SMSL DO200 PRO vs SMSL B2

[Cal_Cobra]

I'm in the initial phase of evaluating both the SMSL DO200 PRO as well as the SMSL B2 Bluetooth DACs (initial phase = connected with a sound check via Apple Music BT streaming from an iPhone).

What immediately strikes me as interesting is that while streaming the same audio stream simultaneously to both devices, notice that the little SMSL B2 beautifully displays all of the media info, yet the 5X more expensive SMSL DO200 PRO displays [almost] nothing

I had to order a USB-C to Apple Lightening cable (all my other DACs use USB-B) to direct connect to either of these. I expect the SMSL DO200 PRO will then spring to life and properly display the media info, in addition to being able to support higher resolution recordings.

 

[staticV3]

I expect the SMSL DO200 PRO will then spring to life and properly display the media info

I think you'll be disappointed.

When sent to a DAC via USB, audio does not carry any metadata like song title, album name, or album art.

The DO200 Pro, even if connected via USB, will most likely only show the sample rate of the audio stream, which does not necessarily match the sample rate of your track.

 

[Dunring]

I've had the DO200 Pro and it's just a DAC and none of them display that information. It's got 5.2v output and smooth switching of bit rates without the tick sound the DL200 or D-6s does. People who use software for playscknon a PC already have that information in the player. A streamer is the device you want if music display built in is a deal breaker. Quite a few on the market at similar prices.

 

[Cal_Cobra]

I think you'll be disappointed.

When sent to a DAC via USB, audio does not carry any metadata like song title, album name, or album art.

The DO200 Pro, even if connected via USB, will most likely only show the sample rate of the audio stream, which does not necessarily match the sample rate of your track.

Good to know, thanks!

Interesting that the display, both in size, quality(?) and for sure media intel being displayed, is superior on the inexpensive little SMSL B2. Although I'm sure these devices are targeting different users, one would expect the more expensive product to have the better display.

 

[Cal_Cobra]

I've had the DO200 Pro and it's just a DAC and none of them display that information. It's got 5.2v output and smooth switching of bit rates without the tick sound the DL200 or D-6s does. People who use software for playscknon a PC already have that information in the player. A streamer is the device you want if music display built in is a deal breaker. Quite a few on the market at similar prices.

I see your point, and honestly it doesn't matter to me as the same data is displayed on the music app. It is nice when testing various capabilities to receive validation from the DAC too though.

 

[TonyJZX]

there's a different design philosophy here

like for most DACs they add BT as bulletpoint - if it works well or not well they dont care

BUT the B2 is a BT receiver foremost and so they went ahead and put a real nice display and functionality behind it

to further cap the fact its ONLY a bt receiver and you need a matching SMSL dac is the fact the USB looks to be only redbook ie. 16/48 (close enough!)

that's a major issue for some people but they want you to buy the SMSL C100 or whatever as well

 

[Cal_Cobra]

there's a different design philosophy here

like for most DACs they add BT as bulletpoint - if it works well or not well they dont care

BUT the B2 is a BT receiver foremost and so they went ahead and put a real nice display and functionality behind it

to further cap the fact its ONLY a bt receiver and you need a matching SMSL dac is the fact the USB looks to be only redbook ie. 16/48 (close enough!)

that's a major issue for some people but they want you to buy the SMSL C100 or whatever as well

One would typically expect a premium priced product to have all of the premium features, but I understand your points. I just find it ironic when the $89 device has a superior display to the $400 one

The B2 can do up to 24 bit 96KHz via BT (LDAC) or USB-C, so I suppose it could be used as a standalone DAC, but IMHO it doesn't sound as nice as the DO200 Pro.

 

[KaeliKoo]

USB input PCM up to 24-48KHZ.
BT is full LDAC with a QCC5125 chip.
CS43131 chip, 1.9 LCD touchscreen, THD 0.0002% (113 dB), SNR 128dB
$80 USD (Amazon)

 

[KaeliKoo]

USB input PCM up to 24-48KHZ.
BT is full LDAC with a QCC5125 chip.
CS43131 chip, 1.9 LCD touchscreen, THD 0.0002% (113 dB), SNR 128dB
$80 USD (Amazon)

Received unit from Aoshida -> They spec 24-48 PCM in their sales lit, device actually does 24-96 in testing and also displays 96Khz

 

[Maxrunner]

USB input PCM up to 24-48KHZ.
BT is full LDAC with a QCC5125 chip.
CS43131 chip, 1.9 LCD touchscreen, THD 0.0002% (113 dB), SNR 128dB
$80 USD (Amazon)

The po100 Ak has more according to the site:

USB PCM 44.1-768KHZ i assume this is much better ?

 

[staticV3]

USB PCM 44.1-768KHZ i assume this is much better ?

For audio reproduction, sample rates greater than 48kHz are pure gimmick and do not increase sound quality in any way.

 

[Maxrunner]

For audio reproduction, sample rates greater than 48kHz are pure gimmick and do not increase sound quality in any way.

What about for using this with a minidisc recorder with toslink out for recording?

 

[staticV3]

What about for using this with a minidisc recorder with toslink out for recording?

What would be the signal chain here?

 

[Maxrunner]

What would be the signal chain here?

Well the idea was to use this to latop connected to the dac through the usb in and connect to the minidisc recorder with toslink cable.
The idea was to then maybe using the dac itself for connecting to an amp with the RCA out. For some reason SMSL discontinued the PO100 Ak.

 

[staticV3]

Well the idea was to use this to latop connected to the dac through the usb in and connect to the minidisc recorder with toslink cable.
The idea was to then maybe using the dac itself for connecting to an amp with the RCA out. For some reason SMSL discontinued the PO100 Ak.

Toslink is only guaranteed to work up to 96kHz sample rate, with 192kHz being possible but finicky.

I'm still not entirely sure if you want to send audio to the Minidisk recorder, or from the recorder to the DAC.

In any case, support for high sample rates would still not benefit sound quality.

 

[Maxrunner]

The recorder to the dac is not possible, since the minidisc only has digital in. Out from minidisc is analog so it would only make sense to listen connected to an amp.
But besides net-md there's no way to record to minidisc without using the digital port.

 

[staticV3]

The recorder to the dac is not possible, since the minidisc only has digital in.

Ah, hence the search for a combined DAC+DDC device.

RCA DAC output for connecting directly to an Amp and Toslink output for connecting to the recorder.

The only products like this that I can think of are the PO100AK and the D10s/D10 Balanced.

 

[Maxrunner]

Ah, hence the search for a combined DAC+DDC device.

RCA DAC output for connecting directly to an Amp and Toslink output for connecting to the recorder.

The only products like this that I can think of are the PO100AK and the D10s/D10 Balanced.

Thats exactly that. Now if only i could get a po100 ak

 

[Maxrunner]

Thats exactly that. Now if only i could get a po100 ak

Ah, hence the search for a combined DAC+DDC device.

RCA DAC output for connecting directly to an Amp and Toslink output for connecting to the recorder.

The only products like this that I can think of are the PO100AK and the D10s/D10 Balanced.

Between these two which one is better?

 

[staticV3]

Between these two which one is better?

Here are measurements:

S.M.S.L PO100 AK - Measurements / Round 2 (DAC)

S.M.S.L PO100 AK - Measurements / Round 2 Hi folks, This is an update over my previous measurements of the S.M.S.L PO100 family. I will focus precisely on the PO100 AK, which not only is an USB to S/PDIF converter (as are the PO100 and PO100 PRO) but also a budget DAC, that claims to perform...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Topping D10s USB DAC and Bridge Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Topping D10s USB DAC and S/PDIF plus Toslink bridge. It was kindly sent to me by the company for testing. The D10s has a retail cost of US $99. Let me start by confessing that the original D10 was one of my favorites with its cute orange...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Topping D10 Balanced Review (USB DAC)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the new Topping D10 Balanced. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $139. The D10 Balanced as the name implies, comes in my favorite USB DAC package with the same cute orange display: Back panel is where the difference is: Balanced...

www.audiosciencereview.com

All three are virtually perfect WRT noise and distortion.

The only meaningful difference in sound quality could stem from the SMSL's early treble roll-off, which could make it sound a bit more "smooth" than the Toppings.

Though it's down just 1dB at 15kHz and 4dB at 20kHz, so chances are, even that difference is too small to be audible.