SMSL SH-9 THX Headphone Amplifier Review

[Veri]

My pleasure. No, this sample did not come from manufacturer. Shenzhenaudio is an online retailer who sent me this and many other products to test. While in theory it is possible they worked to get better samples to us, we are one degree removed from the company itself. My intuition does not currently point to them taking actions like this.

The benefit here is that we get to test samples earlier and don't incur shipping costs to review.

Not to mention you have measured not too stellar devices that were sent by ShenzhenAudio before, too

 

[escalibur]

Nice to see SMSL joining the 'the end' amp game. They are bit late to the party, but it's still nice that they wanted to give it as shot.

Amp measurements are getting a bit boring now when pretty much every big player has it's own amp with excellent measurements. Currently it's more about extra features and estetics.

I'm still waiting for the same party regarding the sub $200 DACs.

 

[wasnotwasnotwas]

I'm still waiting for the same party regarding the sub $200 DACs.

You want more features for sub $200 dacs? Or better performance? Because we are already there for the latter.

 

[deafenears]

Nice to see SMSL joining the 'the end' amp game. They are bit late to the party thanks, but it's still nice that they wanted to give it as shot.

Sorry? The SP200 was reviewed over a year ago so I wouldn't say that they're late to the party - https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...d-measurements-of-smsl-sp200-thx-hp-amp.9242/

 

[Lero]

One more little step, they are improving an already very very good amp. Now we have to wait for new lines of products.

 

[LuckyLuke575]

I don't know if I'm missing something here, but why have an XLR output that's not balanced, and have XLR inputs? It seems like a marketing related hoax. At this power level I'd rather have an L30

 

[Lero]

I don't know if I'm missing something here, but why have an XLR output that's not balanced, and have XLR inputs? It seems like a marketing related hoax. At this power level I'd rather have an L30

Calm... its a single ended amplifier with so much power you probably wont benefit of a balanced amplification, it has balanced imputs for excellent performance incoming from a balanced dac and an xlr non balanced output for headphone that have this kind of connector. Remember balanced amplifier/balanced output doesen't mean in any way a better signal nor better power performance, it dependens from an amp to another.
This amp is "less clean" than a l30 but its more powerful and offer double input option so its not market, its features.

 

[deafenears]

I don't know if I'm missing something here, but why have an XLR output that's not balanced, and have XLR inputs? It seems like a marketing related hoax. At this power level I'd rather have an L30

Isn't it the other way around? Balanced headphone output being more like a marketing related hoax?

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ne-balanced-cables-snakeoil.5589/#post-124392

But I do like the 4-pin XLR connectors.

 

[LuckyLuke575]

Isn't it the other way around? Balanced headphone output being more like a marketing related hoax?

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ne-balanced-cables-snakeoil.5589/#post-124392

But I do like the 4-pin XLR connectors.

Nah man this is dumb. I would not buy this device. If it has any of the balanced connectors esp XLR I'm expecting balanced output and power levels.

 

[LuckyLuke575]

Calm... its a single ended amplifier with so much power you probably wont benefit of a balanced amplification, it has balanced imputs for excellent performance incoming from a balanced dac and an xlr non balanced output for headphone that have this kind of connector. Remember balanced amplifier/balanced output doesen't mean in any way a better signal nor better power performance, it dependens from an amp to another.
This amp is "less clean" than a l30 but its more powerful and offer double input option so its not market, its features.

I don't like it and would not buy it

 

[deafenears]

Nah man this is dumb. I would not buy this device. If it has any of the balanced connectors esp XLR I'm expecting balanced output and power levels.

View attachment 93396

Trading off ^ or a larger chassis?

 

[PeteL]

I don't know if I'm missing something here, but why have an XLR output that's not balanced, and have XLR inputs? It seems like a marketing related hoax. At this power level I'd rather have an L30

One have nothing to do with the other. Balanced line level in is what matters, it serves the purpose of common mode noise rejection and getting rid of any ground loop/hums. Balanced headphones output just add more voltage to an already powerful amp.

 

[David_M]

Quick question here ... I've noticed in various magazines over the years having HP amplifiers outputting 50mV into 600 ohm loads. The power across this load is about 4.2uW (or -54dBW /-24dBm) which is almost, if not outright inaudible and might as well be complete silence. So why make this measurement to gauge the performance of a HP amp? It seems wasteful to me...

 

[Tks]

One have nothing to do with the other. Balanced line level in is what matters, it serves the purpose of common mode noise rejection and getting rid of any ground loop/hums. Balanced headphones output just add more voltage to an already powerful amp.

Really? So all amps that have balanced input, eliminate group loops?

 

[Lero]

I don't like it and would not buy it

I see no problem here, you buy what you like, but why try to demolish something just for a misconception?

 

[Veri]

Really? So all amps that have balanced input, eliminate group loops?

It's not impossible to get a ground loop from balanced inputs but it's pretty damn hard to accomplish.

 

[escalibur]

Sorry? The SP200 was reviewed over a year ago so I wouldn't say that they're late to the party - https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...d-measurements-of-smsl-sp200-thx-hp-amp.9242/

SP200 was/is good but quality control and random volume issues were it's biggest cons. I really hope that this time SH-9 has much better quality control.

You want more features for sub $200 dacs? Or better performance? Because we are already there for the latter.

I would like to see either options. We need more competition around Topping E30 and D10s.

 

[wasnotwasnotwas]

SP200 was/is good but quality control and random volume issues were it's biggest cons. I really hope that this time SH-9 has much better quality control.


I would like to see either options. We need more competition around Topping E30 and D10s.

Schiit do sub $200, SMSL has done a few before the SU9 sister DAC to this amp. Soncoz has one. Plenty of choice but its a tough market

 

[escalibur]

View attachment 93448

Who would imagine Benchmark HPA4 sitting at the _10th_ position.

 

[escalibur]

Schiit do sub $200, SMSL has done a few before the SU9 sister DAC to this amp. Soncoz has one. Plenty of choice but its a tough market

I'm aware of all of them. They are good but I would still say that there is some room for improvement. Especially with strange FFT peaks of LA-QXD1 etc. I'm very curios what will upcoming models bring to the table.