smsl sp200 + m200 vs m500

[kobazik]

Hi,
Ignoring the fact that m200 has no MQA and smsl sp200 + m200 would 50 GBP more.

Is the sp200+m200 combo much better (especially amp section) that the one integrated in m500 amp/dac combo?

I'm looking to pair it with DT1990 headphones.

Thanks

 

[wargreymon]

M200 and M500 both are just DAC/pre-amp only. You would still want to get an amp if you buy the M500 so do the M200 to drive the amp. At the price, sp200+m200 is hard to beat.

 

[Hugo9000]

M200 and M500 both are just DAC/pre-amp only. You would still want to get an amp if you buy the M500 so do the M200 to drive the amp. At the price, sp200+m200 is hard to beat.

SMSL M500 has a headphone amp built-in. Not as much power to drive headphones as many dedicated headphone amps, of course. Amir's testing showed 63 mW for a 300 Ω load, and 530 mW for a 33 Ω load.

See his full measurements and review here:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/smsl-m500-dac-and-hp-amp-review.9606/

 

[NorthGraves]

Using SP200 + M500: zero complaints.

 

[kobazik]

After a weekend comparing iFi Zen amp/dac, SMSL SP200 with SMSL M200 and Topping E30 using DT1990 and Sundara headphones, I have decided to keep SMSL SP200/M200 stack. Mainly for power, variety of input/outputs and it fits nicely under my laptop stand I know iFi Zen measures worse than M200 and E30 but I actually really liked it (especially build quality and the volume knob)

 

[pirxel]

I have the m500 here, and I really like it, but now that I got a dedicated headphone amp (loxjie p20), I don't use the headphone amp on it almost never. If you don't care about mqa, I do think the m200 + sp200 is a better overall combination than the m500 on it's own (if m500 +sp200 would be significantly better I'm also not sure).

 

[Jimbob54]

I have the m500 here, and I really like it, but now that I got a dedicated headphone amp (loxjie p20), I don't use the headphone amp on it almost never. If you don't care about mqa, I do think the m200 + sp200 is a better overall combination than the m500 on it's own (if m500 +sp200 would be significantly better I'm also not sure).

Likewise. I've not needed to use the m500 hpa but have tried out of interest. Doesn't do much for me. Seems to go from too quiet to shouty on the cans I've tried

 

[kobazik]

I had iFi Zen, Topping E30 and SMSL SP200/M200 stack for comparison and ended up keeping the stack. I also kept the Topping E30 and it acts as USB DAC connected to my raspberrryPi that I use as a Roon bridge. I much prefer it to the ESS Sabre SE9010K2M DAC I have in my Cambridge CXA61 integrated amp.

 

[icsi85]

So, right now i have an SMSL M6, and an AKG K612 Pro. Im using mainly Tidal and Foobar.

I was looking at a little upgrade at SMSL M500 + AKG K712 Pro.
Somebody told me to get instead SMSL SP200 and M200, because M500 has not enough power to drive the K712.

In the specs i see this:
AKG K712 - Max input power : 200 mW, 62Ω
SMSL M500 - Headphone amp output power: 290mW(64Ω)

What do you guys think?

 

[Jimbob54]

So, right now i have an SMSL M6, and an AKG K612 Pro. Im using mainly Tidal and Foobar.

I was looking at a little upgrade at SMSL M500 + AKG K712 Pro.
Somebody told me to get instead SMSL SP200 and M200, because M500 has not enough power to drive the K712.

In the specs i see this:
AKG K712 - Max input power : 200 mW, 62Ω
SMSL M500 - Headphone amp output power: 290mW(64Ω)

What do you guys think?

I think let me try my K702 with the M500 headamp and tell you what I think . Should give a close enough approx in terms of power.

 

[Jimbob54]

So, right now i have an SMSL M6, and an AKG K612 Pro. Im using mainly Tidal and Foobar.

I was looking at a little upgrade at SMSL M500 + AKG K712 Pro.
Somebody told me to get instead SMSL SP200 and M200, because M500 has not enough power to drive the K712.

In the specs i see this:
AKG K712 - Max input power : 200 mW, 62Ω
SMSL M500 - Headphone amp output power: 290mW(64Ω)

What do you guys think?

So, I have tried the K702 with the M500. It drives them fine.

But I have to tell you, I'm not a huge fan of the amp on the M500 and I honestly cant tell you why. And I would have to say, though I havent heard it, your money may be better spent on a Topping E30/L30 stack if you never will need either XLR rear outputs or XLR 4 pin headphone out. You get far more power should you ever needs it from the L30 and the E30 DAC is in the same class as the M500 and its cheaper than the M500 and way cheaper than the M/SP 200 stack.

 

[edu6661975]

[QUOTE = "NorthGraves, publicación: 432397, miembro: 11293"] Con SP200 + M500: cero quejas. [/ QUOTE]
Hola, leí tu comentario y me interesó porque compré un SMSL500 y estaba pensando en lo que hiciste, ¿podrías explicar en detalle cómo conectaste todo para poder ver o si puedes algunas fotos? Me interesó la mezcla que hiciste, saludos.

 

[edu6661975]

Using SP200 + M500: zero complaints.

Hello, I read your comment and it interested me because I bought an SMSL500 and I was thinking about what you did, could you explain in detail how you connected everything to be able to see or if you can some photos? I was interested in the mix you made, greetings.

 

[NorthGraves]

Hello, I read your comment and it interested me because I bought an SMSL500 and I was thinking about what you did, could you explain in detail how you connected everything to be able to see or if you can some photos? I was interested in the mix you made, greetings.

Extremely simple:

1) Two balanced cables (L and R) from M500 to SP200
2) A balanced cable purchased separately for the planar Monolith M1060 Monoprice headphones plugged into the SP200.

Switch on SP200 (balanced/unbalanced) in balanced, L/H left in L (low gain).

Oh, yes, a good quality USB cable running from the PC to M500.

 

[edu6661975]

Extremely simple:

1) Two balanced cables (L and R) from M500 to SP200
2) A balanced cable purchased separately for the planar Monolith M1060 Monoprice headphones plugged into the SP200.

Switch on SP200 (balanced/unbalanced) in balanced, L/H left in L (low gain).

Oh, yes, a good quality USB cable running from the PC to M500.

THANKS.