SMSL DO200 Pro DAC Review

[mcdn]

I have had a run of bad luck with speaker testing. I had to test one 3 times only to still find issues. Then I tested another speaker from another company with the same unexpected results. I have tested a third one which I will post in a day or two.

I will PM you with something more fun to test, but are you saying the Klippel is being inconsistent?

 

[Sokel]

My current thought is to do quicker reviews on them with a few measurements so that I can spend time on other products. That is, assuming you all don't complain "where is this measurement?"

Maybe it will be fun changing the game for them focusing on IMD vs Level for example,or something like it

 

[raif71]

Vast majority of DACs I have sitting here are from SMSL! Over the summer, they seemingly were sending me a new one every week!!!

You must have the SMSL RAW DAC1 then. This is not the PRO version and with AK4499 + AK4191 chip

 

[amirm]

I will PM you with something more fun to test, but are you saying the Klippel is being inconsistent?

No, the Klippel is just fine. It is companies whose own measurements don't match the results I am getting. Out of courtesy to them, I don't publish them.

 

[Cool Runnings]

Fine. Because no sub out.

 

[Doodski]

No, the Klippel is just fine. It is companies whose own measurements don't match the results I am getting. Out of courtesy to them, I don't publish them.

I thought the intention was to publish out of bounds test results. ?

 

[mcdn]

No, the Klippel is just fine. It is companies whose own measurements don't match the results I am getting. Out of courtesy to them, I don't publish them.

Ouch. We all remember the cold temperature issue with the bass response of the Neumanns. But that was a great result in the end because we all learned a new thing. At some point perhaps you have to just stand by your measurements and let the companies wear it.

 

[JSmith]

I have been sparing you all. I have some 10 DACs waiting to be tested!

I very much like DAC and amp tests, so thanks as always for the results on this one.

This DAC has a dozen CS43131 chips

Now people can say their DAC is better than others as it has 12.


JSmith

 

[welwynnick]

Hi @amirm. I apparently missed the testing procedure threads because it's apparent to me that I don't understand why 50Hz is used as a test reference. Why 50Hz? Does this not mask 60Hz of the North American standard AC supply? Am I off base in asking?

You need to write Mr. Atkinson at stereophile about that. To make at least one test comparable to his, I picked this one. Neither the source frequency, nor the 600 ohm loading make sense to me.
I have made sure that the scale and parameters are as close to his as possible to make it easy to compare DACs.

Whatever the justification, the DO200 got the best 50Hz / 600Ω test result I've ever seen anywhere, beating even the Eversolo DMP-A8, MBL N11, and Benchmark LA4.

 

[delta76]

I fail to see how this is $120 (previously $150 but it's increased to $279) better than RAW DAC-1, given that one has also HP out which works very well?
Maybe it's because of HMDI ARC?
I said it maybe twice or thrice, but SMSL lineup does not make senses ...

 

[Graham849]

Thank you Amirm for another excellent overview of another SMSL DAC.

At almost double the price of my DO100, I fail to see what SMSL is aiming for. Excellence in measurement -YES! MQA - fail. No PEQ - fail.

The output level adjustment is useful, but the cost is no longer value for money. SMSL please rethink your 2025/2026 DAC plans.

 

[Arvind]

Waiting for eARC measurements and info regarding that whether this eARC input accepts DSD files from SACD transport like Sony UBP 800mk II, or not?

 

[AdamG]

I thought the intention was to publish out of bounds test results. ?

It has been common practice for Amir. When a device is sent to him from the Manufacturer and his test results don’t line up, he gives them a courtesy call to figure it out. When the device is sent by a member no such Courtesy is required. It’s a courtesy to the Manufacturer and does not mean that the results will not be published at a later date. If Amir were to publish test results that are way different than the manufacturer without some form of communication before hand. Manufacturer’s would stop sending in devices to be tested.

I am pretty sure this has been explained before Doodski and perhaps you have just forgotten Sir.

Great review Boss. So many SOTA DACs to choose from. And the majority of near perfection devices is obtainable without selling a Kidney. Brilliant work all around.

 

[Doodski]

I am pretty sure this has been explained before Doodski and perhaps you have just forgotten Sir.

Yes, I forgot the finer details of being classy and opening communications with the manufacturers. My bad. Sorrrry...

 

[Gio]

Are the brands SMSL, TOPPING, etc, are a little missing the streamers?

 

[welwynnick]

Waiting for eARC measurements and info regarding that whether this eARC input accepts DSD files from SACD transport like Sony UBP 800mk II, or not?

eARC provides a connection for audio from the TV, not from a player. If you wanted to connect from a player you would need something like an HD Fury Arcana.

I'm not aware that eARC can carry DSD anyhow. I think it's stereo and various flavours of multi-channel LPCM only, but I've never seen any references to DSD. It could be that I need to look harder.

 

[DavidM1]

My current thought is to do quicker reviews on them with a few measurements so that I can spend time on other products. That is, assuming you all don't complain "where is this measurement?"

Makes sense! SMSL seems to have hit a groove with DACs.

 

[JSmith]

It has been common practice for Amir. When a device is sent to him from the Manufacturer and his test results don’t line up, he gives them a courtesy call to figure it out.

Absolutely and a practice some from Stereophile could potentially take note of... but I won't divert further off topic here than that.


JSmith

 

[AkodoGilador]

Still no 12V trigger input or output.

Alex

 

[Haskil]

Still no parametric equalizer or DSP where to introduce a convolution... So not very useful on the market today already drowning in economical transparent DACs.
I still voted 3 because it is good. But not close to replacing my already old Topping DX3 Pro.