SMSL PL200T Review (CD Transport)

[NDRQ]

That may be true for you, but not for many others.
CDs and vinyl records have been among the biggest growth markets in the audio sector for years.
The increasing number of newly developed high-quality CD players is also a clear indication of this, because no manufacturer develops and produces products if there is no market.
In addition, prices for high-quality audio CDs and CD players on the used market are constantly rising. Some prices have now doubled or tripled.

So there must be a lot of people who see things differently.

Hard to understand, i guess this is the same romantic / nostalgic thing when people pay tons of money for tube stuffs.
When nowadays you can have all of your high quality music in a pendrive and can use many high quality lossless stuff, it is just hard to justify CD players.

 

[tokyo_blues]

I'm the opposite. I don't know why I wasted so many years ripping all my CDs via EAC to the NAS.

I just prefer the simplicity of popping a CD in and enjoying it from beginning to end. It just works. Nothing to boot, connect, no bloody Raspberry Pi, no ugly boxes and tiny cables, no silly Volumio or Moode or Roon booting and updating or crashing.

Just music.

I am so happy I never sold my CDs.

Just adding to the above - this CD player (I know we're discussing the transport here, but I have the CD player) has truly reignited my love for music. I'm buying new CDs at an alarming rate.

ECM releases, Hyperion, Decca boxsets. Currently going through the wonderful Brahms Piano Solo 6 CD set by Julius Katchen. Astounding music. I don't think this collection has ever sounded this good to me, and I love sitting down and going through hefty booklets like these.

I spend my days looking forward to my evening listening session. Dinner is done, the toddlers are finally in bed, and now only me, and one CD. Perhaps two if I feel like it.

Thank you OP for the review - I was never really happy with the whole streaming malarkey, now I know why.

 

[EJ3]

Hard to understand, i guess this is the same romantic / nostalgic thing when people pay tons of money for tube stuffs.
When nowadays you can have all of your high quality music in a pendrive and can use many high quality lossless stuff, it is just hard to justify CD players.

CD is lossless digital medea. Unless you can hear more than around 22K.
Pendrive: I guess that you never do anything that could possibly cause you
to loose the pendrive and that there is never a possibility that it could get corrupted.
I don't understand why anyone thinks that a pendrive (thumb drive) or whatever is a
permanent place to store music.
Of course, the fact that I lost over 4000 songs using that method of storage couldn't
possibly bias me, right?
So, maybe all my stuff eventually (or maybe not) gets transfered to digital,
But the original CD's, records, etc will never be gotten rid of.

 

[amper42]

CD is lossless digital medea. Unless you can hear more than around 22K.
Pendrive: I guess that you never do anything that could possibly cause you
to loose the pendrive and that there is never a possibility that it could get corrupted.
I don't understand why anyone thinks that a pendrive (thumb drive) or whatever is a
permanent place to store music.
Of course, the fact that I lost over 4000 songs using that method of storage couldn't
possibly bias me, right?
So, maybe all my stuff eventually (or maybe not) gets transfered to digital,
But the original CD's, records, etc will never be gotten rid of.

When you have a drive that's important you always want to create a backup. Everything fails. You need a backup or two to avoid ever having an issue with lost data. Basic, I know. But, when I read how someone prefers CDs to a thumb drive because of a failure, then basic backup 101 needs to be discussed.

 

[EJ3]

When you have a drive that's important you always want to create a backup. Everything fails. You need a backup or two to avoid ever having an issue with lost data. Basic, I know. But, when I read how someone prefers CDs to a thumb drive because of a failure, then basic backup 101 needs to be discussed.

Just mentioning it because there are so many newbies around that people, in their excitement, tend to forget about the: "Oh, I need a backup", part.
I discovered my need of that in 2001 when I was on an island in the Indian Ocean and someone accidently stepped on my laptop. I still have that laptop as a reminder.

 

[Roland68]

Hard to understand, i guess this is the same romantic / nostalgic thing when people pay tons of money for tube stuffs.
When nowadays you can have all of your high quality music in a pendrive and can use many high quality lossless stuff, it is just hard to justify CD players.

As I said, that might be true for you, but apparently not for others.
And it's a good thing that everyone can decide for themselves and doesn't depend on the opinions or understanding of others.

I use streaming and find it very convenient at work, at my desk, on the go, etc. But so far, I haven't had any ambitions to put a streamer in my living room. I've built several streamers, simply to test the capabilities of different solutions.

But I don't want to search for music on my phone or other device when I just want to relax and listen to music. I much prefer putting in a CD than having to type something in and search.
Besides, many versions, early masterings, or first pressings, as well as complete albums, are only available on vinyl or CD, but not via streaming.

If that's a romantic/nostalgic thing for you, well, for me it's simply practical.

 

[Rick63]

I couldn't resist and just ordered one of these, along with an AES/EBU cable to hook up to my new Topping D70 Pro OCTO (that I LOVE).

I had a $308 Amazon gift card balance I used so the order cost $253.36.

Physical media rules!

 

[Mart68]

Hard to understand, i guess this is the same romantic / nostalgic thing when people pay tons of money for tube stuffs.
When nowadays you can have all of your high quality music in a pendrive and can use many high quality lossless stuff, it is just hard to justify CD players.

Maybe I give you the romantic but not the nostalgic. I've never done it differently so no yearning for the past here. I'm old enough that CDs still seem new-fangled to me.

Also as pointed out you can choose your mastering - although you could just copy the CDs and play them through a streamer, and people do, that seems like a lot of pointless effort to me.

 

[AndreaT]

I could not hold back with a 15% discount on Amazon and I received my PL-200T today…

 

[Rick63]

Mine arrived yesterday and I'm in love with it, and I can't stop listening to music since I hooked it up. Enjoy the music!

 

[rappaport]

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

This is a fine well made product. I wish I had one. My question is will I hear a difference with this compared to a $20 CD player from Goodwill? I’m not trying to be funny- I really want to know.

I have a heavily modified Pioneer DVD player (see Lampizator/Goldmund - the same the latter gave a fancy dress and nothing else and sold at 20 times the price of the PL200T)
- Which is now left in the dust by the 200T.
Even without the outboard SMSL G1 Clock I'm currently waiting to be delivered. This transport has substantially heightened TIMING, COHERENCE and TRANSIENT DELIVERY besides a tightening to the sound compared to the Pioneer - used solely as a CD transport. This transport has even totally changed my focus to the way musicians play their different instruments. Making it so much easier to follow their playing.
Asking IF the PL200T is better than some ol' - or even new(er) CD player?
The answer is MOST DEFINITELY!
I believe at the price (look around) it's a no brainer. And it even looks and feels good too!
- No affiliation

 

[amper42]

I have a heavily modified Pioneer DVD player (see Lampizator/Goldmund - the same the latter gave a fancy dress and nothing else and sold at 20 times the price of the PL200T)
- Which is now left in the dust by the 200T.
Even without the outboard SMSL G1 Clock I'm currently waiting to be delivered. This transport has substantially heightened TIMING, COHERENCE and TRANSIENT DELIVERY besides a tightening to the sound compared to the Pioneer - used solely as a CD transport. This transport has even totally changed my focus to the way musicians play their different instruments. Making it so much easier to follow their playing.
Asking IF the PL200T is better than some ol' - or even new(er) CD player?
The answer is MOST DEFINITELY!
I believe at the price (look around) it's a no brainer. And it even looks and feels good too!
- No affiliation

What is the science backing up these claims?

My experience is it's amazingly hard to detect an audio difference between any CD Transport.

 

[rappaport]

2d

What is the science backing up these claims?

My experience is it's amazingly hard to detect an audio difference between any CD Transport.

No idea. I hear what I hear.
I just answered the OP.
If you come to another conclusuon fine by me.

 

[DavidM1]

2d

No idea. I hear what I hear.
I just answered the OP.
If you come to another conclusuon fine by me.

I think this is the moment when someone chips in to say something like... try an unsighted, randomised, level-matched listening test. It will probably need the help of a friend to avoid other tells as to which one is which. At that point you will have a much better idea if the differences you hear are real or not.

No offence intended but it does help to keep the S in ASR.

 

[rappaport]

I think this is the moment when someone chips in to say something like... try an unsighted, randomised, level-matched listening test. It will probably need the help of a friend to avoid other tells as to which one is which. At that point you will have a much better idea if the differences you hear are real or not.

No offence intended but it does help to keep the S in ASR.

That would probably be - in most cases.
I've done endless double blind listening tests in my capacity of being "the deciding ear" for one of the most respected british brands.
Proving again and again that what I hear is indeed quantifiable. And not just some sort of figment of my imagination.
I would probably be able to pick this transport 10 out of 10 in a double blind test against the one I used before.

 

[EJ3]

That would probably be - in most cases.
I've done endless double blind listening tests in my capacity of being "the deciding ear" for one of the most respected british brands.
Proving again and again that what I hear is indeed quantifiable. And not just some sort of figment of my imagination.
I would probably be able to pick this transport 10 out of 10 in a double blind test against the one I used before.

People don't know what others have done in their past.
And there are some (not thinking of @DavidM1) that quickly and rather crudely jump in with what @DavidM1 gently said but in a much more aggressive manner.
It is true that some (probably many) folks don't know about unsighted, randomized, level-matched, listening tests and/or what is involved with doing it & what it accomplishes.
To them, they have no clue why they are getting slammed about something that they know nothing about.
It's off putting to them (maybe causing them to think that we are a rather unfriendly group and to not come back to our site. It's hard to see that happening here (when it does).
I want to thank @DavidM1 for finding a more gentle way to bring that subject up.

 

[amper42]

That would probably be - in most cases.
I've done endless double blind listening tests in my capacity of being "the deciding ear" for one of the most respected british brands.
Proving again and again that what I hear is indeed quantifiable. And not just some sort of figment of my imagination.
I would probably be able to pick this transport 10 out of 10 in a double blind test against the one I used before.

Highly doubtful. Having completed double blind tests with various CD transports in the past while all where using the RME ADI-2 DAC FS to Purifi amp to Revel F328Be configuration I know the process well.

If you can easily detect which transport is in use during this test better than 60% of the time it would be quite unusual. And to take that one step further, any imagined difference typically isn't repeatable over several days of performing the same trial.

I know it's easy to have a favorite for other reasons but on a listening basis alone where you never see which transport is playing and having someone else switch between transports and where the DAC is identical, most listener's fail miserably to reliably identify which transport is in use when three or more transports are in the test.

 

[Mart68]

I would probably be able to pick this transport 10 out of 10 in a double blind test against the one I used before.

You should probably attempt the blind test before making this statement.

 

[NTTY]

That would probably be - in most cases.
I've done endless double blind listening tests in my capacity of being "the deciding ear" for one of the most respected british brands.
Proving again and again that what I hear is indeed quantifiable. And not just some sort of figment of my imagination.
I would probably be able to pick this transport 10 out of 10 in a double blind test against the one I used before.

I've tested 40+ CD Players/Transports. To few exceptions, they output the same digital content. So there can't be any audible differences in this case.

Some of them are processing (modifying) the digital signal before sending, via sample rate converters (SRC), to satisfy some regulations/needs (eg: Oppo when set to HDCD decoding, EMT Barco to output 48kHz sampling rate, old mid-range Philips CDs that use an SRC to perform digital volume control impacting the SPDIF too), to apply the de-emphasis of ancient CDs in digital domain, or for other unknown reasons (eg Fiio DM13 that performs some level adjustments). Many DVD players with HDMI outputs will process the digital stream via an SRC, as it is mandatory to output max CD Audio on SPDIF (anti-piracy), and they do so even when it is a 1:1 sampling rate conversion, because it simplifies their internal architecture.

The above examples are the exceptions. Most drives have the exact same digital output, which is also exactly what's digitally recorded on the CD. The only difference is the pitch error of the drive that transitions to the DAC via SPDIF. But these deviations are nearly impossible to hear as way below the threshold of audibility, even for the worst case I measured (150ppm).

Note that, as per my recent testing, I saw some drives not outputting the pre-emphasis flag of ancient CDs in the SPDIF sub-frames. I'm not sure why this flag is disregarded. So for the CDAs that have it, they won't be correctly decoded by an external DAC (provided they would anyways...), and that will make an audible difference. But it's a niche scenario.

 

[AndreaT]

Why a PL-200T? Well, there is a distinct egotistical pleasure in knowing I am listening to a source that is as good as the theoretical limit of the medium, in the precious, blessed and rare time when I am all ears to my music system. It is similar, but more intense and fulfilling, to the pleasure I get driving with the correct tire pressure, engine oil level, and air cabin filter change interval. It inspires me in my professional activity to titrate interventions just right in time and intensity, the precisely calibrated input to observe the desired output, at the limit of the technique and monitoring. At the price of $ 424.15 + sale tax, it is a cheap thrill that makes me smile and tolerate stress better! Thank you NTTY for a fabulous review and test!