SMSL PS200 Budget DAC Review

[Mario_jr]

Wiim mini or pro, and don't look back.

Thanks! Do you know any that has usb out?

 

[Merifon]

Thanks! Do you know any that has usb out?

Only WiiM ultra has usb output. For mini and pro/proplus, USB is just for power. Anyway some lab test doesn't show any difference with other kind of outputs, toslink only for mini (with some little more jitter but still manageable) and toslink/coax for pros, with more stable output.

 

[Labjr]

There are DIY options for streamers that will work with USB. Not sure why turnkey solutions are still stuck on Toslink and coax?

 

[Merifon]

There are DIY options for streamers that will work with USB. Not sure why turnkey solutions are still stuck on Toslink and coax?

Probably because they work as well as required.

 

[antcollinet]

Thanks! Do you know any that has usb out?

The wiim ultra has usb out, but is quite a bit pricier.

Why do you want that? Quality wise it will be no better than Toslink out, or the analogue out of a Wiim Pro Plus.

 

[Paspolc]

Hi. Should i upgrade from smsl su-1 or am i writing something stupid?

Thanks
Pasquale

 

[Bleib]

Hi. Should i upgrade from smsl su-1 or am i writing something stupid?

Thanks
Pasquale

No. Only change if you need BT

 

[IamJF]

Quite a good price and superb measurements to boot. Thanks for the testing.

Pic;

View attachment 426385

SMSL PS 200 internal view

Hi. Here's somme pictures -> There you go :cool: Well now I'm going to listen to it :D

www.audiosciencereview.com

JSmith

Does anyone know what the big, black DC/DC converter module is they use to get +-12V? Seem to work very well and needs to be cheap.

 

[rammster]

Did you install SMSL's driver and make sure that in the driver panel, Streaming is set to Always on?

Should get rid of the clicks.

The driver can be downloaded on their website: https://www.smsl-audio.com/portal/product/detail/id/882.html

I followed your recommendation, it helped. Thank you!

 

[rammster]

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

I like this device even more than you do like yours.
Worth not only every dollar, but every penny.

There is a solution:

SMSL PS200 Budget DAC Review

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. 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...

audiosciencereview.com

 

[antcollinet]

Hi. Should i upgrade from smsl su-1 or am i writing something stupid?

Thanks
Pasquale

Not to get a sound quality improvement. It won't happen.

 

[Lupin]

Nice review
Shows again that DACs are a solved problem.

 

[zelenuchka]

@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.

I do not confirm this information.
Driver PS200 - 5.70
Spotify, Deezer, JRiver Media Center 33 (without ASIO) - no clicks. Connected PS200 with YYTCG USB Cable DAC A-C (3m) to USB 3.0 input of X470 GAMING PLUS MAX motherboard, Win10.

 

[zelenuchka]

Not to get a sound quality improvement. It won't happen.

PS200 better SU-1 - high frequencies, stage, clarity in the upper mids are clearly better with the PS200. Only in the bass section PS200 is less pronounced.
My opinion.

 

[thehague]

PS200 better SU-1 - high frequencies, stage, clarity in the upper mids are clearly better with the PS200. Only in the bass section PS200 is less pronounced.
My opinion.

I could have written it .

 

[antcollinet]

PS200 better SU-1 - high frequencies, stage, clarity in the upper mids are clearly better with the PS200. Only in the bass section PS200 is less pronounced.
My opinion.

Based on controlled/blind comparisons - or the usual perceptive bias influenced sighted listening?

Without the former, your opinion is just that: Yours. And unlikely to reflect on the actual performance of the DACs in question, which both measure audibly perfect for human hearing.

 

[stefanovesa]

PS200 better SU-1 - high frequencies, stage, clarity in the upper mids are clearly better with the PS200. Only in the bass section PS200 is less pronounced.
My opinion.

My experience. When P200 arrived, I compared "by heart" with RME ADI-2 DAC FS (single ended not balanced). It sounded dull and bass heavy. Then I've matched output levels between the two DACS and now I cannot hear differences.
SU-1 has a different output level than P200:

SMSL SU-1 Stereo DAC Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the SMSL SU-1 stereo USB DAC. It was arranged to be sent to me by shenzhenaudio from the company and costs US $79.99. Despite its simplicity, the SU-1 manages to look elegant with nice fonts and LED indicators for different inputs. Back panel has...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Going off-topic, if I can add a thought, P200 In my setup seems sound worse if I use USB cable > 2 meters and if I connect Intona 7055 isolator in the chain (XMOS incompatibility?)
But it is my only opinion, no measurements unfortunately...

 

[antcollinet]

Going off-topic, if I can add a thought, P200 In my setup seems sound worse if I use USB cable > 2 meters and if I connect Intona 7055 isolator in the chain (XMOS incompatibility?)
But it is my only opinion, no measurements unfortunately...

Yes, not possible - so your perceptive biases are definitely at play. Unless by worse you are talking about pops, clicks or dropouts. But those changes (isolator or cable length) can't alter frequency response (tonality/colouration) or sound stage - or anything else relating to the "sound of the music".

 

[JimmyBuckets]

Opamps are OP1656. DAC is ESS9039Q2M.

SMSL IF YOU ARE LISTENING? PLEASE MAKE A PC AUDIO INTERFACE WITH PERFORMANCE LIKE THIS. I want a Behringer UMC202 or Scarlett 2i2 with good performance!

MOTU M2 or M4

 

[micr0g]

I just received it, it's not as bright as the SMSL products, it sounds nice.