Review and Measurements of SMSL SP200 THX HP Amp

[HDavidson]

The cable is good. Dac is good too. So it's the SMSL that is broken. This is the third headphone amp that died right away. Nuforce HA-200 died after 3 hours. I'm confused. Tired ... The headphone amplifiers of my Yamaha AS2000 work perfectly (it is connected to the same dac). I want to give up these headphone amps

 

[mshenay]

That is simply untrue lol. distributor trying to save his ass
@mshenay as an owner can you test it? RCA in, XLR-4 out. this definitely has to work .....

Huh? What 3pin needed for 4pin out? Yea give me like 20mins to test it

but even that's kinda moot as @amirm is spot on ofc there is something wrong with the unit if that's happening

 

[Veri]

Huh? What 3pin needed for 4pin out? Yea give me like 20mins to test it

but even that's kinda moot as @amirm is spot on ofc there is something wrong with the unit if that's happening

Yeah I guess just wanted to make sure. RCA in XLR out, both channels work right?

Unbelievable the reseller says only XLR in XLR out works. That's simply a lie.

 

[HDavidson]

Bad news. I just tried XLR - XLR and right channel does not function. But function in RCA-RCA. So this amp is defective.
I will return the seller dear tomorrow.


Three attempts in a row: 1 / aune x7s- pot problem 2 / nuforce HA-200 died after 3 hours. Two months of service ... never returned. I was reimbursed. 3 / SMSL is defective on arrival.

 

[HDavidson]

I stop ...

 

[Shane D]

Bad news. I just tried XLR - XLR and right channel does not function. But function in RCA-RCA. So this amp is defective.
I will return the seller dear tomorrow.


Three attempts in a row: 1 / aune x7s- pot problem 2 / nuforce HA-200 died after 3 hours. Two months of service ... never returned. I pay you back. 3 / SMSL is defective on arrival.

Tough break!

I have been on a major binge this year and have only had one DOA.

Shane D

 

[HDavidson]

Before sending the amplifier to the service, I decided to check the cable focal xlr (focal clear) which was working and worked recently with another amplifier, since then it has been in the box and has not been used. I was 100% sure of it.
I went to the Focal store for the test and .... on the right it is not working. A rare breakdown. Left the cable to them. Focal should replace it.
To be continued..

 

[OdysseyOG]

For sp200 owners how does your volume knob feel. Mine is not as buttery smooth as my 789. Almost feels like some resistance I’d say. No grinding sounds or catching or skipping. Just feels less premium I’d say.

 

[Veri]

For sp200 owners how does your volume knob feel. Mine is not as buttery smooth as my 789. Almost feels like some resistance I’d say. No grinding sounds or catching or skipping. Just feels less premium I’d say.

Well it costs a good bit less than $400 after all.

 

[OdysseyOG]

Well it costs a good bit less than $400 after all.

I’m aware but that doesn’t really help me diagnose if I have an issue or not. Thanks.

 

[JohnYang1997]

I’m aware but that doesn’t really help me diagnose if I have an issue or not. Thanks.

Different potentiometers are used. I have used quite similar pots. Those looks like Panasonic A10k pots. Those should have less resistance and less smoothness. But some prefer the responsiveness when turning the pot. That's ok.

 

[railcannon]

I don't think sp200 provides true Balanced output.
It looks like there are only two amplifier modules.
Also, the power is not doubled while using Balanced output.

 

[Shane D]

For sp200 owners how does your volume knob feel. Mine is not as buttery smooth as my 789. Almost feels like some resistance I’d say. No grinding sounds or catching or skipping. Just feels less premium I’d say.

I like the feel of mine. It works very smoothly, yet does offer minimal resistance.

 

[OdysseyOG]

I like the feel of mine. It works very smoothly, yet does offer minimal resistance.

I’ve ordered a second one to compare. I’ll keep the better of the two.

 

[Veri]

I don't think sp200 provides true Balanced output.
It looks like there are only two amplifier modules.
Also, the power is not doubled while using Balanced output.

Yep. The XLR is just the single ended output over other connector for convenience only.

 

[bgsprtm]

hi, is this amp capable of running sensitive iem such as andromeda?

 

[JohnYang1997]

hi, is this amp capable of running sensitive iem such as andromeda?

Electronically yes. Low noise low distortion low output impedance. However there seems to be some channel imbalance issue with the potentiometer. Beware of that, or you can attenuate before the amp then you can run the pot at balance region.

 

[bgsprtm]

Electronically yes. Low noise low distortion low output impedance. However there seems to be some channel imbalance issue with the potentiometer. Beware of that, or you can attenuate before the amp then you can run the pot at balance region.

is that some kind of converter or something?

 

[OdysseyOG]

Second amp came. Volume knob is less “scratchy” feeling then the first. Also the feeling is even throughout the turn where as the first one felt different as you turned it. I’ll be keeping the second one. For clarity when I say scratchy it’s the sense it gives your fingers there isn’t actually any audible noise. Hope that helps someone.

 

[OdysseyOG]

Any other known issues I should check for before calling this one good and moving on?