Wolf's Measurements of SMSL M200 DAC

[lockheed]

Can someone tell me if M200 is ON and the power is cut to it (plug is pulled out of the socket) and then it is turned back on, does it return to being on, or defaults to Standby?
If the latter, then does it turn back on automatically if it gets signal through USB?

Also, on a separate note - has someone have an opition on how it compares with Topping DX3 Pro+?

 

[Dunring]

So is the Pr1 (volume adjustable) the DAC mode (puts out more voltage) and Pr0 the fixed mode? Sorry my stupidity.

I have the M200/SP200 and just got the DAC. I can say in preamp mode I can't get the volume wheel nearly as far up as before in DAC mode. Using XLR and like the thought of probably always staying in low gain mode at this rate. I'll try the 250ohm DT880 later, just using the Hifiman HE4xx now and at 12 oclock on the dial I wouldn't go further for any length of time.

 

[piR2]

Thanks!

But would still like an explanation of those ridiculous "Sound Color" modes. Out of the three is one of them "no coloration"? You have to select one of them with no option to turn off.

Hi,
It's tricky to find what "Sound Color" in SMSL M200 is doing. According to the AKM's datasheet of the used AK4497 chip, is nothing else like the "Sound Quality" set by SC[2:0] register that drives "Analog internal current."

SMSL in M200 allows to set only SC1 and SC0 bits via the "Sound Color" option, but with M300, the SC2 bit could be also set via "High Sound" option.
I hope that in M200 SC2 bit is set to 0 by default that guarantee the AK4477 analog characteristics.

 

[Audioboxer]

From browsing this topic am I correct to say the unit with the silver coated bluetooth antenna output is the slight revision?

Just picked up a unit with such a cosmetic appearance for £130 so excited to test it out as a budget DAC. Will be paired with a Zen Can (XLR to 4.4mm cable).

 

[Audioboxer]

Hmm, think my unit might be a dud.

Connecting over phono out just now as I'm waiting on a balanced XLR to 4.4mm cable to go to my iFi Can, and phono out sound is totally busted through the Can. This is over USB, optical and bluetooth. I know what a ground loop sounds like, but this is like an active warfield. And considering I ditched USB, changed to Bluetooth and took the device away from my PC and connected to another set of powered speakers and it was the same, struggling to think this is just a ground loop.

Only thing I can do is wait to test XLR out, but it seems like my phono out is bust.

I can't even test via my Adam T5Vs at the moment as no XLR to XLR cables on hand lol. I've got the Adam's hooked into a Scarlett solo so that's XLR to TRS cables.

Oh well, probably a return. I will say the volume knob on this device is horrendous

 

[grisenti2]

Hi there,
I have the smsl m 200 and I am using it with the RCA output instead of the Balanced ones. Do you suggest to use the balanced output instead? I have just the RCA input on my ampli (HK6100). Do I have to use a Balanced/RCA connector? It is worthy to do so?
Thanks
Leopoldo

 

[Veri]

I have just the RCA input on my ampli (HK6100). Do I have to use a Balanced/RCA connector?

That can't work. RCA has less pins than balanced XLR, you can't use such a 'connector' it'll accomplish nothing.
Unless you'll buy another amplifier, just use RCA. It's fine.

 

[Jimbob54]

Hi there,
I have the smsl m 200 and I am using it with the RCA output instead of the Balanced ones. Do you suggest to use the balanced output instead? I have just the RCA input on my ampli (HK6100). Do I have to use a Balanced/RCA connector? It is worthy to do so?
Thanks
Leopoldo

No.

 

[grisenti2]

Furthermore, due to the fact that I do not ear any clip using 256 DSD files, which setting do you suggest? M200 working as pre-out or just as a DAC?
Acting as pre-out which is better: working at the max volume or reduce it a bit ?
Sorry for my very simple questions.
Thanks
Leopoldo

 

[grisenti2]

That can't work. RCA has less pins than balanced XLR, you can't use such a 'connector' it'll accomplish nothing.
Unless you'll buy another amplifier, just use RCA. It's fine.

thanks a lot for you clear answer
Leopoldo

 

[grisenti2]

Again,
how can you read the firmware version on your DAC M200?
Is the brightness value "br1-2-3" just dedicated to the display? I think so.
Googling around the SMSL site I have found a last version of driver: "XMOS_USBAudio_v5.50.0_2022-09-08_setup.exe". Do you know its use?
Thanks again.
Leopoldo

 

[Ashley Salmond]

Helpful but insensitive

thanks a lot for you clear answer
Leopoldo

And somewhat insensitive.

 

[Jimbob54]

Helpful but insensitive

And somewhat insensitive.

U OK HUN?