SMSL DL200 the best ever value DAC/AMP?

[TonyJZX]

the DAC chipset does not determine headphone quaility... thats a simple fact

the k7 has that THX 789 dedicated HP output so on that alone you can tell Fiio cares about headphone quality

SMSL does not prioritise that - i respect that decision... SMSL is all about speakers

i have a LOT of Fiio and SMSL products sadly and they both make really decent products but its clear what they specialise in

btw. I not a huge headphone fan... my best sets are only B&W P5/7 and AKG 700 series so to me its not a huge deal that SMSL dont take it seriously as Fiio

 

[Dr1val]

the DAC chipset does not determine headphone quaility... thats a simple fact

the k7 has that THX 789 dedicated HP output so on that alone you can tell Fiio cares about headphone quality

SMSL does not prioritise that - i respect that decision... SMSL is all about speakers

i have a LOT of Fiio and SMSL products sadly and they both make really decent products but its clear what they specialise in

btw. I not a huge headphone fan... my best sets are only B&W P5/7 and AKG 700 series so to me its not a huge deal that SMSL dont take it seriously as Fiio

Thank you for this information!

I use a Focal Clears (32Ω) for music (mostly death metal, symphonic metal metalcore) and immersive single player gaming. I also use a (clearly worse) Beyerdynamic MMX 300 (600Ω) for multiplayer gaming from time to time.

So, as you can see, I definitely prioritize headphones and not speakers. That makes it quite difficult now for me. What would be the best device for - let's say - below 350$/€? The FiiO then? Or a different device?

As far as i understood, endgame would be the Topping D70 PRO & A70 PRO combination for my purposes. However, I don't want to spend 1000$/€ on that right now. ^^

 

[Ctom]

This is or a k7 BT? Will be using iems, sundara, active speakers, and a hd600. Also invested in a few balanced cables so would it be better to buy the k7 since it has a true balance HO out?

I was wondering about this comparison too. I went with the DL200 because of the screen, remote and the jitter setting feature since I’ll be using the optical out on my tv too. I don’t think balanced makes much of a difference it’s just more power which the DL200 has plenty for most headphones

 

[doalt]

What would be the best device for - let's say - below 350$/€? The FiiO then? Or a different device?

K7 is hard to beat at this price, if you want a truly balanced headphone amp. DL200 is good if you want balanced connection to speakers, or a better measured DAC.

"want" is the operative word here. In reality you may not need the HP power of K7, or the SINAD of SMSL. Then it comes down to other features, like the bigger volume knob (better for desktop) vs screen + remote (better for tv/sofa).

 

[Dr1val]

Okay, thanks. I cannot decide then... ^^

I guess I'll just order all of them that I find quite interesting and keep the one that sounds best (to me).

 

[Shayzer]

From what I am reading, FiiO K7 might be better for 660s2 since I have a balanced cable ?

By any chance, do you know/think that the DL200 has more power than the balanced output of the iFi Zen Dac V2?

 

[Ctom]

So it’s been almost a week since ordering from the ironically named “Hi-Fi express” and still no tracking number or response from my email asking for one. How long did it take others to get a tracking number from them?

 

[nerdemoji]

So it’s been almost a week since ordering from the ironically named “Hi-Fi express” and still no tracking number or response from my email asking for one. How long did it take others to get a tracking number from them?

Oh the irony

 

[jaatre]

Oh the ironyView attachment 316864

You mean E for Express?

 

[TonyJZX]

the bastards dont have stock but they dont want you to cancel either and lose a sale

so they will string you along until they have stock

ask them wtf is going on and a threaten to cancel unless you get a shipping confirmation

typical zero IQ play on behalf of most of them

 

[Bleib]

the DAC chipset does not determine headphone quaility... thats a simple fact

the k7 has that THX 789 dedicated HP output so on that alone you can tell Fiio cares about headphone quality

SMSL does not prioritise that - i respect that decision... SMSL is all about speakers

i have a LOT of Fiio and SMSL products sadly and they both make really decent products but its clear what they specialise in

btw. I not a huge headphone fan... my best sets are only B&W P5/7 and AKG 700 series so to me its not a huge deal that SMSL dont take it seriously as Fiio

C200 headphone amp is way above average as Amir points out in his review. It's unlikely that DL200 is worse.

From the review (low and high gain)
"Both of these indicate available juice to drive 90% of the headphones out there to very satisfactory levels with superbly low noise and distortion."
Jitter is also superbly low, it's all well designed.

Likely the limiting factor is instead the headphones (much lower SINAD, FR response is far from accurate, group delay..), recordings (including mixing/mastering) and any person's ears

 

[Ctom]

the bastards dont have stock but they dont want you to cancel either and lose a sale

so they will string you along until they have stock

ask them wtf is going on and a threaten to cancel unless you get a shipping confirmation

typical zero IQ play on behalf of most of them

After 3 emails and no response I put in a dispute with PayPal and got a tracking number within 3 hours haha

 

[Room_101]

After 3 emails and no response I put in a dispute with PayPal and got a tracking number within 3 hours haha

I got a tracking number this evening as well. Ordered Monday. For free shipping, I'm OK with that.

 

[Boxermotor]

I ended up returning my DL200. The headphone amp just couldn't reach the db levels I was hoping, even on high gain. Still searching for a reasonably priced balanced dac/amp solution...

 

[ninetylol]

I ended up returning my DL200. The headphone amp just couldn't reach the db levels I was hoping, even on high gain. Still searching for a reasonably priced balanced dac/amp solution...

I never had any amp / headphone combo which was too low volume. I would advide to check your listening levels and your ears.

 

[Power Pop 23]

I ended up returning my DL200. The headphone amp just couldn't reach the db levels I was hoping, even on high gain. Still searching for a reasonably priced balanced dac/amp solution...

Can you share what model of headphones you couldn't drive to satisfying levels ?

 

[Boxermotor]

Can you share what model of headphones you couldn't drive to satisfying levels ?

Drop Aeon Open X.

My RME ADI-2 fs has been a wonderful and powerful amp that easily drives my headphones. I'm switching out my system and don't need the RME's equalization functions as there is DSP built into the Neumann KH 750 sub. I might just keep it if I can't find a suitable replacement...

 

[Boxermotor]

I never had any amp / headphone combo which was too low volume. I would advide to check your listening levels and your ears.

I've had plenty (SMSL C200, Loxjie A30, Topping EX5) that really couldn't drive my Drop Aeon Open X's well. The RME ADI-2 FS and Pro FS R, on the other hand, fantastic!

 

[ninetylol]

I've had plenty (SMSL C200, Loxjie A30, Topping EX5) that really couldn't drive my Drop Aeon Open X's well. The RME ADI-2 FS and Pro FS R, on the other hand, fantastic!

Well you only need 0.4mW for 90 db and 400mw for an ear shattering 120db.

amp should spit out 129 db with your headphone, i dont know how this is too little. Should be enough to kill your ears and your headphones

 

[Power Pop 23]

Drop Aeon Open X.

My RME ADI-2 fs has been a wonderful and powerful amp that easily drives my headphones. I'm switching out my system and don't need the RME's equalization functions as there is DSP built into the Neumann KH 750 sub. I might just keep it if I can't find a suitable replacement...

Your RME works and may keep on working for a long time. Consider keeping it.