We no longer present SMSL, a Chinese manufacturer who has, with other players like Topping or Eversolo, widely shaken the affordable hifi market. Latest creation, the AS400 is an all-in-one electronics, ensuring the role of digital analogical converter, but also a phono mm preamplifier, headphone amplifier, bluetooth receiver, and integrated amplifier. A product that certainly will not fight in front of very high -end creations, but which stands out for its floor price.
He does almost everything
Let us immediately evacuate something. No, the SMSL AS400 is not everything. If it can be qualified as a complete model, it does not present for example by a connected dimension, and it does not work as a power block (no prep input), or as a pure preamplifier, since does not have line outputs.
Displaying a fairly typical design of recent SMSL creations, compact (210.4 x 46 x 254 mm) and light (1.56 kg), the AS400 has an aluminum chassis, with a thick slightly stylized facade. This facade includes a monochrome display, a multifunction wheel, and two headphone outputs (6.35 mm jack and a 4.4 mm jack).
The rear side houses the rest of the connection:
- Digital entries: 1 HDMI Arc port, 1 USB-C, 1 SPDIF RCA, 1 TOSLINK optical port, 1 antenna socket for the Bluetooth chip. The latter is compatible with the SBC/AAC codecs, Aptx HD, and LDAC.
- Analog entries: 1 RCA Line, 1 RCA Phono (with GND socket)
- Outings: 1 RCA for subwoofers, stereo terminal block
The SMSL AS400 is controlled either via the multifunction wheel on the front, or via a remote control (delivered). In addition to the classic functions (volume, input), the product interface gives access to an 8 -band graphical equalizer.
165 W of power
Without putting stars in our eyes, the components used on the AS400 can let hope for a good sound result. First, digital-analyzed conversion is based on a CS43131 CIRRU chip, a very modern low consumption reference. This is accompanied by a XMO-316 USB XMOS controller. The duo allows (via the USB-C) to take charge of the 32-bit/768 kHz PCM, as well as the DSD512. Quite surprisingly (this format being gradually abandoned), a material decoding of the MQA is even offered.
For amplification, the architecture is articulated around a stereo module class D Ma5332MS of the German manufacturer Infineon. Thanks to this, the SMSL AS400 is capable of delivering a power of: 85 W per channel under 8 ohms, and 165 W under 4 ohms. This measure is obviously noted for a 1 %distortion, under a 1 kHz signal.
Finally, the volume setting is based on an NJW1194A electronic control chip from Japanese JRC. SMSL is however silent concerning the details around the Phono floor (architecture and settings) and the helmet amplifier.
Already available, the SMSL AS400 is sold at 280 euros.
Specifications
- Type: Phono preamp, dac, headphone amplifier, Bluetooth receiver, integrated amplifier
- Digital entries: 1 HDMI Arc port, 1 USB-C, 1 SPDIF RCA, 1 TOSLINK optical port, 1 antenna socket for the Bluetooth chip. The latter is compatible with the SBC/AAC codecs, Aptx HD, and LDAC.
- Analog entries: 1 RCA Line, 1 RCA Phono (with GND socket)
- Outings: 1 RCA for subwoofers, 6.35 mm jack ports and 4.4 mm, stereo terminal block
- DAC : Cirrus Logic CS43131
- Interface USB XMOS XU-316
- Compatibility: PCM 32 bits/768 kHz, DSD512, MQA
- Stereo Module Class D Infineon MA5332MS
- Output power (1 kHz, 1%): 85 W per channel under 8 ohms, 165 W under 4 ohms
- Electronic volume controller JRC NJW1194A
- Signal/noise ratio (no measuring precision): 109 dB
- Total harmonic distortion + noise (measured under 8 ohms, power between 5 and 10 W): 0.003%
- Dimensions : 210,4 x 46 x 254 mm
- Poids : 1,56 kg
- Prix : 280 euros
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