Articles, Reviews and Measurements of Audio Products

Hello everyone,

This is a review and measurements of the SMSL PS200 PRO.



I got it for roughly $90 which is reasonable even if the feature are on the low side (DAC function only).

SMSL PS200 PRO – Presentation

It is the revised version of the SMSL PS200 and features the same ESS ES9039M2Q DAC. It loses the Bluetooth input but gets in exchange a metallic case instead of plastic. During my tests, it was much more resistant to being dragged by the RCA cables

SMSL shows the difference between the two DACs that way:



Note the small but tangible improvements in THD+N (-120.5dB vs -118dB), and the DR/SNR that improve by 2dB.

The ESS DAC being the same, the main difference is with the OPA1656 and OPA1612. From the respective datasheets of these, the below comparison graphs tells us more about their respective performances:

[ATTACH type="full"...

At the kind invitation of Shenzhen Audio, I will be attending the 2026 SIAS Shenzhen International Audio Show. The show starts on August 14 and goes through the 16th.



If you will be there and see me jet-lagged and wandering around with a camera feel free to say 你好.

I have not been to China in 15+ years. From the videos I have seen, the transformation has been incredible! The level of modernization is amazing. Bullet trains going everywhere, cashless/cardless mobile payments, electric cars everywhere, etc.

I have some business afterward in Beijing before coming home.

14 hour flight to get to Hong Kong and then ferry to Shenzhen. Was grateful for the non-stop flight to HK. Alternatives were crazy with long...

Here is a review and measurements of the

E1DA #9039S balanced USB DAC and Headphones amplifier​

The #9039S is VERY small, as you may see on the pictures, where it's laying on my Samsung S23 Ultra.



And it weights a mere 12g.

I received it for free from Ivan (Mr E1DA, aka @IVX) for measurements in 2024.
But only now, with the new AudioPrecision APx 500 Flex 10.0 software, I can run all our usual tests, since it allows different device drivers for output and input.

I see it announced at prices ranging from 122€ to 170€ here in Europe.
Is it worth the money ?

First an important note:
This is a BALANCED ONLY DAC/amp.
DO NOT connect an unbalanced headphones or load to it or you may break it !

It comes with a USB C port and a 2.5mm Balanced...

This is a brief update to the Lily Audio Genesis One headphone I reviewed a few months ago. Company said additional tuning was made and sent me a new production sample:


I haven't taken a new picture because it all looks the same. Let's see how it measures.

Lily Audio Genesis One New Sample Measurements
I set my Topping A90 to max level before sudden, massive distortion:


Looks like there has been massive improvement from 1 to 3 kHz where we had a huge peak before:



This in turn makes...

This is a review, listening tests and detailed measurements of the Radiant Acoustics Clarity 66 Purifi-based speaker. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $9998 (a pair).

My sample is in black (please don't mind the poor white balance) and looks quite elegant. It also comes in walnut and oak finishes. Despite its modest size this is one heavy speaker! It weighs in at 46 KG or 88 pounds. I felt every bit of it as I moved the darn thing around.

Back panel sports the largest port I have seen in a domestic speaker:

It is almost the same size of the woofers! Under load, it pumps out fair amount of air.

The only binding post configuration offered is banana jacks, giving the back a very flat and finished look. I suggest getting locking ones...

Hello Everyone,

This is a review and detailed measurements of the SMSL PL200 MKII CD Player, Transport, DAC and HP Amp!
It was kindly sent to me by SMSL and this is the link to the official product page.



SMSL PL200 MKII - Presentation

I already reviewed its predecessor, the SMSL PL200 (which scored very well), and so that is the second iteration.

Released in 2026, and replacing the AK4499EX DAC by an ESS9039Q2M, this full aluminum CD player intends to be a high-end one. As before, it can be used as a DAC, from a computer (USB input) and this MKII version adds a very welcome headphones output (Balanced and SE) at the front of the unit instead of the back (previously and only SE). The headphones out offers a high and low gain...

This is a detailed description and measurement of BerryBak BVS2300 amplifier module, purchased from Soundimports at € 49,95 (VAT included) + € 10,95 shipment cost, total € 60,90.



The package contains these items:



i.e. the amplifier module + complete necessary wire set.

Built quality is good and the PCB board is well described with connector pin names.
The amplifier works either with analog line input or Bluetooth wireless. There is a switch on-board to change the input source.



After doing the preliminary check of module function



I have put it into the metal case with two MeanWell RS-100-24 power supplies connected in series (this is what I have had...

This is a review and detailed measurements of the now discontinued, Indigo/Blade BASH 500 S subwoofer plate amplifier. It is on kind loan from a member and cost around US $250 when new.

This is a bridged class AB amplifier fed by a switching power supply. It is far beefier than the class D amps we have been testing.

I performed my testing as usual with crossover set to max and gain adjusted to 25 dB.

These are the guts in case you are wondering:

Old school design and assembly as we expect. Not so expected is the testing checklist include air leak! Heavy use of sealant everywhere assures that.

Owner mentioned it was recently recapped.

BASH 500S Subwoofer Amplifier Measurements
Feeding the amp 40 Hz signal and input adjusted to get 5 watts, gave us this dismal results:
[ATTACH...

This is a review and measurements of the Dayton Audio SPA100-D class D plate subwoofer amplifier. It is on kind loan from a member and costs US $110.


This is a ton of functionality for such a low price. Alas, I miss having balanced input as long RCA runs are a recipe for ground loops to an active speaker.

Dayton Audio Subwoofer Amp Measurements
I started with my 40 Hz tone into 4 ohm load:

We have copious amount of distortion as we saw in its more powerful brother, the SPA300-D. Having learned my lesson from testing that unit, I switched on Bass Boost which should have minor impact. Yet, we see a sharp improvement in distortion level:


Needless to say, this should not happen. As someone suggested...

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Dyaton Audio SPA300-D subwoofer "plate" amp. It is on kind loan from a member and costs US $180.

I tested it with the configuration as you see. I wish there was balanced XLR input as these amps are prone to ground loops over long RCA connections.

Dyaton Audio SPA300-D sub Amp Measurements
We start with our dashboard of 40 Hz into 4 ohm load with the gain set to 25 dB:


This is dismal performance with copious amount of harmonic distortion. I later discovered that this can be massively improved with Bass Boost turned on (but read later):
[ATTACH type="full" alt="Dayton Audio SPA300-D 300 Watt Class-D Subwoofer Plate Amplifier Amp sub bass boost...