SMSL PS200 Budget DAC Review

[Krusty09]

Could something like a sonos connect benefit from a dac like this?

Thanks

 

[Labjr]

Could something like a sonos connect benefit from a dac like this?

Thanks

Probably. Only one way to find out.

 

[raif71]

Could something like a sonos connect benefit from a dac like this?

Thanks

 

[JIW]

Could something like a sonos connect benefit from a dac like this?

Thanks

If it is still like when Amir reviewed it, not really due to it doing terribly with 48kHz signals and truncating its digital output to 16 bit. See the review here.

 

[DanTheMan]

Is it worth the money to upgrade the Wiim Ultra? Or is the wiim on its own good enough?

The WiiM will sound just as perfect.

 

[Krusty09]

Thanks for the info . Appreciate it.

 

[Billy Budapest]

They've been told it is "digital, but like analogue". That's all some of them need to hear it as better.

The only things that are “digital, but like analog” are PWM, PDM, DSD.

 

[CedarX]

The ES9039Q2M has no MQA hardware renderer. It is mentioned only one place in the data sheet on the typical software application schematic, which is identical to that of ES9069 which has an MQA hardware renderer so may be a carry over. The MQA renderer is somewhere else.

XMOS XU316-based interfaces with MQA support are available. So, I assume XU316 can decode MQA, either as a standard feature or a purchased library/license.

 

[ICIETDIYEUR]

Hello.

I had already done the 'review' of this DAC but with my ears only (lol) -> https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/smsl-ps-200-internal-view.56121/

 

[Merifon]

I think you're wrong:

I know well and I think he missed the point like many others and Bob Carver did all wrong in presentation...
MQA files, relatively to hi-res 48KHz 24bit ones, uses 18 of 24 bit to carry signal in lossless way up to 24KHz and the remaining less significative bits to carry the ultrasonic part in lossy compressed form. Since signal in that range is very rarefied, it's not a big problem. Consider also that those bits, in any human hi-fi environment, are normally lost in noise and never carry useful contents. 18 bit of dinamic range, are far over any real requirement.
MQA cd quality, those 44.1KHz 16bit, carry the same pcm content of normal Flacs (anyway MQA also is transported by flac container), just a couple of bit is used to trigger as required its custom antialias process, someone cold prefer it.
Nowadays, one of main purpose of MQA, to reduce the bandwidth needs, it's no more prominent but the custom antialias could be still interesting.
Regarding files comparisons as done in many video, it's obvious that after those "repacking", the files simply can't be bit perfect but that doesn't mean we have lossy compression in audio band.
Anyway I'm not fan of MQA, it's a neutral thing but I don't like wrong statements...

 

[Merifon]

No reason for the modern ESS chip to contain an MQA rendered as it's a defunct technology which damaged the signal

Is your statement proven or just "heard through the grapevine"? ;-)

 

[thehague]

@amirm have you tried to listen in for some continuous time?
It has a small issue - makes clicks in silence period after playback, for example between tracks.
I don't know whether it is issue with software or drivers in Windows OS, or issue of the DAC itself.
I got used to it and do not even notice.

Been using the device for several months now, without the problem mentioned - without any problem at all. Worth every dollar.

 

[ICIETDIYEUR]

People hi !

rammster should try if his problem exists when he uses a TOSLINK link instead of USB.

If his problem disappears then he will have to use a USB 'isolator' between his PC and his DAC

 

[noel_fs]

All 44.1KHz 16bit MQA are still present on Tidal, despite its 48KHz 24bit MQA replacement by hi-res flac and formal abandon of that format.
Anyway MQA is far more complex and versatile than depicted. Its different features can be mixed, from just custom antialias filter to acrobatic triple folding.
It suffered bad press, mainly due to bad presentation from creators.
Despite general beliefs, it's lossless up to 24KHz for the encoded hi-res masters and just the very rarefied ultrasonic part is lossy compressed. Also, cd quality MQA (those 44.1KHz 16bit ones), carry the same pcm content of cd master are derived from,they just activate custom filter if available.
The custom antialias filter, does very well and could be even preferred to those standard dac chips offer.

I get what you mean but there is no point on defending it when all the good press was about having original studio masters but in reality it was just whatever remaster they had at hand and upsampled it and called it hifi. Honestly they deserve all the shit they got just for that.

 

[Merifon]

I get what you mean but there is no point on defending it when all the good press was about having original studio masters but in reality it was just whatever remaster they had at hand and upsampled it and called it hifi. Honestly they deserve all the shit they got just for that.

Yes, definitely they mistaken completely how to present and promote their encoding system but keeping call it just a resample, a reshuffling for its own sake and a non hi-fi thing, it definitely doesn't correspond to reality. The custom antialias filtering, performs very well under impulse pre/post ringing perspective and its best results are with low samples rate 44.1KHz files and remember their pcm content it's the same as flac CD quality.

 

[staticV3]

The custom antialias filtering, performs very well under impulse pre/post ringing perspective

Demonstrably false:

and remember their pcm content it's the same as flac CD quality.

Do you mean the PCM content encoded in MQA is the same as FLAC CD quality? Then no. You will not be able to null a CD FLAC with the same audio encoded in MQA.

Or do you mean that Tidal now also offer actually lossless FLAC content?
Then yes, but they still frequently stream MQA content to end users without their knowledge.

 

[Music1969]

This is a review and measurements of the SMSL PS200 stereo budget DAC. It is on kind loan from a member and costs US $89.99.
View attachment 426374
The unit comes in a lightweight plastic package which allows my rather stiff RCA test cables to yank on it. A simple toggle switch changes inputs. There is an indicator for DSD and another for MQA. Back panel shows a feature I haven't seen in a while: selection of USB audio class:
View attachment 426375
Looking at product description, it says that is to enable playback with Sony PS5 which I assume only works with ancient class 1 devices. Other than, power and data is provided through USB-C.

Measurements are abbreviated in order to make progress with the backlog.

SMSL PS200 DAC Measurements
Let's start with our dashboard:
View attachment 426377

Wow, I must say, I was not prepared to see such excellent performance! Distortion is vanishingly low at near -130 dB. So it is our dynamic range that sets SINAD to the tune of 118 dB, easily landing the DAC in our "excellent" category:
View attachment 426378

Multitone shows off yet again the very low distortion of PS200:
View attachment 426379

Even wideband measurement doesn't disadvantage the PS200:
View attachment 426380

Conclusions
Being so used to metal boxes for DACs, I was dismayed at the light, plasticky feel of the PS200. I expected measurements to be just "good" but it was way, way better. There is nothing remotely to apologize for. Hide the DAC some place people won't see and you will have all the performance you need, while saving some money for a cup of coffee.

I am happy to recommend the SMSL PS200.
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As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.

Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/

why no IMD vs level? and jitter?

 

[VientoB]

Is your statement proven or just "heard through the grapevine"? ;-)

It is being phased out.

 

[lc6]

How many DACs would @amirm bench-test if @amirm could bench-test DACs?

 

[antcollinet]

why no IMD vs level? and jitter?

Measurements are abbreviated in order to make progress with the backlog.