SMSL SD-9 Desktop Network Player Review

The SMSL SD-9 is a desktop network player: it reads music from USB drives, a MicroSD card, a network drive or Bluetooth and, as the page describes it, passes it to a separate DAC through optical, coaxial, I2S, AES or USB outputs. It is listed at $399.99, and the page describes wired and dual-band Wi-Fi, DLNA, AirPlay, MQA decoding and a 1.9-inch IPS display.

Specifications

Options and pricing

The only entry is Default Title at $399.99, orderable when the page was read. No colors or plug choices are shown. The page mentions a fully functional remote control and phone control through HiBy Link, but it lists no box contents, so it is unclear whether a remote or cables come with the player.

How it compares

The MuseHiFi Muse 300 is the same $399.99 but is named a desktop DAC/AMP, so it is a DAC and amp rather than a source. The SMSL D200 at $319 and the TOPPING E70 Velvet at $349 are a desktop audio decoder and a USB DAC by name, the kind of unit the SD-9 page says its outputs feed. Choose the SD-9 for a file and network source with digital outputs, and one of the DACs if you already have a source.

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.