SMSL DL200 the best ever value DAC/AMP?

[JIW]

Actually no, never used high gain... did not know this thing can get even louder!

Yes, that is an extra 11 dB. It clips at about 1.2 dB below that at 300 Ohm but that is still 9.8 dB more than low gain.

 

[filippoaceto]

Thanks. The 6XX is a 300 ohm headphone which could be a factor in suppressing the clicks, likewise the input impedance of your speakers/amp and howuch you are amplifying the signal could be a factor.

What gain and volume do you listen to the 6XX at? My K361 only needs volume 10 at low gain.

This clicks are not affected by the volume level, I can hear them even at 0 volume, but are more noticible depending on what headphones I am using.

Can you try testing your speaker output by setting the DAC to 0 volume and turning the speakers/amp to max?
Change inputs on the DAC and see if any noise makes it through.

I'm no expert on such things but trying to understand why only some are hearing the clicks.

How is it possible that you only need 10? I have the 371s and at 10 they feel very low

 

[FreakyKiwi]

How is it possible that you only need 10? I have the 371s and at 10 they feel very low

I realised after this that the DAC was actually set to high gain. After switching to low gain I can listen at around 20 and the pops and clicks are basically inaudible.

 

[filippoaceto]

I realised after this that the DAC was actually set to high gain. After switching to low gain I can listen at around 20 and the pops and clicks are basically inaudible.

Wow, On a scale of 0 to 99, even 20 is a low value

 

[JIW]

Wow, On a scale of 0 to 99, even 20 is a low value

It is around -42 dB. See below. 0 dB at low gain is 2.5 V which is around 8 dBV. Thus -42 dB in low gain is -34 dBV. The AKG K371 have a sensitivity of about 118 dB at 1 V. For the K371 that gives an SPL of 84 dB.

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.

 

[hifime]

Hi. I have an Edition XS and currently am trying out 2 budget dongle DAC/amp, Hiby FC4 and Fiio KA13. Both drive the XS to more than enough volume for me.

I have a small desk so I'm also looking at C200. Oddly enough, prices for C200 is currently higher than DL200 except on one Aliexpress shop

Will Amir review the DL200? IIRC he liked the C200

Those who have both, how do they compare? How does the DL200 sound in general. I'm treble sensitive so something not too bright is a plus. The Hiby FC4, which was roundly panned by Amir, nevertheless sounds good to me, probably because of the slightly warm color. (But OTOH I also appreciate the technical / analytical side which is why I have a hifiman lol).

Having never had a proper desktop dac amp, how much of a step up a C200/DL200 will be over the 2 dongles I mentioned?

thanks

 

[staticV3]

Having never had a proper desktop dac amp, how much of a step up a C200/DL200 will be over the 2 dongles I mentioned?

If you don't pay attention to proper controls, the desktop DAC Amp may well sound better in a casual, sighted comparison.

All sound differences will vanish once you match levels, ensure identical data transmission, and compare blindly (not knowing which output you're listening to).

 

[renaudrenaud]

Hi. I have an Edition XS and currently am trying out 2 budget dongle DAC/amp, Hiby FC4 and Fiio KA13. Both drive the XS to more than enough volume for me.

I have a small desk so I'm also looking at C200. Oddly enough, prices for C200 is currently higher than DL200 except on one Aliexpress shop

Will Amir review the DL200? IIRC he liked the C200

Those who have both, how do they compare? How does the DL200 sound in general. I'm treble sensitive so something not too bright is a plus. The Hiby FC4, which was roundly panned by Amir, nevertheless sounds good to me, probably because of the slightly warm color. (But OTOH I also appreciate the technical / analytical side which is why I have a hifiman lol).

Having never had a proper desktop dac amp, how much of a step up a C200/DL200 will be over the 2 dongles I mentioned?

thanks

I have the C200 and the DL200. There is no difference in sound but few differences in other points.

The C200 is very hot all the time when you touch it when the DL200 is at room temperature. For me it means the C200 will die faster.
There is not a lot of space for TRS in the back of the C200, pay attention to this when you buy your cable, you have to avoid big connectors.
The screen from the DL200 is bigger than the one from the C200, very legible.
There's a difference in form factor, obviously, it's your choice.

 

[Bleib]

I have the C200 and the DL200. There is no difference in sound but few differences in other points.

The C200 is very hot all the time when you touch it when the DL200 is at room temperature. For me it means the C200 will die faster.
There is not a lot of space for TRS in the back of the C200, pay attention to this when you buy your cable, you have to avoid big connectors.
The screen from the DL200 is bigger than the one from the C200, very legible.
There's a difference in form factor, obviously, it's your choice.

Hmm, that's odd. I've owned C200 and it wasn't hot at all.

 

[hifime]

If you don't pay attention to proper controls, the desktop DAC Amp may well sound better in a casual, sighted comparison.

All sound differences will vanish once you match levels, ensure identical data transmission, and compare blindly (not knowing which output you're listening to).

Interesting. So the reasons to buy a desktop dac/amp would be...? You need more than USB input, you need more power, and a handy volume knob?

And yet there are so many at so many price points, even nearly identical products from the same company. And people swear by this or that dac amp, or dac/amp and headphones pairings. The FC4 and KA13 sound different to me, and I don't think I imagine it. I tested on my sister giving her no info or prompting, just asked if she could hear a difference. I thought she was just going to say they sound the same, stop being crazy, but after a few A/Bs she actually described FC4 as being closer to you, more in your head, and the KA13 as being farther out, more relaxed.

Confusing.

 

[staticV3]

The FC4 and KA13 sound different to me, and I don't think I imagine it. I tested on my sister giving her no info or prompting, just asked if she could hear a difference. I thought she was just going to say they sound the same, stop being crazy, but after a few A/Bs she actually described FC4 as being closer to you, more in your head, and the KA13 as being farther out, more relaxed.

Did you match the output voltage precisely?

Even a slight difference in output volume can easily explain one sounding "farther out, more relaxed" and the other sounding "closer to you, more in your head".

 

[Qu@rk]

And maybe different DA filter settings?

 

[audioje]

Today, I just found out the "popping sound." For my case, it seems to happen with sample rates going up but not going down. Anyway, it is a very gentle pop with low gain and I don't mind at all (smsl gain 20 -30 with hd6xx). But I now can see what some people are talking about. With super high gain, it can be quite disturbing (like 99 gain).

 

[hifime]

Did you match the output voltage precisely?

Even a slight difference in output volume can easily explain one sounding "farther out, more relaxed" and the other sounding "closer to you, more in your head".

admittedly no. I don't have a way of doing that except by ear

 

[eric tee]

Alea iacta est. Ordered this device from Amazon today. Will update experience, when I have some. SMSL will replace Yamaha wxc-50.

Some thoughts after using this device for one day:

-system; laptop win11 Spotify premium --> usb c to usb c dl200 --> trs to xlr Genelec 7350 (6.35mm to Hifiman Sundara) --> xlr to Genelec 8340
-no need to download drivers from SMSL, out of the box worked already in USB 2.0 mode
-with 8340`s no click- or other odd sounds between tracks
-with Sundaras (high gain), there is small click sound between tracks
-remote tested and works (at least) from 4 metres distance, but requires pointing straight to dl200
-zero problems setting things up

Soundwise, "compared" to Yamaha WXC-50. Quite strong feeling, that something has changed in low freq`s department. Change has been positive.
Acoustic memory is what it is, and unable to make any meaningfull side by side comparison to WXC-50. So, would not bet any of my vital organs on this subject

 

[Lambo1985]

I can’t get this DL200 to connect to an iPad Pro 11 3rd gen. I have a DL300, as well. That one connects, no problem. Strange. Anyone else experiencing the same?

 

[staticV3]

I can’t get this DL200 to connect to an iPad Pro 11 3rd gen. I have a DL300, as well. That one connects, no problem. Strange. Anyone else experiencing the same?

Some Chinese devices have broken USB-C implementations that do not work with regular C->C cables.

A few examples are:
E1DA 9038S G1
SMSL PO100
Topping LA90

These need either a C->A adapter plus a regular A->C cable, or a special OTG C->C cable like the xDuoo X-C12.

It's possible that the DL200 also falls into this category.

Try using a USB-C hub with an A->C cable instead.

 

[FreakyKiwi]

I can’t get this DL200 to connect to an iPad Pro 11 3rd gen. I have a DL300, as well. That one connects, no problem. Strange. Anyone else experiencing the same?

Does the iPad require the DL200 to be in a specific USB mode?

 

[Lambo1985]

Some Chinese devices have broken USB-C implementations that do not work with regular C->C cables.

A few examples are:
E1DA 9038S G1
SMSL PO100
Topping LA90

These need either a C->A adapter plus a regular A->C cable, or a special OTG C->C cable like the xDuoo X-C12.

It's possible that the DL200 also falls into this category.

Try using a USB-C hub with an A->C cable instead.

Yep. That worked. Thanks, Static. (Thumbs up)

 

[Lambo1985]

Does the iPad require the DL200 to be in a specific USB mode?

Switching between USB 1.1 and 2.0 ALSO worked (I should have tried that, but honestly haven’t ever changed it from 2.0 before. I sat it, and forgot it). The USB implementation just seems to be finicky (or broken, as Static stated). Thank you, Freaky (Thumbs up).