• WANTED: Happy members who like to discuss audio and other topics related to our interest. Desire to learn and share knowledge of science required. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!

SMSL DL200 the best ever value DAC/AMP?

Well, after firmware update, the screen always shows the sample rate without turning off. Maybe I shouldn't have done the update haha. But I couldn't help it lol
 
Well, after firmware update, the screen always shows the sample rate without turning off. Maybe I shouldn't have done the update haha. But I couldn't help it lol
You need to hold the FN button on the remote again
 
The reported output specs of the Topping DX3 Pro+ are the same as the DL200. However the Topping is MUCH smaller on a desk.

If the sound is more or less the same, why shouldn't I be using the topping instead?
 
The reported output specs of the Topping DX3 Pro+ are the same as the DL200. However the Topping is MUCH smaller on a desk.

If the sound is more or less the same, why shouldn't I be using the topping instead?
The specs are not the same. The DL200 has lower THD+N of 0.0006% for the line out and 0.0009% for the headphone out compared to 0.00015% of the DX3Pro+, i.e. SINAD is 8 dB higher for the line out and 4 dB higher for the headphone out. SNR is also 5 dB higher for the DL200 and 8 dB higher using symmetrical output of the TRS at the back. Since the DL200 has 2.5 V output instead of 2.1 V of the DX3Pro+, i.e. 1.5 dB higher, it's noise is 3.5 dB lower for RCA and headphone output.

If they sound the same, there are still some practical differences. The DL200 has balanced line output whereas the DX3Pro+ only has single ended RCAs, the DL200 has integrated power supply whereas the DX3Pro+ does not and the headphone output is a 6.35 mm rather than a 3.5 mm.
 
The specs are not the same. The DL200 has lower THD+N of 0.0006% for the line out and 0.0009% for the headphone out compared to 0.00015% of the DX3Pro+, i.e. SINAD is 8 dB higher for the line out and 4 dB higher for the headphone out. SNR is also 5 dB higher for the DL200 and 8 dB higher using symmetrical output of the TRS at the back. Since the DL200 has 2.5 V output instead of 2.1 V of the DX3Pro+, i.e. 1.5 dB higher, it's noise is 3.5 dB lower for RCA and headphone output.

If they sound the same, there are still some practical differences. The DL200 has balanced line output whereas the DX3Pro+ only has single ended RCAs, the DL200 has integrated power supply whereas the DX3Pro+ does not and the headphone output is a 6.35 mm rather than a 3.5 mm.
Thanks for the explanation. I was simply referring to output wattage under load, but it's nice to know the technical details. And 3.5mm only on the Topping is certainly a choice.
 
Thanks for the explanation. I was simply referring to output wattage under load, but it's nice to know the technical details. And 3.5mm only on the Topping is certainly a choice.
Yes, power is similar.
 
the balanced TRS output at the back is the reason why I bought the DL200 in the first place. Optical from my PC into the SMSL and from there balanced to my studio monitor speakers. Heavenly bliss
 
Okay, so what's the bottom line on the DL200? I am guessing that @nick_l44.1's measurements look somewhat disappointing--at least compared to the RAW-MDA1--don't they?

Also, assuming that the RAW-MDA 1 can still be had for $246, and the DL200 for $161, which of these has a better sound quality/price ratio?
 
Okay, so what's the bottom line on the DL200? I am guessing that @nick_l44.1's measurements look somewhat disappointing--at least compared to the RAW-MDA1--don't they?

Also, assuming that the RAW-MDA 1 can still be had for $246, and the DL200 for $161, which of these has a better sound quality/price ratio?
I see no reason to distrust the measurements seen here
Unless a non-optimal filter is used both should be transparent. The main reason I prefer raw is because of more inputs (and the remote should have more buttons for quicker access). And well, firmware update is slightly easier.
Edit: A few more things are better with RAW. The display. And changing settings.
 
Last edited:
wins DX3 proThe specs are not the same. The DL200 has lower THD+N of 0.0006% for the line out and 0.0009% for the headphone out compared to 0.00015% of the DX3Pro+, i.e. SINAD is 8 dB higher for the line out and 4 dB higher for the headphone out. SNR is also 5 dB higher for the DL200 and 8 dB higher using symmetrical output of the TRS at the back. Since the DL200 has 2.5 V output instead of 2.1 V of the DX3Pro+, i.e. 1.5 dB higher, it's noise is 3.5 dB lower for RCA and headphone output.

If they sound the same, there are still some practical differences. The DL200 has balanced line output whereas the DX3Pro+ only has single ended RCAs, the DL200 has integrated power supply whereas the DX3Pro+ does not and the headphone output is a 6.35 mm rather than a 3.5 mm.
Looks like the DL200 wins the DX3 pro on paper, except the size, curious if anyone own both units and tested their sound quality.

Looking at these two dac/amp combo for my edition xs
 
Looks like the DL200 wins the DX3 pro on paper, except the size, curious if anyone own both units and tested their sound quality.

Looking at these two dac/amp combo for my edition xs
Sound quality wise I don't have a clue although I've owned both. DL200 has three advantages at least:
1. A better remote, more responsive
2. XLR output if you need it in the future
3. It runs cooler
4. Opinions differ, but the PSU is built in. No risk of connecting wrong external unit to it..
 
Sound quality wise I don't have a clue although I've owned both. DL200 has three advantages at least:
1. A better remote, more responsive
2. XLR output if you need it in the future
3. It runs cooler
4. Opinions differ, but the PSU is built in. No risk of connecting wrong external unit to it..
It has TRS instead of XLR connectors.
 
Looks like the DL200 wins the DX3 pro on paper, except the size, curious if anyone own both units and tested their sound quality.

Looking at these two dac/amp combo for my edition xs

I have both. The main reason I went to the DL200 was for the balanced output for my Kali IN5 speakers. I was getting a lot of feedback from the RCA output on the Topping DX3 Pro+ I had.

Hers is what I can tell you:
1.) Sound is more natural/easier to listen to for longer periods of time. This impacts both speakers and headphones. When I try to go back to the DX3 Pro+ it is clear. It didn't feel like a big upgrade though. The downgrade after getting use to the DL200 to the DX3 Pro + is rough....
2.) The Topping DX3 Pro+ had clipping issues on my Hifiman Series XS (which happens to be my favorite headset). I had to do it on high gain louder then I would like to get rid of the clipping issues. I did update everything hoping it would fix the problem; however, it did not. The DL200 on low gain has enough power for me at 50%. It also sounds a lot better for those headphones. I wasn't expecting that. I guess it makes sense, 50% on low gain is probably going to be better than 50% on high gain for the other device.
3.) I prefer the Topping DX3 Pro+ size.
4.) The balance output removed the ground loop that I was getting on my DX3 Pro +.

For lower end headphones like the Sundara, Philip XHR2, or HE5XX your not going to notice a difference. If you do not have ground loop issues, you probably won't notice much of a difference. For my setup, it was a bigger upgrade than I was anticipating.
 
Yeah I'm not sure why @RedeemerOfSouls thinks the DL200 is not good, pretty much everything points to it being a superb product. Of course in 2024 we're at a point where most of these kinds of amps are essentially transparent and you're spoilt for choice. Users can just pick and choose which extra features they want, like outputs etc.
 
Back
Top Bottom