SMSL DL200 the best ever value DAC/AMP?

[staticV3]

How? Mine only shows 'Ldc'; no sample rate even as I transit between functions

Ah, my bad. I had assumed that the sample rate would be displayed regardless of the input format. It's possible that the DL200 only shows the sample rate for USB and S/PDIF input.

 

[FreakyKiwi]

How? Mine only shows 'Ldc'; no sample rate even as I transit between functions

Yes, bluetooth mode will only show the codec in use not the sample rate.

I think UAPP not showing what is eventually being transmitted over Bluetooth.

 

[Heichef]

Hi!

I've just received the SMSL DL200 I ordered and I noticed that the brightness level of the LCD screen supposedly goes 8 levels. The issue is that I only notice any brightness change in the 3 first levels. Levels 3 through 8 are the same brightness level. Is this normal?

Thank you in advance.

 

[FreakyKiwi]

Hi!

I've just received the SMSL DL200 I ordered and I noticed that the brightness level of the LCD screen supposedly goes 8 levels. The issue is that I only notice any brightness change in the 3 first levels. Levels 3 through 8 are the same brightness level. Is this normal?

Thank you in advance.

Yes, mine is the same.
BL1 is too bright, BL2 is a bit brighter, BL3 to BL8 are the same.
I have mine on BL1 with the display turned off so that it only displays when the sample rate changes or I use the controls. (Hold function button on remote to turn the display on/off)

 

[Heichef]

Yes, mine is the same.
BL1 is too bright, BL2 is a bit brighter, BL3 to BL8 are the same.
I have mine on BL1 with the display turned off so that it only displays when the sample rate changes or I use the controls. (Hold function button on remote to turn the display on/off)

Thank you for your helpful reply!
I'm glad this is not indicative of something wrong with the DAC.

 

[Qu@rk]

Same here with two DL200, so normal behaviour (If 4 affected devices can be regarded as representative.).

 

[Qu@rk]

As mentioned before, also my two DL200 suffer from clicks/plopps as soon as I change to a track with a different sample rate. Not so noticeable in low gain mode but at high gain mode and a sensitive headphone it is pretty annoying. But who would choose high gain with a sensitive headphone? But that's a different story.

I remembered that my ADI-2 PRO showed something like that too.

So I tested this clicky/ploppy thingy with my mighty RME ADI-2 PRO FS R, identical headphone, high power mode. And....

Identical clicks/plopps, even in low power mode easily audible.

There must be posts in the RME forum about that. I can recall that other users and I complained about that several years ago, especially with sensitive headphones.

Edit: Sorry, forgot to mention that both are connected via USB to a Linux system (alsa, mpd, upmpdcli, BubbleUpnp). I have no idea whether this happens with optical or coaxial inputs, never tested.

 

[UA8890]

@Qu@rk Read the last few pages of the topic for smsl m300se. About pops and clicks and microclicks!My opinion: you need to take time-tested DACs. Especially with smsl. I took a new one from smsl and was burned by the quality!!!

 

[Qu@rk]

Yes, there's no harm in waiting a few months. Early adopters have to pay the price for their impatience, but they pave the way for users who get on board later.

But I am very happy with my two DL200s (so far, I don't want to jinx it, hihi), I hope it stays that way.

The user experiences in different forums indicate that SMSL is not better or worse than Topping.

 

[JIW]

I got mine today and rudimentarily measured the steps in the volume control using headphones, a 1 kHz tone and an SPL meter app on my phone.

The ESS chip can go from 0 dB to -127.5 dB in 0.5 dB steps for each channel (ES9039Q2M datasheet, page 15). The DL200's volume control has only 100 steps from 0 to 99, however. Thus, it may well differ in some way.

Volume 00 is mute. From 99 down to 25 is in 0.5 dB steps, i.e. 25 is -37.0 dB, 50 is -24.5 dB and 75 is -12.0 dB. 20 is 5 dB lower than 25, i.e. 20 is -42.0 dB. Below 20 is unclear but 01 is about 28 dB below 20, i.e. 01 is about -70 dB.

The line output is closest to 2 V RMS RCA and 4 V RMS TRS at volume 95, i.e. -2.0 dB, giving 1.9858 V RMS and 3.9716 V RMS, respectively.

Maybe @SMSL-Mandy can give the exact values.

 

[JIW]

Using USB connection on macOS, when audio is played through the OS, i.e. the DL200 is not selected as output device in the program, it also disconnects when no audio is played and reconnects when audio is played again each with a click and muting the beginning as it does when changing sample rates.

However, when the DL200 is selected as output in the Qobuz app without even having played anything or not playing anything anymore, the DL200 is always connected as long as the Qobuz app is not quit even after the sample rate is changed in the Audio MIDI Setup. The same might work for other programs where the DL200 can be selected as output device.

Using USB 1.1 instead of 2.0, does not change anything other than allowing volume control through the OS and having only 16 bit output instead of 24 bit or 32 bit.

 

[Lambo1985]

Hi All,

I'm looking to get a DAC/AMP combo for a new room. My main listening DAC/AMP, is an E50 into either an L50 or L30II. I also have a Zen Dac V2, and a DX3 Pro+, but the E50 stack is the best sounding. My main priority is SQ, and based on SQ alone, the DX3 Pro+ is 85-90% close to the E50 set up. It has slightly more width, but is short detail, resolution, and fullness (mainly in the low mids down through the bass). On one hand, I'm looking for something slightly different than the DX3 pro+, or on the other, something that is like the E50 setup, but AIO.

I think the DX5 lite will do as an AIO addition, similar to the E50 set up.

I'm curious if there is anyone here that has experience with the E50, L50/L30II, & DX3 Pro+ can give me opinion on a sound quality comparison to the DL200. I'm exclusively using these setups for headphone use, only.

If anyone can advise, that would be awesome.

Thanks!

 

[surroundman]

I am using the DL200 and it has been great. I am, however, looking for a way to change my amp/passive speakers to powered speakers. Can I use simultaneously the Balanced output for the speakers and the RCA output for my subwoofers? Is there any downside to controlling the volume this way?

 

[staticV3]

Can I use simultaneously the Balanced output for the speakers and the RCA output for my subwoofers?

Yes.

Is there any downside to controlling the volume this way?

As long as you have an additional volume knob on the Mains and/or the Sub for integration, no.

 

[jozhix]

Can I use simultaneously the Balanced output for the speakers and the RCA output for my subwoofers?

I am using both RCA and TRS outputs to subwoofer and monitors and control volume with DAC remote.

 

[paulg1]

I've been enjoying my DL200 a lot. I am set up using a PC running Window 11. I have it set up with two different modes, the default USB 1.1 mode which works up to 24/96 PCM files, and I can also toggle it to the USB 2.0 mode which supports up 32/768 PCM.

One thing I noticed is that the DAC-USB 2.0 driver combination reports the playback resolution wrong on lower resolution files. Lower resolution tracks play fine with it, but the display appears to stay locked on the previous track's resolution. In checking the Windows sound panel, the lowest resolution it lists to support with this mode of the DAC is 24/44.1.

If I switch back to USB 1.1, the track resolution displays correctly for any tracks 16/44.1 up to 24/96. Right now, I'm using Amazon Music Unlimited as my primary source, and it can tell you the resolution of the track it's playing. Files range from 16/44.1 to 24/192 in that catalog.

I don't really have a proper way to do ABX testing between the two DAC settings, as it takes a few seconds to switch over the DAC, and the volume isn't the same. They both sound very good. It seems that there is a subtle difference between the two DAC settings, using the same track. I can also say that with extended listening for a while now, it seems there is a subtle but noticeable difference between 167/44.1 and 24/96 files, particularly with softer sounds.
I guess it's an intellectual curiosity. I prefer to leave the DAC at the USB 2.0 setting, but I would like it to properly display the known resolution.

 

[spigot]

I've been enjoying my DL200 a lot. I am set up using a PC running Window 11. I have it set up with two different modes, the default USB 1.1 mode which works up to 24/96 PCM files, and I can also toggle it to the USB 2.0 mode which supports up 32/768 PCM.

One thing I noticed is that the DAC-USB 2.0 driver combination reports the playback resolution wrong on lower resolution files. Lower resolution tracks play fine with it, but the display appears to stay locked on the previous track's resolution. In checking the Windows sound panel, the lowest resolution it lists to support with this mode of the DAC is 24/44.1.

If I switch back to USB 1.1, the track resolution displays correctly for any tracks 16/44.1 up to 24/96. Right now, I'm using Amazon Music Unlimited as my primary source, and it can tell you the resolution of the track it's playing. Files range from 16/44.1 to 24/192 in that catalog.

I don't really have a proper way to do ABX testing between the two DAC settings, as it takes a few seconds to switch over the DAC, and the volume isn't the same. They both sound very good. It seems that there is a subtle difference between the two DAC settings, using the same track. I can also say that with extended listening for a while now, it seems there is a subtle but noticeable difference between 167/44.1 and 24/96 files, particularly with softer sounds.
I guess it's an intellectual curiosity. I prefer to leave the DAC at the USB 2.0 setting, but I would like it to properly display the known resolution.

I think if it's a 16 bit track it's okay for the DAC to connect at 24 or 32 bit, it just 'pads' the data but doesn't alter it. As long as the bit depth is the same or higher and the sample rate is correct then there's no change to the signal. The DAC just prefers to connect at no lower than 24 bit in USB 2.0 for some design reason, leave it at 2.0 so you can correctly play the hi-res stuff.

 

[wkpf]

Hello I need some advice . Using right now denon ahd5200 headphones connected to audio interface audient id4 mk2. Looking for upgrade and want to buy dac/amp combo, price range 200-300$
I found this one smsl dl200 and FiiO k7 but I’m not sure which one will be better, maybe there is more options that I don’t know yet. There is also one more thing In the future I want to get passive speakers and saw there are devices like smsl ao300. Is it better to buy all in one device like ao300 or buy dl200 and connect additional speakers amp?

 

[Meta]

Hi everyone, after going through all the publications, I would like to know if any usage problems (Bluetooh and other..) persist? Or it was correct, because the DL200 would be suitable for my use (Dac connect to PC via USB, Bluetooth use for headphone use, also in wired use on the front, connect my speakers to the PC directly on the Dac).

Use all the connectors, are these corrections of the faults previously reported corrected?

Cordialy

 

[Lambo1985]

Hello I need some advice . Using right now denon ahd5200 headphones connected to audio interface audient id4 mk2. Looking for upgrade and want to buy dac/amp combo, price range 200-300$
I found this one smsl dl200 and FiiO k7 but I’m not sure which one will be better, maybe there is more options that I don’t know yet. There is also one more thing In the future I want to get passive speakers and saw there are devices like smsl ao300. Is it better to buy all in one device like ao300 or buy dl200 and connect additional speakers amp?

I have the K7, and just ordered the DL200. I have several other pieces, and can advise once I receive the DL200. I have some of the popular dac/amp combos at this price point (K7, DX3pro+, Zen Dac V2). At first, I liked the K7, but I prefer the sound of the DX3 pro+ & Zen Dac. The K7 sound is solid, balanced, & focused, but maybe too 'polite' and narrow. I Like the DAC section better than the amp. The sound opens up when connected to my L30II amp. DX3 pro+ is wider and more detailed, but is 'thin' sounding. Zen Dac is colored with crossfeed, giving a more fleshed out, but more distant soundstage. It can be very pleasant with certain genre's like EDM/Rap/R&B, but subpar on others like Rock/Metal. The E50/L50 or L30II combo is better than the K7 in every way. More dynamic, detailed, wider, and spacious. I havent heard the audient id4, but I have audio interfaces (RME FF800, Motu M4, Focusrite Clarett+, Scarlett 2i2 gen4, Presonus Quantum), and the E50 is the best DAC out of everything I have. I can't comment regarding synergy with your Denon ahd5200, but I have around 15-20 headphones, and it's all relative. - I will advise when I recieve the DL200.