Impressions: SMSL PA200 GAN FET Class-D Power Amp

[Deleted member 72219]

What makes that "better"? Do you think it makes an audible difference for normal, commercially recorded material (that has a dynamic range much less than 96 dB)?

I thought basic elementary school math taught us that 88.2, 96, 176.4, and 192 were higher than 44.1 or 48, or is this some weird way of making fun of my American education?

I’m done wasting my time on this. Enjoy arguing with the wall.

-Ed

 

[Chr1]

Well said sir!

 

[Julf]

I thought basic elementary school math taught us that 88.2, 96, 176.4, and 192 were higher than 44.1 or 48, or is this some weird way of making fun of my American education?

I’m done wasting my time on this. Enjoy arguing with the wall.

-Ed

You didn't write "higher", you wrote "better". Why is padding the audio with extra, unnecessary random bits (noise) "better"? It is like arguing my car is better than your car, because my car is heavier.

Any associations to the quality of American education are purely your own.

 

[BeeKay]

If there only were threads dealing with Redbook vs high-res, PCM vs DSD … wait!

There are tons of that!!

 

[Julf]

If there only would be threads dealing with Redbook vs high-res, PCM vs DSD … wait!

There are tons of that!!

Indeed. Honest question: should we let people repeat audiophile folklore and misunderstandings just because it has been discussed in other threads?

 

[BeeKay]

Indeed. Honest question: should we let people repeat audiophile folklore and misunderstandings just because it has been discussed in other threads?

Probably not. But it’s really exhausting to see almost every thread with a clear defined topic derail so badly. After a while these are totally useless for the OT stuff dealt with at length.

 

[Julf]

Probably not. But it’s really exhausting to see almost every thread with a clear defined topic derail so badly. After a while these are totally useless for the OT stuff dealt with at length.

I know. What we should have is a list of frequent errors/misconceptions/false beliefs, with pointers to relevant discussion and evidence, so we could just post a pointer to the appropriate one.

 

[BDWoody]

Indeed. Honest question: should we let people repeat audiophile folklore and misunderstandings just because it has been discussed in other threads?

No, but we can try to corral it so it doesn't end up derailing so many separate threads. We have a few catch-all threads, maybe we can add a couple more to put those posts with subjects that aren't already covered. Alternately or in addition, a reply that references and links the threads where the subject is covered or a suggestion to start a new thread can help newcomers find their way. For those who don't get the message and tend to go down this same path in numerous threads, we can deal with that too.

We have no problem responding to reports where people may need encouragement to stay on topic, and we trust our membership to have enough of a feel for things to let us know when we might step in sooner rather than later.

 

[Deleted member 72219]

No, but we can try to corral it so it doesn't end up derailing so many separate threads. We have a few catch-all threads, maybe we can add a couple more to put those posts with subjects that aren't already covered. Alternately or in addition, a reply that references and links the threads where the subject is covered or a suggestion to start a new thread can help newcomers find their way. For those who don't get the message and tend to go down this same path in numerous threads, we can deal with that too.

We have no problem responding to reports where people may need encouragement to stay on topic, and we trust our membership to have enough of a feel for things to let us know when we might step in sooner rather than later.

Here’s an idea that should reduce the clutter: since everyone prefers to talk about anything but the PA200s, let’s just delete the thread. I don’t mind!

-Ed

 

[BeeKay]

Here’s an idea that should reduce the clutter: since everyone prefers to talk about anything but the PA200s, let’s just delete the thread. I don’t mind!

-Ed

No. The info and your first hand experience of the PA200 is very much appreciated.

 

[LumiAudioNut]

If you consider this forum "unhealthy", what is your opinion of the typical "mutual reinforcement of common beliefs" audiophile forums?

Dear Julf:, Of course, I agree with your statement. I am just advocating for civility and respect from both sides of the debate (subjectivist/objectivist).
As someone who has been looking at audio reviews for over about 40 years, I can assure that both sides have something very important to share. Think of a beautiful painting. You can accurately digitize it into a binary file that accurately expresses the location, color, shading, intensity etc. of every point (pixel) with high fidelity, yet all this data doesn't tell you anything about the way it makes you feel.

 

[LumiAudioNut]

Thanks; I did see that streamer, but I am happy with the WiiM. Ease of use is a thing. The CD players are nice, but I feel like that kind of money for the privilege of having to flip discs constantly is not for me, despite my huge collection of CDs gathering dust. My curated streaming playlists are not only more convenient, but much of the content is high-res lossless, better than redbook CD.

Erin’s Audio Corner did a review/measurement of the LRS+ and the video should be out any day now. I am a Patreon so got early access. It’s not exactly the 2.7, but I imagine it’s similar but the 2.7 has better bass extension.

I envy your R3 Metas! They were way out of my budget range. I got my LS50 Metas open-box at substantial discount.

-Ed

Hi Edd, Here is the current setup: Magnepan 2.7i's, Kef R3 Meta's, Bluesound streamer (to be replaced) , Denefrips Aries 15th (I also have a SMSL Su10 that's still at the top of Amir's DAC list, but it's doing duty on my desktop system), Pass Labs HPA-1 (measures horribly, but I prefer it to the Schiit Kara that measures well), Schiit Kara & Lyr+ (just out for the photo), Pass Labs XA25 (measurements are just okay (at best) and can be seen on Stereophile), March Audio Purifi amp (state of the art measurements vis-a-vis Amir), and last but not least my brand new SMSL PA200 (second one arrives tomorrow). Since the Pass XA25 is class A and doubles as a room heater (250 watts of pure heat to be precise), it will soon be temporarily retired until the weather cools again in the fall. My amps are seasonal lol.

Regarding the Magenpans: Yes, I've closely looked at the LRS and LRS+ measurements that have been graciously posted by Amir and Erin, and can confirm they have severe limitations in directivity (particularly in the vertical direction). In particular, I can clearly hear changes to a track of Pink Noise (similar to white noise except it's sound is evenly distributed across the entire frequency spectrum) while going from a standing to seating position. BTW, Kefs are rock solid in this respect.

-Lumi

 

[Deleted member 72219]

View attachment 438277

Hi Edd, Here is the current setup: Magnepan 2.7i's, Kef R3 Meta's, Bluesound streamer (to be replaced) , Denefrips Aries 15th (I also have a SMSL Su10 that's still at the top of Amir's DAC list, but it's doing duty on my desktop system), Pass Labs HPA-1 (measures horribly, but I prefer it to the Schiit Kara that measures well), Schiit Kara & Lyr+ (just out for the photo), Pass Labs XA25 (measurements are just okay (at best) and can be seen on Stereophile), March Audio Purifi amp (state of the art measurements vis-a-vis Amir), and last but not least my brand new SMSL PA200 (second one arrives tomorrow). Since the Pass XA25 is class A and doubles as a room heater (250 watts of pure heat to be precise), it will soon be temporarily retired until the weather cools again in the fall. My amps are seasonal lol.

Regarding the Magenpans: Yes, I've closely looked at the LRS and LRS+ measurements that have been graciously posted by Amir and Erin, and can confirm they have severe limitations in directivity (particularly in the vertical direction). In particular, I can clearly hear changes to a track of Pink Noise (similar to white noise except it's sound is evenly distributed across the entire frequency spectrum) while going from a standing to seating position. BTW, Kefs are rock solid in this respect.

-Lumi

Indeed; my dad’s system is based on a pair of LRS+ driven by IOM Ultra (NC252MP). It is amazing the instantaneous transition when your ears clear the top of the speakers!

-Ed

 

[mr_bill]

@LumiAudioNut would love to hear about your PA200 …and also the 2.7i speakers! They are really good.

 

[antcollinet]

Dear Julf:, Of course, I agree with your statement. I am just advocating for civility and respect from both sides of the debate (subjectivist/objectivist).
As someone who has been looking at audio reviews for over about 40 years, I can assure that both sides have something very important to share. Think of a beautiful painting. You can accurately digitize it into a binary file that accurately expresses the location, color, shading, intensity etc. of every point (pixel) with high fidelity, yet all this data doesn't tell you anything about the way it makes you feel.

Yebbut. Its the music that makes you feel. Not the gear.

 

[Sokel]

Dear Julf:, Of course, I agree with your statement. I am just advocating for civility and respect from both sides of the debate (subjectivist/objectivist).
As someone who has been looking at audio reviews for over about 40 years, I can assure that both sides have something very important to share. Think of a beautiful painting. You can accurately digitize it into a binary file that accurately expresses the location, color, shading, intensity etc. of every point (pixel) with high fidelity, yet all this data doesn't tell you anything about the way it makes you feel.

It's not audio, these kind of behaviors is exactly the same around most hobbies.
Luckily though, at least electronics are measurable so debates usually don't live long if not backed up by data.

Sometimes it's a little unfair, I agree, specially with young fundamentalists with blanket statements which do not take account of the conditions.
But even they calm down when they reminded about it.

(if your goal is fun no one can spoil it)

 

[Evo42]

If you consider this forum "unhealthy", what is your opinion of the typical "mutual reinforcement of common beliefs" audiophile forums?

Plenty of space for healthy discussion but it is important to call out unhinged unnecessary aggressive rants.

 

[Julf]

Dear Julf:, Of course, I agree with your statement. I am just advocating for civility and respect from both sides of the debate (subjectivist/objectivist).
As someone who has been looking at audio reviews for over about 40 years, I can assure that both sides have something very important to share. Think of a beautiful painting. You can accurately digitize it into a binary file that accurately expresses the location, color, shading, intensity etc. of every point (pixel) with high fidelity, yet all this data doesn't tell you anything about the way it makes you feel.

Sure, but what does what *you* feel about a painting tell *me*?

 

[Julf]

Plenty of space for healthy discussion but it is important to call out unhinged unnecessary aggressive rants.

Please define "healthy discussion". I was responding to a (non-aggressive) rant, in a way I thought was non-aggressive, but possibly passive-aggressive.

 

[Evo42]

Please define "healthy discussion". I was responding to a (non-aggressive) rant, in a way I thought was non-aggressive, but possibly passive-aggressive.

It was general comment referring to calling out @Artcore87 post a few pages back. Healthy discussion is just being basically respectful in my view.