SMSL PL200T Review (CD Transport)

[NTTY]

USB out is my favorite connection for use with RME ADI-2 DAC. It would also allow the device to be used for ripping CD with a computer connection. Seems if you are going to have every possible connection out, but no USB its a little odd. I can't image wanting or using AES/EBU and I2S out. Can you?

It would be way too slow to use it to rip a CD. A CD-ROM with a good software would do that way faster.
I don’t get why you prefer feeding the RME with its USB input from a CD player. SPDIF does the job perfectly, and I don’t get why you can’t imagine using that, sorry.

 

[NTTY]

Maybe I misunderstood something, but just for clarity: if a DAC is connected to the CD-Player and syncs to the DAC's SPDIF output, then any change in sample rate will also change the test tone frequency at the analog output of the DAC. If not synced and at lower deviations the tone frequency will not change, but generate a click or dropout from time to time.

I’m not sure if you refer to what I said before, but you’re right.

In my case I have to manually select the sampling rate with the Motu UltraLite mk5 that I use because it does not do it automatically.

And the Motu offers an option to sync the clock from the incoming SPDIF or from its internal clock. The second option is to use when wanting to sync the external device to the Motu, when using the SPDIF output. But if I do that when using the SPDIF input (sampling rate 44.1kHz for the CD player that feeds it), then I can see the small deviations of the incoming clock, like I showed on one example.

When the clock of the CD Player is better than 1ppm, then I don’t suffer the windowing errors that I showed. So that’s a different way for me to check the source’s clock precision, although I can’t use it to measure precisely the deviation.

 

[NDRQ]

I really like the design and the performance looks good, though i dont know why would i need a CD transport in 2025.

 

[Rick63]

I really like the design and the performance looks good, though i dont know why would i need a CD transport in 2025.

Same here.

I realize I am severely in the minority in 2025, but I am strictly a physical media guy and at 62 I will most likely be for the rest of my life. I do not stream music/movies, don't use Bluetooth, and don't even have a PC or internet service anymore. My cellphone is the only source of accessing the internet, and all I need.

I've been using an Audiolab 6000CDT for 3 years now and it's been 100% reliable so far, but I am strongly thinking about ordering one of these because of it's design and smaller form factor. If I do I'll likely box up the Audiolab and keep it as a backup.

 

[anonyless]

looks great but..450$ and no CD TEXT?!

 

[kokono]

looks great but..450$ and no CD TEXT?!

Yes, I'm thinking the same. CD text would have been great.
It's still fun to use cds, and I don't think I'm going to change now, even though I have several streamers and pcs.
I was looking for a transport lately, and I noticed that Cambridge Audio CXC was even more expensive than their cd players, even though it doesn't have a dac. Maybe just snake oil for audiophiles because transport should be the same anyway.
I still doubt that these modern drives can be any better in the long run than the all metal Philips or Sony transports.

 

[Rick63]

looks great but..450$ and no CD TEXT?!

I didn't think people ever cared much about CD Text. I've had some players that had the feature but never really deemed it necessary, because 99% of the time I know what song is playing without it.

 

[DavidM1]

I didn't think people ever cared much about CD Text. I've had some players that had the feature but never really deemed it necessary, because 99% of the time I know what song is playing without it.

Perhaps it was more useful in cars where you sit close to the player. ‘90s digital tech sometimes looked like the future but didn’t add a great deal.

 

[AndreaT]

Excellent review! Thanks. Let’s remind those counting the pennies how this kind of digital quality was priced just three years ago. It is a superb SOTA product at a more than reasonable price.

 

[Martin]

I voted Good. Give me one for a few dollars less without the useless MQA logo and I’d give it an Excellent and might even buy one. It’s a strong pass with it.

Martin

 

[EJ3]

I really like the design and the performance looks good, though i dont know why would i need a CD transport in 2025.

But for me, CD's, DVD's, Blue Ray's & 4K are my digital sourse (at least intil I get it all digitized and stream my own digital stream from my NAS or DAP to my stereo.
There is, nor will there be, anytime soon, streaming that comes from outside of my home. First, you need a reliable signal (which does not typically happen where I am).

 

[beeface]

PS: If you want me to test other features, feel free to ask since it will stay on the test bench for the weekend

Thank you very much for the review.

If possible, it'd be nice to also see a photo of the remote for these devices. SMSL mentions that a remote is included, but there's no photos of it on the website! For me, it factors heavily in the user experience, so it's nice to see what it looks like.

 

[DavidM1]

Excellent review! Thanks. Let’s remind those counting the pennies how this kind of digital quality was priced just three years ago. It is a superb SOTA product at a more than reasonable price.

I think I'm still in shock. This MBL 1621 transport appears to still be for sale and costs over AUD $50k. I wonder what the manufacturers and retailers think when they read ASR (and I'm sure they do). The whole description of this CD transport is fun to read - here is a short quote:

"A compact disc player can be its own worst enemy! The sound waves from loudspeakers can affect its sensitive pickup sensors, drive parts, and the disc itself with sound damaging resonances. Even the CD, rotating at 200 to 500 revolutions per minute, can create internal atmospheric challenges in the form of air turbulence and further resonances."

The competition from MBL

 

[amper42]

I think I'm still in shock. This MBL 1621 transport appears to still be for sale and costs over AUD $50k. I wonder what the manufacturers and retailers think when they read ASR (and I'm sure they do). The whole description of this CD transport is fun to read - here is a short quote:

"A compact disc player can be its own worst enemy! The sound waves from loudspeakers can affect its sensitive pickup sensors, drive parts, and the disc itself with sound damaging resonances. Even the CD, rotating at 200 to 500 revolutions per minute, can create internal atmospheric challenges in the form of air turbulence and further resonances."

The competition from MBL

Any CD Player with an optical out can be used as a CD Transport. That output configuration by passes the internal DAC. No need for MBL or PL200T. It's also nice to have a CD player with a decent internal DAC like the Denon 900NE in case you want to use it with RCA out.

 

[EJ3]

I think I'm still in shock. This MBL 1621 transport appears to still be for sale and costs over AUD $50k. I wonder what the manufacturers and retailers think when they read ASR (and I'm sure they do). The whole description of this CD transport is fun to read - here is a short quote:

"A compact disc player can be its own worst enemy! The sound waves from loudspeakers can affect its sensitive pickup sensors, drive parts, and the disc itself with sound damaging resonances. Even the CD, rotating at 200 to 500 revolutions per minute, can create internal atmospheric challenges in the form of air turbulence and further resonances."

The competition from MBL

And I have Farie's & little people partying in my back yard day & night.
I just haven't figured out what the right amount to charge is for others to be able to see them, too.
1 snake oil, 2 snake oil, 3 snake oil more (and on it goes).

 

[anonyless]

I didn't think people ever cared much about CD Text. I've had some players that had the feature but never really deemed it necessary, because 99% of the time I know what song is playing without it.

i do. and at this price range, i expect more useful features than 37$ DDC addition (cost of PO100 2024).
sound wise, i seriously doubt anyone could tell the difference between the PL200T and PL150 connected as transport

 

[EJ3]

i do. and at this price range, i expect more useful features than 37$ DDC addition (cost of PO100 2024).
sound wise, i seriously doubt anyone could tell the difference between the PL200T and PL150 connected as transport

I prefer having the text, also. And am willing to pay more to have it.

 

[anonyless]

Thank you very much for the review.

If possible, it'd be nice to also see a photo of the remote for these devices. SMSL mentions that a remote is included, but there's no photos of it on the website! For me, it factors heavily in the user experience, so it's nice to see what it looks like.

it uses the exact same remote you get with the SMSL PL150 (150$) . page 17

https://www.smsl-audio.com/upload/portal/download/PL200TManual.pdf

 

[NTTY]

I voted Good. Give me one for a few dollars less without the useless MQA logo and I’d give it an Excellent and might even buy one. It’s a strong pass with it.

Martin

It would be the same price, or very close I suppose. At least this label does not reduce the measured performances.

 

[NTTY]

Any CD Player with an optical out can be used as a CD Transport. That output configuration by passes the internal DAC. No need for MBL or PL200T. It's also nice to have a CD player with a decent internal DAC like the Denon 900NE in case you want to use it with RCA out.

Some (not many) will modify the digital output for various reasons.