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SMSL PL200T Review (CD Transport)
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Thanks, got it. I see it's indeed a specific measurement of the AP. It extracts the frequency content of the jitter from the digital input and performs an FFT on it. I don't have the software for that.
Would you be happier if they put a block of lead in the bottom?
Because that is the equivalent of putting the same mechanism and circuit in a large heavy case. Which is all large/heavy devices do.
You cannot tell anything about longevity of a device from its size or weight.
Most CD transports where mostly empty boxes back in the 90's too , they removed the DAC and analog section from the TOTL player and hiked the price even more 
On topic the SMSL PL200T is quite robust not flimsy its a kind of solid chunk even if its small so the chassi is made from thicker material unduobtly to give that qulity feel . real or not . I like this device i thinks it looks cool and have a plethora of conectors on the back .
On topic the SMSL PL200T is quite robust not flimsy its a kind of solid chunk even if its small so the chassi is made from thicker material unduobtly to give that qulity feel . real or not . I like this device i thinks it looks cool and have a plethora of conectors on the back .
Hello,
When you download the update file, what is the name of the firewall? I think it also includes the DAC firewall, and if you make a mistake, it could be disastrous.
Thank you.
Hola,
Tengo el mismo problema. ¿Encontraste una solución para que el SMSL PL 200 T se actualice? Hay dos firewalls en el archivo; uno es para un DAC. Es un desastre que la información sea para un DAC. Solo deberían incluir las instrucciones y el firewall para el SMSL PL 200 T.
No clock input is a special signal and there is no need anyway
its not a spdiff coded signal but simply something else that's just a clock frequency idk the details , but its definitely not a spdiff signal like the digital out from a CD transport your WiiM .
External clocking is only needed in a studio environment where several different sources needs to sync inside a mixing environment .
That SMLS has a clock generator and clock inputs on their DAC and CD drive is mostly marketing . For the simple one way transmission from source to DAC the normal clock recovery and PLL lock etc can probly yeild better or just as good results .
You can see that in the WiiM measurements no visible problems , they would show up in every measurement if they was a problem .
Every clock crystal is slightly inexact , but the real purpose of the clock signal is not to be even more exact but to sync several devices in time .
If you have plethora of devices in a studio DAT players digital video players , DAW software et all over several hours the insignificant differences in clock's when listening could make them drift apart over time . A common clock keeps them in sync indefinitely .
And in any case, the connector on the PL200 is an input. It can't send anything to the Wiim to alter its behaviour even if there were a benefit in doing so.
I thought WiiM > PL200 > DAC
Roland68
Major Contributor
What would be the point of that?
You also mentioned a PL200T earlier.
The PL200 and PL200T only have outputs, except for USB, which can also be used as an input.
The Word CLK input on the PL200T is exclusively for a 10 MHz precision clock; that's an external clock.
You can only connect the PL200/T to the Wii Pro via SPDIF Toslink, or directly to a DAC using any of its outputs, or both.
But going from the Wii Pro to the PL200/T and then to the DAC isn't possible.
Jimmyblues1959
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Excellent review! I recently purchased a new SMSL PL200T from Amazon and just received it yesterday. It really is a beautifully made transport and even out of the box sounds good. However, I am having a problem with the remote control. The volume buttons do not work. All other buttons on the remote work fine. Amazon really has not been able to offer much in the way of advice and I would prefer not to return this unit just because of the remote. Would anyone have an idea as to why just the volume controls don't work, while all of the other remote buttons work fine? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.Hello Everyone,
This is a review and details measurements of the SMSL PL200T CD Player and Transport.
It was kindly sent to me by Aoshidaudio.com.
View attachment 486897
SMSL PL200T - Presentation
I already reviewed the SMSL PL200 which is nearly the same, having an internal DAC on top. This is the transport version called PL200T, that adds HDMI and AES/EBU digital outputs, as well as a word clock input for roughly $170 less.
View attachment 486899
We also get a USB input, as you can see, so it can be used as a Digital-to-Digital Converter (DDC) from the USB to other digital outputs, in case you want to use an older DAC that does not offer a USB input, or for other purposes.
The other change is the partially transparent lid:
View attachment 486904
The SMSL PL200T can still be operated without it, by pressing 2sec on the play button. I must admit this is better that the full aluminum one of the PL200, but it is prone to leave visible fingerprints.
Rest is the same as the PL200, the mechanism is equally fast and it is a little transport, pleasant to use.
SMSL talks about an improved clock too, and the PL200 was precise at -4.5ppm, we’ll see if this one does better.
User experience
In my recent reviews, I starter talking about the user experience, so I'll continue. But for this one, allow me to simply copy/paste from the PL200, since it is the same drive and same feedback I have:
- It can play a CD with the top cover removed provided you press "Play" for 2 seconds.
- It's fast at reading the TOC of my 40 tracks test CD (less that 2 seconds as per the above)
- It will play on the side, which is funny
- It's nice to see the disc rotating, really
- Skipping a track is way faster than most modern players, I like it
- FFW and REW are fast too
- The buttons are a bit too narrow for my fingers, but they react well
- The laser head is noisy when going from the last track to the first one
- It is gapless playback compatible
SMSL PL200T - Measurements (Optical Out)
As a transport I only have the digital output to measure to verify it is "bit perfect". I did the same tests from the SMSL PL200, and no surprise this one performs flawlessly the same way.
This is my standard 999.91Hz test tone @0dBFS (without dither):
View attachment 486923
It is the same as the digital WAV source file that was burnt on the test CD.
Same with the good old 3DC test from Stereophile (undithered 997Hz sine at -90.31dBFS. With 16bits, the signal should appear (on a scope) as the 3DC levels of the smallest symmetrical sign magnitude digital signal):
View attachment 486924
It is the expected square view that we want to see, with Gibbs Phenomenon showing itself. That means no modification of the digital signal.
One update that SMSL advertise is the precision of the clock which I can tell is probably the most stable one I measured so far. It is actually better that what I can measure with my standard test, showing no deviation. The test is based on a 19'997.00Hz test tone and I verify the replay, which is a very precise ultra-stable 19'997.00Hz. That means it is better than 1ppm.
View attachment 486926
And actually, this view is made from a 128k FFT length averaged 32 times. So if the clock would have a tiny deviation, it would generated windowing errors and prevent me from capturing the above. This test is performed leaving the clock of the Player free running, as opposed to forcing the resync option that I usually have to use to capture such beautiful traces.
Of course, jitter is absent:
View attachment 486927
In the end, my ultimate proof of "perfect" digital output is when I reuse the intersample overs test at 5512.50Hz, with a phase shift of 67.5°, like I did for the TASCAM CD-200 review. This signal generates an overshoot of +0.69dB and so if the signal would be modified before being sent, it would show either a reduction of amplitude or we'd see some sort of saturation/increase noise/distortion. So here we go:
View attachment 486925
No changes when compared with the WAV file, again.
So we get a perfect transport.
SMLS PL200T - USB-DDC Measurements
I briefly tested the USB Digital-to-Digital Converter (DDC) function, feeding if from my computer and using its Optical output that was feeding an SMSL D200. It had no issue to quickly lock with sampling rates from 44.1kHz to 192kHz (and all in between).
This is my standard 999.91Hz test tone @0dBFS feeding an SMSL D200 at a sampling rate of 192kHz:
View attachment 487246
These are the results I obtained directly feeding the D200, when I reviewed it. So that means you can trust the quality of the DDC.
SMLS PL200T - Testing the drive
What would be good measurements if the drive would not properly read a slightly scratched CD, or one that was created at the limits of the norm? The below tests reply to these questions.
Here are the results:
Test type Technical test Results Variation of linear cutting velocity From 1.20m/s to 1.40m/s Pass Variation of track pitch From 1.5µm to 1.7µm Pass Combined variations of track pitch and velocity From 1.20m/s & 1.5µm to 1.40m/s & 1.7µm Pass HF detection (asymmetry pitch/flat ratio) Variation from 2% to 18% Pass Dropouts resistance From 0.05mm (0.038ms) to 4mm (3.080ms) 2mm Combined dropouts and smallest pitch From 1.5µm & 1mm to 1.5µm & 2.4mm 1.5mm Successive dropouts From 2x0.1mm to 2x3mm 2.4mm
The above are very good results, although not repeating the excellence of the OPPO BDP-95. They are actually exactly the same as the PL200, without surprise since they share the same drive.
As with the PL200 these results are unusual for that they vary, while usually I would see a 2mm resistance everywhere. I think this little drawdown is what it takes to be so fast for a modern player. In that area, the OPPO is nothing else but ashamed. Choose your camp.
SMSL PL200T - Conclusion
This is a very nice transport and the price saved for not having an internal DAC might satisfy more of you, compared to the PL200.
The PL200T did the same as the PL200, per my digital measurements, and did better on the clock precision (the SMSL PL200 was at -4.5ppm, while this one is way below 1ppm). Their respective drives are the same and I measured the same mechanical resistance to faulty CDs, which means they are consistent and that is good news too.
My intention was to check the clock input, using an external one, but the internal one being so good, I need to find a refined way to test it, if I can!
Important note: I don’t think it outputs the pre-emphasis flag in SPDIF outputs, but I need to run complementary tests to confirm.
I hope you enjoyed this short review.
Happy Halloween!
PS: If you want me to test other features, feel free to ask since it will stay on the test bench for the weekend
Roland68
Major Contributor
That's simple, the PL200T doesn't have volume control; it's just a CD transport with a DDC.
So everything is fine with your device and your remote control.
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Edit: Nevermind, while I was typing your question was answered.
Enjoy to music!
Jimmyblues1959
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Roland68 and Rick63 thanks for your quick and helpful replies!
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