SMSL DO400 Review, Best Buy SOTA DAC Under $500

[@csszabi8779]

I'm waiting for new flagship DAC of Topping. I hope they'll plan a D90 PRO soon . New design + linear power supply + AK4499EX DAC chips + AK4191 modulator. (Gustard A26 without streamer).

[@iScorpio1971]

just bougt a recently laund DAC/AMP from SMSL, the DO300EX only based on my previous listening experience on AKM DAC Chips, following the brands for years, and the prefered IO used on this package over their TOL SMSL DO400 DAC/AMP

[@D.E.E.P.Y.]

You can have a look at images of Topping DX9, that's the new to be released

[@D.E.E.P.Y.]

I have this device and I like it a lot. Using mainly for desktop headphone rig. Gets really warm in my opinion, good heater in winter.

[@Rascallucci]

Bought it. Couldn't use "no filter", I thought I was going to blow up my speakers as massive electrical interference immediately set in from my right speaker. I tried it 3 times with different CDs and same thing. Not sure why and what happened, but I am not doing it again. I settled for "linear fast" for PCM filter and "standard" for sound color. Overall, I would say the presentation is a little forward for my liking and with the color setting at "standard" it could sound a tad bright with some female vocals. You could change it to "rich 1" for example to damp it down a bit, but it will make the overall sound signature ever so slightly darker. But, I also listen to a lot of old jazz like John Coltrane, Oscar Peterson, Sonny Rollins, etc, so I don't mind that little bit of forwardness for that as it will seemingly give a little boost to the sound quality to these older recordings. But, for modern day much higher quality recordings, not so much. I am thinking perhaps I should have listened to you and tried the DO200 MKII first which is supposedly a little "more refined" as you described it. Furthermore, I am also wondering whether AKM chips is the way to go if you are after refinement. I understand there is now a SU-9 Ultra with AKM chips or the slightly more expensive D400 Pro also with AKM chips. I could see myself either trying the DO200 MKII or D400 Pro next.

[@iScorpio1971]

Great reviews an input. I'm looking into SMSL DO300EX Just because of preference between AKM DACs over SABER's... now days most likely ther's not much difference aldough I would like to have the oppportunity to A-B them, a comparison and your opinion is much appreciated.

[@iScorpio1971]

just bougt the DO300EX only based on my previous listening experience on AKM DAC Chips, following the brands for years, and the prefered IO used on this package over their TOL SMSL DO400 DAC/AMP solution. A comparison between them should be truly interesting

[@justasimplefox]

The DO300 has only 1 power supply vs 2 in the DO400, don't know the effect on the sound, maybe wait for the new D400

[@doifeellucky]

I am having a wonderful time. Thanks. Looking forward to this one. And MQA is back from the dead too.

[@Tharbamar]

Apparently MQA is still high demand in Asia, thanks

[@YoYo-eg4gq]

crisp and clear, very impressive

[@rajnidhins]

Hi, My current setup is: Source - Tidal Network Transport - Bluesound Node 2021 DAC - Denafrips Venus 12th Preamp - Denafrips Athena Power Amp - Kinki Studio EX-B7 mono blocks Speakers - Focal Diablo Utopia Color Evo III Need your kind advice on whether to add Denafrips Gaia DDC to the setup or change the Network Streamer to An Auralic G1.1 / G2.2 or Hifirose RS130

[@jayem1826]

Name dropper

[@stoicar]

Nos ( non over sampling ) really with a chip or delta sigma. In this univers ?

[@enos1]

Thanks for review. How would this dac player work with the Eversolo dmp-a6 as an external dac? Would it improve the sound of eversolo dmp a6? Thank you for your answer.

[@kryvosheievalexandr1852]

Compared to LOXJIE D40Pro, which DAC is better?

[@florin604]

SMSL has 2 more OPA1612 in stage IV and higher end capacitors. SMSL can output both XLR and RCA in the same time (you can have a Subwoofer+L/R). Most probably if you do a blind test can't tell one from the other. SMSL has better LCD, heavier case... if you care about that. SMSL is 20% more expensive.

[@derberti2280]

Hi Tharbamar, if used as a preamp does it offer a balance control?

[@cd-rom.]

I’m having wonderful time, always.

[@mingchoo6953]

Thank you for the nice review. Do you recommend Topping Dx7 pro plus or smsl do400? Before buying it, I would like to check it. Thanks.

[@Tharbamar]

DX7 Pro plus is transparent and DO400 is on richer side It would be depending on your sound preference between them because you can’t go wrong with either of them.

[@mingchoo6953]

@Tharbamar Thank you so much. It is a clear answer.

[@sean_heisler]

Thanks for the review! I was waiting for this one. I'm concerned though that you might be misrepresenting the ability to remove the digital filters and the use of the term NOS (Non-Oversampling). They are both different things. I believe this unit is still oversampling the signal when you defeat the filters. Defeating the filters allows for aliasing of the signal which does create a different listening experience and I believe that is what you are hearing. None of the literature says this DAC is NOS, it just allows you to defeat the digital filtering which is different from the oversampling stage of the process.

[@Tharbamar]

Yes I have same thoughts about it as you are saying because it used to say that on their page as NOS DAC now is not shown anymore, I have to ask them about it, thanks

[@sean_heisler]

@@Tharbamar Aha! Very interesting. That makes more sense. Someone must have taken an issue with it with SMSL. It's still an interesting feature they are offering. This product does interest me and I thank you again for the review!

[@hail9444]

Delta-sigma DACs cannot do NOS, it is just a different digital filter. Only R2R DACs can do NOS.

[@Tharbamar]

Technically Delta Sigma NOS filter is emulated version of filter less NOS DAC, which allows to have better extreme voltage correction and noise control than real NOS DAC.

[@danbalkey2580]

Love your videos. I don’t have a dac yet. I have a cd player hook up to my Yamaha rx780 only used 2 channels. How do I by pass the dac in my cd player and used the receiver dac which should be way bettter then the denon cd player dac. Thanks keep up good work

[@Tharbamar]

Thanks, if your CD player have digital out you can connect to any external DAC, most CD players come with either COAX or OPTICAL digital output.

[@eldisenador662]

¿Would it be a good idea to pair it with the amplifier Topping A70 PRO? GOOD VIDEO

[@akramhossain1931]

With wiim pro plus ➕ steamer which dac will be best for me DO400 or D300. I like warm sound.

[@ИгорьВакулин-д1к]

what is better to choose? loxjie d40pro vs smsl do400

[@CinemaDemocratica]

Would absolutely love to see your thoughts on the SMSL AO300, which is the same chassis and the same internal archiecture but includes a power amp.

[@Tharbamar]

Hi, It’s not the same, I will have my review up in a few weeks. Thanks

[@CinemaDemocratica]

@@Tharbamar Kewl! Wanna spoil the bottom line for me -- smash or pass? :-)

[@madridgevara9484]

Hi can you please tell me. Would this be better than my SMSL sh9 and su9n setup I already have? And if I did decide to purchase how would I connect to my current setup. Thank you

[@clarice1001nights]

Would you consider this a major improvement over the SMSL Su-1? The new Mogami cables have made a huge improvement. The WiiM Pro is I think better than a WiiM Pro plus. One thing I might enjoy improving is the phone preamp. Darlington Labs MP-7: Discrete High-Voltage J-FET RIAA Phono Preamplifier - High End Performance from $499.00 seems very interesting. To upgrade my Moon i-3 preamp is a question. A Ladder Bach Preamp is a different way to go than with a fine DAC one can use as a Preamp/DAC. Love your help. Hope you are doing well. The Musician Knight 1 Speaker hooked up is really much less flat than I hear from the SU-1. I have a KLH Model 5 pair. I must say this combination is delivering more instrument separation. Timbres of instruments are reasonable natural. Internal voices on the piano chords is also sweet. Sounds like a 6 -7 thousand dollar system, Impressive.

[@Tharbamar]

I’m doing good 👍 If you really like SU-1 sound I would suggest you to try inexpensive passive Pre first but if you’re looking to minimize the components in your system this DO400 or Loxjie D40 Pro is great candidates to get your hands on the features and functionality as well as good sound quality. The rest is depends on your preference, thanks P.S, I will have more infos about Pre stages in my next video.

[@JoseFerreira-zb7wh]

@@Tharbamar Sabaj a10h seems like a good candidate. Similar price and form factor to the su-1 and also a good headphone amp.

[@JoseFerreira-zb7wh]

@@jayem1826 if you have an external dac (specially one better than the one in the pro plus) you can save some money and in that case it is better value at least.

[@lorcanabbot4614]

@@jayem1826 Wiim pro with smsl su-1 dac is an excellent combo for about the same price as wiim pro plus, but it is more upgradable and much better soundwise imho.

[@landosazo7506]

Another great review...how does the SMSL DO400 NOS compares to the Topping E70 Velvet in the DAC performance (soundstaging, resolution, bass, mids, highs, image size, depth, etc)...SMSL DO400 WITH Over Sampling vs. Topping E70 V...the SMSL sounds more airy with more sparkle on top while the E70 is somewhat softer...thanks

[@Tharbamar]

Everything is comparable it’s just going to be system and personal preference but I would say E70 is a little more on smoother side and slightly deeper in bass, DO400 will do more air and space with much better in live like immediacy, thanks

[@iScorpio1971]

As mentioned above , also looked into Topping solution of DAC/AMPs and was goint to go with their Stack A/D70 Velvet when I encountered their counter part, SMSL DO300EX with a less expensive integrated solution. Guess that would also be a good comparison @@Tharbamar

[@jayem1826]

Air. More air. Yep. That's the ticket

[@landosazo7506]

@@jayem1826 Surprisingly, I just acquired the SMSL SU-1 ($79.99) and after 7 days playing it, this small AKM chip DAC has tons of air on top, midrange bloom, and bass slam since I am bi-amping my speakers for higher fidelity. The SU-1 is crazy amazing....

[@look8234]

Nice presentation. 😊thank you.

[@garethbrownlee5457]

Another great & enjoyable review Tharbamar. I have been considering purchasing the Matrix Audio Mini i4, can you tell me how its DAC compares to the DO400?

[@Tharbamar]

For the DAC I like DO400 more than many others, sorry I can’t mention the names.

[@davidmusoke]

Thanks for the review ... I was wondering how this DO400 sound compares to that of the Matrix Audio mini i-4 streamer since they both use the 9039 dac chip. How about withthe D400EX that you called an audiophile standard?

[@Tharbamar]

While D400EX offer deeper bass and sound stage but DO400 is hard to beat for the price. I love DO400 No Filter option, thanks

[@davidmusoke]

@@Tharbamar and the Matrix streamer?

[@Tharbamar]

Matrix is very transparent in sound.

[@davidhyka912]

Hi Tharmabar, I really appreciate your good work and I and I believe other users would be very interested in your opinion on the difference between the SU-9pro and this DO400 DAC. thank you david

[@Rascallucci]

Same sound as DO300 and DO200 MKII right?

[@lloydn2103]

Have you got the answer as I want to know too. I can go for the cheaper D0300 today. But no one seems to answer that question.

[@DKLGalactus5]

If you really want to hear great music start with the recording, because my computer speakers sound fabulous on this kiss of life sound track. NOTE my computer speakers were at one time $1,000 a pair, driven by a Denon receiver and a 12 inch subwoofer, lol.

[@djlotfiwah]

Thank you very much for your honest and serious review, i have this dac since 2 weeks now and very happy with it, use it with PC and Foobar, i want to add a WiiM Pro Plus for streaming , do you think this could make a coherent association?

[@Tharbamar]

I did use it together it works great.

[@robk5745]

Might downsize my system here and am thinking about this unit as pre dac. You liked this best with the orchard amp correct?

[@Tharbamar]

Yes, absolutely! another alternative is Loxjie D40 Pro if you want simpler design.

[@robk5745]

@@Tharbamar thank you for the suggestion 👌

[@Ildoria1976]

It Is a really best buy under 500dollars

[@MrAKISPAPAS]

HOLO AUDIO RED STREAMER any chance to revew?

[@MrLaddog]

Any input between this unit and the Loxjie D40Pro?

[@Tharbamar]

It’s in this video.

[@романпундель]

look at the smsl do 400, it's a divine dac amplifier, I bought it for $386, it's my best buy, which I recommend to you.if you're interested, I'm an ordinary person who wanted to find the best on the market like everyone else, I searched for it for 2 weeks and climbed all the forums it will suit everyone, I just want to help people like me who think that these people speak a different language

[@Tharbamar]

This video is about DO400.

[@dustindaigle7433]

😂

[@JoseFerreira-zb7wh]

Smsl's also has more opamps and i think(?) different power supply than loxjie's d40 pro. I keep getting more and more lost. So many extremely similar dacs from the same company (not to mention from sister companys sabaj, loxjie and vmv)... I wish they could do something different by adding new features (everything else is fine as it is) like 12v trigger in/out, hdmi arc and peq (like rme's dac).

[@Tharbamar]

Great point. Edit: some models are distributor exclusive.

[@JoseFerreira-zb7wh]

@@Tharbamar i wish you could have a ranking file with the gear you've tested so One could compare all of it. With pros & cons, overall quality ranking and value ranking.

[@JoseFerreira-zb7wh]

@@Tharbamar some sort of room eq would also be a game changer. Seems they are starting to include hdmi arc already. Just seen their ao300 unit and it has it.

[@Tharbamar]

Yes I’m going to review it soon, thanks

[@giulianof8687]

Hi Tharb, how it compare against ares 12th or schumann?

[@Tharbamar]

Most likely I’ll go with DO400, if I listen to them back to back.

[@giulianof8687]

@@Tharbamar Considering the overall performance or the quality-price ratio?

[@Tharbamar]

Only based on sound quality.

[@Ss-kn6zc]

Those feet are an sonic improvement or you add them only to easily clean below? Thanks

[@Tharbamar]

Mostly I use them for better visual quality in the videos because these small components sits too low.

[@Ss-kn6zc]

@@Tharbamar so they don't improve sound? The feet with a single sphere inside I remember you said that improved the sound of the kef. Thanks

[@Tharbamar]

Not noticeable on these DAC.

[@Ss-kn6zc]

@@Tharbamar thank you

[@rickhunt3183]

I think that's my next amp.

[@nobicubalibre2143]

great review awsome system

[@clarice1001nights]

Hello, I will wait to see the dacs coming out you told me to wait for. One of my canadian friends aske me about your recommendation for Bi-Wiring to loudspeakers. I passed on both recommendations of the Mogami for both IC and speaker. With the Mogami 3082 it appears he is not sure that one can do bi-wiring with that cable. What shall I tell him?

[@Tharbamar]

I have two more SMSL DAC to review and a few others, Mogami W3104 or Canare 4S11 is perfect for Bi-wiring setups. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZ-vdquYrq59qtE or kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6LbZ4mejNZse5o

[@patricaomas8750]

Pre dac? Do you mean preamp? Can you use this as a pre-amp?

[@Tharbamar]

It has Pre feature.

[@notathang8087]

Using a Topping A90 Discrete HPA as BOTH a preamp to my Wavelet II + Legacy Whisper Speakers using my Topping D90 LE DAC as the source was an under powered snorefest with no dynamics or headroom to drice my speakers or Hifiman 64ohm Susveras headphone. BUT... WHEN I USED THE NEW $600 SMSL D400 PRO AKM DAC WAS UNBELEIVABLY AWESOME!! It ALSO bested my SMSL SU10 and VMV D2 dacs and considering the new VMV D2R costs $999 with less impressive specs I'm thinking the SMSL D400 PRO for $600 will trounce on most any dacs. It has plenty of headroom while driving my Whispers as a preamp and my power hungry Susveras as a HPA. I was beyond impressed! I've been waiting a year for my preorder for one of fifty $8k ZAHL HM1 reference HPA and it's driving me nuts as they are already 3 months behind scheduled production. Nothing prepared me for the amazing sound the SMSL D400 PRO SOTA AKM DAC delivered. I just ordered the new SMSL combo DAC/HPA just to play with it to hear a cheaper ESS Based combo DAC/HPA $500

[@Diego-bu7fh]

This is do400, not d400 pro

[@Harvy75a]

Will you try the SMSL VMV D1SE2 ?!?

[@balooo2863]

I am curious about this too,SMSL released a new "flagship" VMV D2R unit but total radio silence regarding folks reviewing the product. Odd,very odd.

[@csszabi8779]

@@balooo2863 VMV D2R: I hope it will be tested soon. It has Rohm BD34301EKV chip. This is a new contender for chips.

[@syhi7971]

You get so much more with the Aune S9C Pro ;).

[@Tharbamar]

Nope.

[@radicalrealmrecordings42]

Will you be reviewing the D400 Pro recently released?

[@Tharbamar]

I’m not sure yet.

[@radicalrealmrecordings42]

Ok I hope you do, looks excellent for the money, for PCM and DSD, I2S and AES EBU inputs

[@endrizo]

it should have bass and trteble controls, smsl shoud make a dedicated PREAMP dac with phono and tape inputs

[@Tharbamar]

SMSL AO300 Integrated Class D Amplifier Review kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWOak4aAjdeChcU

[@endrizo]

@@Tharbamaryes i know it.. i have the A300 and VMV A2 amplifiers. now we need a dedicated preamp with multiple legay imputs just a pre without power.. i already have a nice big power amp. a complete smsl pre would be nice.

[@jayem1826]

Hello. Have you tried the Soncoz SGD1? It's a $500 dallar (just kidding) dollars DAC

[@Tharbamar]

I reviewed it two years ago. Soncoz SGD1 DAC Review, Comes with Digital Out kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXLCh3eXZdytf8U

[@jayem1826]

​@@Tharbamar Back then I didn't have the stomach to listen to your English pronunciation. I used to teach Vietnamese students, Japanese, Chinese and Koreans. Dropping consonants drives me nuts, so I'll unsubscribe. I hate when students say "I li" instead of "I like". Two yrs ago my ass!!!

[@Tharbamar]

I don’t the have stomach for narrow minded people. The question is can you make review videos in third language and get decent amount of subscribers?

[@beslemeto]

​@@jayem1826Stop being a loser!

[@Kukkema]

Is this a smsl sponsored channel?

[@АлександрЗябликов-щ1я]

Всем Китаем 😂

[@Tharbamar]

Nice Try.

[@clan_biblioteke]

Hi, please my friend, how good and clean is this SMSL as a headphone amplifier. Thank you