AOSHIDA SMSL C200 Review (DAC & Amp)

[staticV3]

To clarify, is the noise floor coming from the DAC or the amplifier portion? I was under the impression that the DAC was perfect within my perception and the amplifier is introducing the noise, but your wording suggests otherwise.

I'm almost certain that it's the C200's built-in Amp whose noise floor you're hearing in the form of hiss.

 

[Bleib]

I'm almost certain that it's the C200's built-in Amp whose noise floor you're hearing in the form of hiss.

Yes, the DAC output is measurably much cleaner

 

[Dunring]

Hi, I bought the C200 largely because of this forum's recommendation and while I am pleased with the sound I am hearing a white noise floor on my Tangzu Wan'er IEM's, and would like some clarification if this is expected given their sensitivity or if I have a defective unit.

The white noise is very noticable on high gain, and also present on low gain although very very quiet (I didn't notice it until I actively went looking for it after trying high gain, but it's just loud enough for me hear if I focus). The noise floor loudness is unaffected by the volume setting and only occurs on headphone out, line out sounds fine. I have tried disconnecting the USB cable leaving only the power cable, swapping to bluetooth source, and connecting the power cord to multiple different sockets in different rooms and none of these changes affect the noise.

Practically speaking I doubt this affects me that much as even with my easy to drive SHP9500's the noise floor is inaudible at low gain and quiet at high gain, and as I plan on purchasing some harder to drive headphones I expect even the high gain noise to disappear. That said I've read reviews of the noise floor being completely inaudible even with very sensitive IEM's so I wanted to double check here. Or are my expectations unrealistic?

As a side note, would an impedance adapter be a good fix for this or are there drawbacks to this approach?

I happen to be checking out an SMSL C200 and HO150X pair today. I've got the Moondrop Chu 2 here which are 18 ohm and similar to yours for noise floor. I paused a song and maxed the volume and not any hiss coming from the C200. The only difference is I've got an optical USB plugged directly into it since it uses the C type connector. If you have any hiss sound, it's probably the USB connection. Prices on optical USB cables have come down with the popularity of VR headsets which need a long cable. I got a couple used on Amazon for around $33 each and they're really worth it if you have noisy ports and don't have optical output for a backup plan.

 

[rafaelpernil]

I followed your reproduction steps using my wan'ers and I heard the interference you described in the left channel, it also disappears when disconnecting the left RCA cable. So either your unit is fine or we both have the same defect.

Thank you for testing! I think it is part of C200's design, there's not much we can do about it

 

[rafaelpernil]

Hi, I bought the C200 largely because of this forum's recommendation and while I am pleased with the sound I am hearing a white noise floor on my Tangzu Wan'er IEM's, and would like some clarification if this is expected given their sensitivity or if I have a defective unit.

The white noise is very noticable on high gain, and also present on low gain although very very quiet (I didn't notice it until I actively went looking for it after trying high gain, but it's just loud enough for me hear if I focus). The noise floor loudness is unaffected by the volume setting and only occurs on headphone out, line out sounds fine. I have tried disconnecting the USB cable leaving only the power cable, swapping to bluetooth source, and connecting the power cord to multiple different sockets in different rooms and none of these changes affect the noise.

Practically speaking I doubt this affects me that much as even with my easy to drive SHP9500's the noise floor is inaudible at low gain and quiet at high gain, and as I plan on purchasing some harder to drive headphones I expect even the high gain noise to disappear. That said I've read reviews of the noise floor being completely inaudible even with very sensitive IEM's so I wanted to double check here. Or are my expectations unrealistic?

As a side note, would an impedance adapter be a good fix for this or are there drawbacks to this approach?

I also hear the noise floor with high gain and my Wan'er, regardless of the input selected or cables used. However with low gain I can't hear it, it must be quieter than my tinnitus.

 

[Bleib]

It's unlikely to do anything against the noise, but try also installing the C200 firmware that is found in the DL200 topic

 

[nongnet]

Please advise cable with plugs to connect headphone (with 3.5mm input jack) to connect smsl C200 6.35mm headphone out.
I attached picture.

 

[staticV3]

Please advise cable with plugs to connect headphone (with 3.5mm input jack) to connect smsl C200 6.35mm headphone out.
I attached picture.

Any cable that is inexpensive and has good ratings on Amazon

Though if you want something nice, try the Cordial CFM 1,5 WV

 

[nongnet]

Any cable that is inexpensive and has good ratings on Amazon

Though if you want something nice, try the Cordial CFM 1,5 WV

You mean any cable with TS or TRS 6.35mm jack ?

 

[staticV3]

You mean any cable with TS or TRS 6.35mm jack ?

Ah, sorry. Now I understand.

For stereo sound, you need TRS on both ends.

 

[staticV3]

У меня были искажения звука в некоторых приложениях , как ни странно, переключение на USB 1.1 решило эту проблему.

Please use English on ASR.

 

[DeDovla]

Seems that the ESD (electrostatic discharge) issue is tied to the amplifier section of the C200. When using it in a chain over TRS balanced with L50 I have not yet noticed an issue with ESD. Also, there is no more clicking on the devices and pops coming from the headphones when the sample rate gets changed.

 

[nongnet]

I got C200 for almost 2 weeks now.
Previously, I was using SU-1.
TV > SU-1 > Amp
No audio stuttering. Nice.
With C200, I have to raise DPLL to highest 9 to stop choppy audio.
Every now and then, I try reduce to 8 but failed.
(This C200 is brand new and not refurbished)
Understand that SU-1 is using AKM.
Should I avoid DAC with ESS if my primary usage is TV ?
Please excuse me if my question does not make sense.

 

[Joffy1780]

I got C200 for almost 2 weeks now.
Previously, I was using SU-1.
TV > SU-1 > Amp
No audio stuttering. Nice.
With C200, I have to raise DPLL to highest 9 to stop choppy audio.
Every now and then, I try reduce to 8 but failed.
(This C200 is brand new and not refurbished)
Understand that SU-1 is using AKM.
Should I avoid DAC with ESS if my primary usage is TV ?
Please excuse me if my question does not make sense.

If you are not getting any stuttering issues with DPLL at 9 then there is no problem, that is why the settings are there.

 

[Joffy1780]

I got C200 for almost 2 weeks now.
Previously, I was using SU-1.
TV > SU-1 > Amp
No audio stuttering. Nice.
With C200, I have to raise DPLL to highest 9 to stop choppy audio.
Every now and then, I try reduce to 8 but failed.
(This C200 is brand new and not refurbished)
Understand that SU-1 is using AKM.
Should I avoid DAC with ESS if my primary usage is TV ?
Please excuse me if my question does not make sense.

I have an SMSL DO100 connected to a TCL TV via optical and the DPLL is set to 8, pretty sure from memory it had to be on 9 when it was connected to an older Samsung.

 

[nongnet]

If you are not getting any stuttering issues with DPLL at 9 then there is no problem, that is why the settings are there.

Suppose, I got PS200 instead of C200, I will not be able to fix stuttering problem with TV, right ?
Understand that PS200 has no DPLL function.

 

[Joffy1780]

Suppose, I got PS200 instead of C200, I will not be able to fix stuttering problem with TV, right ?
Understand that PS200 has no DPLL function.

I always assumed, and I'm probably wrong, that when there is no DPLL adjustment possible it is fixed at the highest setting, as I've never had an issue with devices that aren't adjustable.
I hope that even makes sense haha

 

[Westsounds]

I appreciate your explanations on this point of "balanced output" vs. "balanced headphone output" here (and in other threads) and the implications for low impedence HF. I have the C200 and think it's a way better deal than the M500 MKIII, which uses the same terminology but also does not offer balanced headphone output. As far as audible differences between the 2 units there don't seem to be any based on @amirm 's testing, and what we're paying for with the M500 MKIII is the novel form factor, prettier display and the MQA (which I don't care about). Maybe reviews could note when the mfr uses the "balanced" descriptor, but the HF outs are delivering the same power. Or, now that I understand it better, maybe I should just read the specs myself?

No sound colours either

I actually like these for tweaking the sound.

 

[audiomaestro]

Does the SMSL C200 display screen show the sources bitrate data on it?

 

[Bleib]

Does the SMSL C200 display screen show the sources bitrate data on it?

Khz for a moment