New SMSL C200PRO

[ICIETDIYEUR]

People hi

Another newcomer at SMSL with a single DAC ship ES9039Q2M (MSRP: $199.00 USD) ->

C200Pro: Mini Compact Desktop Amplifier​

Experience powerful audio in a mini size design. With USB, Optical, Coaxial, and Bluetooth inputs and outputs for 6.35mm, 4.4mm, TRS, and RCA, plus a full-function remote control, it's perfect for any desktop setup.

Versatile Multi-Platform Connectivity​

Supports multiple platforms including Windows, iOS, Android, Mac OS, Linux, PS4, PS5, Switch, and more. In USB 1.1 mode, all USB devices work without a driver (max sampling rate: 96kHz), while USB 2.0 mode requires a driver installation on Windows and supports higher sampling rates. Note: Switching between modes requires a device restart.

Bluetooth Input: Premium Wireless Audio​

Featuring a Qualcomm Bluetooth chip and Bluetooth 5.1, the SMSL C200Pro supports LDAC, aptX-HD, aptX, SBC, and AAC. Enjoy superior wireless sound quality with longer transmission distance, ensuring your audio experience is both high fidelity and stable.
Detailed specs include:
LDAC: 24bit/96kHz (990kbps/660kbps/330kbps)
aptX-HD: 24bit/48kHz (576kbps)
aptX: 16bit/44.1kHz (352kbps)
SBC: 16bit/44.1kHz (328kbps)
AAC: 16bit/44.1kHz (320kbps)

6.35/4.4mm Headphone Jack​

C200Pro features dedicated 6.35mm and 4.4mm headphone jacks with a built-in amplifier gain of +9.5dB. It delivers tailored output power for various headphone impedances—16Ω: 3W x2; 32Ω: 1.5W x2; 150Ω: 350mW x2; 300Ω: 170mW x2; and 600Ω: 85mW x2—ensuring dynamic and precise audio performance.

High-End Audio Processing & Conversion​

The 3rd Generation XMos XU-316 is a high-end USB audio master solution by XMOS, engineered for ultra-high specification audio decoding. It supports PCM playback up to 32bit/768kHz and DSD playback up to DSD512. Complementing this, the ESS ES9039Q2M is the next-generation digital-to-analog converter from ESS Technology. It natively decodes 32bit/768kHz PCM and DSD512 formats, boasting a dynamic range of up to +130dB, with THD as low as -126dB and THD+N of -120dB, ensuring unparalleled audio performance.

High-Quality Gold-Plated Interface​

C200Pro features fully gold-plated input/output interfaces, effectively reducing contact resistance and energy loss for high-fidelity audio transmission. It also improves the spacing between headphone jack holes for easier plugging and unplugging compared to previous generations.

Remote Control: Full-Function Convenience​

The C200Pro comes with a full-function remote control for effortless operation. It allows you to power on/off, switch functions, adjust volume, and turn off the screen remotely—making your audio experience more user-friendly. Refer to the manual for detailed operation.

Technical Details​

Inputs: USB, Optical, Coaxial, Bluetooth

Outputs: 6.35mm Headphone, 4.4mm Headphone, TRS, RCA

Output Amplitude: TRS - 5Vrms; RCA - 2.5Vrms

HPA Output Power:
16Ω – 3W x2
32Ω – 1.5W x2
150Ω – 350mW x2
300Ω – 170mW x2
600Ω – 85mW x2

HPA Gain: +9.5dB

THD+N:
Line Out – 0.00006% (–123.5dB)
Headphone Out – 0.00009% (–120dB)

Dynamic Range & SNR:
TRS – 129dB
RCA – 126dB
HPA – 125dB

Output Impedance:
Headphone Output – Near 0Ω
Line Output – 100Ω

USB Transmission: USB 1.1 & USB 2.0 (Asynchronous)

USB Compatibility: Windows 7/8/8.1/10/11 (Need driver), iOS, Android, Mac OS, Linux (Driverless)

Bit Depth:
USB: 1bit, 16–32bit
Optical/Coaxial: 1bit, 16–24bit


USB Sampling Rate:
PCM: 44.1–768kHz
DSD: 2.8224–22.5792MHz

Optical/Coaxial Sampling Rate:
PCM: 44.1–192kHz
DSD: DSD64 (DoP)

Bluetooth Specifications (5.1):
LDAC – 24bit/96kHz (990/660/330kbps)
aptX-HD – 24bit/48kHz (576kbps)
aptX – 16bit/44.1kHz (352kbps)
SBC – 16bit/44.1kHz (328kbps)
AAC – 16bit/44.1kHz (320kbps)

Power Consumption: <25W

Standby Power: <0.5W

Size: 139 x 32 x 147.5 mm (WxHxD)

Weight: 510g (1.12 lbs)

Inside the Box:

• C200 Pro x1
• Remote Control x1
• Bluetooth Antenna x1
• USB Cable x1
• AC Power Cord x1
• User Manual x1
• Warranty Card x1

That's all I could find on this DAC so far...

Regards.

 

[Rednaxela]

No DSP?

 

[ICIETDIYEUR]

Hello.

I don't know because I'm not part of the SMSL company or any other company for that matter.

I wrote in my post: "That's all I could find on this DAC so far..."

In addition, it seems to me that SMSL would have indicated in the characteristics if a DSP was present.

Moreover, when you look at the size of this DAC you wonder how they fit everything into it

Sorry.

NB: find on the net

 

[Nezil]

I've recently set up a desktop listening station in my home office, and I was looking for either separate DAC and Headphone amp, or ideally a combined product, so I've just ordered one of these, in addition to a DL200 to see if they truly are the same. I wasn't able to find any specs beyond the OP online, and I'm hoping a little more might be in the manual.

Previous to this I was using a Scarlett 2i2 Audio Interface, which looks nice, if you like the red anodised enclosure, but may not be the best DAC and certainly isn't the best headphone amplifier, so I'm hoping for some improvement overall.

One question I do have, is if the volume control on these products applies to both the headphone output and the line level outputs that I'll be passing to a small amplifier? If so, what is considered best practice here?

• Control volume with the downstream integrated amplifier and fix the DAC output to max
• Control volume with the DAC output and set the downstream amplifier to max
• Some combination of the above

I'm sure I'll have some other questions, but that will do for now.

 

[doodoodude]

-I am writing this post using a translation assisted by ChatGPT, so please let me know if anything is unclear.-

I recently received the SMSL C200 PRO, and I’m experiencing a problem that keeps happening.

This tends to happen when audio is currently playing or temporarily paused in a browser (like Chrome) or any audio app, and I do one of the following:

- Turn off the DAC using the remote and power it back on almost immediately
- Switch through the input modes using the remote (USB → OPT → BT → COX → USB)

About half the time, the audio comes back with a noticeably lower pitch — voices sound unnaturally deep, like the playback speed has changed.

This issue only occurs when the DAC is in USB mode.
I’ve noticed this happens most frequently when testing with YouTube in a browser.

There are two temporary ways to fix it:

- Change the sample rate manually in Windows, which makes the DAC reinitialize the sample rate
- Close all audio-related apps and browsers, then turn off the DAC, wait about 10 seconds, and turn it back on

However, even restarting the entire PC doesn’t solve the issue, so I don’t think it’s a Windows or PC problem — it seems to be something inside the DAC itself.

I often switch between OPT and USB, so this problem is quite frustrating for my usage.

Has anyone else who received the C200 PRO experienced this?

 

[Nezil]

Hi @doodoodude, yes, I've experienced this behaviour as well; see my post here: https://audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/smsl-c200-pro-observations.62367/post-2287690

 

[doodoodude]

Hi @doodoodude, yes, I've experienced this behaviour as well; see my post here: https://audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/smsl-c200-pro-observations.62367/post-2287690

Hi
Are you experiencing exactly the same issue?
If it’s not too much trouble, would you be able to test it using the method I described when you have some time?

All you need to do is play a YouTube video in Chrome (preferably with someone speaking), and while it’s playing, use the remote to cycle the input mode and return to USB. (USB → OPT → BT → COX → USB) Then see if the pitch issue occurs.


I’ve already contacted both Aoshida and SMSL about this, but they told me they couldn’t reproduce the issue on their end.
However, If you're experiencing exactly the same issue as I am, then including myself, one person from another forum, and now you here on this forum, that makes three people experiencing the same problem — so I don’t think it’s due to a defective unit.


My guess is that this could be fixed with a firmware update — maybe by adjusting how the DAC handles sample rate initialization when changing input modes or powering on. But I’m not sure if SMSL will actually address it.

 

[Nezil]

Hi
Are you experiencing exactly the same issue?
If it’s not too much trouble, would you be able to test it using the method I described when you have some time?

All you need to do is play a YouTube video in Chrome (preferably with someone speaking), and while it’s playing, use the remote to cycle the input mode and return to USB. (USB → OPT → BT → COX → USB) Then see if the pitch issue occurs.

No, not exactly the same. I only have access to Mac, not Windows, so I can't comment on using Chrome.

The approach that I took was to play some music in the Apple Music app, then either hot-plug the USB, or toggle the input mode and return to USB. In both of those cases I frequently had issues.

My guess is that this could be fixed with a firmware update — maybe by adjusting how the DAC handles sample rate initialization when changing input modes or powering on. But I’m not sure if SMSL will actually address it.

I agree, especially as the DL200 does not have this issue. My guess is that something from DL200 needs to be ported to C200 Pro. Firmware updates have been made in the past, but I don't see one for the C200 Pro yet.

 

[doodoodude]

No, not exactly the same. I only have access to Mac, not Windows, so I can't comment on using Chrome.

The approach that I took was to play some music in the Apple Music app, then either hot-plug the USB, or toggle the input mode and return to USB. In both of those cases I frequently had issues.


I agree, especially as the DL200 does not have this issue. My guess is that something from DL200 needs to be ported to C200 Pro. Firmware updates have been made in the past, but I don't see one for the C200 Pro yet.

Thanks.

I just tried playing music from Apple Music on my phone, and when I hot-plug the USB-C during playback, or start playback on another input and then switch to USB, the same issue happens.
Seems like exactly the same problem.

SMSL doesn’t even have an official product page for this device yet.
At first, I contacted SMSL directly, but they didn’t give me any reply and just forwarded the issue to Aoshida Audio by email.
So right now, I’m communicating with Aoshida Audio about this.

I'm planning to talk with the aoshida audio a bit more before deciding whether to return the product, so it was important for me to understand this part clearly.

 

[Nezil]

I’ll be returning mine for this, and another reason - terrible Bluetooth range; I suspect there is an issue with the antenna wire.

I wanted to like the C200 Pro, but the DL200 seems to have slightly better features, and it’s cheaper, and the RAW MDA 1 better still, though much more expensive. It’s between those two for me now.