[JerryLeeds]

Comment deleted.

 

[Elegiac]

While we're talking adjacent DAC's... my understanding is that HIFI Express is a dedicated SMSL site, and that SMSL is sort of a 'parent company' to the other brands featured there. In that vein, voila: https://hifi-express.com/products/2023-sabaj-a20d

Looks kinda familiar, huh? Down to 3 pieces of OPA1612.

 

[XERO1]

There is now a longer video about the D400 PRO on Weibo and it reveals a bit more about it.

https://weibo.com/u/3249798840

- It will use the AKM AK4499EX DAC chip
- It will have the exact same inputs as the D400EX
- It will come in silver and black

It looks like the D400 PRO may be a direct replacement for the D400EX (and possibly also the D400ES) that uses SMSL's newest design language and I'm guessing it will be priced similar to the D400EX.

So far, everything about it looks really good!!

 

[pataburd]

The link does not work for me.
Dual AKM4499EX [like the D400EX]?
Dual linear power supply [like the SU-10]? I was surprised that SMSL omitted this with the D400EX.

 

[XERO1]

The link does not work for me.
Dual AKM4499EX [like the D400EX]?
Dual linear power supply [like the SU-10]? I was surprised that SMSL omitted this with the D400EX.

I changed the link. It should work now.

 

[XERO1]

Here is the translated text from the post about the D400 PRO:

Usher in a new era of sound quality! D400 PRO MQA Bluetooth audio decoder is officially on the market! It is not only a decoder, but also a magic box for music, supporting a variety of input methods, from USB, optical fiber, coaxial to Bluetooth!

D400 PRO MQA decoder takes you into a real audio paradise. THD+N is as low as 0.00006% (-123dB) and a dynamic range of 131dB, which is the real ultimate in music. Whether you listen to a single-ended line or a balanced line, you will be immersed in high-quality music.

There are more highlights! The new third-generation XMOS XU-316 supports PCM up to 32bit/768kHz, and DSD up to DSD512! The AK4191 and AK4499EX DAC chips are equipped with high-end dual operational amplifiers to bring the sound quality to an unprecedented level.

What's more incredible is that it also supports MQA decoding and MQA-CD decoding, as well as DSD under various transmission methods. In addition, Qualcomm's high-end Bluetooth chip supports LDAC, APTX/HD, SBC and AAC, and the sound quality remains top-notch whenever and wherever.

D400 PRO MQA decoder has exquisite appearance, all-aluminum alloy shell, gold-plated connection terminals, first-class craftsmanship. Compact size and excellent performance, it is the future of music!

Come and feel the new dimension of music in the D400 PRO MQA audio decoder.

 

[Voske]

Hmm..almost sure switchmode power supply, seems like D400 ex with new design

 

[GiFi]

Hmm..almost sure switchmode power supply, seems like D400 ex with new design

Single or double AKM 4499ex?

 

[XERO1]

Single or double AKM 4499ex?

Unknown at this point, but the full specs should become available on the 11th.

And even if it only has a single AK4499EX chip, that's totally fine with me, since a single AK4499EX chip is still capable of outputting a fully-balanced signal.

 

[XERO1]

https://www.smsl-audio.com/portal/product/detail/id/847.html

https://shenzhenaudio.com/collectio...4191-ak4499ex-digital-to-analog-convertor-dac

MSRP $619.00

So it looks like the D400 PRO won't be a replacement for the D400EX or D400ES, but will sit a notch below them.

But it still looks like an excellent value for its MSRP.

 

[pataburd]

Looks like a lower-priced replacement/improvement for the $859 M400(?).
(I was hoping SMSL would go dual-linear power supply with the D400EX.)

 

[JerryLeeds]

D400 Pro -> the below two statements are from the SMSL website. I don’t quite understand what they are saying?

“Flagship DAC chip 1 AK4191+ 1 AK4499EX, tap all the potential of the chip.

Dual mono design, one AK4499EX per channel, distortion as low as a staggering 0.00006% (-124dB).”

Looks like just one AK4499EX chip is used at its full potential? Is that what the above means? Then why does the second statement mention one AK4499EX chip per channel?

 

[Elegiac]

Laziness and/or poor grasp of english.

 

[JerryLeeds]

So has anyone had an opportunity to compare the older D400EX with the newer D400 Pro? Is the price difference in ratio with sound difference?

I’ve been wanting to get a newer AKM DAC … my last was an AK4490 pre-fire

 

[suno23]

So has anyone had an opportunity to compare the older D400EX with the newer D400 Pro? Is the price difference in ratio with sound difference?

I’ve been wanting to get a newer AKM DAC … my last was an AK4490 pre-fire

have a d400ex for sale bought last november 2022... I stuck with the AKM and got the gustard