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SMSL DL200 firmware update not working

Q

quagmire

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Sep 23, 2025
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Hi everyone,

I got a SMSL DL200 back in April which has been working very well. I saw that a firmware update (MCU, not driver) is available on SMSL's website so I wanted to get it installed on my unit.

The update comes in a ZIP file with an executable and a PDF manual:

Screenshot 2025-09-23 014603.png
First of

First of all the text in the updater is encoded in a Chinese character set so it appeared completely garbled (as you can see in @Maxicut's screenshot here) until I switched my language locale in Windows 11 to Chinese. After doing so I am greeted by this screen:

Screenshot 2025-09-23 013950.png


The text translates to:
Important Notes:

1. Before downloading, ensure your computer has a serial port or a USB-to-serial adapter cable.

2. Typically, the serial port's maximum/minimum baud rate requires no adjustment.
If the serial port speed does not match this program,
try setting both maximum and minimum baud rates to 2400 or 4800.

3. When updating code, first click the programming button in the upper-left corner of the interface,
then power on the device.
Click to expand...

As per the instructions above and the manual, I unplug the power cord from the DAC and keep it connected via USB-C to my PC then try to run the upgrade by pressing on the Start button. However an error message pops up:

Screenshot 2025-09-23 014859.png


Translation:

Detecting target microcontroller...

Communication timeout! (2025-09-23 01:44:39)
Click to expand...

What I've tried so far to attempt to fix the issue, to no avail:

- Changing the min and max baud rates to 2400 and 4800 using the rightmost button
- 4 different USB-C cables (3 USB-C to USB-C / 1 USB-C to USB-A) on different ports of my PC
- Switched from USB 2.0 to USB 1.1 on the DAC before powering it off and pulling the power cord
- Clicking over and over again on the Start button

I sent an email to SMSL's online shop support service ([email protected]) but they never replied. At this point I'm at a loss as to what to do.

I'd like to tag @SMSL-Mandy, @Maxicut and @jkim as the latter two people seem to have completed this firmware update succesfully.

Would gladly appreciate any help!
 
Pictus said:
Make sure the driver is installed.

DL200

Foshan ShuangMuSanLin electronics Co., LTD. founded in 2009 which located in Shenzhen, China. And our branch company VMV Technology(HK) Company Limited registered in HK in 2013. Our company is specialized in the audio DAC, stereo headphone amplifier, power amplifier, and with own R&D...
www.smsl-audio.com
Click to expand...
I already have installed the XMOS USB Driver unfortunately.
 
quagmire said:
Hi everyone,

I got a SMSL DL200 back in April which has been working very well. I saw that a firmware update (MCU, not driver) is available on SMSL's website so I wanted to get it installed on my unit.

The update comes in a ZIP file with an executable and a PDF manual:

View attachment 477782First of

First of all the text in the updater is encoded in a Chinese character set so it appeared completely garbled (as you can see in @Maxicut's screenshot here) until I switched my language locale in Windows 11 to Chinese. After doing so I am greeted by this screen:

View attachment 477778

The text translates to:


As per the instructions above and the manual, I unplug the power cord from the DAC and keep it connected via USB-C to my PC then try to run the upgrade by pressing on the Start button. However an error message pops up:

View attachment 477783

Translation:



What I've tried so far to attempt to fix the issue, to no avail:

- Changing the min and max baud rates to 2400 and 4800 using the rightmost button
- 4 different USB-C cables (3 USB-C to USB-C / 1 USB-C to USB-A) on different ports of my PC
- Switched from USB 2.0 to USB 1.1 on the DAC before powering it off and pulling the power cord
- Clicking over and over again on the Start button

I sent an email to SMSL's online shop support service ([email protected]) but they never replied. At this point I'm at a loss as to what to do.

I'd like to tag @SMSL-Mandy, @Maxicut and @jkim as the latter two people seem to have completed this firmware update succesfully.

Would gladly appreciate any help!
Click to expand...
Please try the following in this order:
- Disconnect the USB and power cord from the DL200
- Turn off and restart your Windows computer
- Launch the update program
- Connect the DL200 only via USB cable
- Check that the settings are correct
- Start the update
- Do not plug in the power cable until the update is complete
 
The exe comes with a pdf with instructions. Just follow them and it will works fine...
I think you have a wrong translation for the message at the end. So plug the power and it will update
 
I know.. but its not working... Its possible to check curent firmware?
 
You need to be fast to plug the power cable after clicking start... Like 3s max

G

Post in thread 'SMSL DL200 the best ever value DAC/AMP?'

Bleib said:

SMSL Audio Official -Professional audio product manufacturer

Foshan ShuangMuSanLin electronics Co., LTD. founded in 2009 which located in Shenzhen, China. And our branch company VMV Technology(HK) Company Limited registered in HK in 2013. Our company is specialized in the audio DAC, stereo headphone amplifier, power amplifier, and with own R&D...
www.smsl-audio.com
New firmware; 1.3. I can't get it to update. Likely because I have previously installed version 1.1 which I found on this forum?

Edit: Got it to work, had to push restart button first in the app
Click to expand...

audioje said:
Hmm once I plug in the power cable per the instruction, usb-serial ch340 turns to just (com**) and clicking restart or start don't do anything. Does it do anything special?
Click to expand...
You need to be fast to plug the power cable after clicking start... Like 3s max
  • Like
 
power cable not helped..
正在监测目标单片机 ...
通讯超时 !(2025-10-02 08:00:27)

Monitoring target microcontroller...
Communication timeout! (2025-10-02 08:00:27)
 
Personally, I wouldn't take a chance of "bricking it" unless the original firmware is retained and recoverable with a hardware jumper on the circuit board (or some other recovery method that doesn't rely on a computer connection or anything external).

I don't know about the S.M.S.L. but some devices can be updated without overwriting/destroying the original firmware.

Or if it's got bad defect, or it's an important upgrade, and you're willing to pay to have it have it professionally un-bricked if necessary.
 
Grael said:
You need to be fast to plug the power cable after clicking start... Like 3s max

G

Post in thread 'SMSL DL200 the best ever value DAC/AMP?'

Bleib said:

SMSL Audio Official -Professional audio product manufacturer

Foshan ShuangMuSanLin electronics Co., LTD. founded in 2009 which located in Shenzhen, China. And our branch company VMV Technology(HK) Company Limited registered in HK in 2013. Our company is specialized in the audio DAC, stereo headphone amplifier, power amplifier, and with own R&D...
www.smsl-audio.com
New firmware; 1.3. I can't get it to update. Likely because I have previously installed version 1.1 which I found on this forum?

Edit: Got it to work, had to push restart button first in the app
Click to expand...

audioje said:
Hmm once I plug in the power cable per the instruction, usb-serial ch340 turns to just (com**) and clicking restart or start don't do anything. Does it do anything special?
Click to expand...
You need to be fast to plug the power cable after clicking start... Like 3s max
  • Like
Click to expand...
yes i remember now how i did the update, this is working...

plug the dl200 on a power strip with a switch
clic start and then switch on
it is faster than pluging the power cord
 
Are you successfully upgrade the firmware?
I am also interested but I am so scared of brick the device.
 
i think the update is limited to renaming the filters as they was not labelled correctly
so it is not necessary to do it
 
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