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I seriously think SMSL should choose one single design and stick to it, releasing multiple devices with the same dimensions and look, so they would be recognizable without looking at the logo, building a strong brand identity in the process. It came double boxed as most of the high-quality stuff is coming nowadays, the smaller product box is full of foam for extra protection measures. Even listening via sensitive IEMs showed a clean background without any kind of residual noise. The volume rocket wheel is excellent as well. I walked in all the rooms and the signal remained always steady. I also wanted to help the SP200 owners by making a combo between the two and listening in this setup most of the time. and SMSL Sanskrit 10th MKII DACs sounded with even smaller capacitors in their cases, so I’m really open to anything at this point. You are free to think whatever you wish, but I’ve a ton of articles that detail my clearly labeled subjective opinions. This is one of the main positives I could mention about M200. To read more about DAC reviews on Headfonics click here. I’m feeling the sound going wide and tall on the X and Y axes, but not so much on the Z axe, so it’s not a complete 3D experience and more like a 2.5D experience if you will. M200 works exactly like those units, so in a big apartment I was not losing signal if M200 would stay in the living room. You can bypass the volume for DSD material and for that you should select dP1. SMSL M200 was provided by Apos Audio, it can be purchased from their webstore by following this link (they offer free shipping in the USA, lowest price guarantee, a 2nd year of warranty and a 30-day return policy in case you don’t like it). Sure enough, there are more resolute sources, but not at this price point so I’m very happy about M200 in this regard. M200 is simply one of those DACs that I would attribute words as natural, smooth but also warm sounding to a lesser degree. I’m glad SMSL went with a much bigger screen compared to their DA-8S and Sanskrit 10th MKII units, which had it way too small to be comfortable in the living room. I started my audio journey back in 96' and haven't looked back. Hi John and thanks for the comment. It is priced at $809. Disclaimer: SMSL sent us the M300mkII for this review, free of charge. It might lose in terms of features and connectivity compared to those bigger and more expensive sources, but it is playing on the same level when it comes to sound quality. It sparks interest in new audio enthusiasts and can stand up with the Schiit Modi stacks out there as a solid new alternative DAC that can be paired with numerous types of rigs. It needs to be said that M200 will not highlight the highest registers, their leading edge is not super defined and outlined. When I went outside to the balcony, I’ve heard dropouts and stutters, but sincerely I was expecting that, as all other sources that I mentioned before did the same. This review is posted here in partnership with, . Three different primary tonality types. It is not a deal-breaker to me, but should be mentioned, here’s a photo on top of a SP200 just to be clearer. Probably the biggest hype I ever encountered in the headphone kingdom was the announcement of THX AAA 789 headphone amp by Massdrop. The SMSL M200 is a desktop pure DAC featuring an AKM AK4497EQ chipset, LDAC Bluetooth, and a fully balanced analog output. SMSL priced this unit at $240 USD. I almost wanted to take off my headphones, because from a shy guy, M200 simply transformed into Speedy Gonzales, hitting hard and fast at the right moment, unleashing some amazing dynamics in the process. I enjoy the dark exterior look with the Blue lettered LCD panel. This review is posted here in partnership with Soundnews.net. Thickness was the issue, as the experience remained pure throughout. The shimmers I’m feeling on few particular tracks are still there, the small feet movements are felt too, people inhaling and exhaling is defined and clear as well, so when it comes to details, M200 will perform on more than a decent level and will not feel embarrassed at all near a $3000. My video review: Disclaimer: SMSL SP200 was sent to us as a review sample exchange for our honest opinion. The SMSL M200 is a proper modern DAC with a classy look and a striking smoothness factor for the price. The background is already clean, without any disturbing gremlins ruining my listening experience. It needs to be said that M200 will not highlight the highest registers, their leading edge is not super defined and outlined. With most of my headphones, low gain is enough and I’m switching to high-gain only with Hifiman Arya and Audeze LCD-4. The good news is that BAC400 doesn’t change it that much, I’ve heard an improvement mostly in the bass department, I’m feeling a stronger kick in there and slightly more air moving in that region too. I almost want to say it is rolled-off a bit in this region, but it’s not. By that, I mean height doesn’t sound way too tall vs how wide the unit sounds. I cannot do that with a stock tamed treble that is lower in quantity, which results in being unable to boost up if I want. Going back to M200 with SP200, this combo offered all the slam I wanted in my music, working really well with modern music. Our company is specialized in the audio DAC, stereo headphone amplifier, power amplifier, and with own R&D, manufacturing and marketing team. It offers a flagship-level chipset configuration and premium built quality at a budget price of just 279.99$, considering the current market of quality audio products this seems to be an entry-level price point. I didn’t encounter brightness on this unit, there is a gentle smoothing at the top, making it absolutely perfect for long listening sessions. . Join the Apos Audio community to read member-only content and receive exclusive offers! S.M.S.L M200 Uses AK4497EQ Chip,Support UAT/aptX-HD/AAC/SBC High-Resolution Bluetooth 5.0 Audio DAC ... inputs, and choosing high or low gain. I engaged Tidal Hi-Fi on my phone and I streamed some Tidal Masters directly to the M200 DAC and played all that via speakers. The height factor shares the same physical rectangular coherency that good DAC’s tend to offer. With most of my headphones, low gain is enough and I’m switching to high-gain only with Hifiman Arya and, This is one of the main positives I could mention about M200. This is a very advanced silicon that you will normally find in expensive to very expensive units. I like that SMSL went with a slightly stronger signal of 4.1 V on the XLR out that works amazing well with their SP200 headphone amp. One of the most interesting features is using the latest Qualcomm Bluetooth chipset, besides the usual stuff as SBC, AAC, AptX, AptX-HD and AptX-LL, it can also receive data in LDAC codec (up to 990 kb/sec) and in the newest UAT codec that stands for Ultra Audio Transmission – it’s an audio codec with up to 192 kHz sampling frequency and up to 1.2 Mb/sec bit rate - it simply outperforms all other audio codecs. An advantage of M200 vs M300, a superior bluetooth chip, CSR8675 vs QCC3008. I opened it up myself and I’ve seen only two bigger caps that are storing energy for big dynamics swings, leaving an impression that it should move less air compared to much bigger sources. It has 3 brightness positions and by default it will show the sampling rate of your music, the selected input and the volume level. Sure enough, there are more resolute sources, but not at this price point so I’m very happy about M200 in this regard. headphone amplifier that overnight became one of the most desirable headphone amplifiers on the market, carrying flagship THX-AAA-888 tech inside and a very low THD, it had all the key ingredients a great headphone amplifier should have at a very attractive price point. In a speaker setup it was used as DAC + preamp combo attached via balanced XLR to a KECES S125 power amp that was driving a pair of Buchardt S400 loudspeakers. That really puts out a high-end vibe. Let’s see how M100 performed with all my Headphones and IEMS. . Sub-bass notes were rendered good, there is a decent sustain while listening to a bass guitar for example, lowest notes will decay slower a bit so there is plenty of time to feel them with all your body. Solid build quality with thick metal plates on the front and back, Small footprint – could be easily integrated into tight spaces, The remote is helping a lot in a speaker setup, Excellent tonal balance, being slightly tilted towards warmth and naturalness, Detail retrieval and transparency is at a very high level, Good pin point imaging in a speaker setup, Wide and tall soundstage size, with a decent depth, One of the best transient response I’ve experienced in a AKM-based DAC, Amazing Bluetooth codec support, it’s future proof too, It the best buddy with the SMSL SP200 in a headphone setup, Decent but not amazing depth offering a 2.5D experience in detriment of a full 3D one, Sources: Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro, Corsair One i160. There is also a Bluetooth antenna socket – simply screw it with your hand and that’s it. I … And interestingly enough, their much more expensive upgrade model, the M400, sounds like this M200 on steroids. Typically, Neutral/Natural DAC’s like this sell very well to the general consumer. I think SMSL has been killing it lately, as I’ve enjoyed everything they’ve sent me recently that I got a chance to play with so far. Most of their units have odd shapes, elongated bodies, small screens, weird volume knobs and so on. Learn how your comment data is processed. Will SP200 sound even better with a higher performing source? It is a fairly normalized and common “moderately forward” sound type that plays well with nearly every genre and headphone out there. A double press on the knob will enter a special menu where you can choose: On the remote control there are few additional features, to learn them all please check the user manual first. It is priced at $289.99. Most of their units have odd shapes, elongated bodies, small screens, weird volume knobs and so on. 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