All in one converter and balanced headphone amplifier built on the ESS ES9039MS Pro chip with a third generation XMOS XU-316 USB interface. Up to 6W per channel into 16 ohms, XLR and RCA line outputs, full MQA and MQA-CD decoding and Bluetooth 5.1 with LDAC. Brand new, boxed, full manufacturer warranty. The SMSL DL400 combines a converter and a balanced headphone amplifier in one 250mm wide chassis. It suits a listener building a desk based or second system who wants one box to handle streaming, computer audio and headphones, with balanced line outputs available for an amplifier. This is brand new stock, supplied boxed with the full manufacturer warranty by Dreamcrest Audio as an authorised SMSL dealer. What it does The converter section uses the ESS ES9039MS Pro chip with a third generation XMOS XU-316 USB interface, handling PCM to 32-bit 768kHz and DSD to DSD512. Inputs cover USB, optical, coaxial, AES/EBU and Bluetooth 5.1, and MQA decoding including MQA-CD is handled in the chip. The amplifier section drives headphones through 4.4mm balanced and 6.35mm unbalanced sockets, reaching up to 6W per channel into 16 ohms and 3W per channel into 32 ohms. Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA line outputs let the same unit feed an integrated amplifier, a power amplifier or a pair of active studio monitors, and a full function remote is supplied. How it sounds and where it fits ESS based converters tend towards a clear, well defined presentation with strong separation between instruments, and the DL400 fits that description. With a stated dynamic range of 133dB on the XLR outputs the background stays quiet, so low level detail survives at normal listening levels. The headphone stage has enough power for planar designs while remaining usable with more sensitive headphones. It is a good choice for a desk, a study or a bedroom system, either driving active monitors directly or feeding a compact power amplifier. If you listen mostly through speakers and want the same unit to serve headphones in the evening, this is the sensible single box answer. Key features ESS ES9039MS Pro converter with MQA hard decoding Third generation XMOS XU-316 asynchronous USB, PCM to 32-bit 768kHz and DSD512 Headphone power up to 6W per channel into 16 ohms and 3W per channel into 32 ohms 4.4mm balanced and 6.35mm unbalanced headphone outputs Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA line outputs USB, optical, coaxial, AES/EBU and Bluetooth inputs Qualcomm Bluetooth 5.1 with LDAC at 24-bit 96kHz, aptX HD, aptX, AAC and SBC User updatable firmware, JAS Hi-Res certification and a full function remote Technical specifications Converter: ESS ES9039MS Pro. USB interface: XMOS XU-316 Inputs: USB, optical, coaxial, AES/EBU, Bluetooth 5.1 Outputs: XLR, RCA, 4.4mm balanced headphone, 6.35mm unbalanced headphone Headphone output power: 6W x 2 at 16 ohms, 3W x 2 at 32 ohms, 700mW x 2 at 300 ohms THD+N: 0.00005% on the XLR outputs Dynamic range: up to 133dB Sample rates: PCM to 32-bit 768kHz, DSD to DSD512 MQA: full decoding including MQA-CD Dimensions: 250 x 47 x 240 mm. Weight: 1.74kg Frequently asked questions Can it drive active speakers? Yes. The balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA line outputs can feed active monitors, a power amplifier or an integrated amplifier. Which Bluetooth codecs does it support? Bluetooth 5.1 with LDAC at 24-bit 96kHz, aptX HD, aptX, AAC and SBC. Is the headphone stage balanced? Yes. There is a 4.4mm balanced output alongside the 6.35mm unbalanced socket, with up to 6W per channel into 16 ohms. If you would like to hear the DL400 with your own headphones, use the enquiry button on this page.
Dreamcrest Audio Fidelity Ltd, Nicosia. Specialist hi-fi and high end audio, 20+ years in the audio business. Full details and photos: https://www.dreamcrestaudio.com/product/smsl-dl400-dac-balanced-headphone-amplifier-black-brand-new/
