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SMSL SP100 Tube Headphone Amplifier

SMSL SP100 Tube Headphone Amplifier

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46 Sold
Product Description
The SMSL SP100 Tube Headphone Amplifier is the perfect solution for anyone in search of smooth and rich audio for their headphones. Outfitted with an easy-to-change 6N3 tube, the SP100 delivers a warm and soft sound only attainable through quality tube amplification Read More

Customer Reviews

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(3 reviews)
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Proper headphone amp for its price
I have had this amp in use for a little over a year now. With the standard tube it came with, it sounds somewhat muffled. I use a very, very old Sony EQ to compensate for the muffled sound. Now it sounds better, but I'd still recommend changing the tube for a better sound. I'll order a few tubes and update this review once I properly try them out. I'd still recommend them.
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Recommends this product? Yes
InspectorPotato
1
Apr 24, 2020
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Cute little hybrid amp
Decent little headphone amplifier for the money. Not a giant killer but solid price to performance.
Sherv
147
Nov 3, 2019
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It is a 79 dollar tube amp... Don't expect much and to be honest I prepared myself but I was surprised at how weak it is. I used my borderpatrol DAC SE with all amps. I tested o2 amp, schiit lyr v1, element amp, and the sp100. I also tested e-mu teak, focal elear, he-4xx, he-500, and a q701. The q701 sounded fine (bass wise) with the sp100 but every other headphone felt like it was held back. The hifiman headphones I had to crank the volume wayyy up to get same volume on the others. Bass was just lacking on all headphones with this amp and details are less (Feels muffled). It sound anemic compared to my other amps especially on the he headphones with the shiit lyr. If the sp100 is your first amp then you will most likely be happy and not notice the characteristics i noticed (at least not to the same degree). But once you experience something with more oomph/clarity then you can tell the sp100 has limits (im hoping its the cheap stock tube). For example, Quincy Jones's Moonglow is spectacular to listen too... But on the sp100 it feels somewhat muted and muffled. It is harder to identify all the sounds, you have to focus while on say my schiit lyr im bombarded with sounds of instruments. On Body and Soul with Tony Bennett and Amy Winehouse... Amy has this super luscious juicy voice that is lost and muted on the sp100.... Note: I have ordered a bunch of quality tubes NOS and new. I will report back when i test them. I have been pleasantly surprised before by changing stock chinese tubes before so I'm hoping its the same experience here.
(Edited)
AlexisMo
0
Aug 25, 2020
Can you describe the changes the amp brought to your m40xs, both at stock and after tube rolling? I'm considering that amp for that specific headphones
Brutus64
40
Aug 26, 2020
AlexisMoMore reverb mostly, but also a punchy bass. I added the m100 dac also, seemed to add some volume.
Recent Activity
So i just bought the M100/SP100 micro-stack as I call it for $50 shipped used. I know your post is old, but if anyone else is looking for info on this setup, this Drop thread is one of the few resources that come up on a Google search. I immediately swapped out the tube with a GE 5670 W tube that I picked up for $8 on eBay and it is 100% worth it. The detail and soundstage size both pick up significantly after swapping from the stock tube. As to whether the tube is just decoration, I have ABd between a few of the solid state setups I own (Burson Timekeeper 3i, SMSL M500, JDS Labs El Stack2+, Ferrum Oor/Hypsos) and it does add a little bit of that "tubey goodness" to the overall sound. I also agree with Zeos' review where he says he thinks the output is more powerful than they list because I have use the M100/SP100 to drive my AKG Q701s and K702s as well as a pair of 150ohm DIY built headphones and it does so with volume to spare and the headphones come out with the requisite fullness and bass depth without struggling or compressing the soundstage especially once you swap out to the 5670 W, but it's not bad with the stock tube either. Overall, I thought I'd give this little stack a try, but didn't expect much and I have been pleasantly surprised. The M100 is a capable DAC that can be paired with the amp of your choice and serve you well. The SP100 is a lovely little tube hybrid box that actually sounds quite good and drives harder than I would have guessed. Throw in the GE 5670 W tube swap and you have yourself a killer setup for cheap. I saw this combo for sale on ebay and Mercari as well, one for $75 shipped and the other for $85. I would have no problen grabbing this setup at those prices on the used market and going to town. I hope this helps anyone who's looking...
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