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.
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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.
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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:
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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.
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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:
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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:
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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
