Remote and tweaks​This tiny thing has a remote supplied! SMSL actually gives a remote with a C200…Will you use it? The volume knob can do all the stuff the remote can but, of course, takes a little learning to master. If you’re on a long lead with the display switched off then, for sure, it will have some benefits. I suppose my usage was more about discovery than it will be for those who live with this as their constant companion. high-end dual op-amps OPA1612 and a large number of audio grade components are used while there is a built-in specially designed low-noise switching power supply and a discrete component linear power supply with multiple low-noise power supplies for the analog and digital circuits.

You can also use the C100 to stream Bluetooth, though it seems limited to AAC and not the higher rez AptX/LDAC; it sounded clean and lively, though not as full-bodied or detailed as the Bluetooth from the SU-6 or (esp.) the SU-9, which do have the more advanced codecs. Although it's so small, the SMSL C200 is able to drive practically any headphones out there. Even fairly demanding headphones such as the HiFiMAN HE-560 are driven easily and show no issues at all. The C200’s Bluetooth is in a word, excellent. I connected my Sony NW ZX-300 DAP and it automatically defaulted to LDAC. For the next hour or so, I enjoyed 417.3’s 40 album in its entirety. So on to subjective opinion - bear in mind I don't consider myself an expert or audiophile and this is just my opinion for what it's worth. Up to now, I've been using a relatively ancient Marantz CD player (using it's internal DAC) with a similarly aged AV Receiver. By comparison, I like the sound of this - it seems to me to be pretty neutral, and very revealing, with a detailed sound. Through my amp (also SMSL now) and Monitor Audio Silver 1 speakers, high quality recordings - whether over USB, from my CD player (using the old Marantz as a transport), or from a phone using the LDAC codec, allow different instruments to be heard clearly, they seem to pop out at you in different parts of the room. Transient sounds like a sudden cymbal crash hit hard. Details I hadn't noticed before seem to now be noticeable. But it's always enjoyable to listen to. Harsher recordings can sound a little over the top and maybe even tiring - but can be reigned in with EQ if you're using a computer as a source. I don't think this is a fault of the DAC - it's just more revealing of what was there anyway, in my view. As far as adjustment goes, the different PCM filters available on the DAC are very subtle in their difference. Honestly, I could only really tell the difference between FL1 and "the others" (FL1 seems to filter out some of the top end more than the others). But they are there to experiment with if you like. This change of mind return policy is in addition to, and does not affect your rights under the Australian Consumer Law including any rights you may have in respect of faulty items.

Final Thoughts

Built-in discrete component linear power supply and multiple low-noise power supplies for analog circuits; With good sound performance for the category, excellent build quality, super compact size and impressive functionality it would be an instant recommendation even if it wasn’t so aggressively priced.

I also used it as a DAC for Tidal streaming through my Dell PC. As a preamp, the C100 is more than adequate—wholly hiss-free, with adequate gain, though I much prefer having a physical volume knob like the pricier SMSL units.Headphone and line output volume is independently stored in the memory so you can leave your headphones always plugged in. The headphone output is rather strong, with up to 2.6W per channel at 16 OHMs, and 1.3W per channel at 32 OHMs, enough to drive most headphones, including Audeze LCD-XC and Avantone Pro Planar. There’s even a remote for you to have comfortable control over C200, useful especially if it will be used as a desktop DAC/AMP.

The differences are so blunt that are not worth considering when deciding between the two devices where functionality and price difference are much more important factors.

Thankfully, the corners of the front panel are rounded, unlike the less ergonomic SMSL D6 that I reviewed recently. Coming in at 139x32x147.5mm (WxHxD), the C200 takes up little real estate on the desktop. I won’t be dividing sound impression into dedicated headphone out and line-out because SMSL C200 exhibits the exact same sonic qualities across the board. A headphone amplifier has plenty of power to drive almost anything you can throw at it, so that will never be a limiting factor. So whatever you read here goes for all of its outs. Having that in mind, let’s start. The amplifier is rated at 2.6Wx2/16Ω and 1.3Wx2/32Ω so it is very powerful and did a great job driving all my usual headphones with plenty of headroom. All functions can be adjusted with the multifunction knob or the remote control and there are no other buttons. With a power output of 1.3Wx2, it should have enough muscle to drive all but the most demanding headphones. Thanks to a near 0 Ω output impedance from the headphone section, the C200 is ideal for sensitive all-BA IEMs too. In addition, the headphone output has 2 gain settings: Low-gain 0dB and High-gain 11dB giving you more precise control over the output. Design

Under the hood, the C200 is still an obvious step up from the C100 noting the presence of balanced outputs in the former. The newer DAC, however, didn’t miss its opportunity to bring in the latest XMOS XU-316 as its USB module and also include MQA as one of its selling points. The SMSL C200 is lively and sparkling, it is resolving and detailed enough but it could be more refined and nuanced. Both the RCA and TRS line outputs are adjustable so you can use the C200 as a preamplifier and of course as fixed line output when you set the volume to the maximum. The series was inaugurated with the DO200 DAC, the HO200 headphone amplifier and the AO200 integrated speaker amplifier. use not following the ‘User Guide’ or any additional safety, use, or warnings included in the product materials.The display on the Aoshida Audio SMSL C200 is small but sharper than the SMSL DO100, and very 1980’s looking. It gets the job done but I have to admit I was initially befuddled when “L O” and “H O” were not gain settings but were Line Out vs Headphone Out, oops read the manual. The unit also comes with a remote controller. It is not necessary to control the SMSL C200, as you can do it using just the volume knob, but it does make things easier and more convenient. It’s made of plastic and it has the following buttons: power, up, down, left, right, enter, input, FN (used to switch outputs and, when long pressed, to set the screen to automatically switch off), mute, raise and reduce volume. Features & Specs At the same time the noise floor is as low as inaudible so you can use it with your sensitive IEMs. Covering every genre, from high-end DAC, to power amplifiers and dedicated headphone amplifiers, the brand is best known for its excellent quality/price ratio. Some, like the SMSL AD18 , or SH-8S are now all-time classics and can be found on many chi-fi enthusiast desks. Mine, for example, hosts the brilliant DO200 + HO200 combo, a superb DAC + headphone/amp duo that earned my personal recommendation as one of the best combos you could get in this price range, and above.