SMSL M500 MQA ES9038PRO XMOS Hi-Res DAC Headphone Amplifier Silver

Very good DAC for the money. MQA capable.

Value is on point.

Very simple to use and the output quality is excellent. This is a good value

For less than $400 it is the best DAC for the money. MQA is an added bonus! Highly recommended!

Added this to a JBL LSR305 speakers and accompanied subwoofer set up. Couldn't be happier. Sounds great, have everything connected through balanced xlr cables.Looks sleek on my desk and doesn't take up much space. The screen is bright (can be dimmed) and easy to read. The menu is straight forward and easy to navigate. The remote is very convenient.Would reccomend

So, this is my 4th DAC if you include the onboard DAC in my Sony receiver. I’ve tried a couple of entry level DACs including Topping D10 for DSD. Also, I have a pretty extensive hi-res collection. Lots of 24/96 and higher Flac and lots of DSD. I thought I was hearing everything when going HDMI into my competent Sony STR DN1050 receiver which seems built for hi-res audio on a consumer level. This DAC has proved that to be wrong. This thing digs out every detail and micro detail on anything you run through it. My speaker setup includes a full surround array of Sony APM audiophile grade speakers from the 80’s, APM 55 and APM 33 for center and surround. Obviously I need the receiver to decode surround, but this DAC does such a fantastic job, I’ve become more interested in stereo lately. The 55’s with about 150wpc each through the analog input being fed by the M500 is simply astounding. It makes the receivers DAC sound compressed and 2 dimensional by comparison. With the M500 I’m hearing things on 35 year old CDs that I’ve not noticed before. I’d be really shocked if there was a better value in a DAC out there, and I now consider this to be my most valuable audio asset. Good source material such as hi-res files is great, but it’s really amazing when you have a piece that can take full advantage of the dense material. This DAC leaves nothing on the table, it’s all coming at you, no crumbs left behind. Amazing machine!

I found no problems with M500, it preforms it's functions well, sounds as good as any DAC/Headphone amp I have reviewed. The one complaint I have is that the operating manual could use improvement. The remote is obviously meant to be used with other devices but it is not explained in any of the instructions.

Since its coming from china and sought warrantee and return information. Amazon website says to contact the seller. I tried. I got a Chat beta, that was essentially useless. So, I assume there is no warrantee. Perhaps someone can chime in on this!UPDATE: I tried again and chat worked. Reply a day or two later said 1 yr warrantee from china. Tempting, but I'd rather buy something I can return to USA, especially USA brick and morter, or known trusted company.