The SMSL D400ES ranks #4 out of 55 total DACs for sound quality. See all Headphone Amps and DACs rankings for every top pick.
Brand: SMSL
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#4 SMSL D400ES: $549.99 Amazon $549.99 eBay
Pros: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 123 dB, so its noise and distortion are inaudible and the conversion is fully transparent. It takes almost any source, with USB, optical, coaxial, AES/EBU, I2S over HDMI and Bluetooth 5.0 with LDAC, aptX HD and AAC, and feeds amps or powered speakers over RCA or balanced XLR. It matches the rating of the SMSL SU-10 for noticeably less.
Cons: It is a full size desktop unit at 240 mm wide and 1.8 kg, so it suits a rack or desk rather than a small setup. There is no headphone output, so you still need a separate amp. The Topping D70 Pro SABRE measures just as cleanly and earns the same rating, so the extra AES and I2S inputs are the main reason to choose this one.
| Released | 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Balanced Output | Yes (XLR line out) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC |
| DAC Chip | ESS ES9039MSPRO |
| Device Type | DAC |
| Dimensions | 9.4” x 1.7” x 7.4” (240 x 43 x 188 mm) |
| Inputs | USB-B, optical, coaxial, AES/EBU, I2S (HDMI), Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Outputs | RCA, XLR |
| SINAD | 123 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 4 lbs (1.8 kg) |
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