SMSL DO400 DAC/Headphone Amp Review (2) – Digital Wizardry Got Mojo Working
In this Article
INTRO
How do I follow my fellow friend dishing out my take on the SMSL DO400? Sometimes I feel like a stand-up comedian that now has to follow an act that just knows how to nail it. Regardless, these DAC companies are in a space race back to the moon, and SMSL is much like the retail world in America tripping over itself to release two holiday displays at the same time…looking at you Costco with your Halloween and Christmas products out and it is only August.
There was an article that once said a DAC over $2 buys features, not performance however in this case the SMSL D0400 has pretty much all the features possible on a 2 channel DAC and knocks the performance off the chart. Originally discussed in our circle as a potential $1000 Swiss army black box, the SMSL DO400 is actually affordably priced at $500 given all the features and doodads.
IT’S WHAT’S INSIDE THAT COUNTS
The SMSL DO400 packs everything it can into the hardcover book-sized frame like my wife on a 3 day trip, everything except an analog input. I can see what Loomis is getting at, I am ok given the amount of digital features. It would be a waste to only use it as an analog preamp, but without a that feature it cannot claim the title of fledged preamp with one of every input.
SMSL DO400 includes state-of-the-art DAC chip from ESS, single-ended 6.35mm and both 4.4mm/ XLR balanced headphone outputs, remote control, optical, coax, USB, and I2S digital inputs, AES/EBU and RCA XLR balanced outputs for use as a preamp. Avlaialbe in standard Black or Silver for something more visible.
Having tested several other SMSL devices and purchasing the SU-9 as my full-time desktop DAC, the DO400 is an upgrade in the DAC department and checking off all the SINAD, testing parameter boxes making it pretty boring in a numbers only game. It is a transparent DAC and powerful sounding headphone amp that easily drives my DROP Sennheiser HD6XX to full throttle.
The SMSL SU-9 was/is a great DAC. There were some quips about the ESS IMD hump, but sonically it was excellent. My nuisance conundrum was the lame 0-99 volume display. I really wanted to see 100 or at least a way to have the display turn off after a predetermined timeframe, both of which were resolved with the SMSL SU-10 and the SMSL DO400 carries the same heritage over.
Now we get a -dB display for volume which is way more useful, and to add life to the display by offering auto turn-off times in the menu. Curiously they named it dimmer, I feel like display would have been a better menu category, it is not to be confused with brightness which is the next available menu setting.
You also get full access to the ESS Sabre ES9039MSPro features with sound color modes (slight EQ), the usual 7 low pass filters, DPLL settings for troublesome clocked digital inputs, and the XLR outputs have an adjustable +/- pin switch which is useful for goofballs like me that have some older Pro-amps like the Crest FA901 that use a reverse polarity XLR balanced input. I can use the SMSL DO400 as a digital preamp going into some powerful two channel goodness, even though some people forsaken fan noise as the devil.
The I2S setting also has reverse polarity settings. First time using it, so not sure how someone is supposed to know the I2S output type. For those utilizing DSD files, the SMSL D0400 is equipped with a third generation XMOS 316 chip.
That is not the only new addition to the SMSL DO400 as it is equipped with the TI TPA6120A2 current feedback integrated chip that provides a level of uniformity that rivals the art of a discrete design. The current feedback of the chips has a high slew rate that reduces odd-order distortion leaving the more favorable even order distortion that tube enthusiasts enjoy due to a rich warm aspect. From an electrical design standpoint it simplifies parts and provides a controlled and repeatable experience.
COMPLAINTS AND CRITICISMS
At $500, there has to be some room for improvement and as things get more expensive so do the first world “problems”. The case cover is steel although quite solid still. The rotary knob has wobbles and the knobbies on the knob itself are a weird decoration. I would have preferred to have them on the outer edge so the knob has some grip. The knob is metal and not plastic, it’s the shaft of the rotary encoder that moves around. SMSL DO400 did plant itself firmly with four feet this time, I still have no idea why the SU-9 had only three.
Stylistic choices are purely individual taste, but overall the SMSL DO400 feels and looks like digital techno wizardry, rather than a symphonic masterpiece that pricey high-end devices tend to exude. There is no joy in clicking through menus, but I do appreciate all the features. SMSL needs to add a menu Exit that does not require the remote, waiting for the menu to go away to take back control of the volume knob is still a nuisance. Snobbery aside, I appreciate the value that everything the SMSL DO400 delivers because changes to this formula would most definitely hike up the price tag for little added value.
SOUND
Inputs tested were primarily the USB section, but also the optical via a Sony DVP-S7700 and Denon DVD-2200 and lastly the bluetooth for casual background chatter. Bluetooth connection was strong and worked at a fairly large distance.
Listening to the SMSL DO400 is everything you would expect of a high class DAC amp combo. It sounds extremely transparent and powerful. At -12dB on high gain, the Drop Sennheiser HD6XX is rocking hard, not something that I recommend long term. Switching over to low gain and pairing it with the awesome BGVP DM9, allows the SMSL DO400 to utilize its prowess.
The BGVP DM10 has a very detailed upper end, and the SMSL DO400 can extract the nuances and microdynamics the DM10 is capable of recreating. Everything sounds hyped and lively leaving nothing to hide., it does not smooth or gloss over any detail.
Compared to the JDS Labs Atom with SMSL SU-9, the SMSL DO400 fleshed out the upper end by improving depth and black levels. Big band sounded large and lively as it should, cymbals and horns have natural sounding decay patterns. The Atom/SU-9 combo sounds overall smoothed out but still equally clean. The SMSL DO400 is well-rounded getting in all the corners and extracting out all the fine details. There is also double the power on tap for the DO400 over the Atom, so room for volume differences when comparing.
FINISH
While the JDS Labs Atom has served well to act not only as my headphone amp but also my preamp for the powered monitors, it will officially be replaced with the more solidly built SMSL DO400. The SU-9 is still a wonderfully built and excellent sounding DAC, the DO400 at only $100 more over the original price tag of the three footed SU-9, arrives with four feet, a larger footprint and a complete desktop solution with all features that is going to be hard to beat.
SMSL SU-9 will find a new home amongst my 2 channels setups. The absurdity of value the SMSL DO400 brings to the table is mind boggling, given that it’s essentially a D400ES ($550) plus a HO200 ($400) in one package. I still cannot fathom the value of the SMSL DO400, not sure where we go from here, but yeah this thing is cool.
DISCLAIMER
SMSL DO400 provided at no cost by Aoshida Audio. We thank them for that.
SPECIFICATIONS SMSL DO400
Product Page:
https://www.smsl-audio.com/portal/product/detail/id/843.html
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