Review and Measurements of SMSL SP200 THX HP Amp

[mkawa]

What if the M500 almost reaches X Sabre Pro performance for $399?

smsl reports 118db a-weighted, so i think it'll come in, as we saw here, a bit over the 111db mark.

i love mine though; it far outresolves the dsp that sits in front of my power amp. it has a good user interface (shocking for chi-fi) and has no weird USB bugs that i've seen in other xu2xx implementations. also the dual toslink is really convenient (ps4 + tv instead of ps4 through tv)

 

[graz_lag]

All you need is some ratchet straps and you will reach peak performance..

@LarsS is an expert on that sort of audiophile straps, pls. ask him for any particular recommendation on them ...

 

[mi-fu]

What if the M500 almost reaches X Sabre Pro performance for $399?

Now im quite interested in seeing the measurements of SMSL M500.

SMSL seems to be making some impressive progress.

 

[Music1969]

If you want precise matching to the end for sensitive IEMs, you should get a DAC+headphone amp.

Has any DAC maker indicated to you that they will incorporate the THX tech for a headamp section?

Then you get the beauty of both digital volume control and THX headamp technology. And no issues with channel imbalance.

 

[ripvw]

one of their other models has that same slanted front fascia:

http://www.smsl-audio.com/productshow.asp?id=137

 

[mkawa]

Has any DAC maker indicated to you that they will incorporate the THX tech for a headamp section?

Then you get the beauty of both digital volume control and THX headamp technology. And no issues with channel imbalance.

the fiio q5s with the am3d is exactly this!

 

[Music1969]

the fiio q5s with the am3d is exactly this!

Nice. We need more of this (at different pricepoints), not more 789's !

That Fiio model is available for pre-order I see. Hopefully @amirm can get one in for review.

 

[mi-fu]

one of their other models has that same slanted front fascia:

http://www.smsl-audio.com/productshow.asp?id=137

they need better industrial design

 

[JohnYang1997]

Why is there no number identifier after the THX? Is this the 789 or 887 identifier? Or is that just random numbers ?

789 888 887 are basically the same
control opamp + opa564

 

[JohnYang1997]

So in short this is a single end version of thx789/887 or a regular power supply version and regular volume control version of thx888.

 

[JohnYang1997]

Hi amir. Would you please test 6khz with 32ohm and 4Vrms to see the limit of this unit?

 

[August]

It is a very different output level. And as noted, we don't know what filtering was used (that would be to the left of the screenshot shown).

The parameters they use.

 

[JohnYang1997]

The parameters they use.
View attachment 35104

The distortion harmonics are the same. So it's noise contribution.
dbA adds 2-3db and higher input voltage adds another 5-6db. Then we got 115db.
so it's a match

 

[GrimSurfer]

Kudos to SMSL. Appears to be very good value.

 

[imagidominc]

THX does it again! So great to have so many options at different price points. This is changing the HeadAmp game.

 

[zermak]

Solid product and nice value.
I would like to try a new amp but my O2 is powerful enough for my K712 and too powerful for my IEMs (I should have got the 1x gain option I guess) so I'll stick with it.

@amirm you need maty to optimize your photos XD

 

[amirm]

Has any DAC maker indicated to you that they will incorporate the THX tech for a headamp section?

No. But I would not be telling you if they did prior to them announcing it.

 

[amirm]

@amirm you need maty to optimize your photos XD

What was wrong with them?

 

[amirm]

The parameters they use.

The filter is the column to the left that is chopped off.

 

[zermak]

What was wrong with them?

Because of the prospective of them (and I guess lenses quality) making somone wonder of the actual shape.