Wolf's Measurements of SMSL M200 DAC

[WolfX-700]

This device (SMSL M200) should have been on the market for some time? From the price and model system of SMSL, this is an inexpensive device (279USD?). Considering the discussion in the forum, I applied for a sample for measurement.

In terms of design and workmanship, there is really nothing to say-normal level.
AKM4497, balanced output...

The question now is... Measurement results

Although the value of SINAD is good here, we can see some other problems-it seems that due to the "low cost" of digital circuits, we can find some side lobes in the FFT. This high probability indicates that the device's own jitter performance is not good (I measured the COAX and Opt inputs, and the problem still exists)

 

[JohnYang1997]

oh that multitone...

 

[ModDIY]

It's weird, on the SMSL website you can see a measurement made of the M200, and the FFT looks better and also SINAD and dynamic.

 

[JohnYang1997]

Would you try different sampling rates?

 

[WolfX-700]

It's weird, on the SMSL website you can see a measurement made of the M200, and the FFT looks better and also SINAD and dynamic.

I am responsible for the measurement result of the sample at hand: SN32771X

 

[ModDIY]

So the sample differs from the DAC you finally received.

 

[ShiZo]

Weird. I got sent the m400 meaurements early and they were pretty spot on compared to 3rd party comparisons. Wonder what happened here.

 

[boXem]

It's weird, on the SMSL website you can see a measurement made of the M200, and the FFT looks better and also SINAD and dynamic.

For the looks, the SMSL FFT seems much shorter, noise is hiding a lot of things.

 

[WolfX-700]

So the sample differs from the DAC you finally received.

Their DNR measurement seems to use the standard setting (with CCIR weighting), and I started using the unweighted setting a long time ago.

This will also affect the measured value of DNR

 

[ModDIY]

With a linear power supply rather than SMPS, we could perhaps reduce the jitter?!?

 

[ShiZo]

With a linear power supply rather than SMPS, we could perhaps reduce the jitter?!?

Personally i don't think that's it, but I'm not the most knowledgeable person around these parts.

 

[M0du1e]

Right about time, I almost pull the trigger on combo M200 + SP200. Thank you, will watching this thread for further explanations.

 

[WolfX-700]

Right about time, I almost pull the trigger on combo M200 + SP200. Thank you, will watching this thread for further explanations.

It should be noted that I am not accusing M200

In fact at the corresponding price, it's not bad

 

[Reddy]

oh that multitone...

Audible?

 

[Jimbob54]

oh that multitone...

Resembles my untended back yard.

 

[ModDIY]

Audible?

It is disappointing on the part of SMSL. I bought the M200 because M300 was not easily accessible, thinking that the performance would have been close to the M300.

But I like the sound of the M200 and also its Bluetooth. I find it very detailed and silent. Then it can depend on the resolution of the files. In my case, these are mostly 16-bit files except a few in 24-bit.

Despite this the measures are not top compared to others. My first idea was the Topping D50s.

 

[gvl]

Why would anyone care about lobes at -130dB buried in noise? Can you also test jitter at 12khz? Multitone isn't the cleanest but okay at this price point and feature set. Seems like a decent device overall.

 

[XeNoNF50]

Thanks Wolf! Any possibility of measuring those goofy "Sound Color" modes?

That'd be great to see!

 

[VeerK]

It’s an okay product, but I don’t necessarily see the appeal vs something like the Topping E30. Nice for SP200 owners to have the option of a matching DAC though

 

[XeNoNF50]

It’s an okay product, but I don’t necessarily see the appeal vs something like the Topping E30. Nice for SP200 owners to have the option of a matching DAC though

For me it was the LDAC bluetooth that sold it. Was a non-negotiable, very important to me in my downstairs set up - allowing me to connect headphones to my TV sound using LDAC when needed. It's nice that it will match my SP200 though.