SMSL DL200 the best ever value DAC/AMP?

[TonyJZX]

"Seems" is the key word here

Most recent spectacular flops:

• Topping L30 - first batch damaging headphones
• Topping A70 Pro - first batch freezing-up with a "HP DC abnormal" message on the display.

it seems like to me that smsl seems to have a better track record than topping

i think their su6 and the 9 have some issues with usb-c failing

this new format al200 obviously we dont know as yet

i sort of feel like at the low end, topping arent really offering dacs that are all that competitve?

i dont mind the topping ra3 but nothing else seems to be comparable

at the high end, yes

 

[joqueval]

Translate to English please.

Hello @Veri
Sorry I was too fast and forgot the CTRL+V

 

[Grooved]

Hello.
I have the C200 with the ES9038Q2M and the DO300 with the 9039 ES9039MSPRO.

In the same equipment, the 9039 sounds better, but as you say, not only the Chip influences, but also what is in front and behind.

The dl200 seems to me a good evolution and with a good design.

Hi, did you check if both C200 and DO300 are using the same filter?

 

[joqueval]

Hi, did you check if both C200 and DO300 are using the same filter?

Hello.
It's not a question of filter, I usually use them without filters although the DO300 has more variety.
I'm quite sceptical about marketing, but from min. 1 you appreciate a more detailed sound. You can say "wow, there is a difference".
They are two different products and both are a good reference in their category.

 

[staticV3]

It's not a question of filter, I usually use them without filters although the DO300 has more variety.

Grooved is talking about Oversampling filters. These cannot be deactivated on either DAC.

You should match the Oversampling filters (and output voltages) for proper comparisons between DACs.
Otherwise, you're not comparing the sound difference between two DACs, but between two oversampling filters.

 

[AncientWisdom]

You should

To add, unless you're doing a test with volume matching and an AB switch, you cannot compare definitively, the brain is just too tricky.

 

[marekm]

Is SMSL DL200 a fully balanced DAC ? It says on SMSL product page "True balanced output TRS", but is it indeed fully balanced ?

And the amp ?. The amp appears to have the 4,4mm socket for convenience only. In other words, the amp section is IMHO SE only.

Please comment / correct me.

 

[staticV3]

Is SMSL DL200 a fully balanced DAC ? It says on SMSL product page "True balanced output TRS", but is it indeed fully balanced ?

Yes. 2.5V Hot plus 2.5V Cold for 5.0V differential output out of the TRS Line jacks.

And the amp ?. The amp appears to have the 4,4mm socket for convenience only. In other words, the amp section is IMHO SE only.

Most likely.

 

[TonyJZX]

- amp stage is the same merus infineon as the a300

the germans dont think its balanced so... but Amir thinks it doesnt make a difference anyway and inexpensive fully balanced amps dont exist

 

[marekm]

Ok, so would two of these cables allow me to connect DL200 to the XLR balanced inputs on a headphone amp (e.g. Topping A70 Pro) ?

 

[TonyJZX]

above looks correct

these cables are *REMARKABLY* cheap... I think 1 m cables should be sub $10 usd

i guess no one wants these in short lengths

i saw the same thing with short XLR cables

from what i seen on my setup the DAC end has the (female) XLR clip (ie. trs end)

so the "non clip" XLR end is your amp (male)

 

[jaatre]

i guess no one wants these in short lengths

i saw the same thing with short XLR cables

That is because, in general, short length cable runs are usually not prone to interference as much as long runs, which I guess you're aware of already.

Edit: So, RCAs are preferred for short lengths.

 

[marekm]

Anybody know whether the signal is simultaneously in headphone sockets and TRS Balanced output or does it need switching ?

Another question: I have SMSL stack: DO100 DAC and HO100 headphone amp, which I am trying to sell, but so far no luck.

Perhaps rather than buy DL200, I could use the stack (the DO100 DAC alone is more expensive than DL200).

 

[jaatre]

Anybody know whether the signal is simultaneously in headphone sockets and TRS Balanced output or does it need switching ?

Another question: I have SMSL stack: DO100 DAC and HO100 headphone amp, which I am trying to sell, but so far no luck.

Perhaps rather than buy DL200, I could use the stack (the DO100 DAC alone is more expensive than DL200).

Your stack is great to continue

 

[Bleib]

Anybody know whether the signal is simultaneously in headphone sockets and TRS Balanced output or does it need switching ?

When XLR is on the headphone is dead silent, for obvious reasons

 

[marekm]

When XLR is on the headphone is dead silent, for obvious reasons

Well, in that case the stack is more convenient.

 

[Shawners]

I see that Hifi Express has these on sale for about another 6 hours. I've never ordered from them, and I see there's a drop down for shipping from USA. Do they actually have a USA warehouse, I thought they only shipped from China?

 

[marekm]

Also interested in the answer, but in my case it is shipping from EU countries (e.g. France) which is of interest.

They have good prices, but these should change depending on warehouse (VAT, import duties, etc.) yet they do not, hence the doubts.

 

[Bleib]

I've ordered a few times, chosen EU and they have always been sent from China but it has never added any additional shipping, toll or tax costs.

 

[marekm]

When XLR is on the headphone is dead silent, for obvious reasons

Ok, but do I need to remove the headphones (physically) or is there a way to switch outputs with the remote ?