SMSL PL200 (CD Player)

[bike man]

Using coaxial and optical ports as outputs makes the device rather pointless.

1 why would someone need a different dac to the included SOTA Ak4499ex?

2 you cannot use them to link a streamer and/or a TV to replace a preamp.

No, it is not pointless - it works as good CD transport when needed. My NAD M33 Streaming Integrated Amp digitizes all analog inputs through an ADC! This is to be able to apply Dirac Live Room Correction and use the digital volume control in the DAC section. That's why I connected the PL200 to the M33 using digital optical. Using the analog output from the PL200 would have meant two unnecessary additional conversions: D-A in the PL200 and A-D in the M33.

 

[Count Dacula]

This unit with streaming would make a great all-in-one. (ducks for cover)

I like my SMSL products in general.

 

[Danieru Senpai]

Just wanted to chime in to say I got one a couple of weeks ago and been loving it.

Looks great, sounds great, and the top loader is satisfying to use every time.

Had a bit of an issue with audio coming through headphones when skipping tracks but the firmware update fixed that.

Now my only two quirks are the fast forward/back is extremely laggy vs my 1995 Sony CDP, and also reading CDs takes twice as long when you switch back from Bluetooth/USB and it sounds like the mechanism is doing a checkup back and forth.

Very minor complaints for an otherwise great product.

 

[bike man]

Just wanted to chime in to say I got one a couple of weeks ago and been loving it.

Looks great, sounds great, and the top loader is satisfying to use every time.

Had a bit of an issue with audio coming through headphones when skipping tracks but the firmware update fixed that.

Now my only two quirks are the fast forward/back is extremely laggy vs my 1995 Sony CDP, and also reading CDs takes twice as long when you switch back from Bluetooth/USB and it sounds like the mechanism is doing a checkup back and forth.

Very minor complaints for an otherwise great product.

Glad you are enjoying it. What version firmware did you update to? My only complaint about is, there's no auto power off. That's why I have set the display to sleep, to avoid burn in. Does your unit auto power off after a period of inactivity?

 

[Danieru Senpai]

Glad you are enjoying it. What version firmware did you update to? My only complaint about is, there's no auto power off. That's why I have set the display to sleep, to avoid burn in. Does your unit auto power off after a period of inactivity?

IIRC it's the latest 1.2 firmware available from SMSL's site. Not a very user friendly process so I won't recommend it unless you're having some odd issues that might be fixed by the update.

Sadly, firmware v1.2 doesn't add (at least in the unit's menu) an auto power-off feature. I also wish it had that feature, I'm hoping for a future v1.3 to add it since many people have publicly requested it but I don't know if SMSL is listening or how to send em a feature request.

 

[bike man]

IIRC it's the latest 1.2 firmware available from SMSL's site. Not a very user friendly process so I won't recommend it unless you're having some odd issues that might be fixed by the update.

Sadly, firmware v1.2 doesn't add (at least in the unit's menu) an auto power-off feature. I also wish it had that feature, I'm hoping for a future v1.3 to add it since many people have publicly requested it but I don't know if SMSL is listening or how to send em a feature request.

Thanks for replying - it saved me from the hassle of the firmware update because I don't have any Windows machines at home.

It's a real head scratcher as to why they don't have the auto-standby feature. I mean the device has the standby capability which is currently accessed via the remote or pressing and holding the knob. They just need to update the firmware to support it. I sent an email to SMSL support. They might consider adding it if more people complain.

 

[JaccoW]

Anybody using the PL200 with a Wiim Ultra?

I've been eyeing a nice DAC to pair it with to replace my current Topping E50 + linear PSU and was looking at the E70 Velvet.

Then I realised both it and the PL200 use the same AKM AK4499EX chip and would both look pretty snazzy on top of the Ultra.







Current setup

 

[NTTY]

You finally get to know everything about it

 

[Fleuch]

Anybody using the PL200 with a Wiim Ultra?

I've been eyeing a nice DAC to pair it with to replace my current Topping E50 + linear PSU and was looking at the E70 Velvet.

Then I realised both it and the PL200 use the same AKM AK4499EX chip and would both look pretty snazzy on top of the Ultra.







Current setup

Please do not continue to post Imgur content on ASR as From September 30, 2025, access to Imgur from the United Kingdom is no longer available.

 

[JaccoW]

Please do not continue to post Imgur content on ASR as From September 30, 2025, access to Imgur from the United Kingdom is no longer available.

I can post the image through other services in addition to IMGur but I will not be told to not use a public website just because politicians in the UK are authoritarian twats that have steadily been increasing their stranglehold over what people can and cannot see.

From the country with more cameras per person than anywhere else in the world, the one that forces you to upload your ID card if you want to see porn online and the same population that thought Brexit was a good idea.

Respectfully, no.

 

[Fleuch]

I can post the image through other services in addition to IMGur but I will not be told to not use a public website just because politicians in the UK are authoritarian twats that have steadily been increasing their stranglehold over what people can and cannot see.

From the country with more cameras per person than anywhere else in the world, the one that forces you to upload your ID card if you want to see porn online and the same population that thought Brexit was a good idea.

Respectfully, no.

Now you have had your Trumpian rant about politics, my original respectful request was to consider the users of ASR who are not able to view your pearls of wisdom and elucidation through no fault of their own. As you note, there are services you could use, but choose not to, just to deliberately disadvantage UK members. By the way, the UK does not currently have any form of ID card, unlike one or more member countries of the EU.

 

[Cosmic Heretic]

Anybody using the PL200 with a Wiim Ultra?

I've been eyeing a nice DAC to pair it with to replace my current Topping E50 + linear PSU and was looking at the E70 Velvet.

Then I realised both it and the PL200 use the same AKM AK4499EX chip and would both look pretty snazzy on top of the Ultra.







Current setup

I'm eyeing a PL 200T to set on top of my Wiim Ultra. I was thinking about using the PL200T as a DDC from my ultra into it via USB then to my D90 III discrete DAC over I2s.