New SMSL PA200 GaN Fet amplifier

[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

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.

I was advised of the existence of this wonderful unit which allows the power on/off behavior of these amps to be automated:

Amazon.com

-Ed

 

[pieterv1]

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

Actually, why wouldn't it work for you? I'm pretty sure the Audiophonics device merely contains a relay, which is powered by the 12v trigger output of the Ultra. And doesn't contain any other active electronics. So if it can handle 230v, then why not 115v?

to switch from USA 110/120V to 220-240V could (highly likely) destroy the PA200.

That would be absolutely no problem, it has a modern switch-mode power supply. On the back, next to the AC inlet, it clearly states it can handle anything between 100v and 240v.

 

[Deleted member 72219]

Actually, why wouldn't it work for you? I'm pretty sure the Audiophonics device merely contains a relay, which is powered by the 12v trigger output of the Ultra. And doesn't contain any other active electronics. So if it can handle 230v, then why not 115v?

That would be absolutely no problem, it has a modern switch-mode power supply. On the back, next to the AC inlet, it clearly states it can handle anything between 100v and 240v.

It's okay; I've already ordered a Panamax M8 AV Pro. This will work fine and I won't need an extra splitter for the trigger signal.

-Ed

 

[pieterv1]

It's okay; I've already ordered a Panamax M8 AV Pro. This will work fine and I won't need an extra splitter for the trigger signal.

-Ed

Awesome! I've always found that there seem to be less of those kind of devices in Europe. Probably because home theatres are less of a thing here as well

 

[LumiAudioNut]

So, I've only had my SMSL PA200 GaN FET amplifiers (I bought two) and they're already obsolete :'-(!

PA-X

Foshan ShuangMuSanLin electronics Co., LTD. founded in 2009 which located in Shenzhen, China. And our branch company VMV Technology(HK) Company Limited registered in HK in 2013. Our company is specialized in the audio DAC, stereo headphone amplifier, power amplifier, and with own R&D...

www.smsl-audio.com

Interestingly, if you look closely at the power specifications (both on the SMSL webpage and in the manual) there are some pretty obvious typos.

I'm guessing (based on the PA200) that mono power into 4 ohms is 500 watts, but since there are multiple typos in the power specs it's hard to tell.

Of course, I would be grateful to see any impressions from an owner or link to same for the new SMSL PA-X.

Best,
Lumi!

 

[Loba]

So, I've only had my SMSL PA200 GaN FET amplifiers (I bought two) and they're already obsolete :'-(!

View attachment 442535

PA-X

Foshan ShuangMuSanLin electronics Co., LTD. founded in 2009 which located in Shenzhen, China. And our branch company VMV Technology(HK) Company Limited registered in HK in 2013. Our company is specialized in the audio DAC, stereo headphone amplifier, power amplifier, and with own R&D...

www.smsl-audio.com

Interestingly, if you look closely at the power specifications (both on the SMSL webpage and in the manual) there are some pretty obvious typos.

I'm guessing (based on the PA200) that mono power into 4 ohms is 500 watts, but since there are multiple typos in the power specs it's hard to tell.

Of course, I would be grateful to see any impressions from an owner or link to same for the new SMSL PA-X.

Best,
Lumi!

I accessed the chinese page for PA-X. for mono, it is stated only for 500Watts into 8ohms,

for stereo, 200Wx 2 into 8ohms and 250 W x 2 into 4ohms

compared to PA200 mono, 250W into 8 ohms, 400W into 4 ohms

in consideration there is no 4ohms spec for PA-X, 2 x PA200 would be better for speakers that dip in impedance quite a fair bit.

 

[Tonton_ZEeD]

The PA200 and PA-X appear to share the same chassis as the Sabaj A30a.

I hope the thermal design is better than the Sabaj's.

 

[Roland68]

The PA200 and PA-X appear to share the same chassis as the Sabaj A30a.

I hope the thermal design is better than the Sabaj's.

The PA200 is a completely different case, and the PA-X also seems to be based on a different case principle from SMSL, like the D400EX DAC. Both probably have suspended circuit boards.

I consider the case concept of the Sabaj A30a to be very successful, also in terms of thermal design.
I have two A30as in operation, sometimes under very adverse conditions (parties, home theater, high volumes, low-efficiency speakers, etc.). At ambient temperatures of approximately 20°-35°, the case temperature was approximately 32°-47°, which is absolutely fine.

 

[djsolidsnake86]

pa200 is better than ayima a80 in terms of quality sound?

when will be available the review of pa200?

 

[Scrivs]

So, I've only had my SMSL PA200 GaN FET amplifiers (I bought two) and they're already obsolete :'-(!

View attachment 442535

PA-X

Foshan ShuangMuSanLin electronics Co., LTD. founded in 2009 which located in Shenzhen, China. And our branch company VMV Technology(HK) Company Limited registered in HK in 2013. Our company is specialized in the audio DAC, stereo headphone amplifier, power amplifier, and with own R&D...

www.smsl-audio.com

Interestingly, if you look closely at the power specifications (both on the SMSL webpage and in the manual) there are some pretty obvious typos.

I'm guessing (based on the PA200) that mono power into 4 ohms is 500 watts, but since there are multiple typos in the power specs it's hard TO SELL

Of course, I would be grateful to see any impressions from an owner or link to same for the new SMSL PA-X.

Also, don't be upset about the SMSL model. I'm sure there's be another new one next month, and the month after that, and the month after that...

Edit: Grandma

 

[BigJusDXB]

I check back daily, hoping a "cool audiophile" has them ordered, and will forward here for testing...The PA200's seem to offer a lot for the money...IDK, maybe the price is too high? At $840 a pair, as much as I want to try them but don't need them...I await others valiantly adopting early.

This is what we are waiting for!

 

[Loba]

I have a pair and they gave better bass than v3 monos blocks to my b&w dm300.

 

[shilent]

Received a pair a couple of days ago. running these with Kef R3 Meta's.

Am I crazy or do these sound really good? I went from a Loxjie A30 to a SMSL AO200 MKII and I couldn't tell a difference switching back and forth between the two. With these PA200's, it immediately sounds better. Placebo perhaps.

The only thing I do not like is that they idle at 10 watts. Pressing the power button on its remote to put it in standby also uses 10 watts so they always stay warm.

 

[Roland68]

Received a pair a couple of days ago. running these with Kef R3 Meta's.

Am I crazy or do these sound really good? I went from a Loxjie A30 to a SMSL AO200 MKII and I couldn't tell a difference switching back and forth between the two. With these PA200's, it immediately sounds better. Placebo perhaps.

The only thing I do not like is that they idle at 10 watts. Pressing the power button on its remote to put it in standby also uses 10 watts so they always stay warm.

A few comments on this.
Please be very careful with your Kef R3 Metas if you're running two PA200s in mono mode. That's almost 2.5 times the maximum power your speakers can handle, and some owners of such speakers have destroyed them by completely overloading them. Especially when used without a subwoofer, and even worse with movies.

I believe you when you say the PA200s sound a bit better, as the two amplifiers mentioned are smaller versions of the Infineon Merus technology, which is also used in the PA200.
Just try the 3E Audio A7, Topping B200, or PA7; you might be surprised.

 

[shilent]

A few comments on this.
Please be very careful with your Kef R3 Metas if you're running two PA200s in mono mode. That's almost 2.5 times the maximum power your speakers can handle, and some owners of such speakers have destroyed them by completely overloading them. Especially when used without a subwoofer, and even worse with movies.

I believe you when you say the PA200s sound a bit better, as the two amplifiers mentioned are smaller versions of the Infineon Merus technology, which is also used in the PA200.
Just try the 3E Audio A7, Topping B200, or PA7; you might be surprised.

Is that specific to the R3 Metas, or just speakers in general, in other words, other speakers can handle more than their rated power rating while avoid going over the rated power with the R3's?

Also I tried the 3E Audio A5, but its auto sensing power on didn't work for me so. It kept shutting off too soon on me so I had no choice but to return it. While I had it though, I couldn't tell a difference in sound from my AO200 MKII.

 

[Roland68]

Is that specific to the R3 Metas, or just speakers in general, in other words, other speakers can handle more than their rated power rating while avoid going over the rated power with the R3's?

Also I tried the 3E Audio A5, but its auto sensing power on didn't work for me so. It kept shutting off too soon on me so I had no choice but to return it. While I had it though, I couldn't tell a difference in sound from my AO200 MKII.

I can't tell you. It's probably because these speakers deliver good performance, even if the user has been overloading them for a long time and is slowly destroying them with too much power.
It's just a matter of physics, and this is "just" a bookshelf speaker with a 16.5cm bass. 400 watts of power per speaker is a lot.
And please don't kill the messenger.

 

[shilent]

I can't tell you. It's probably because these speakers deliver good performance, even if the user has been overloading them for a long time and is slowly destroying them with too much power.
It's just a matter of physics, and this is "just" a bookshelf speaker with a 16.5cm bass. 400 watts of power per speaker is a lot.
And please don't kill the messenger.

Appreciate the info, I definitely do not want to kill my speakers.

 

[olds1959special]

Is anyone finding the PA200 to be very bassy?

 

[shilent]

Is anyone finding the PA200 to be very bassy?

Yes, kinda. I definitely hear the bass more compared to my AO200 MKII, but it's different than like turning up the bass on an EQ. Not just bass though, hard to explain but everything else is more...more lol. I level matched it with my AO200 at 1khz yet the PA200 still sounds louder. I upped the AO200 to 2db more and the PA200 still sounds louder?

Need to take some REW measurements, I plan on doing this later today (waiting for the wife to leave lol).

 

[Roland68]

Yes, kinda. I definitely hear the bass more compared to my AO200 MKII, but it's different than like turning up the bass on an EQ. Not just bass though, hard to explain but everything else is more...more lol. I level matched it with my AO200 at 1khz yet the PA200 still sounds louder. I upped the AO200 to 2db more and the PA200 still sounds louder?

Need to take some REW measurements, I plan on doing this later today (waiting for the wife to leave lol).

We've discussed this issue several times, and it always turned out that the settings were different.

I would perform a factory reset on both devices and then turn off all EQ/tone controls on the devices or set them to zero.