SMSL M400 DAC and SP400 Amp Stack Review

This stack bundles two SMSL devices, the M400 DAC and the SP400 headphone amplifier, with one XLR cable for $1,489.98. The page gives the M400 an AK4499 chip, a 16-core XMOS XU216 receiver, five input types and XLR and RCA outputs, and the SP400 a THX AAA-888 circuit listed at 12Wx2 into 16Ω balanced. Two cable options are offered at the same price.

Specifications

Options and pricing

Two options are listed at $1,489.98 each, both orderable when read: the M400 and SP400 with an SKW 35CM 6N OCC XLR cable, 1 pair, or with a Gustard 1M XLR cable, 1 pair. The package list reads 1x for the cable while the option names say 1 PAIR. The M400 comes with a remote control per the page, and no power cord is listed.

How it compares

The Gustard R26 II is listed as a DAC at $1,649.99 with network streaming in its title, so it costs more than this two-box stack at $1,489.98 and has no amplifier in its name. The SMSL VMV D2R MK2 is a DAC at $1,160, and the SMSL D400 MK2 a DAC at $649. This stack suits buyers who need to drive headphones directly; a DAC alone needs a separate amplifier.

Shipping, returns and warranty

HiFiGO sells from hifigo.com and says every order leaves its warehouse in China, usually 1-3 business days after it is placed, and says its delivery times are estimates, not promises. Its shipping policy gives the United States 1-2 weeks (about 10 days on average) by Priority and 6-10 days by Premium, both with duties and taxes prepaid by the store; Canada 2-3 weeks; the United Kingdom 1-2 weeks; and Australia 10-15 days. Express couriers (DHL, UPS, FedEx) take 3-7 days, but then the buyer pays any duties and taxes. No shipping page names New Zealand, PO boxes are not accepted, and the free-shipping thresholds differ between the store's own pages, so check the cart. One of its two shipping pages adds that a lost parcel on an order above $50 gets only a 50% refund. A US buyer reported a $40 tariff charge in August 2025, after which HiFiGO said it had added a customs notice at checkout.

Read the return terms before you order. The homepage advertises 7-day returns. Both of HiFiGO's policy pages offer a 7-day dead-on-arrival cover (a replacement or a full refund, with the return postage refunded) and also describe 30-day returns, but a request made 7 to 30 days after delivery loses 30% of the MSRP as a restocking fee (10% more if the packaging is incomplete), plus shipping both ways and duties, and the FAQ on the same pages says there is no refund or exchange once 7 days have passed. One version recommends reselling an opened product locally. Custom IEMs and custom cables cannot be returned, no return address is published, and buyers describe sending items back to China.

HiFiGO's warranty runs one year from the order date for parts and labor; its policy names desktop DACs and amps, IEMs and dongles at one year and gives cables and adapters three months. HiFiGO decides between repair and replacement, the buyer pays the shipping, and faulty items go back for service, not for a refund. Claims go to [email protected], the only contact the store lists: its pages name no company, street address or phone, and its terms are governed by the laws of China.

On Trustpilot, HiFiGO had 4.6 out of 5 from 378 reviews when we checked on 2026-10-28 (91% five-star, 5% one-star), and it had replied to about 75% of negative reviews; Trustpilot notes the store has not invited customers to review recently. The one-star reviews mostly concern the short return window and the deductions on returns, items listed in stock that turned out back-ordered, slow email support and a tariff charge on a US delivery in 2025. HiFiGO says its products are genuine and come in the brands' retail packaging; it does not claim to be an authorized dealer.