New SMSL PA200 GaN Fet amplifier

[Deleted member 72219]

I ordered one also, should be here Sunday, I would like a b200 but two of these would be more power in mono than two b200's.

Hey this come in yet?

My first unit arrives today. Second one possibly before the weekend.

-Ed

 

[ryan74701]

Hey this come in yet?

My first unit arrives today. Second one possibly before the weekend.

-Ed

Yes, but I haven’t hooked it up yet. My topping d200’s come in today though

 

[Deleted member 72219]

Just got it all hooked up with RCA, readjusted subwoofer phase to match (needed 90° setting for my V3 Monos and 0° setting for the PA200), re-leveled my subwoofer volume to match the PA200, set the amp to pure stereo power amplifier (volume bypass), and am playing test playlist now.

So far so good, nothing sticking out to me in terms of the sound to be concerned about. The amplifier is every bit as transparent as SMSL’s measurements/marketing material claims. I do need to get some actual critical listening in later tonight to know for sure, but based on what I’m hearing so far, these are a keeper and I can’t wait to get the second unit in to try them out in bridged monobloc/XLR mode.

Wonderful to be able to replace amps with exterior power supplies with these lovely one-piece amps!

Pics:
Box:

Front:

Rear:

In the console for size comparison. It is the exact same width as FiiO K9 AKM, and about a centimeter/half inch wider than WiiM Ultra:

A shame these didn’t come in black, or with 12V trigger, but I’ll accept that because of the amazing balance of sound quality and power for the price. Sounds just as great as the Topping B100s I had before without concerns about power/safety cut-out. No ungainly exterior power supplies.

-Ed

 

[Evo42]

Thanks for the initial thoughts. How's the build quality and out of interest is that silver ultra and is the colour close or quite different. Also re no 12v trigger does that mean you have to turn on the Ultra and the PA200. The PA200 doesn't sense the input and wake from a standby mode?

 

[ryan74701]

Just got it all hooked up with RCA, readjusted subwoofer phase to match (needed 90° setting for my V3 Monos and 0° setting for the PA200), re-leveled my subwoofer volume to match the PA200, set the amp to pure stereo power amplifier (volume bypass), and am playing test playlist now.

So far so good, nothing sticking out to me in terms of the sound to be concerned about. The amplifier is every bit as transparent as SMSL’s measurements/marketing material claims. I do need to get some actual critical listening in later tonight to know for sure, but based on what I’m hearing so far, these are a keeper and I can’t wait to get the second unit in to try them out in bridged monobloc/XLR mode.

Wonderful to be able to replace amps with exterior power supplies with these lovely one-piece amps!

Pics:
Box:
View attachment 431836

Front:
View attachment 431837

Rear:
View attachment 431838

In the console for size comparison. It is the exact same width as FiiO K9 AKM, and about a centimeter/half inch wider than WiiM Ultra:
View attachment 431839

A shame these didn’t come in black, or with 12V trigger, but I’ll accept that because of the amazing balance of sound quality and power for the price. Sounds just as great as the Topping B100s I had before without concerns about power/safety cut-out. No ungainly exterior power supplies.

-Ed

I have mine plugged into a DO400 and it’s in pure amp mode and I barely have it turned up and it’s powering the r11 metas easy, idk what’s happening here because these r11’s are thumping harder than they ever have compared to when they are hooked into my avr in two channel (rz70)

 

[Deleted member 72219]

Thanks for the initial thoughts. How's the build quality and out of interest is that silver ultra and is the colour close or quite different. Also re no 12v trigger does that mean you have to turn on the Ultra and the PA200. The PA200 doesn't sense the input and wake from a standby mode?

Build quality is excellent, and fully befitting the $420 MSRP. My WiiM Ultra is the Space Grey, so they are totally off in color. As far as I’m aware no auto-on/-off on the PA200. When I get in the second PA200, I am hoping I can just use remote to turn them both on and off simultaneously since it’s infrared and not Bluetooth.

-Ed

 

[Deleted member 72219]

I have mine plugged into a DO400 and it’s in pure amp mode and I barely have it turned up and it’s powering the r11 metas easy, idk what’s happening here because these r11’s are thumping harder than they ever have compared to when they are hooked into my avr in two channel (rz70)

Yes, it may well be my brain and ears deceiving me, but I also get a sense as if the PA200 hits harder on the lower mids and upper bass compared to the V3 Monos I just swapped out. Probably just an illusion since both amps are flat/not load-dependent frequency response.

-Ed

 

[Deleted member 72219]

One thing I found strange: despite being rated +31dB gain for RCA inputs, I found overall sound to be almost the same loudness as the V3 Monos with XLR input, which are only rated +20dB gain. I didn’t have to really adjust the volume level of my subwoofer much to get it even with the speakers again after making the swap. Now I did notice that the PA200 is louder when the volume control is enabled and maxed compared to when it is set to pure stereo mode (volume bypass), so perhaps the +31dB gain rating is max volume with volume control enabled and when set to volume bypass it drops to +28dB or +26dB. Hard for me to say as I’ve no real instruments for testing.

-Ed

 

[Deleted member 72219]

Second unit arrived. My listening impressions/informal review:
Thread 'Impressions: SMSL PA200 GAN FET Class-D Power Amp'
https://audiosciencereview.com/foru...s-smsl-pa200-gan-fet-class-d-power-amp.61171/

-Ed

 

[R.J.]

SMSL PA200 in mono mode (900 EUR for stereo pair):

VS.

Hypex NC502MP (700 EUR)

 

[Matt_Holland]

I’m looking forward to seeing how this compares to the Topping B200.

@amirm is an SMSL PA200 review in the pipeline?

 

[pieterv1]

Oh man, just with 12v trigger or a decent auto-sensing function, this would've seemed perfect! I love the stylish, compact design with built-in PSU!

 

[Deleted member 72219]

Oh man, just with 12v trigger or a decent auto-sensing function, this would've seemed perfect! I love the stylish, compact design with built-in PSU!

Me too!

At least they’re easily turned on/off via the included remote. If you’re using a pair in bridged mono mode, it’s possible to control both simultaneously with one remote since they’re infrared instead of BT, so still no need to walk right up to the amps to turn them on or off at least. And of course makes the volume control a lot easier to use having a remote, if you’re using the amp in stereo integrated mode.

-Ed

 

[Danieru Senpai]

Me too!

At least they’re easily turned on/off via the included remote.

Now you got me wondering if my SMSL PL200 remote would also work on these PA200... That's most likely the case and it would "solve" the lack of a 12v trigger since it's my main system right now (CD + USB + Bluetooth via LDAC), XLR out to MR4 monitors which I'm looking to proper audiophile speakers later this year, hence the interest in the PA200.

 

[Evo42]

Is there a work around for the 12 volt trigger at all? Would love to pair with a wiim ultra and just turn on the system with app or voice control.

 

[pieterv1]

Is there a work around for the 12 volt trigger at all? Would love to pair with a wiim ultra and just turn on the system with app or voice control.

Earlier suggestion was to use the Audiophonics 12v trigger adapter:

AUDIOPHONICS Trigger 12V 110V/230V Slave Power Supply Device - Audiophonics

The Audiophonics Trigger 12V is the simple and effective solution for turning on and off any appliance connected to 110V or 230V AC mains with an IEC female mains input

www.audiophonics.fr

It all depends on how the Aplifier behaves when AC power is coming in: will it fully turn on into operational state?

Maybe @EddNog could test this

 

[Evo42]

Wow, yeah this seems like a good option!

 

[Deleted member 72219]

Earlier suggestion was to use the Audiophonics 12v trigger adapter:

AUDIOPHONICS Trigger 12V 110V/230V Slave Power Supply Device - Audiophonics

The Audiophonics Trigger 12V is the simple and effective solution for turning on and off any appliance connected to 110V or 230V AC mains with an IEC female mains input

www.audiophonics.fr

It all depends on how the Aplifier behaves when AC power is coming in: will it fully turn on into operational state?

Maybe @EddNog could test this

Let’s assume that the power toggle next to the IEC connector on the back of the unit functions the same as physically disconnecting or reconnecting the power cord.

I just turned the amp on, and then flipped the toggle off. Of course the amp shut down. Upon toggling the switch back on, the amp also powered back up. Your solution will work (for people where the power system is 220-240V).

Sadly, this won’t work for me in the US.

-Ed

 

[KL....]

Let’s assume that the power toggle next to the IEC connector on the back of the unit functions the same as physically disconnecting or reconnecting the power cord.

I just turned the amp on, and then flipped the toggle off. Of course the amp shut down. Upon toggling the switch back on, the amp also powered back up. Your solution will work (for people where the power system is 220-240V).

Sadly, this won’t work for me in the US.

-Ed

Absolutely, to switch from USA 110/120V to 220-240V could (highly likely) destroy the PA200. Is that what you are posting of?

 

[Deleted member 72219]

Absolutely, to switch from USA 110/120V to 220-240V could (highly likely) destroy the PA200. Is that what you are posting of?

No. I am responding to this:

Earlier suggestion was to use the Audiophonics 12v trigger adapter:

AUDIOPHONICS Trigger 12V 110V/230V Slave Power Supply Device - Audiophonics

The Audiophonics Trigger 12V is the simple and effective solution for turning on and off any appliance connected to 110V or 230V AC mains with an IEC female mains input

www.audiophonics.fr

It all depends on how the Aplifier behaves when AC power is coming in: will it fully turn on into operational state?

Maybe @EddNog could test this

As you can see, the linked product/solution is for 230V electrical systems. My test proves that the amp will be able to work with that device. My additional commentary merely states that this solution still won't work for me, as I do not live in a place with 230V electrical system.

-Ed