SMSL SH-8S Review (headphone amplifier)

[Jimster480]

This is the rest of the system. DIY 5-way active. Headphones are HD6XX and OPPO PM3’s.

A whole listening room! Something I doubt I will ever have lol, no space for that. Maybe if I one day retire and have no more businesses then a listening room could take up that space.

 

[gtb75]

The SH-8s is on sale now for only $130 over at Drop! The estimated ship date is December 23rd, but it's $100 off the current selling price in most places. I ordered one for a second system. Link here: https://drop.com/buy/smsl-sh-8s-amplifier

 

[bsdinis]

is there any difference between the single-ended and balanced inputs?

 

[Jimbob54]

is there any difference between the single-ended and balanced inputs?

Review says not

 

[bsdinis]

Review says not

review says outputs are the same

 

[Jimbob54]

review says outputs are the same

Good point. Standard xlr vs rca in is 4v vs 2v.

 

[bsdinis]

Good point. Standard xlr vs rca in is 4v vs 2v.

but how would that affect measurements?

 

[Jimbob54]

but how would that affect measurements?

Cant really say. Might be more likely to get ground loop noises. Likely have to turn volume knob more to get same volume out of rca input.

 

[gevorgash]

The SH-8s is on sale now for only $130 over at Drop! The estimated ship date is December 23rd, but it's $100 off the current selling price in most places. I ordered one for a second system. Link here: https://drop.com/buy/smsl-sh-8s-amplifier

I frankly would not recommend investing in SH-8h. Right now I am trying yo repair mine, which has the power supply burned.
I do not know if anyone has been inside this device, yet, however to me it is a disaster.
The encapsulated power supply states as being an 1A rated +-12V supply, however:
1st, it outputs only the +12V, the -12V is output directly from the transformer as an unregulated pulse, and becomes -12V via the SMD ZENER and Diode marked in blue.
2nd, there are 5V and 3.3V rails derived from the +12V rail, possibly creating a disbalance on the power rails. (Assuming, have not done measurements)
My conclusion and fears are:
The small power supply claimed as 1A rated, is hardly a 0.5A unit. And considering the use of two OPA564 Op-Amps at the output, this simply seems too small for the task.
The use of the Zener Diode as a voltage regulator for the -12V rail and the +12V from the SMPS just does not put any confidence in me about the good intentions of the makers.
There are commercially available symmetrical -+12V power supplies, however, it seems to me that SMSL has tried to save a bit here, and the label on the Power Supply unit is misleading.
In an attached picture is a real 1A rated power supply from a reputable brand to compare.

 

[RangerAudio]

So I own an SMSL SH-8s right now and it seems fine, and I don't seem to have any problems with it. Other than the cool screen and nobs and a few features, would I see any real sonic improvements from upgrading to the topping L70 or Topping a90D?

 

[cestmoi]

So I own an SMSL SH-8s right now and it seems fine, and I don't seem to have any problems with it. Other than the cool screen and nobs and a few features, would I see any real sonice improvements from upgrading to the topping L70 or Topping a90D?

I have the same doubt.

 

[Diable]

Nope.

 

[cestmoi]

Am I missing something, or does SMSL claim twice as much output power as what @amirm measured for the sh-8s (3W x 2 @ 32 Ohm vs 1.4W x 2 @ 33)?

 

[JeffJ]

How does this compare with topping dx3 pro+ (amp wise)? From measurement:

power:
dx3pro+ 1.5w
sh8s 1.3w

signal to noise ratio:
dx3pro+ 88
sh8s 95

sinad:
dx3pro+ 117
sh8s 121


Which metrics are more important?

 

[cestmoi]

How does this compare with topping dx3 pro+ (amp wise)? From measurement:

power:
dx3pro+ 1.5w
sh8s 1.3w

signal to noise ratio:
dx3pro+ 88
sh8s 95

sinad:
dx3pro+ 117
sh8s 121


Which metrics are more important?

I believe that the metrics are already far beyond our hearing capabilities, so I would stick with the more powerful one.

 

[JeffJ]

I believe that the metrics are already far beyond our hearing capabilities, so I would stick with the more powerful one.

Thanks. I'm a little disappointed as well that the sh8s measures only 1.3w compared to 3w smsl claims.

 

[cestmoi]

Thanks. I'm a little disappointed as well that the sh8s measures only 1.3w compared to 3w smsl claims.

What a huge difference it is. Maybe the manufacturer measured the power at a (very) different noise level, but such a gap should not occur...

I own the SH-8s and a Sabaj A10d. If I use the Sabaj as reference, my SH-8s does not seem to be more powerfull than the A10d (1.4W @ 33 Ohm).