SMSL DO200 Pro DAC Review

[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.

 

[JakeK]

I'm not sure how to rate this. Measures excellent, what seems like an order of magnitude beyond human perception but lacks several features that I would like in a DAC. I would much prefer a minidsp flex over this.

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?"

I would be happy with that type of review. While the measurements are interesting I don't need as many as you do to believe it's a good product or otherwise so I'm happy if you do what you might see as the bare minimum to reveal the quality of a product.

Any measurement is a long way better than just listening to a few tracks and writing a few paragraphs about what the music sounds like which is all most reviewers seem to do.

 

[Svensson]

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?"

Amir I think good idea. For those old enough to remember the cinema adverts, I anticipate a variant of "Hey! Projectionist"

 

[PlasticDoc]

This SMSL DO200Pro has about the same performance as the SMSL D-6S, at twice the price; it does have HDMI-arc(*) (for those few who need it) and a "Pro" in the model name.
I have a few SMSL DACs, the SMSL D-6S is the one I keep going back to.

(*) HDMI-arc only, without i2s.

 

[Zim]

No PEQ in 2025 is a travesty. We already have enough well-performing products. Time for PEQ to be the new normal.

 

[Repdetect]

If using as a DAC what's the point of this compared to an smsl DL 100 for $179?

 

[holbob]

If using as a DAC what's the point of this compared to an smsl DL 100 for $179?

HDMI Arc. That's it.

 

[Andreas007]

That's just sounds insane to me! I wonder what's the benefit for that from a business perspective. I guess, more choice to choose which aesthetic you like? Because from a technical pov, they all seem to work perfectly fine. And features are mostly the same too.

Maybe it's the Temu approach: Flood the country aka reviewer with stupendous amount of stuff to dislodge everything else.
But I'm sure Amir is aware of the situation.

 

[Repdetect]

HDMI Arc. That's it.

Nope, DL100 has HDMI arc

 

[holbob]

Nope, DL100 has HDMI arc

In that case then it's jacks defecating effluence.

 

[Bwaslo]

This one might be interesting if it had a remote for the volume control. Other wish list features could be better bluetooth and of course parametric eq

And, yeah, does really anyone care about MQA, SMSL?? Maybe they already paid a licensing fee and figure they might as well toss it in now

 

[antcollinet]

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?"

Dashboard
THD+N vs Level
Multitone.

Job done?

Can that be fully automated?

 

[phoenixdogfan]

Another SMSL Dac with a SINAD exceeding 120 db. What a surprise! Time for boiler plate about how it should have a PEQ capability, bass management, and subwoofer outputs. There, done. I guess the only real question is how many of SMSL's DACs reviewed here are still available for sale. Would be kind of nice for someone to make sense of how all these models fit into a line, who each model is more likely to be for, etc. Same for Topping.

Thanks again for this review, Amir.

 

[anphex]

 

[TNT]

...
View attachment 421736
Distortion is vanishingly small and combined with noise, we are comfortably in the "transparent" zone for DACs. Ranking is way up there despite the modern cost:
...

We all love the modern prices ;-)

//

 

[Chr1]

Curious if SMSLs new DACs display volume by default yet.
Anyone know?

 

[Cadillacofminds]

Are the SMSL/Topping brands used to market any active speakers? Seems like a logical next step.
Maybe commoditizing highly performant audio is seen as powerful public relations for the nation putting out these brands (I've never followed the DAC market but lots of people seem perplexed by the business strategy of these two brands)

 

[Chr1]

Speakers are heavy, so transport costs are higher

 

[gvl]

I’m happy for future audiophile generations, they will have access to unlimited supply of cheap excellent DACs on the secondary market.

 

[Sengin]

If SMSL/Topping/etc started by default putting PEQ into their DACs, is one enough? I have my DAC set up to run to both my speakers and headphones (desktop setup). If a DAC has either a single PEQ or no dedicated button to switch to another already-defined PEQ, it might as well not be there as I'd instead keep using EAPO/Peace and my one-key shortcut to load my headphones/speakers profile. Is this common for others or do most here want PEQ for a more permanent solution, e.g. hooked up to a TV/receiver or only a set of speakers? I'd prefer for the DAC to do the PEQ than my PC, but ease of switching between profiles can't be understated. I don't want to fiddle through a menu or deal with a remote - it's gotta be a button on the DAC face or no dice. Whether a button to toggle to the next profile or a slider switch of a set of 2/3/4 stops to set to a specific one.