• WANTED: Happy members who like to discuss audio and other topics related to our interest. Desire to learn and share knowledge of science required as is 20 years of participation in forums (not all true). There are daily reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!

SMSL DO200 MKII DAC Review

Rate this DAC:

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 9 3.8%
  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 14 5.9%
  • 3. Fine (happy panther)

    Votes: 64 26.9%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 151 63.4%

  • Total voters
    238

cavedriver

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 10, 2020
Messages
485
Likes
451
Location
Maryland, USA
Maybe you are asking too much?
I really don't see where it's asking for too much considering that the A300 for $200 already does more., nor do I see where you have offered one detail on why, from an engineering or design standpoint, that it might be "too much". In fact the A300 even offers mono-amp mode where it sends a pre-out for the second channel to a second A300 without compromising the high-pass filter, suggesting that the filtering is being done in the DAC stage and not in the amplifier chip. SMSL even describes this filtering as patented "SDB/ SMSL Dynamic Bass", and uses that same terminology across multiple DAC/AMPs, again suggesting that the technology is happening between the DAC chip and the amp chip. But thanks for letting me know that on a forum where we discuss the pros and cons of various audio devices it's unacceptable to suggest the current string of DACs has a con.
 

Joffy1780

Addicted to Fun and Learning
Joined
Jul 31, 2022
Messages
512
Likes
348
It is not a con that a product doesn't offer a very specific combination of functions that you would like, for a very specific price.
And the reason I don't think it is appropriate for this review thread is that this device does what it was designed to do brilliantly.
Why have you not commented on the Minidsp Flex review and said you think that it should be under $300? It amounts to the same thing in my opinion.
A separate thread would be more appropriate, there are probably many discussing this already.
 

cavedriver

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 10, 2020
Messages
485
Likes
451
Location
Maryland, USA
It is not a con that a product doesn't offer a very specific combination of functions that you would like, for a very specific price.
And the reason I don't think it is appropriate for this review thread is that this device does what it was designed to do brilliantly.
Why have you not commented on the Minidsp Flex review and said you think that it should be under $300? It amounts to the same thing in my opinion.
A separate thread would be more appropriate, there are probably many discussing this already.
I originally searched for similar threads but didn't find an answer, just one very short thread that mentioned the miniDSP unit. I chose an SMSL thread because 1) I own an SMSL M300 DAC that works quite well and was $300, 2) SMSL makes a lot of good, cheap stuff, 3) the DO200 is one of their units most recently reviewed by Amir, 4) SMSL is the company that makes the most DAC/AMP's that include the subwoofer outputs, demonstrating that it is well within their ability. For the record i didn't actually originally pose it as a con, simply pointed out, "why not?"
 

Joffy1780

Addicted to Fun and Learning
Joined
Jul 31, 2022
Messages
512
Likes
348
I originally searched for similar threads but didn't find an answer, just one very short thread that mentioned the miniDSP unit. I chose an SMSL thread because 1) I own an SMSL M300 DAC that works quite well and was $300, 2) SMSL makes a lot of good, cheap stuff, 3) the DO200 is one of their units most recently reviewed by Amir, 4) SMSL is the company that makes the most DAC/AMP's that include the subwoofer outputs, demonstrating that it is well within their ability. For the record i didn't actually originally pose it as a con, simply pointed out, "why not?"
Ok, and as I said I hadn't even read your original post, but you decided I had somehow 'attacked' you.
Good luck with it.
 

Burns

Active Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2023
Messages
142
Likes
58
Can't you create your own topic for your dilemmas?

There is a real problem with the SMSL DAC that in DAC only mode a meaningless -0.0dB level takes up the entire display and there is more important information to show.
 

cavedriver

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 10, 2020
Messages
485
Likes
451
Location
Maryland, USA
Can't you create your own topic for your dilemmas?

There is a real problem with the SMSL DAC that in DAC only mode a meaningless -0.0dB level takes up the entire display and there is more important information to show.
I'm glad you're here to tell me what's important, because I didn't know.
 

cavedriver

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 10, 2020
Messages
485
Likes
451
Location
Maryland, USA
I'm sure you still don't know anything about this device.
my concerns about the product do not make your concerns invalid. I never criticized that there was something you found inadequate about the product, only that you dismissed my concerns. Live and let live.
 

Burns

Active Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2023
Messages
142
Likes
58
I have a super DAC for millions, it plays like a fool, it handles everything and its handling pisses me off. It's so bizarre and counter-intuitive that I wouldn't even think of it when I was hungover. ;)
 
Last edited:

Nuforce

New Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2023
Messages
2
Likes
0
I feel compelled to add my personal experience of this truly horrible DAC. I have a love of jazz and as such piano reproductive is extremely important. The SMSL adds a nasty layer of digital sheen that makes the listening experience unbearable.

I assume you people haven't actually listened to one, rather than geek out on measurements?
 

boobled

Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2022
Messages
14
Likes
6
Well, I can say it doesn't perform well as a preamp but I have no complaints on sound quality. I listen to a fair bit of jazz and I haven't experienced any issues with the reproduction of piano passages. In fact, I find Nojima Plays Liszt to be quite enjoyable (not jazz but certainly piano) through the DAC, but to each his own I guess.
 

Joffy1780

Addicted to Fun and Learning
Joined
Jul 31, 2022
Messages
512
Likes
348
I feel compelled to add my personal experience of this truly horrible DAC. I have a love of jazz and as such piano reproductive is extremely important. The SMSL adds a nasty layer of digital sheen that makes the listening experience unbearable.

I assume you people haven't actually listened to one, rather than geek out on measurements?
Digital sheen is a new one for me!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: GPJ

Joffy1780

Addicted to Fun and Learning
Joined
Jul 31, 2022
Messages
512
Likes
348
I feel compelled to add my personal experience of this truly horrible DAC. I have a love of jazz and as such piano reproductive is extremely important. The SMSL adds a nasty layer of digital sheen that makes the listening experience unbearable.

I assume you people haven't actually listened to one, rather than geek out on measurements?
This is Audio 'Science' Review not Audio 'Feel' Review. There are no listening tests as part of Amir's reviews on DACs, simply because DACs don't have a sound.
 

BDWoody

Chief Cat Herder
Moderator
Forum Donor
Joined
Jan 9, 2019
Messages
6,460
Likes
20,510
Location
Mid-Atlantic, USA. (Maryland)
I feel compelled to add my personal experience of this truly horrible DAC.

I assume you people haven't actually listened to one, rather than geek out on measurements?

:facepalm:

441cck.jpg
 

AdamG247

You don’t have to attend every argument offered
Moderator
Forum Donor
Joined
Jan 3, 2021
Messages
4,129
Likes
12,647

GPJ

Addicted to Fun and Learning
Forum Donor
Joined
Jan 3, 2019
Messages
651
Likes
856
The SMSL adds a nasty layer of digital sheen that makes the listening experience unbearable.

Can you provide a sample recording of this "sheen". Would love to hear it. Thanks!
 

Veri

Master Contributor
Joined
Feb 6, 2018
Messages
9,515
Likes
11,861
Can you provide a sample recording of this "sheen". Would love to hear it. Thanks!
Sorry mate your gear just isn't resolving enough. Either that or your ears are terrible..
 
  • Like
Reactions: GPJ
Top Bottom