DESKTOP HiFi Audio On A Budget | SMSL AO200 Hi-Res Power Amplifier Review

Is the SMSL AO200 Hi-Res bluetooth power amplifier the best budget HiFi amp for your desktop audio setup? In this review, I'll tell you how this digital amplifier changes the game for entry level audiophile component gear.
SMSL AO200: bit.ly/3tQU55f
SMSL AO200: amzn.to/3z5S9W8
SMSL AD18: amzn.to/2VBS12Z
Gallo Micro Speakers: amzn.to/3AdDoSM
IsoAcoustics Iso-Puck: amzn.to/3C3Y8g6
Grovemade Wool Felt Desk Pad: bit.ly/myxo1
I have a confession to make. My favorite part of my desk setup isn’t my computer, or peripherals or even the monitor arrangement, it’s my audio setup. With high resolution audio equipment becoming more affordable than ever, anyone with an interest in delving into the world of HiFi can put together a high-fidelity system for a fraction of the cost from only a few years ago.
DESKTOP AUDIO PLAYLIST:
• Desktop Audio
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#smsl #ao200 #hifi audio

[@TrueNorf]

Even Garf says Yes!!! Great review Myxo!! Curious to know what speaker cable you use and what max length you use?

[@Myxo14]

Thanks Norf! For my desk audio setup, I'm using a combination of 3 foot and 6 foot AmazonBasics 16 guage speaker cable - it's cheap and does the job. I've different cable lengths because my audio setup is kind of unorthodox. I'm using a passive subwoofer (under my desk) - meaning my speakers plug into my subwoofer via speaker wire. I use a second pair of 6 foot cables to connect my subwoofer to the amplifier. Basically the amp powers the subwoofer - which then powers the speakers. It sounds more complicated than it actually is. In my living room, I use 14 guage speaker wire in various runs up to 50 feet. Basically, the longer the run, the lower the speaker gauge you'll want to use. I use 14 gauge whenever possible.

[@Retipster]

Best review I’ve seen on this amp. Thanks! What kind of speakers did you use with it? Any recommendations?

[@Myxo14]

I'm currently running Gallo Strada 2 speakers with no issues. I don't have any specific recommendations being the AO200 should be able to push most speakers. Power hunger speakers like the LS50 meta may have some issues, but I haven't tested this myself.

[@OtesOtesOtes]

5:06 just noticed BLUETHOOT I'm looking for a new amp/stereo receiver. Presently I've got a Sherwood that I picked up at a recycling center. It is fine but it adds a thin layer of static beneath. I'm sure this is an issue with the power supply, but it's internal and I can't be bothered to figure out how to clean the electricity. It drives a set of polk audio M3 IIs that were found at a thrift store. Entry level bookshelf speakers, good but not great. The rest of my setup is as follows: a FX-Audio DAC x6 (with an aftermarket linear power supply) powering Beyerdynamic DT 880 250 ohms. I didn't realize how lacking they were in the bass department until listening to the polk speakers. My solution may have been a technical oversight in the design of the DAC...signal is sent over the RCAs to the receiver, even while my headphones are plugged into the DAC, meaning that I can take advantage of the semi-open design of the 880s and have the speakers function as an external subwoofer of sorts...there's a saying that bass is felt more than heard so I am quite happy to have it produced by a more powerful speaker.

[@dougcarmack5426]

The USB info is the most I can find right now. You are the only reviewer who bothered to connect the PC to the USB input. I just ordered the AO200 but don't expect the USB to be anything but a power port or stand alone USB stick file playback. Although with software I can see the USB input possibly playing back ROON or other streaming software. Not likely considering it would be a huge selling point - but listed as no information in the manual to the internal DAC file playback set or even what the purpose of the USB input is. The manual lists nothing as to the USB other than USB input which is why I am looking it up now. Your video had some relative USB playback. How far does the software go when branching from USB?

[@casimirdekkers-newtrackout691]

Do you already have the unit? Does it support an USB drive and can you skip through folders displayed on the screen, or is the purpose of the USB port so it can be used as an audio-interface/soundcard for the pc? Thnx!

[@marcvought]

perfect set up man great video

[@Myxo14]

Thanks for watching 🙌🏾

[@quickflik3980]

I really like your set up im currently running a couple q acoustic 3030i thru 3.5-Rca from my pc should i look at getting a dac inbetween or wouldn that realy matter? The amp im using btw is the (Fosi audio bt20a) And if i where to look at a dac what would i recommend under lets say a €100/€125 If your reading this and have any advice have a wonderful day😁 The amp alreay give plenty of juice to 6/8ohm speakers so the power is no isseu just wondering if a dac would realy improve sound quality

[@SeekingJUICYalpha]

Does this work with passive Speakers to your pc?

[@docholliday6296]

If this uses the Infinion chip and the built in DAC is kind of subpar, why not just get the cheaper SA300? I think if I'm not mistaken, they have the same or similar Amp chips from Infinion. I have a separate DAC I could use, but i was kind of hoping for the whole experience in an ALL in one to save space. I am at a loss haha.

[@joweemac]

Great review, nice set up

[@Myxo14]

Thanks man!

[@Sejal08]

Love the video but was very curious, is your speakers hooked up to your amp or dac and how is the audio interface connected to it all? Or do you use the amp only for headphones.

[@Myxo14]

Passive speakers (non self powered) will need to be connected to an amplifier for power. The AO200 is an amp, so speakers directly to it for power. The AO200 also contains an internal DAC, so it hooks up to your computer via USB or to a standalone audio transport (ie CD player) via RCA or a stand alone DAC. Since making this video, I'm using an ifi Zen Dac2 connected via balanced XLR as a stand alone DAC. The AO200 is not a headphone amp, so you'd need a separate amp for headphones.

[@czekoladowybudyn4396]

AO200 connected together with zen dac 2 doing well good? yes I want to buy and connect such a set do you recommend

[@Myxo14]

The AO200 paired with the Zen DAC2 work great together. I have no complaints with this pairing.

[@kiskez8640]

Mini amp class d vs tradicional ab amp worth it?

[@slecht]

WIshed they also put a hdmi-arc port on it so you also can use it for you tv.

[@gerardomacias9719]

What kind of usb cable do you use to connect amp to pc?

[@Myxo14]

The AO200 uses a USB A to USB A cable to connect to a PC. One is included in the box.

[@andrewpuentes2972]

Could I hook it up to a tv?

[@antoinesp1483]

In comparison to a NAD D3020 v2 what would you choose ?

[@declanmckeown323]

its costs 2x lol cant compare that

[@fatboyvin]

@@declanmckeown323 but the smsl is better LOL

[@kultbro99]

Hi! Quick question. I have a pair of RCA cables that I’d like to use to power two speakers with the amplifier to play music through the Bluetooth. I connected the RCA cables on the RCA inputs but nothing happens. What am I doing wrong? Thanks!!

[@richardhartford609]

So are you saying that the USB from your PC carries digital aduio signal suitable for DAC input?

[@Myxo14]

That's correct.

[@harrybaules]

How do you choose which DAC is used between the one in your pc and the one in the amp?

[@Myxo14]

If you connect the pc to the amp via USB (and select the USB input on the amp), the DAC in the amp will be used (because the pc is sending a digital signal). If you connect your pc to the amp via RCA cables (and select the unbalanced input on the amp), the PC's dac will send an anolog signal to the amp.

[@harrybaules]

@@Myxo14 Thank you.

[@harrybaules]

@@Myxo14 is the same true, as situation 1, if I connect the pc to the amp via spdif optical cable, will the dac in the amp be used?

[@Myxo14]

Yes, the signal will digital...so it (the signal) will need to be converted to analog by the amps internal DAC.

[@harrybaules]

@@Myxo14 I have a good understanding now. Thank you. The reason I asked was because on my pc I have a soundblaster x-fi titanium sound card and that's going to a denon avr591. both came out in the mid to late 2000's. I've had it connected with 3.5mm to rca cables all this time. Today, I connected it via toslink optical cable and went back and forth between the two connections. Big difference! I assumed the quality would be very similar, but it's not. While I think that soundblaster dac might have more detail, it's too harsh. The receiver dac is much smoother and easier to listen to. Better bass too.

[@drumka78]

Hi. Can I connect a midi keyboard through usb direct to AO 200?

[@CyberBeep_kenshi]

How is the ad18? Looking to throw out a crappy edifier set due to high pitch whining (.....). No need for extreme quality as i got a fullsize hifi set already;) Will need to replace speakers no doubt too

[@Myxo14]

The AD18 is a great amp/dac. If you're not looking for the best of the best, I recommend going with the AD18. I reviewed it on my channel a few years back if you're interested.

[@CyberBeep_kenshi]

@@Myxo14 oh thanks, will see if i can find it. Was just starting to look around :) Price aint to bad either. Cheers

[@dwaynelovegrove7637]

What DAC did you end up going with? The SMSL DO200?

[@Myxo14]

I ended up pairing it with an ifi Zen DAC V2.

[@steven2809]

@@Myxo14 Good choice! 👍

[@asylmFN]

Will this work well with the dt 990 pros

[@Myxo14]

The AO200 is not a headphone amplifier. It's an amp for passive speakers.

[@timbaker4879]

Pele, Radiohead, nice 👌

[@Myxo14]

🙌🏾

[@boltonic]

What speakers do you use?

[@Myxo14]

They're Gallo Acoustic Micro speakers.

[@steven2809]

@@Myxo14 You really deserve better speakers.......😕

[@roberta.6579]

What is soft clipping?

[@stevenholt5484]

This is late, but clipping occurs when the analog audio signal (as a sine wave) is distorted. It becomes square instead of rounded at the peak and trough. It is caused by pushing the amp by cranking the volume. I think what he means by soft clipping is mild distortion (if there is such a thing -- a signal is either clean or it's not).

[@currykevuk]

Sometimes on KZbin a review can be construed as an advertisement. To me you have crossed that line.

[@Myxo14]

I've never done a paid review, so I'm curious why you feel that way?

[@kgtaillon27]

They call it a amplifier but it seems to have a volume pot?

[@Myxo14]

Plenty of amps have volume pots. In the case of the AO200, the amp has a DAC and Bluetooth, so you need a volume control, and input selector.

[@RanTausi]

How is the quality of the internal DAC ?

[@iikatinggangsengii2471]

its mostly abt dac though?

[@1stzard]

speakers too small (tweeters)

[@B2sdad512]

You lost me at Carl Sagan...LOL.

[@malinyamato]

I like SMSL and your amp is better than Topping PA5 and I would recommend the SMSL D1SE DAC to pair with this one. Topping is not my cup of tea with poor QA and a huge external power brick. The Bluetooth is on most ChiFis, not becase it is useful, it is there because it is very cheap to implement and looks uber cool with hopes that consumers may regrade the amp as much more valuable than what it is. I own the SMSL D1SE DAC and love it: it has Bluetooth but which adds ZERO value to me. A DAC or amp should not have a tail sticking up from its back. That is animal kingdom and we are indeed homo sapiens. I love purity and to purify my DAC in a Japanese sense I am considering to let an engineer remove the Bluetooth chip all together, something I am prepared to pay for.

[@spencexxx]

People have got to stop calling cheap crap "audiophile" Audiophile is something much more extreme.

[@Myxo14]

What would you consider 'extreme'?

[@steven2809]

You have no idea what you are talking about....

[@eeapeean]

The term "audiophile" refers to someone who is enthusiastic about high-quality sound reproduction and has a strong interest in audio equipment and music. An audiophile is typically someone who values the quality of sound over convenience or portability, and is willing to invest time and money in obtaining the best possible listening experience. How much do I need to spend to be considered an audiofile in your opinion?