New SMSL ROHM DAC D200 with BD34352EKV chip

[Roland68]

With the D200, SMSL has released a new ROHM DAC based on the BD34352EKV chip.
D200 ROHM BD34352EKV Chip

SMSL appears to have listened to customer requests this time, not only those of ASR users, but also those of the audiophile community, as can be seen from the features.
Notable features include a linear power supply, MQA (CD) support on all inputs, and a 10 MHz clock input.
The 10 MHz input can be useful in a professional environment or for active systems.

Useful features include completely separate volume control via two NJU72315 ICs (a true preamp after the DAC), a high-quality display, the in-house low-jitter CK-03 clock, and Bluetooth playback control with support for song information/lyrics display.

Unfortunately, SMSL overlooked the opportunity to add one (or two) analog inputs for the preamp section, making this DAC much more appealing, especially for buyers with turntables or other analog sources.
This would have made it an ideal DAC/preamp with very high sales potential.
Really a shame SMSL, but still a very nice device.

The DAC is already listed on all the listed sales platforms and should be available everywhere soon.
Price $319 / €329

 

[Panelhead]

I had ignored the dacs with ROHM chips. Did not get it. The high frequency noise made them look inferior to ESS and AKM.
The lack of integrated volume control works against them in my mind. But still interested in this one.
The NJU72315 volume controls are a little course. The steps are 2dB instead of the 0.5dB of the integrated volume controls in ESS and AKM. In use I never raise or lower playback volume less than 1.5dB. The 31 steps is what most resistor attenuators offer.
Waiting for amirm to run one through his torture test. The multi-tone plots of the ROHM dacs look very good.
And keep hearing that they sound better than they measure. They measure very well, not SOTA, but more than good enough.

 

[NTTY]

Review here: SMSL D200

 

[rocksteady]

Unfortunately, SMSL overlooked the opportunity to add one (or two) analog inputs for the preamp section, making this DAC much more appealing, especially for buyers with turntables or other analog sources.

Ditto for several other nice, affordable DACs with Preamp functionality. We keep asking for them, but most main manufacturers aren't listening. I suppose providing for this would somehow diminish the profits on their standalone Preamplifier sales!

 

[Roland68]

Ditto for several other nice, affordable DACs with Preamp functionality. We keep asking for them, but most main manufacturers aren't listening. I suppose providing for this would somehow diminish the profits on their standalone Preamplifier sales!

You're mistaken. The problem lies in a lack of understanding of what the market and users need.

The second important point is the housing size, which has a much greater impact on costs and the final price than most users realize, and additional connections and circuitry require space.

Thirdly, they lack the experience to implement and develop such functionality. This brings us back to the first point.

Fosi is very ambitious with such devices and functionality, and also seeks user opinions, but most devices have more or less deficiencies. So it's not that simple.