SMSL D12 DAC & Headphone Amp Review

[staticV3]

Is it a good pair with Hifiman HE400se? Thinking of gettings those headset and a dac+headphone amp for 300€ combined.

The D12 can drive the HE400se to a very loud 113dB SPL Peak, however, 300€ seems way too much for the combo.

The HE400se usually costs about 100€.

A 90€ Topping DX1 can play just as loud as the D12, so 190€ in total.

 

[Anox]

The D12 can drive the HE400se to a very loud 113dB SPL Peak, however, 300€ seems way too much for the combo.

The HE400se usually costs about 100€.

A 90€ Topping DX1 can play just as loud as the D12, so 190€ in total.

300€ is my overall budged, D12 is 99€ and HE400se is 115€ but they both get very good reviews.

 

[staticV3]

300€ is my overall budged, D12 is 99€ and HE400se is 115€ but they both get very good reviews.

Ahh, that makes sense!

 

[kaiba]

?: do these smsl/topping/? bluetooth amps, D12/DL200/etc, allow output to bluetooth headphones? The DL200's description says bluetooth input; so, assuming that amp has no bt output? amazon's description for this D12 is too vague; "High-end Bluetooth 5.0 chip", and the D12 manual on smsl-audio.com website has Input....USB/BT, in specifications, but no matching specification for outputs, like; Output....6.35mm/BT. why!?. why is it soo hard for manufacturers to describe what is right in front of them; if your specifications section in the manual clearly lists inputs, then why not also clearly list outputs!? Looking at a couple of bluetooth Topping amps; the product description of one says "Bluetooth Headphone amp / Bluetooth DAC", which seems to indicate bt output via "Bluetooth DAC"?..; but the other amp just talks about bluetooth w/out really explaining, anything ~ like "High-end Bluetooth 5.0 chip" for the smsl D12... how hard is it to just describe things explicitly; bt input = yes/no, bt output = yes/no!? -end rant- Thanks in advance to anyone who answers!

 

[AdamG]

?: do these smsl/topping/? bluetooth amps, D12/DL200/etc, allow output to bluetooth headphones? The DL200's description says bluetooth input; so, assuming that amp has no bt output? amazon's description for this D12 is too vague; "High-end Bluetooth 5.0 chip", and the D12 manual on smsl-audio.com website has Input....USB/BT, in specifications, but no matching specification for outputs, like; Output....6.35mm/BT. why!?. why is it soo hard for manufacturers to describe what is right in front of them; if your specifications section in the manual clearly lists inputs, then why not also clearly list outputs!? Looking at a couple of bluetooth Topping amps; the product description of one says "Bluetooth Headphone amp / Bluetooth DAC", which seems to indicate bt output via "Bluetooth DAC"?..; but the other amp just talks about bluetooth w/out really explaining, anything ~ like "High-end Bluetooth 5.0 chip" for the smsl D12... how hard is it to just describe things explicitly; bt input = yes/no, bt output = yes/no!? -end rant- Thanks in advance to anyone who answers!

Here is the Manual:

https://www.smsl-audio.com/upload/portal/download/D12Manual.pdf

 

[staticV3]

?: do these smsl/topping/? bluetooth amps, D12/DL200/etc, allow output to bluetooth headphones?

Virtually none of them do.

Unless BT Output is explicitly listed as a feature on the product page or the User Manual, assume the DAC does not have it.

 

[kaiba]

Thanks, @staticV3. the dl200 seems likely the same, & the topping (dx3 pro+)'s manual has a really weirdly made table of outputs; where the "DAC" row only has a check in the "RCA-output" column, & an x in the 3.5mm output column's cell (makes it look like the 3.5mm output has has no dac processing!?)... & no column for bluetooth; so, -likely- no bt output (though, with all the weird mistakes in all these manuals ~ who knows; except, for anons/owners like you, @staticV3, on forums like this!..) ~ saying "bluetooth dac application" in their description just extra confusifies it ~ unless an input/output bypasses dac processing, then surely "dac" doesn't need to be inserted after...

Having BT out feels like it would be a heavily used, common use-case that every dac amp should have?!
(non bt device: cassette/record/cd player, non bt computer, etc.) -> [inputs; rca/usb/fiber/xlr/...] - dac amp -> [outputs; bt headphones ~ when you're not sitting down!!! 3.5/4.4/6.35/xlr/... wired headphones when near the dac amp]. Having a little device, like the D12, be able to do that would be great ~ vs avr, computer with bt, etc.. Looking through the vaguery of smlsl/topping/... manuals is a pain; guess i'll need to start a new thread to ask for suggestions ~ unless someone here possibly knows of a dac headphone amp with bluetooth output; greatly appreciated.

 

[dl00gi]

Hi, my first post on this respectable forum. I bought SMSL D12 dac recently. Sounds great, dynami, spacious, the dac itself look great, I'm very satisfied. I use it with connection to Macbook Pro M3. But, when I plug it into the android phone it becomes very quiet. No matter the gain setting, even when I plug the second usb cable with extra DC power. The DC in port works (I checked if DAC runs using only this cable attached, no music of course, but the screen is lit). It is like the DC in would be ignored when phone is connected. Any ideas?

 

[staticV3]

Hi, my first post on this respectable forum. I bought SMSL D12 dac recently. Sounds great, dynami, spacious, the dac itself look great, I'm very satisfied. I use it with connection to Macbook Pro M3. But, when I plug it into the android phone it becomes very quiet. No matter the gain setting, even when I plug the second usb cable with extra DC power. The DC in port works (I checked if DAC runs using only this cable attached, no music of course, but the screen is lit). It is like the DC in would be ignored when phone is connected. Any ideas?

Hi @dl00gi! Welcome to ASR.

Try a music player with bit-exact playback support, e.g USB Audio Player Pro, Neutron Player, Hiby Music, FiiO Music.

Note that you'll have to enable bit-exact playback in the settings first.

If playback with that is still quiet, then you likely have a power related issue.

If the volume returns to normal, then it's likely an Android software issue.

That reminds me, Apple's headphone adapters have an annoying issue where they'll default to -20dB UAC2 Hardware volume control and since Android doesn't natively support UAC2 Hardware volume control, it's just stuck at -20dB (=25%) volume.

The fix is to install one of the above Apps which enable UAC2 Hardware volume control, so you can set the dongle from -20 to full volume.

You can even quit the App and the dongle will stay at full volume for all other Apps, until you cut power to it (=plug it out).

https://issuetracker.google.com/issues/242221770
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...luetooth-dac-headphone-amp.17386/post-1302123

Maybe the same is happening here? Worth testing.

 

[dl00gi]

Yes, that was the problem. I had the same issue with the apple dongle. That's why I sent it back. Despite Fiio played very distorted flacs in the usb exclusive mode it changed gain setting system-wide. Now I don't even need extra power, what comes from phone's usb is enough. Thank you for your help

 

[gozaine]

Hi, my first post on this respectable forum. I bought SMSL D12 dac recently. Sounds great, dynami, spacious, the dac itself look great, I'm very satisfied. I use it with connection to Macbook Pro M3. But, when I plug it into the android phone it becomes very quiet. No matter the gain setting, even when I plug the second usb cable with extra DC power. The DC in port works (I checked if DAC runs using only this cable attached, no music of course, but the screen is lit). It is like the DC in would be ignored when phone is connected. Any ideas?

Is the Bluetooth APTX or AptX HD? And how did it work for you?

 

[dl00gi]

Is the Bluetooth APTX or AptX HD? And how did it work for you?

As far as I remember it goes with SBC only. I checked it once and threw the antenna into a drawer. Using usb-c only.

 

[gozaine]

As far as I remember it goes with SBC only. I checked it once and threw the antenna into a drawer. Using usb-c only.

I’m evaluating two models and I’d like to know their real differences in terms of sound quality: the D12 and the PS200.


The PS200 appeals to me because it has a lot of recommendations and seems excellent with its ESS ES9039Q2M chip and four operational amplifiers.


However, I like the D12 because it has a dedicated headphone output, which is an interesting plus for me. But I’m not sure how good its AK4493 chip really is, or how its sound quality compares to the PS200.


Can you share your opinion or experience with the D12? How has it worked for you?

 

[JSmith]

real differences in terms of sound quality

There isn't any... they are audibly transparent DAC's.


JSmith

 

[dl00gi]

I’m evaluating two models and I’d like to know their real differences in terms of sound quality: the D12 and the PS200.


The PS200 appeals to me because it has a lot of recommendations and seems excellent with its ESS ES9039Q2M chip and four operational amplifiers.


However, I like the D12 because it has a dedicated headphone output, which is an interesting plus for me. But I’m not sure how good its AK4493 chip really is, or how its sound quality compares to the PS200.


Can you share your opinion or experience with the D12? How has it worked for you?

Actually I don't have much to compare to. My daily setup is Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro with D12 (I've been using also Fiio E10K 2 and Macbook Pro M3 headphone output). And some IEMs (Zigaat Odyssey mainly) with dongles - Fiio KA11 and JA11. D12 is not the most powerful one however I still find it the most pleasing in terms of sound. It is full, gets a lot of detail and sounds as good as Fiio KA11. I love how it looks, that was the main reason I bought it, the big knob, you know

 

[gozaine]

There isn't any... they are audibly transparent DAC's.


JSmith

There isn't any... they are audibly transparent DAC's.


JSmith

Thank you for your comment

 

[gozaine]

Actually I don't have much to compare to. My daily setup is Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro with D12 (I've been using also Fiio E10K 2 and Macbook Pro M3 headphone output). And some IEMs (Zigaat Odyssey mainly) with dongles - Fiio KA11 and JA11. D12 is not the most powerful one however I still find it the most pleasing in terms of sound. It is full, gets a lot of detail and sounds as good as Fiio KA11. I love how it looks, that was the main reason I bought it, the big knob, you know

I really appreciate and value your comment and the help you've given me. The D12 is available for $113 on Amazon! That's a fantastic price!

 

[dl00gi]

Just wanted to add remark about it's volume level - with 80ohm impedance headphones I listen to music with -42dB set on the screen. Not too loud, just to let me think while working. When I turn up the volume to -20dB it gets very loud. And it runs powered by usb-c only. There is another usb-c power supply socket. I tried it, connected another source of power, but neither my headphones take advantage of it nor it works in any particular way (regular usb-c power supply from macbook works fine). So you don't need extra power socket for the DAC, I like it a lot.

 

[gozaine]

Just wanted to add remark about it's volume level - with 80ohm impedance headphones I listen to music with -42dB set on the screen. Not too loud, just to let me think while working. When I turn up the volume to -20dB it gets very loud. And it runs powered by usb-c only. There is another usb-c power supply socket. I tried it, connected another source of power, but neither my headphones take advantage of it nor it works in any particular way (regular usb-c power supply from macbook works fine). So you don't need extra power socket for the DAC, I like it a lot.

---

I really appreciate your explanation. It was super helpful and valuable regarding the DAC's volume and power supply. Honestly, it seems like an excellent device, especially for the convenience of being powered only by USB-C. That's a huge plus!

Now, a key question comes to mind to better understand its characteristics:

1. What headphone model are you using?
2. And most importantly, how would you describe the sound profile the DAC offers? Does it feel more warm (with fuller bass and softer treble) or more analytical (neutral, detailed, and precise)?

Thanks in advance for the information!

 

[dl00gi]

I use mainly Beyerdynamic DT770 pro 80ohm, but I tested it with a lot of other headphones - Edition XS, HD600, HD650, Fiio FT1, Sundara, AKG702. I worked well with all of these.
Regarding sound profile. I'm on the transparent side. I don't don't believe the DAC changes the sound profile. It just drive the gear well letting headphones give you the best they have to offer.
But that is the same effect you can achieve with Fiio KA11 dongle dac.