SMSL PA-X Stereo Amplifier Review

[M.C. Logan]

For most people, a Sonos or Bose WiFi speaker is plenty. At this point, high performance audio is pretty good across the board. You have to win on feature set.

SMSL has decided that they are selling enough products without 12V triggers while vocal members here think the trigger is necessary to be an enthusiast level product. The market will dictate who is right.

Remote controls, apps, and smart plugs are solutions, but just as universal remotes have fallen out of favor among the general soundbar loving public in favor of HDMI CEC, 12V triggers have become preferred among enthusiasts with multiple boxes to power your music (when HDMI CEC is not available).

Just because you say that *most* people don’t want 12V triggers doesn’t actually make it a fact or true statement. It’s definitely true for the general public, but as you look at the total addressable market for this SMSL desktop amp? Not quite as straightforward.

Well put though I disagree on a smart speaker being 'good enough'. I'm not talking about this particular device though, it's a general complaint across the board here at ASR for most components. I still don't get it unless one's room is ridiculously large, one reason I'm guessing this is primarily, though not exclusively, a USAican thing (also the biggest market for Custom Installs as well). It's two/three steps from my seat to my amp were it not permanently on, and if I'm going to play an LP I have to switch my phono preamp and TT manually and get a record out of it's sleeve and place it on the platter, switching on an amp is no great chore, I can switch inputs with the remote and change the volume (which a trigger doesn't help with so you still need the app/remote anyway}. I really get it for custom installs, I'm sure it makes programming Crestron/Lutron systems easier. I'm an 'enthusiast' but really don't have a use case because my gear (if not permanently powered on) is always going to be in easy reach, UK living rooms are generally under 5m in any direction. CEC is a bit of a pet peeve of mine as it usually screws up if you have more than two devices and more than one manufacturer as the spec is rarely properly/accurately implemented, I have mine all turned off, so it all does what I tell it to, not a random switch on fest!

 

[obsessive9119]

Well put though I disagree on a smart speaker being 'good enough'. I'm not talking about this particular device though, it's a general complaint across the board here at ASR for most components. I still don't get it unless one's room is ridiculously large, one reason I'm guessing this is primarily, though not exclusively, a USAican thing (also the biggest market for Custom Installs as well). It's two/three steps from my seat to my amp were it not permanently on, and if I'm going to play an LP I have to switch my phono preamp and TT manually and get a record out of it's sleeve and place it on the platter, switching on an amp is no great chore, I can switch inputs with the remote and change the volume (which a trigger doesn't help with so you still need the app/remote anyway}. I really get it for custom installs, I'm sure it makes programming Crestron/Lutron systems easier. I'm an 'enthusiast' but really don't have a use case because my gear (if not permanently powered on) is always going to be in easy reach, UK living rooms are generally under 5m in any direction. CEC is a bit of a pet peeve of mine as it usually screws up if you have more than two devices and more than one manufacturer as the spec is rarely properly/accurately implemented, I have mine all turned off, so it all does what I tell it to, not a random switch on fest!

People other than me use the stereo. Having it “just work” makes life easier for everyone.

(Not an American, and not in a large room, FWIW)

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Well put though I disagree on a smart speaker being 'good enough'. I'm not talking about this particular device though, it's a general complaint across the board here at ASR for most components. I still don't get it unless one's room is ridiculously large, one reason I'm guessing this is primarily, though not exclusively, a USAican thing (also the biggest market for Custom Installs as well). It's two/three steps from my seat to my amp were it not permanently on, and if I'm going to play an LP I have to switch my phono preamp and TT manually and get a record out of it's sleeve and place it on the platter, switching on an amp is no great chore, I can switch inputs with the remote and change the volume (which a trigger doesn't help with so you still need the app/remote anyway}. I really get it for custom installs, I'm sure it makes programming Crestron/Lutron systems easier. I'm an 'enthusiast' but really don't have a use case because my gear (if not permanently powered on) is always going to be in easy reach, UK living rooms are generally under 5m in any direction. CEC is a bit of a pet peeve of mine as it usually screws up if you have more than two devices and more than one manufacturer as the spec is rarely properly/accurately implemented, I have mine all turned off, so it all does what I tell it to, not a random switch on fest!

I sit nearly three meters away from my system, and there is a coffee table between myself and the system. Yes, it is very annoying to have to get up and walk up to the console to do anything. It is also very annoying to have a multitude of remotes cluttering the space, so needing to have one or two extra just for turning devices on/off (as would be the case for a pure power amp that is not being used for its volume control) is also annoying.

 

[M.C. Logan]

I sit nearly three meters away from my system, and there is a coffee table between myself and the system. Yes, it is very annoying to have to get up and walk up to the console to do anything. It is also very annoying to have a multitude of remotes cluttering the space, so needing to have one or two extra just for turning devices on/off (as would be the case for a pure power amp that is not being used for its volume control) is also annoying.

Good grief that is a level of lazy I have never, thankfully, become accustomed to. How on earth do you manage when you need a cup of tea, glass of water, cake, biscuit, piece of chocolate, magazine, book or any of the myriad of life's necessities or luxuries? I find getting off my arse every few minutes stops my body atrophying.

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Good grief that is a level of lazy I have never, thankfully, become accustomed to. How on earth do you manage when you need a cup of tea, glass of water, cake, biscuit, piece of chocolate, magazine, book or any of the myriad of life's necessities or luxuries? I find getting off my arse every few minutes stops my body atrophying.

I get up and move about plenty with two young children in the home to chase after. There's no atrophying of a single thing living my life.

When I want to relax, I want to actually relax. I do most of my listening after I've put the kids to bed and at that point in the day I am done working hard for anything.

 

[Buckeye Amps]

So someone claims a trigger is unnecessary and fringe. A bunch of people come out and say they actually use and appreciate having triggers. Original person doubles down and claims laziness for everyone else.

As a source of data I can say a vast majority of my customers use their trigger(s). And I wouldn't classify any of them as "stupidly wealthy".

 

[Nyarlathotep]

Sorry, other people in your house are unable to switch one/two device/s on to listen to music? My partner has severe dyspraxia and still manages to be able turn on the phono preamp, switch the preamp to the correct input, adjust the volume and put a record on the turntable when she want's to listen to a record ffs Everyone (except stupidly wealthy USAicans) have managed without this feature for the past 8 decades, have we suddenly had an epidemic of acute laziness or switch blindness that no media have reported?

This seems a very odd hill to die on. Why does it bother so much that people may have differing use cases or needs than your own? And why the instigation in shaming wealthy people or people from the US? It's just not necessary, reductive, and quite honestly makes gross assumptions about peoples means or origins that have nothing to do with the topic of discussion.

Your use case is well stated, and clearly in your situation there is no want for triggers; however, it is awfully presumptuousness to assume your situation and configuration applies to all others. Perhaps people have power amps located in inconvenient locations? Or perhaps the equipment is behind closed doors? Or perhaps the power switch is located in the back of the unit, requiring special placement for access? Or perhaps they know they are forgetful and don't want a bunch of devices chewing through power, Or perhaps they have many devices in their audio setup and don't want to chase down a bunch of switches each time. There are a number of reasons to want a trigger, or any other convenience, and those reasons may or may not align with your setup, but it doesn't invalidate other people's needs or concerns.Nor should you begrudge them the desire for such features.

 

[amirm]

I really get it for custom installs, I'm sure it makes programming Crestron/Lutron systems easier. I'm an 'enthusiast' but really don't have a use case because my gear (if not permanently powered on) is always going to be in easy reach, UK living rooms are generally under 5m in any direction.

??? Trigger is for customers who do NOT have control systems such as Crestron. With one cheap cable, you can automate a number of devices to turn on and off together. I have a Crestron system which I use to turn on my home theater processor. That in turn turns on all the amplifiers and subs using trigger. No reason to go through the hassle of using Crestron for them when a simple cable works. No code to write. Nothing to debug or break. Puts a smile on my face every time those series of devices turn on and off together!

Trigger support has been available for car audio for decades. Home systems often have had it but it has been absent from these desktop products until Topping made it standard. Rest of the industry needs to do the same. It costs less than 50 cents to do it (assuming there is standby support already).

 

[sk8ordie]

The only GaN modules that hold up are the Orchard Audio ones

Measurements so you can compare

Starkrimson® Ultra Specs - Orchard Audio

Specifications and test results for our award-wining, state-of-the-art, Starkrimson Ultra 500W GaN audio power amplifers.

orchardaudio.com

I happily enjoyed a GaN amp for the last 2.5yrs, a Gold Note PA-10. Recently sold it though.

But nice to see a review of this amp. Feel like I dodged a bullet. I went to purchase a pair of PA200 after some vinos late one evening - sale on Ali and they were only $1000AUD for a pair. Given SMSL generally measures quite well, and based on my experience with the Gold Note, thought it was worth a punt. Fortunately my card didn’t work and sale didn’t go through.

FWIW, the Gold Note had a relatively muscular and forward sound compared to other Class D amps I’ve owned such (NuPrime ST-10, Rogue Audio Hydra, Fosi). I did think it sounded closer to Class A or tubes than Class D.

 

[daniboun]

I happily enjoyed a GaN amp for the last 2.5yrs, a Gold Note PA-10. Recently sold it though.

But nice to see a review of this amp. Feel like I dodged a bullet. I went to purchase a pair of PA200 after some vinos late one evening - sale on Ali and they were only $1000AUD for a pair. Given SMSL generally measures quite well, and based on my experience with the Gold Note, thought it was worth a punt. Fortunately my card didn’t work and sale didn’t go through.

FWIW, the Gold Note had a relatively muscular and forward sound compared to other Class D amps I’ve owned such (NuPrime ST-10, Rogue Audio Hydra, Fosi). I did think it sounded closer to Class A or tubes than Class D.

As far as I know the PA-10’s output stages indeed use Gallium Nitride MOSFETs but it is a hybrid class A/D amplifier.

If I were you I would go for a pair of Topping B200. This the SOTA amp !

 

[sk8ordie]

As far as I know the PA-10’s output stages indeed use Gallium Nitride MOSFETs but it is a hybrid class A/D amplifier.

If I were you I would go for a pair of Topping B200. This the SOTA amp !

As far as I know the PA-10’s output stages indeed use Gallium Nitride MOSFETs but it is a hybrid class A/D amplifier.

If I were you I would go for a pair of Topping B200. This the SOTA amp !

Funny you mention getting the Toppings, because I did just that. They’re really very good. But that’s a topic for another thread!

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Funny you mention getting the Toppings, because I did just that. They’re really very good. But that’s a topic for another thread!

Love my B200s!!!

 

[lewdish]

Feel like not a ton of companies have mastered GAN Class D design yet

 

[Roland68]

Feel like not a ton of companies have mastered GAN Class D design yet

In the audio sector, there is neither a specific GaN Class D design nor a specific GaN Class D audio technology. There are only GaN-based semiconductors that have nothing specifically to do with audio. That's exactly what I wrote in post #42.
It's more of a marketing gimmick to draw the attention of ill-informed users to such devices and present them as something particularly great. But that's exactly what these devices currently aren't; at best, they're expensive mediocrity.

They simply replace normal silicon-based semiconductors with GaN (gallium nitride)-based semiconductors in the Class D power amplifier. That's the whole secret, nothing more and nothing less.
Even the theoretical advantage of GaN-based semiconductors shrinks to almost nothing when used in audio power amplifiers. The tests and statements from ICE Power are very informative in this regard.

These SMSL devices (PA200, PA-X, VMV A1 Pro) are based on Infineon technology that's several years old (approximately or more than 10 years old), consisting of a Class D controller and MOSFETs.
If you replace the MOSFETs in the Class D power amplifier with the more recent Infineon GaN-based semiconductors, you get the legendary GaN amplifier tested here.

 

[CedarX]

Even the theoretical advantage of GaN-based semiconductors shrinks to almost nothing when used in audio power amplifiers.

What is different from power supplies—where GaN’s appear to deliver some benefits?
Is it because of the switching frequencies? Some other characteristic?

 

[Roland68]

What is different from power supplies—where GaN’s appear to deliver some benefits?
Is it because of the switching frequencies? Some other characteristic?

Use in audio power amplifiers is very different from use in switching power supplies.
Efficiency drops dramatically, among other things, due to rapid and large load changes, especially at lower power levels. And these are precisely the conditions in an audio power amplifier.

With switching power supplies, there is also a large gap between theory and practice. The efficiency increase is more likely in the range of 3-8%, and even then only at higher power levels and with a consistent load.

Funny thing: GaN is rarely or never advertised in industrial power supplies; hard technical facts are much more important.
Mean Well, for example, only advertises GaN technology for end-user chargers, even though it is used in several of their industrial power supplies. However, the GaN charger only has a maximum efficiency of 88%, which doesn't necessarily require GaN technology.
A sophisticated SMPS with normal semiconductors will always be superior to a simple GaN based power supply, and this is not clear to most users.

 

[Old_School_Brad]

In the audio sector, there is neither a specific GaN Class D design nor a specific GaN Class D audio technology. There are only GaN-based semiconductors that have nothing specifically to do with audio. That's exactly what I wrote in post #42.
It's more of a marketing gimmick to draw the attention of ill-informed users to such devices and present them as something particularly great. But that's exactly what these devices currently aren't; at best, they're expensive mediocrity.

They simply replace normal silicon-based semiconductors with GaN (gallium nitride)-based semiconductors in the Class D power amplifier. That's the whole secret, nothing more and nothing less.
Even the theoretical advantage of GaN-based semiconductors shrinks to almost nothing when used in audio power amplifiers. The tests and statements from ICE Power are very informative in this regard.

These SMSL devices (PA200, PA-X, VMV A1 Pro) are based on Infineon technology that's several years old (approximately or more than 10 years old), consisting of a Class D controller and MOSFETs.
If you replace the MOSFETs in the Class D power amplifier with the more recent Infineon GaN-based semiconductors, you get the legendary GaN amplifier tested here.

Maybe this deserves a spot in the Class D FAQ? It’s valuable info for consumers.

 

[Jimster480]

Surprising that the performance is so poor considering the price. Also a shame that the protection circuit didn't work... resulting in complete failure. I expected more considering the price. I figured it would be closer to the Topping B200...

 

[pma]

Also a shame that the protection circuit didn't work... resulting in complete failure.

and is not this funny?

Source: https://www.smsl-audio.com/portal/product/detail/id/910.html

I think it is in the line with "their" global strategy - try it and we shall see. Maybe a good business, maybe not.

 

[Jimster480]

and is not this funny?

View attachment 447983

Source: https://www.smsl-audio.com/portal/product/detail/id/910.html

I think it is in the line with "their" global strategy - try it and we shall see. Maybe a good business, maybe not.

Well they built a circuit! It just didn't work.... ;x