SMSL C200 Pro Observations

[jkim]

The DL200 (and some other models like the DO100 Pro) had some not insignificant issues with filter labelling and while I understand they could be fixed (crossing fingers) with updated firmware or (possibly) newer versions, I err on the side of caution and would not consider the DL200 purely on this issue.

A later firmware release (MCU V1.3) has fixed the issue on the DL200 as shown by measurements in my review.

 

[garyyung]

I have my C200pro connected to my PC via USB. Lately, when switching to the headphone output, my PC cannot recognize the C200pro, which is very annoying.
Reinstalling drivers and restarting the device do not help.
I would not recommend the C200pro.

 

[Roland68]

According to the manufacturer specs, they have the same output power, 1.5 watts, into 32 ohm. But the high gain of the DL200 is 11 dB whereas the fixed gain of the C200 Pro is 9.5 dB. That is why your perceived loudness is a little weaker for the C200.

Anyway, it's a bummer that the C200 Pro has only one gain setting. I would choose the DL200 (or the RAW-MDA 1) over the C200 Pro because of this difference. Most headphones should be loud enough at the low gain setting of the DL200, which has not only lower noise but also prevents accidental volume ramp-up.

EDIT. Weirdly, the original C200 has dual gain settings. And the DL100 (predecessor of the DL200) has a fixed gain setting. I don't understand their design choices...

With SMSL, Sabaj, and Loxjie, I've long since stopped believing in design decisions, but rather in unfortunate coincidences.
When you look at the chaos in the devices, with their many different circuit solutions, different controls, and different firmware update strategies, you realize that any strategies and management tools required for professional and sustainable development are foreign to this manufacturer.

 

[Slash/]

I'm a C200 fan but for me it's a living room DAC feeding an amp and loudpeakers, for the last 2.5 years. Fosi SK02 has been spectacular as a desktop DAC for PC and mac, for the last year or so.

 

[80sAudioFan]

Hello, I got a little question. I got the luck of buying a used C200. So now I am a little confused. The S.M.S.L homepage which is accessible from Germany only knows a C200 without the "pro". Here and in other places I read about a "pro" version and you can see a different picture with saying MQA. So is there only one C200 or are there two? Or is it a driver thing?

Thanks.

 

[Roland68]

Hello, I got a little question. I got the luck of buying a used C200. So now I am a little confused. The S.M.S.L homepage which is accessible from Germany only knows a C200 without the "pro". Here and in other places I read about a "pro" version and you can see a different picture with saying MQA. So is there only one C200 or are there two? Or is it a driver thing?

Thanks.

There are two: the older C200 with the ES9038Q2M DAC chip and the newer C200 Pro with the ES9039Q2M. The rest is probably the same.
I think it's extremely unlikely, < 0.01%, that there's an audible difference.
New SMSL C200PRO

 

[80sAudioFan]

Thanks.

But what does that mean for MQA. Is that on board when using Windows 10/11 via USB?
I used to playback music in foobar and asio, is that possible?

Thank you.

 

[Roland68]

Thanks.

But what does that mean for MQA. Is that on board when using Windows 10/11 via USB?
I used to playback music in foobar and asio, is that possible?

Thank you.

What on earth do you want with MQA?
The original MQA is dead and did absolutely nothing.
Where do you want to get MQA content from? As far as I know, there are no more sources for MQA material.

All your other questions have nothing to do with MQA.
They can do everything just like any other current DAC. Windows 11 shouldn't require a driver; SMSL provides the driver for Windows 10 on its website.

 

[80sAudioFan]

Hello @Roland68
Thanks for your help. The device came and fits my expectations.
Didn't know that asio seems to be a standard thing on smsl devices. works great

 

[tccalvin]

One question I do have, is if the volume control on these products applies to both the headphone output and the line level outputs that I'll be passing to a small amplifier? If so, what is considered best practice here?

• Control volume with the downstream integrated amplifier and fix the DAC output to max
• Control volume with the DAC output and set the downstream amplifier to max
• Some combination of the above

Crank the amp gain and use the DAC's digital volume to set your listening level. In theory (if DACs were perfect) you would get better noise and distortion by doing the opposite, but in practice, if you get some analog harmonic distortion from your amp it's fine (can still sound nice), however you want to avoid getting digital clipping (or worse, filter overloading) at all costs since that sounds much worse.

 

[Floyd]

I have had two SMSL C200. They both failed after a little more than one year: no output or just loud crackling. Aoshida is unwilling to replace it (one month return policy, 1 year warranty), although this design has obviously a flaw that leads to the unit failing after a little more than a year. And on Amazon, about one quarter of all buyers seem to have the same failure. I would obviously recommend strongly against it.

Whether the C200 Pro is any better, I do not know, but after this experience, I am not going to try.

ChatGPT:
The SMSL C200 on Amazon.de shows a concerningly high failure percentage, about one in four reviewers reporting early issues.

If reliability is a priority and you're sourcing from Amazon.de or similar markets:

• Avoid the original SMSL C200, given the high reported failure rates.

 

[doodoodude]

I have had two SMSL C200. They both failed after a little more than one year: no output or just loud crackling. Aoshida is unwilling to replace it (one month return policy, 1 year warranty), although this design has obviously a flaw that leads to the unit failing after a little more than a year. And on Amazon, about one quarter of all buyers seem to have the same failure. I would obviously recommend strongly against it.

Whether the C200 Pro is any better, I do not know, but after this experience, I am not going to try.

ChatGPT:
The SMSL C200 on Amazon.de shows a concerningly high failure percentage, about one in four reviewers reporting early issues.

If reliability is a priority and you're sourcing from Amazon.de or similar markets:

• Avoid the original SMSL C200, given the high reported failure rates.

My C200 Pro broke down after only five months. It doesn't recognize any inputs other than USB 1.1, including USB 2.0 and OPT.

 

[NgtFlyer]

I just got a C200 Pro. Probably confirmation bias, but the sound is divine. I feel like the sound is a little bit more open than that of my E30/L30 combo. (Those went upstairs and will be used on a system up there.) I use a pair of AKG K371 headphones and have it connected to the TOSlink output on my computer. Very very nice sound.
I did download and install the newest firmware, MCU v1.1 though I wasn't having issues.
I noticed the line-output is variable. I don't see a way to switch it to fixed. Not that big of a deal, but just one observation. Would make a nice preamp for a non-integrated amplifier.

As a dac/headphone amp, it's absolutely brilliant. Great sound, and though I normally use my K371s, I did try my HE-X4 headphones with it and it drives those with ease as well.