SMSL D200 DAC Review

[Roland68]

A great idea, thanks Roland. I was actually wondering if there were any recommended digital interfaces to output via SPDIF from a desktop computer.

Yes, these inexpensive DDCs are ideal for upgrading old USB interfaces, replacing defective USB interfaces, or equipping old DACs with a USB connection.

Addendum:
And of course, also to equip a DAC with multiple USB inputs.

 

[NTTY]

New table, this time with unbalanced outputs, and I added the SMSL PS200 to the picture, again using the front knob and when attenuating in digital domain, to show the difference.

The volume control of the D200 really fails these tests. A constant H2 has killed nearly all measurements below 0dB, strange. When attenuating in digital domain, I get better results, so that's the opposite compared to balanced outputs. This DAC has been obviously designed for balanced output.

The PL200 got very good results when using the front knob, well done for a device that intends to be a CD player before anything else.

The D50III is the star when using RCA outputs, its volume control obviously attenuates in digital domain since I got the same results twice:

Conclusion: never take anything for granted, trust but verify

 

[Roland68]

New table, this time with unbalanced outputs, and I added the SMSL PS200 to the picture, again using the front knob and when attenuating in digital domain, to show the difference.

View attachment 496404

The volume control of the D200 really fails these tests. A constant H2 has killed nearly all measurements below 0dB, strange. When attenuating in digital domain, I get better results, so that's the opposite compared to balanced outputs. This DAC has been obviously designed for balanced output.

The PL200 got very good results when using the front knob, well done for a device that intends to be a CD player before anything else.

The D50III is the star when using RCA outputs, its volume control obviously attenuates in digital domain since I got the same results twice:

Conclusion: never take anything for granted, trust but verify

Did you unplug the XLR cables from the D200 for the test and set the outputs to unbalanced in the menu?
Otherwise, the test results could be inaccurate.

 

[NTTY]

Did you unplug the XLR cables from the D200 for the test and set the outputs to unbalanced in the menu?
Otherwise, the test results could be inaccurate.

Unplug XLR cables yes, but I kept all outputs active. I can re-test with balanced off indeed, that will be interesting. Thanks for the idea!

 

[Roland68]

Unplug XLR cables yes, but I kept all outputs active. I can re-test with balanced off indeed, that will be interesting. Thanks for the idea!

Thanks for taking the time to do this.
After the symmetrically used NJU72315, the D200 has an OPA1612 as a buffer for the inverted and non-inverted signals. One of these signals is also used for the RCA output.
Following this are three 2-pole switches: XLR-r, XLR-l, and RCA-r/l.

If you disconnected the XLR cables during the RCA measurement, I'm very curious to see if the switches make any difference.

 

[Roland68]

My D200, delivered by Amazon a week ago, still had firmware version 1.01 installed.
Firmware version 1.02 from the SMSL website installed without any problems, but unfortunately I haven't found any further information about what has changed or been improved in this version.
Does anyone know what has changed in firmware 1.02?

Is there a way to check the version of the firmware currently installed?

You can find the current firmware version under the RESET menu item.

 

[NTTY]

Hi, I tested again setting the output to unbalanced only and I got the same results.

I think it's better to show one FFT based example, as there's a little more to say. The below is a comparison between a -10dBFS sent to the D200 with volume set at 0dB (left view) and a 0dBFS signal sent to the D200 with volume set at -10dB (right view) :

When using the volume control, I get that high H2 which is the one killing the THD+N calculation. That said, note the SNR that is still 5dB better with the volume control than decreasing the digital signal (113.8dB vs 108.7dB). That means the volume control has a really high SNR. Too bad there's that H2, but honestly, it's the best case scenario of distortion since it will be easily masked into the harmonic content of the music. So, I still recommend using the volume knob of the D200, to ensure the best dynamic range.

Cheers.

 

[conuss]

Please succinctly summarize the difference between RCA and XLR

 

[NTTY]

Please succinctly summarize the difference between RCA and XLR

I think you have the best summary of that difference in the first two graphs I provided in the initial post. The SINAD is 114.7dB vs 116.2dB (2Vrms RCA vs 4Vrms XLR), and that is negligible.

 

[VientoB]

Part of me wants to buy this to replace my Topping D50 III because it's bigger and has a clearer display. And part of me feels I'm just looking for something to spend more money on.

 

[NTTY]

Sometimes we change just because we want to, not because we need to

 

[Delirium]

Part of me wants to buy this to replace my Topping D50 III because it's bigger and has a clearer display. And part of me feels I'm just looking for something to spend more money on.

I have both. Overall, if you power the D50 with a good power supply, I see a bigger advantage in terms of less signal drop around 20kHz and the ability to boost the volume to 2.5V on the RCA output. On the other hand, the D200 lets you connect the DAC to an external clock. I use both via coaxial and can't hear any difference.

 

[VientoB]

I have both. Overall, if you power the D50 with a good power supply, I see a bigger advantage in terms of less signal drop around 20kHz and the ability to boost the volume to 2.5V on the RCA output. On the other hand, the D200 lets you connect the DAC to an external clock. I use both via coaxial and can't hear any difference.

My only reasoning for change is stylistic I suppose. And I don't think I'll ever use the EQ of the D50.

 

[conuss]

Does anyone have info on the specific toroidal transformers used in this PSU? How prone are they to mechanical hum, and how audible is it in complete silence?

In my case, I can hear a slight vibration when placing my ear close to the chassis. I'm using a 2-wire mains (no protective earth) and an APC SE filter. I'm wondering if this is typical for this model or if it's due to my power conditions.

 

[Toku]

Does anyone have info on the specific toroidal transformers used in this PSU? How prone are they to mechanical hum, and how audible is it in complete silence?

In my case, I can hear a slight vibration when placing my ear close to the chassis. I'm using a 2-wire mains (no protective earth) and an APC SE filter. I'm wondering if this is typical for this model or if it's due to my power conditions.

The SMSL D200 DAC's power supply is a transformer that steps down the AC115/230V 50/60Hz power line, and although there is a mechanical humming noise inherently, if there is significant distortion in the power line, the humming noise can become louder. In the case of a switching power supply, the humming noise is high-frequency, but in the case of a transformer-rectified power supply, a low humming noise of 50/60Hz and its harmonics is produced. It's not something to worry about too much.

 

[conuss]

The SMSL D200 DAC's power supply is a transformer that steps down the AC115/230V 50/60Hz power line, and although there is a mechanical humming noise inherently, if there is significant distortion in the power line, the humming noise can become louder. In the case of a switching power supply, the humming noise is high-frequency, but in the case of a transformer-rectified power supply, a low humming noise of 50/60Hz and its harmonics is produced. It's not something to worry about too much.

Thanks for the general technical overview, but I’m looking for specific practical data rather than a basic lesson on transformer physics.
My points remain unaddressed:
Does anyone know the actual manufacturer and model of these dual toroids? Are they high-quality components, or just budget OEM parts?
For owners of the D200: Do you have a 3-wire grounded outlet, and is your unit dead silent or does it hum when you put your ear to it?
If your unit hums even on a properly grounded 3-wire system, then the issue isn't my 2-wire mains—it's the build quality of the DAC itself. Why should we be perfectionists about capacitors and op-amps, but settle for vibrating transformers in a piece of 'Hi-Fi' gear? I believe many here would find the specific details about these toroids quite interesting.

 

[Toku]

Thanks for the general technical overview, but I’m looking for specific practical data rather than a basic lesson on transformer physics.
My points remain unaddressed:
Does anyone know the actual manufacturer and model of these dual toroids? Are they high-quality components, or just budget OEM parts?
For owners of the D200: Do you have a 3-wire grounded outlet, and is your unit dead silent or does it hum when you put your ear to it?
If your unit hums even on a properly grounded 3-wire system, then the issue isn't my 2-wire mains—it's the build quality of the DAC itself. Why should we be perfectionists about capacitors and op-amps, but settle for vibrating transformers in a piece of 'Hi-Fi' gear? I believe many here would find the specific details about these toroids quite interesting.

The power transformer used is made by THAI LIN, a long-established Chinese company. Many SMSL products use transformers from this manufacturer. However, they are not sold on sites like Aliexpress.

Encapsulated Toroidal Transformer (TL99 Series) | Thai Lin

https://www.thailin.com.hk/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/175-177-Encapsulated-Toroidal-Transformer-TL99-Series.pdf

The D200 appears to use a TL99-0100-24 24V/10VA transformer.

If you're interested in the transformer used, please research it yourself. As a product development engineer, I believe the use of transformers is simply a marketing strategy by SMSL to appeal to audiophiles.

 

[conuss]

The power transformer used is made by THAI LIN, a long-established Chinese company. Many SMSL products use transformers from this manufacturer. However, they are not sold on sites like Aliexpress.

Encapsulated Toroidal Transformer (TL99 Series) | Thai Lin

https://www.thailin.com.hk/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/175-177-Encapsulated-Toroidal-Transformer-TL99-Series.pdf

The D200 appears to use a TL99-0100-24 24V/10VA transformer.

If you're interested in the transformer used, please research it yourself. As a product development engineer, I believe the use of transformers is simply a marketing strategy by SMSL to appeal to audiophiles.

Yes, I can see the brand on the public photos, but I strongly suspect those images are photoshopped or superimposed. If I didn't have doubts about their authenticity, I wouldn't be asking.
As an experienced development engineer who is 'hands-on' with hardware, could you please take a real, high-resolution photo of the actual transformer in your unit? Also, I’m still waiting for a direct answer regarding the audible hum I described.
Let’s finally settle this 'marketing vs reality' debate: is this a dead-silent, high-quality implementation, or just a budget toroid that hums even in a standard setup?

 

[proud]

Yes, I can see the brand on the public photos, but I strongly suspect those images are photoshopped or superimposed. If I didn't have doubts about their authenticity, I wouldn't be asking.
As an experienced development engineer who is 'hands-on' with hardware, could you please take a real, high-resolution photo of the actual transformer in your unit? Also, I’m still waiting for a direct answer regarding the audible hum I described.
Let’s finally settle this 'marketing vs reality' debate: is this a dead-silent, high-quality implementation, or just a budget toroid that hums even in a standard setup?

I'll receive my D200 tomorrow and take a photo for you. I'll also be listening closely for any noise coming from the power transformer.

 

[gornockyoch]

Removed from D200