SMSL DL200 the best ever value DAC/AMP?

[Bleib]

Have you experienced sync-problems?

My point: The firmware development of these Chinese manufacturers has not been very reliable. I would apply a firmware update only if I absolutely have to and if it is solving a problem I am having.

No, but I'm not sure what it fixes exactly but I tend to install them as I expect bugs

 

[Qu@rk]

Btw, the pdf shows a screenshot from 2022. It is just an example and has nothing to do with the actual DL200 firmware. So there is no description what bugs have been fixed, no version history or change log.

Well I would be very careful installing a firmware without any change log.
If you experience no bugs in your setup why install a questionable firmware?

 

[Bleib]

Btw, the pdf shows a screenshot from 2022. It is just an example and has nothing to do with the actual DL200 firmware. So there is no description what bugs have been fixed, no version history or change log.

Well I would be very careful installing a firmware without any change log.
If you experience no bugs in your setup why install a questionable firmware?

It showed the same info for me..

 

[Qu@rk]

This message is caused by the adjustment of the frequency of the serial interface controller of the MCU (Micro Controller Unit) and has nothing to do with the firmware itself. This frequency adjustment/check of the serial controller is necessary to transmit the firmware correctly.

 

[Lupin]

I would apply a firmware update only if I absolutely have to and if it is solving a problem I am having.

That applies for everything in IT and electronics.
"Don't try to fix something that isn't broken"

 

[Qu@rk]

"Never touch a running system"
An old saying in the golden days of IT.

But in today's IT there are essential security updates. Therefore it is highly recommended to perform regular updates for example of your BIOS/UEFI or your operating system.

But a DAC or HiFi equipment carry no security riscs in this sense.

 

[JIW]

The order and labeling of the filters has been updated. Based on the manual, it is correct apart from it being unclear if filter 7 is ESS #7 or ESS #8.

However, this is from the product page. Filter 1 and 6 have the right name but the wrong colour and placement.

 

[Bleib]

That applies for everything in IT and electronics.
"Don't try to fix something that isn't broken"

And at the same time the experienced will say:
"what is yet undiscovered as broken?"

 

[Qu@rk]

The order and labeling of the filters has been updated. Based on the manual, it is correct apart from it being unclear if filter 7 is ESS #7 or ESS #8.
However, this is from the product page. Filter 1 and 6 have the right name but the wrong colour and placement.

Thanks.
But this could be wrong as it was before?
So to be sure we would have to repeat the filter measurments after the FW upgrade to 1.3?

 

[Yersinia Bestmate]

Well, the pdf suggests it adjusts it from 12mhz to 11.944mhz
Fixing sync-problems?

Adjusts what from 12mhz to 11.944mhz?

Pressing buttons while simultaneously putting in some cable or pulling other out. Phew, sounds like a lot of trouble for a simple firmware update. Wish it could be done as in Topping A70pro - just drag and drop the new firmware to the folder and boot the device.

 

[JIW]

Thanks.
But this could be wrong as it was before?
So to be sure we would have to repeat the filter measurments after the FW upgrade to 1.3?

That would be different than before. With FW1.3 the labels at least fit the filters.

 

[Qu@rk]

Adjusts what from 12mhz to 11.944mhz?

Pressing buttons while simultaneously putting in some cable or pulling other out. Phew, sounds like a lot of trouble for a simple firmware update. Wish it could be done as in Topping A70pro - just drag and drop the new firmware to the folder and boot the device.

As I explained, it has nothing to do with the firmware. It is an internal synchronization for the firmware flashing procedure. There is no change log whatsoever.

 

[Qu@rk]

That would be different than before. With FW1.3 the labels at least fit the filters.

How could you know that? The pdf was wrong before.
This is your assumption based on a change of the pdf?
Is there any evidence that the firmware 1.3 actually changes anything regarding the filter settings/order?

 

[JIW]

How could you know that? The pdf was wrong before.
This is your assumption based on a change of the pdf?
Is there any evidence that the firmware 1.3 actually changes anything regarding the filter settings/order?

The original measurements in the manual were consistent with third party measurements. The labels in the manual not fitting the filters even on SMSL's own measurements was the issue originally.

For the DO400, SMSL new firmware changed what labels select which filters. See this post. However, there is still an error which is also present in SMSL's measurement for the SU-X using the same DAC chip. Thus, I consider their measurements for the DL200 to be credible.

 

[Qu@rk]

Sorry, I don't want to fight with you but from what I can see there are no new real measurements of the DL200 with the new firmware 1.3. So we still don't know.
It's only an assumption from your side because of the changed manual.

 

[JIW]

Sorry, I don't want to fight with you but from what I can see there are no new real measurements of the DL200 with the new firmware 1.3. So we still don't know.
It's only an assumption from your side because of the changed manual.

There are none except those from SMSL, yes. However, as I said, last time they matched third party measurements.

 

[Bleib]

Adjusts what from 12mhz to 11.944mhz?

Pressing buttons while simultaneously putting in some cable or pulling other out. Phew, sounds like a lot of trouble for a simple firmware update. Wish it could be done as in Topping A70pro - just drag and drop the new firmware to the folder and boot the device.

At least the latest SMSL RAW-MDA1 DAC has drag and drop. I was surprised there was no exe file inside, thought at first they had forgotten it

 

[Grael]

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

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?

You need to be fast to plug the power cable after clicking start... Like 3s max

 

[audioje]

You need to be fast to plug the power cable after clicking start... Like 3s max

Wow! Thanks! Finally worked!

 

[ext23]

How does this amp go on high gain? I listen mostly to Spotify and with the standard normalization on it's a fair bit quieter than most other sources. High gain is super powerful but if it's bringing in too much distortion I will just crank it up on low gain.