SMSL SP200 THX AAA-888 Balanced Headphone Amp Discussions | Drop

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SMSL SP200 THX AAA-888 Balanced Headphone Amp

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jarlaxle_baenre

Dec 3, 2021

Can some good people having sp200 comment on their listening levels and knob positions? I was somewhat expecting a more powerful amp. Although it gets loud, I can listen around 10 on high and 12 low gain modes on my Klipsch HP-3s which has 25 ohm impedance and 98 db/mW sensitivity. Maybe I can try to measure it with my phone to compare.

Dec 3, 2021

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citysinz

Dec 21, 2021

jarlaxle_baenreWhat are you using for your DAC, and via which respective input for both the DAC and the Amp? Based on the Klipsch HP-3 rated impedance, and using the custom 1/4" adapter, the Amp should transfer plenty of power, around 5W @25 Ohms. Recommend setting your DAC to maximum volume output. For example, my 'mix and match' or 'experiential learning' setup: Inputs to DAC:

PC via dedicated USB C Audio out.
BT 5.0 from Android and iOS devices.

Outputs from DAC:

XLR Balanced Out to JBL LSR310S sub, then XLR to JBL 305P Mk II monitor pair.
RCA Out to XLR (1 In : 3 Out) Balanced switch, then:

a. Drop + THX AAA 789, which was a good purchase in 2020. b. xDuoo TA-20, needed max volume w/ the Topping DAC, but V1 had assorted issues... c. SMSL SP200 THX AAA-888, currently evaluating. Set to XLR Input (Up) / Low Gain (Down), this seems 'louder' and 'more natural' to me than the Drop + THX AAA 789, using the 4-pin XLR 'Balanced' (ahem, 'Dual-Mono'...) out, with the following Headphones: DT 177X 32 Ohm impedance (rated down to 5 Hz), Closed Back HE400i 35 Ohm (20 Hz), Open Back DT 880 Pro 250 Ohm (5 Hz), Semi-Open DT 770 Pro 80 Ohm (5 Hz), Closed HD 6XX 300 Ohm (10 Hz), Open HD 58X 150 Ohm (12 Hz), Open I am currently evaluating the Fostex T50RP MK3 (planar) Semi-Open headphones, connected to 'unbalanced' output, and so far, the output sounds great.

Dec 21, 2021

jarlaxle_baenre

Dec 21, 2021

citysinzI'm using smsl m500 as a dac, volume set to 40/40. (It should output around 6-7 v through xlr if they didn't change it later) Maybe I was too hyped about its power and wanted to test its and my limits. Though after using for a while my conclusion is, amp is powerful, very powerful. Also I was a little ignorant about knob positions, didn't know that volume increase is exponential. Now at comfortable listening levels I am around 10 to 11 on low gain depending on my mood and the song. I can definitely raise the volume more and go on listening but I don't need to.

Dec 21, 2021

citysinz

Dec 21, 2021

jarlaxle_baenreAh, Okay. When you connect directly to the SMSL M500's headphone output, what do you hear is the equivalent Volume level, compared to 10 or 11 on the SP200?

How are you connecting the DAC to the Amp? Without checking the manual, I do not see a 'pass thru' output connection from the M500, which I would recommend if that is available. Are you playing MQA perhaps? I stick to PCM at highest bit-rate available from the wired Source, without installing the manufacturer-specific driver.

(Edited)

Dec 21, 2021

jarlaxle_baenre

Dec 21, 2021

citysinzSmsl m500 headphone output should be equal to 25-28. No pass through mode, neither fixed mode if that is what you mean. Some dacs' fixed mode fixes to half volume but since it is digitally controlled, I think it shouldn't matter either way. I use XLR cables to connect to sp200. RCAs are also connected to a diy tube amp (which is insanely loud, I have to turn dac volume down to be able to control volume pot) I don't use mqa. DAC is connected to PC with Highest sample and bitrates. Alhough dac was plug and play, I still downloaded drivers. It uses theysicon drivers for xmos. Did I forget anything?

Dec 21, 2021

citysinz

Dec 21, 2021

jarlaxle_baenreOkay, well, good luck.

Dec 21, 2021

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