SMSL PL20 Review (CD Player)

[Daniele CL]

Italiano:

anche con il nuovo firmware, non gapless

 

[FuzzPizza]

Just confirming that SMSL has still not fixed the issues with the PL20, no gapless playback, albums still play in a loop and disc compatibility issues remain. I think SMSL is just run by a guy in cargo shorts these days.

 

[Bleib]

Just confirming that SMSL has still not fixed the issues with the PL20, no gapless playback, albums still play in a loop and disc compatibility issues remain. I think SMSL is just run by a guy in cargo shorts these days.

I think they need to do better, now that Fosi has entered the CD-player market there is some competition. And with their first effort Fosi got gapless right

 

[aagstn]

Just confirming that SMSL has still not fixed the issues with the PL20, no gapless playback, albums still play in a loop and disc compatibility issues remain. I think SMSL is just run by a guy in cargo shorts these days.

SMSL rarely fixes even major bugs on their DACs or CD players. They just churn out a product and move on to the next one. You have to hope they get it right at launch.

 

[FuzzPizza]

SMSL rarely fixes even major bugs on their DACs or CD players. They just churn out a product and move on to the next one. You have to hope they get it right at launch.

I have found that out the hard way.

 

[FuzzPizza]

I think they need to do better, now that Fosi has entered the CD-player market there is some competition. And with their first effort Fosi got gapless right

The FOSI Audio Merak has caught my eye, do you know if the FOSI can read albums with enhanced/extra content on them? The PL20 just refuses to play them.

 

[Bleib]

The FOSI Audio Merak has caught my eye, do you know if the FOSI can read albums with enhanced/extra content on them? The PL20 just refuses to play them.

Sorry, no idea. I own the Merak but don't have any special CDs

 

[Daniele CL]

you should only trust those who have the logo

 

[FuzzPizza]

Is the issue that there is licensing fee for the software/tech and SMSL and other brands are throwing together a sub par non redbook work around instead of paying?

 

[Daniele CL]

That's not the case. The ProJect CDBox and the Fosi Merak are gapless. I don't know if they're exactly Red Book compliant, but they are gapless. These don't have the logo. Those who don't put the logo don't pay royalties. Those who want it pay, but they have to comply with the specifications.

 

[FuzzPizza]

Another word of caution on the PL20, it has pretty much been sitting in the box since SMSL is inept and will not comment on a future firmware for it. I thought I would see if it would play my new copy of "The Gorillaz" debut album I received in the mail, which has bonus content on the CD. Spoiler alert, of course it doesn't. I wanted to see how my IEMs sounded through the player and noticed that it will not allow you to adjust the volume without headphones or an audio out source detected, the last time I had the player out it was connected to an external DAC powering 40 Watt passive speakers at a good volume. The moment I stick in a CD it auto plays at a volume so loud that it would have damaged my hearing if I had my IEMs on and I had to yank them out of the player in fear that they would be damaged.