Reading the numbers of the C100 may not be the best out there but they’re surely not lagging too far behind even compared to some slightly more expensive DACs. SMSL C200 vs Questyle M15 (219 USD vs 250 USD) – You know I’m looking for trouble comparing a full sized desktop DAC/AMP to a tiny dongle DAC, but with how far we’ve come technologically, I need to emphasize that M15 can actually sound a bit better at times, especially if you’re looking for a dynamic and punchy sound, but the driving power is better on C200, C200 has Bluetooth LDAC input, it has a wheel for volume control, it has a remote, it has a DAC output for desktop systems, and just generally is a better desktop product than M15. Especially if you have hard or very hard to drive headphones, you’ll like the idea of C200 more, whilst if you mainly use IEMS and need something that’s portable too, M15 is still a highly recommended DAC/AMP/Dongle. 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. You can control the C200 either by the multi-function knob/button on the front panel or via the included remote control. The volume dial is stepped but with 99 volume steps, it gives you precise control over the volume.

For all that, there is a somewhat “clinical,” quality to the C100, which is to say that instruments are so etched and presented so cleanly that your ears tend to focus on the individual performers rather that the integrated whole. With near 0 Ω output impedance on the headphone amp, the C200 is ideal for your sensitive IEMs and headphones. I tested the device with a variety of IEMs including the Meze ADVAR, DUNU Talos and Letshuoer S12 Pro. My usual testing headphones were also used which include the Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro 250Ω, Meze 99 Classics and Hifiman Sundara. Over on the rear panel are (from left to right): AC power input, Bluetooth antenna mount, USB-C input, optical input, coaxial input, RCA output and TRS balanced output. BluetoothThankfully, 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. It is also worth mentioning that SMSL took care of ensuring the C100 is powered properly. Since the USB port combines the function of power and data entry, coupled inside is a high-performance power filtering system so listeners can relax knowing their audio is not touched by unwanted noise. Coming at around two hundred dollars, SMSL C200 doesn’t bring anything new and exciting to the table. What it does offer is a good balance of features, sonic qualities, and value. So let’s take a closer look. Build and Features Digital glare does exist but it doesn't get annoyingly intrusive and it doesn't add a metallic timbre to the sound. 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.

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. 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. It has good timing and it is not lean sounding but not too full bodied either, it mostly comes to headphone matching but don’t expect it to fill a lean sounding headphone or surprise you with thundering impact.Presenting the all-new SMSL C200, a high-performance desktop all-in-one DAC/AMP that comes equipped with a premium ES9038Q2M Sabre DAC chip. SMSL C200 produces powerful amplification with the help of professionally designed AMP circuitry. SMSL has equipped it with multiple inputs including USB, Bluetooth, Coaxial, and Optical too. It has a Headphone output with dual output ports(4.4mm balanced and 6.35mm single-ended0, and also provides line-out via RCA and TRS ports. Upgrade your desktop chain with the SMSL C200 and experience your favorite music with amazing clarity and dynamics!! Now, a burning question in my mind aside from whether SMSL has gone too far with the slimming process of the C100 is if the pedigree of the brand remains sonically sound. I’d say that a cute face is wasted if it has poor talent. But it has an RCA line input though so you can use it as a standalone headphone amplifier to connect another source like a phono. You must return an item in the same condition as it was received. You must also include, in the same condition as it was received: SMSL C200 vs Aune X1s GT (219 USD vs 349 USD) – I need to forgive you if you’re thinking that X1S GT is better just because it costs more, but at the same time, it does have a better outer design, and has better frontal layout for the headphone outputs. While there is no remote for the X1s GT, it does have a versatile selection of inputs and outputs too, having a Bluetooth input as well. The driving power is higher on the C200, quite a bit higher, but the X1s GT has a slightly warmer, more full and deeper sound, while the C200 sounds more neutral. X1s GT also has better extension in the treble, but when you also take into account the price of both, you’re more likely to go for C200 if budget is a constraint.

Starting with the design, we have many features that are rather rare in the audiophile world, especially at this price range. C200 is an interesting product, because it has both features, you’d typically expect to see on an interface designed for recording, mixing and mastering, and because it has a price point you just don’t typically see in audiophile products. Officially joining the C200 in SMSL’s lineup, the C100 is surprisingly built around an AK4493S chip from AKM instead of an ESS one to make things consistent. At least I am not surprised by the appearance of yet another AKM DAC from SMSL after reviewing the D-6 recently. As for power, the K7 uses two THX 788+ amplifier modules, which we have seen in the FiiO’s higher-end K9 Pro ESS DAC & AMP. Some of you may have noticed that these modules deliver less power on the K7, which FiiO explains is due to the power consumed and heat generated by the modules. As a K9 Pro ESS user, I think this optimization was a good decision. During operation, the K7 is warm to the touch but not uncomfortably hot. The K7 can dish out 1.2 watts of power to a 32-ohm load via its SE output and it can dish out 2 watts of power via the balanced HPO. 560mW of power into a 300-ohm load means that it has plenty of power to drive nearly every single planar or dynamic headphone on the market. 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. SMSL C200 features a built-in discrete component linear power supply. There is no external AC adapter and provides clean power to the Digital and Analog circuits. Use It As A Dedicated DAC:-

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. The C200 has a reference type approach to the sound reproduction which feels quite detached but on the other hand it shouldn't be considered as clinical sounding or boring. All functions can be adjusted with the multifunction knob or the remote control and there are no other buttons. SMSL C200 brings crisp high-resolution audio signal decoding to your desktop chain. It uses a second-generation XMOS USB processor that provides full support for decoding high-resolution 32-Bit/768kHz PCM and native DSD512 audio signals. Powerful Headphone Amp Circuit:-