTastefulThickness]

@@dimamircea ah bine

[@nortech2415]

I have a Nad C298, can I use this as a preamp also? Is this a better option than Smsl M400? Dali Grand speakers.

[@ArthaxtaDaVince777]

You want to use a preamp as a preamp, why would you use a dac as a preamp, especially one as expensive as this.

[@buenahora001]

Hello! I saw your review last year on the VMV D2. Do you still recommend that DAC? I found a good deal on a used one (since it’s been discontinued) and wanted to get your opinions

[@Soundnews]

Hi Andrew, I think I read your question somewhere around here, sorry for not replying immediately (way too busy). If you already checked that video/article and you liked my description, then sure why not. D2 is still an awesome-sounding DAC and I find it slightly better than D400EX. If you can get it below $1K, then that's a great deal.

[@buenahora001]

@@Soundnews thank you! I did manage to find one for around 1k so I’m moving forward.

[@hermannschmidt9788]

The last two screws are hidden under the label on the bottom. Your impressions match mine well. I've been modding the DAC for a few months now and it can be tuned brighter with more intense treble. The capacitors at the switching regulators are the key. The "velvet sound" stays. This seems to be a trait of the AKM chips. Its basic character is on the smooth side with no frantic attention to the finest detail. The output stage consists of only 4 dual op amps. There is another one to convert the symmetrical signal to the RCA outputs.

[@joesmith4443]

What did you replace the switch caps with?

[@bunjidogg]

About the same price as Denafrips Ares 12. Which is nicer? Thanks.

[@Mestre_tainha]

Where does m500 mkiii stand between this one and SU-10 regarding sound signature?

[@kmwong1786]

Will you review the new announced hifiman closed back headphone?

[@Shozimus]

Good amount of information and comparison as usual :) Saldy can't listen do D400EX (need to buy it blind) since it is not available in my country in official dealership. Listened to the VMV D2 allready, and Im seariulsy considering it. Still waiting for an A26 audition (Gustard dealership is not the best here ). One quite unexpected competitor is an Audio GD R2R 1, extreamly smooth , had the lower model for some time, it was on par with M400 from smls. That said the DX400 review added a lot info, and will help with my final decision about my next purchase. Thanks :)

[@221298ale]

Thank you 🥰

[@nortech2415]

Any smsl dac in the same price range that would work better as preamp also?

[@mmorales508]

SMSL VMV D1se2 way way better than this and a little bit cheaper

[@JoseFerreira-zb7wh]

This looks a bit too pricey when looking at the harware used, an already used design, etc. In your opinion is this worth the extra cost over the m500 mkiii?(almost twice the price) Is it warmer/ smoother sounding? Also I'd like to have your opinion on Topping e70 velvet (uses the same akm chip) and smsl su-9 pro that uses a linear power supply, more opamps, etc. If you could review those, it would be greatly appreciated. 😀

[@iikatinggangsengii2471]

i once ask store staff abt that, he said yes, me, also yes but really depends, it wont magically turn cheap guitar into a limited ibanez if you know what i mean

[@JTB--]

I bought the SMSL SU-9 Pro about 3 months ago for a secondary set-up and now I just ignore any new SMSL DAC releases which seems to happen every few months. It's become DAC overload. All these SMSL DACS in the $500 to $1K are good.

[@justasimplefox]

Indeed, to many releases from these brands (SMSL, Topping and Gustard) They would better take their time and create something special + better finished + better components for a little more money. All these DACS have flaws, that's ok until a certain budget but from +/-1000$ and upwards it should be better.

[@Flavius7]

Is this better then Chord Dave? Just kidding, glad to see all those gorgeous toys in your possession. Your setups look more and more like a sound technology exposition.

[@topalofff]

Hi, Sandu! I think some Austrian audio microphone can level up sound in your videos. Seems that small one doesn't do the job. Like your reviews.

[@user-rx1vs6en2q]

Здравствуйте! Скажите пожалуйста, как вы считаете на сколько этот аппарат уступает в звучании gustard a 26. Отличаются ли в качестве и уровне подачи?

[@aRc11-11]

You aren't into vinyl are you? The middle is where music lives. A cheap delta-sigma I might like.

[@masterazlan6999]

Wow akm is back..Told u akm is just music pleasure..2nd bur burson 3rd cirrus logic then comes ess..later muse..oldies stuff..peace!

[@masterazlan6999]

Bur brown typo sory sir

[@ArthaxtaDaVince777]

​@@masterazlan6999 It''s ok, I will let you off with a warning this time. Don't make the same mistake again.

[@Jeipr]

You have to Add Rohm DACs also with the AKM and Ti Burrbrown sound

[@masterazlan6999]

Naa.. My current fav dac is conexant 31988 pure bal circiutories in 1 single chips yup they skip dual form factors.. ..Peace!

[@carlsitler9071]

They make a new dac every other day. My $110 Sanskrit 2 made music sound 50% better. I don't think I will spend $300 or $400 for 51% better.

[@clarice1001nights]

Is this a poor person's Gustard R26?

[@Soundnews]

Hi Clarice, it's more like poor man's Gustard A26. Musician Draco would be an affordable alternative to R26.

[@shh532]

@@Soundnews How far off the A26 is the D400EX? On paper they look quite similar with the same chips, albeit for a lot less... is that something very evident in comparison?

[@JoseFerreira-zb7wh]

@@Soundnews i from your reviews i actually thought regarding sound quality/ signature, the d400ex would be closer to r26, and a26 maybe closer to su-10.

[@kuzia1984]

@@JoseFerreira-zb7wh ignore him, he has no clue what he's talking about. You should take reviews such as this one with huge grains of salt, since he'll barely say anything negative about the product itself. He missed to attribute at least 2-3 minutes to each and every filter. He chose 1, called it "the best sounding to me" and carried on. Just another template review. To answer your question, sound wise, yes, you might think of this as poor man's R26. Component wise, it's more alike to A26 (obviously, with some cost cuts when compared to the Gustard).

[@clan_biblioteke]

SMSL HO 200 or Singxer sa-1 what do you recommend as a preamplifier. I have a Marantz 6006 amp and Klipsch RP500 M speakers. Thanks. I love your work!!!