SMSL PL200 CD Player DAC Review, Addicted with Sound!

SMSL PL200 MQA-CD Player DAC
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ¾
Price: 679.99 USD (Nov, 2023)
tinyurl.com/ywy6xbt8
Sound Stage: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ½
Stereo Image: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ½
Highs: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Midrange: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Bass: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Build Quality:⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Price: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Pros: High Quality Build & Sound.
Cons: None.
(All Rating is based on price and sound quality, Product Sample Provided By Manufacturer)
Sound Sample with,
SMSL PL200: amzn.to/3uxdThd
JBL L100 Classic 75th: • JBL L100 Classic 75th ...
Accuphase E-4000 Integrated Amp: • Accuphase E-4000 Ampli...
Music: Garce Mahya
ebay.us/tNmIAv , amzn.to/3KmR2di
Associated Components
Front End,
Audalytic AH90 Streamer DAC: ebay.us/i47Qnv
Denafrips Pontus II R2R DAC: ebay.us/3trQ7c
WiiM Pro Music Streamer: amzn.to/44d2EqC
Sony HAP-Z1ES: ebay.us/zqQRFU
Denon DP-47F Turntable (fully modified) with DL-301MK II MC Cartridge: amzn.to/3FxjTbK
Speakers,
KLH Model 3: amzn.to/3MPIM6D
KEF R3 Meta: amzn.to/46VGo69
Musician Knight 1: ebay.us/xHwHjR
Pioneer TAD S-1EX: • Pioneer S-1EX Speaker ...
JBL L100 Classic 75th: • JBL L100 Classic 75th ...
Amplifiers,
Accuphase E-4000 Integrated Amp: • Accuphase E-4000 Ampli...
Sabaj A8 ICE Power Class D Monoblocks: • Sabaj A8 Class D Monob...
SMSL AO300 Class D Integrated Amp: amzn.to/45xT2qI
Topping PA7 Plus Amplifier: amzn.to/3Qqy87x
Music, Cables & Accessories,
Oyaide Neo Class A USB Cable: amzn.to/49JhN6u
Fanmuisc ZY-363 USB A to C Cable: amzn.to/47FrstM
Mogami XLR Cables: amzn.to/3Wxvqhp
Viborg Pure Silver RCA Cable: ebay.us/v5eCov
iFi Nova AC Power Cable: amzn.to/447GeGP
Oyaide Black Mamba Alpha Power Cable: ebay.us/5T2uZP
Viborg VM80 AC Power Distributor: amzn.to/3Z2zaKs
Isolation Footers: amzn.to/3WtiKsW
Ricable Dedalus XLR, Power, MKII Speaker Cables: • Ri cable Dedalus High ...
Tharbamar Custom Speaker Cables: • Mogami W3082 Could Be ...
Viborg VS901 Speaker Cables: amzn.to/491Ez9w
PS Audio AC-5/AC-12 Power Cables: ebay.us/DlSPgY
Hey!
Only Option To Listen KZbin Sound Demo is with good headphones, not your favorite sound system because listening to two rooms at once is not a good thing, no matter how good your sound system is.,
Closest to listen my sound sample is with
Sony MDR-7506 amzn.to/2wAkk54 or
MDR-CD900St amzn.to/3p4PHNM
If you use these links above to purchase any items from Amazon or eBay (No Extra Cost To You), I get a small percentage which help support my work and helps me keep going.
Video Timeline:
0:00 Review
13:19 Sound Sample

[@paolobizai3432]

I like this unit fit perfectly for what I Need. Thank you for your video I Always follow you,I like your relaxed and clean speak and the products tested

[@Tharbamar]

You’re welcome 😊

[@alexjohansson5232]

Thank you for a very informative and interesting review. You helped me make up my mind.🎉

[@anthonysherry2628]

I like the physical aspect of manually loading the cd.. its like using a turntable. Plus one less thing to go wrong mechanically.

[@liamporter1137]

Interesting concept. Thanks for sharing.

[@net_news]

amazing!! Waiting for the black one!

[@franktdot5932]

Hi Tharbamar! I’m a new subscriber to your KZbin channel and wanted to say thanks for your insight. As I’m a newb to current audiophile tech I’m glad I found your channel! I would like to see a video which shares some knowledge of you personally. Your history in Hi-Fi and the likes. Or perhaps not lol Either way, your work and helpful information is much appreciated. Look forward to seeing more of your content!!!

[@cremersalex]

CD is the new vinyl!

[@Tharbamar]

Cheaper than Vinyl and Streaming, one point I scored many top tier CD albums for $0.

[@zorankalina4399]

​​@@TharbamarAllso...does not become damedge with any neadle pass...trough record surfeces.

[@net_news]

@@zorankalina4399 yeah but they sound totally different, I love CDs but vinlyls just sound better most of the time (rock albums in particular). To me it's: Vinyl >>>>>>>>>>> CDs >>>>>>>>>>>> Streaming.

[@dtracy03ss]

NAH It's all about the Process as well as Great Sound combined and the Chances of you playing Vinyl 500 times with a High Quality Cart and Stylus of Damaging the Good Quality Vinyl are Extremely Low, unless Human Intoxication is involved!!! LOL No it is Not the Best Sound BUT it is a Analog thing and Many people Love the Mechanical Transfer of Sound, I have an Awesome Pioneer CT-A9X Cassette that sounds darn near CD with Properly recorded Cassettes and Dolby, Love all of it!

[@alainduquenois3812]

Pour moi le vinyle reste et restera le meilleur support

[@johan5660]

Great review. I hope smsl will come out with a high end cd transport/player that can play sacd/cd with AES/EBU out in addition to all other inputs/outputs.😃

[@guatobean2869]

Exactly what i need, so this does not read sacd? I have yest to watch the whole video...not sure it it is addressed

[@stephenmiller9791]

Your reviews are so well done and I'm always put into a relaxed frame of mind by them afterwards, and at 72 years of age, I'll take all the stress free stuff I can. I wondered how this would compare to an SACD player along the same lines, such as one of the Shanling SACD players. I have quite an extensive SACD disc collection and outboard dacs has always been a problem. Thanks again for the splendid review 😊

[@Tharbamar]

Hello and thank you, DAC chip in PL200 is very good quality, when I try with my Hybrid SACD discs( including Dire Straits "Brothers in Arms") sound stage is wider and more open with more refinement in my system than my old Marantz SACD player. I'm not sure how would this compare to Shanling SACD player but as you know using PL200 you will loose SACD multichannel playback option other than that PL200 should be comparable in two channel sound quality, thank you.

[@thinkIndependent2024]

Thanks

[@dtracy03ss]

GIMMIE That Accuphase!!! Got the Speakers serial 000/750 on mine!!! Your Wife said I should audition the Accuphase for a year or so.

[@crisjr6478]

Ive been collecting cds again buying used its a crazy good deal. Right now i listed on an older higher end sony cd sacd player. Im eyeballing this or the shanling et3.

[@daniroperto]

Hi, love your videos!. Does it allow GAPLESS playback? Greetings.

[@sgonz2016]

Nice review and interesting device! I Would like to know how it compares as DAC Sound Quality to SMSL D400Pro (Same DAC Chipset) and Topping D70 Pro Octo... I'm thinking to buy one of these or go a step up and buy the Gustard A26... Sound Quality is the target for me what could be your decision if you were thinking to buy best musical DAC up to 1500$???

[@TheAnsyefulful]

Hello....your review helped me decided to purchase mine. So far quite happy with it. I find the female focal is very forward...I like it but wonder if it is too much forward. Do you find it as such too? I use Rega Elex r amp, and Buchard S400 mrk II.

[@user-kr8pq2fv9q]

Will you review the SMSL VMV D2r DAC that recently came out?

[@fletchermunson6225]

The phrase The "Whole nine Yards" Comes from US Army Air Corps bomber gunners in WWII. The Browning 50 caliber machine guns used to defend the planes use an ammunition belt that wars 27 feet long, hence the phrase. The right way to shoot a machine gun is in short bursts to keep the heat in the barrel down so it doesnt burn out. I imagine when you were in a B17 and some boggies were diving on you, it took a lot of self control to not just run the whole belt at them.

[@sean_heisler]

Why did you think it doesn’t have a remote? It comes with a remote control.

[@fletchermunson6225]

It does. I have seen two reviews of the player and dont remember any mention of a remote. I looked up the web site and sure enough it's there. Couldn't tell for sure but it looks like it has numeric buttons, Something the URD lacks. Thanks, I edited my post. @@sean_heisler

[@vagomaniac]

Looool

[@user-qs9mv7dv6c]

Can you recommend of Class-A Headphone Amplifier / Amplifier for it? Thanks

[@ilanspiro1645]

Great review, thannks :) What are the differences between it's dac sound compared to the one implemented in the new ah90?

[@Tharbamar]

Everything except the DAC chip, they’re designed for different purposes, please choose based on your need, thanks

[@Andersljungberg]

I have seen that there are MQA CDs with several famous artists. I don't really remember if I checked it on eBay or Amazon though. it's been a while since i checked it though

[@filipviljamaasvensson]

In my experience CD sounds a lot better than streaming (which is why I deceded to buy a very good CD as a transport and hardly stream anymore). I think this could be why you percieved the built in DAC to sound so good? It really is a big step up. Plug a CD to your real DACs and explore :)

[@Tharbamar]

Hi, I have more real DAC than you may know up to five figure price range, CD is not better than HiRes FLAC files, never is and never will (not talking about streaming, streaming is for background music only for me) extracting digital music from physical media is technically always inferior in comparison to playing music from solid state drive with linear power supply. thanks

[@JonnyParker-]

I've never understood this steaming stuff . Why would anyone pay these companies then not be able to own a Digi copy of their favourite music , plus it's not true hires it's still compressed. It's like the jokers that pay Google to have that KZbin music for their android device so you can turn the screen off and have no adverts when you have been able to use either Firefox or Brave browser to do the exact same thing when logged into your Gmail . People are lazy and don't want to do a bit of extra research to find out more .

[@net_news]

Same experience here... I have a pretty expensive Roon rig (server, streamer, ecc) and playing a CD sounds better every time.

[@snakecharmer1542]

Hi@@Tharbamar Have been watching quite a few of your videos. They inspire me to buy a DAC. I bought SMSL D300 and like it. About the HiRes Flac files, do you mean Flac files from master tapes? I have not taken notice of the word HiRes before, now I realize that I have downloaded some of them and they do have bigger files than Wav.

[@filipviljamaasvensson]

@@Tharbamar Didn't mean to offend you Tharbarmar, of course I know about your other DACs. I have been following you for many years now, your review inspired me to buy the Quad S2 two years ago. What I meant was that if a $600 CD + DAC is the best you've heard, perhaps the CD-source is the reason. And that exploreing how that CD-player sounds with your other DACs could be fun. My Denon DCD-1700ne which is more than twice the price of the PL200 sound way worse than when I use it as a transport with my Eversolo Z8. It's hard to get a DAC to sound its best if it has to share a house with something else, especially if it vibrates. Not sure about the files being better sounding than CD, it's about jitter and noise. Paul from PS Audio talks about this. Saying that a CD can never sound better than a hi-res file sounds too categorical to be true. Have a good day and happy listening.

[@TheNaka9]

Hi Tharbamar, great review, very interesting :) Can you tell us about the PL200 alone vs the PL200 serving as transport connected to the Pontus II dac? I am curious about this since I have the Pontus II and I am looking for a good transport… Thanks

[@Tharbamar]

It sounded good together, It will not interfere with the sound signature of Pontus II, thanks

[@zorankalina4399]

Pity...they did not put an optical and coaxial inputs......so that can be allso used as DAC for some othher digital sources....as cd transport, computer main board with optical ore coaxial output.

[@gallo81]

Nice review, I really enjoy it. Have you tried the Shanling EC3? I think it would be great to compare them to each other.

[@Tharbamar]

I have not tried EC3 yet, thanks

[@andyheng498f]

Can I check with u , is this CD player able to play Random play instead of from Track 1 and continue to the end of the last song ?

[@RomanCanas]

Can anyone tell me if the optical laser is exposed when the lid is removed? If so, that would be easier to clean it. I have a cd player and have to clean it often

[@user-kr8pq2fv9q]

Sorry for unrelated question, its my first time leaving a message. I have seen almost all of your video, I like your attitude for hifi, so I try to follow your steps. I got the Denon sx11 yesterday , and I am looking for power cables for it. Do still recomend the mogami 3104 non earth method for sx11 ?

[@Tharbamar]

No problem, yes that’s all you need but if you like you can also do the shielding, thanks

[@user-kr8pq2fv9q]

@@Tharbamar thank you for the advice, very appreciate !

[@masterblaster8119]

How does it compare to Shanling ec3 soundwise?

[@AudioTnT]

The specs mention coax, optical and USB inputs as well as outputs; is selection done using the remote or an App? Tnx.

[@AudioTnT]

User manual much clearer. Digital inputs (coax, optical, usb) outputs... to analog RCA, XLR. Chinglish on online sales sites needs improvement 😄

[@mr_billb]

Mr Tharbamar - does the smsl pl200 have variable analog outputs? (Volume control so you can connect directly to a power amplifier) Thank you, it looks like a winner.

[@Tharbamar]

Yes it does have pre mode as I mentioned in my review.

[@Jil8840]

I would like to see it compared side by side with another cd player in the same category, to evaluate how good it is.

[@sidah877]

Hi Sir will you be able to review denafrips with accuphase e4000. Thank you.

[@Tharbamar]

Hi I did use the paring in this review and comment on it, thanks KLH Model 3 Review, Best Buy Speaker Of 2023 kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6KldmZnmZuChNU

[@WorldView22]

Thank you for this review. I watched two other YT reviewers and both mentioned that SMSL PL200 sounds rather bad or mediocre as a CD transport using the coaxial digital output. It would be good to know whether the Toslink output would be any better; did you try it?

[@Tharbamar]

It is all depends on paring components, please see my review. Thanks

[@WorldView22]

@@TharbamarI did and you only mentioned at 12:44 that you tested it via coax…

[@mahasidha9]

Does it play SACD?

[@chilli6565]

How do you think the smsl pl 200 would go against the Rotel cd 11 tribute or at a higher price the new Arcam Radia cd5

[@Tharbamar]

As always sound is subjective, PL200 is much better with higher resolution capability and balanced design, Pre and Transport functions are can't be match by them and best of all it comes with best DAC chip currently available, Thanks

[@59seank]

Tharbarmar, can you please comment on the transport noise. I like to have my CD player on the table right next to me. Will I hear the transport?

[@Tharbamar]

@59seank I made this video for you and those who might have same question. SMSL PL200 CD Transport Noise Test kzbin.infoWBafyMqGobE?feature=share

[@radicalrealmrecordings42]

Does this SMSL PL200 do gapless playback between tracks??

[@philipgibbons4112]

this is what I'd like to know as well....if it is gapless, I'll purchase one right away!

[@anonymousmc7727]

I’m gonna have to stick with my esoteric dv-50s😊

[@kinnismak4091]

Nice review. Thinking about smsl d400 pro or pl200 because more listen Tidal usually nowaday. Hope you can talk about d400 pro too! Thanks

[@AG-6969]

I bought this, having issues! I can use RCA, or Coax, or optical to hook it up as my amp has all three. BUT on optical, the remote will not operate the volume of the player. Only the amp volume works. Also, sometimes when going from listening to music to the menu, I cannot exit the menu, it just shows "Read'y and is stuck there till I turn the CD player completely off and turn back on. Is my unit defective? Or what?

[@Tharbamar]

I would try factory reset and try with just one optical cable first, otherwise you'll have to contact the dealer where you purchase it from.

[@AG-6969]

@@Tharbamar : thanks for replying! I have only the optical cable connecting the CD player to my amp. Still no volume control using the remote. Also, tried factory reset, no difference. Purchased from Amazon, they only let you return but it take almost 2 months to get money back, wish I knew that before using Amazon!

[@Tharbamar]

I’m not sure if I understand this correctly, Optical cable from PL200 to your amplifier? PL200 volume control will not work on optical cables because it just digital signal, PL200 volume control has to through Analog cable to your amplifier.

[@AG-6969]

@@Tharbamar Ok. thank you.

[@carminedesanto6746]

I’m still spinning cd 💿 on a Denon 3520 player ..and it’s on its 3rd external DAC 🤣

[@snakecharmer1542]

I also use a DCD3520, Love it

[@carminedesanto6746]

@@snakecharmer1542yes, it sometimes shows its age ..but it’s a freak’n Beast!

[@lucab5652]

Hey darling. I'm Luca from Italy I have bought the same player, but it struggles with my cds. My older one cd player used to read better. By the end of the day pl200 reads them, but this situation is a little strange. Do you experience the same situations?

[@Tharbamar]

Hi I didn’t have any reading problem with my discs but I do not use any burned CDs, thanks

[@lucab5652]

@@Tharbamar thanks a lot for your answer. I appreciated it so much. I don't use burned discs too. I only use original ones !

[@leviuslee8896]

If I use headphones and skip tracks from a CD, it makes a noise like it is turning on and off as soon as I click the button for the next track. Did you notice that? It is kind of annoying.

[@Tharbamar]

I didn’t test CD playback with headphones, only with the main system.

[@leviuslee8896]

@@Tharbamar I love everything about the player but this issue is a dealbreaker.

[@AudioTnT]

A great intro to this CD player. Innovative, well built and perhaps challenges $5 k offerings from Hegel, etc. For those who don't have Internet, and can't figure out streaming this might be perfect for them. I have 1 MQA CD and 1 SACD...both pretty niche IMO.

[@briancampbell7712]

SACD does make a diierence...CD's are getting more popular with all the different remastering of them to SACD, Shm and MF...others as well that I'm probably forgetting...and they are selling at a premium price...but if you are an Audiophile you don't mind...I will say that there are some of the original copies of the original music out there that were made in certain countries...and those can sound better than the premium priced remastered copies...a lot of research and being lucky if you score one of those originals, otherwise pay more and get very good sounding remastered copy...And you thought just the DAC's and streamers were the gold mine for companies putting a different one out every week...It takes Audiophiles getting burned and a lot of homework and auditioning a lot of equipment or buying and selling for a big losss to learn more of how to really be an Audiophile...then there is so much blah blah & snake oil to weed through as well😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Andersljungberg]

But then the question is whether it is perhaps easier to find famous artists on MQA CD. Or buy albumi hi-res download. But then you should probably choose a file type that is not compressed. uncompressed such as Wav or AIFF

[@Andersljungberg]

However, there are DSD levels that are of a higher level than what you can find on an SACD as far as I know. But then it's about buying DSD files that you download

[@REX4340]

Your favourite track is on CD?

[@Tharbamar]

Actually it was only released on SACD with all DSD recording without post processing. It’s not my favorite track but she let me use the music.

[@REX4340]

​@@Tharbamarsacd/cd disc i assume

[@Tharbamar]

Yes SACD with CD layer.

[@VirusForPrez]

called a Hybrid Sacd .

[@howard5992]

@@Tharbamar - it's a great tune. And it's your theme song now. Has been for some time. Thanks for all your work.

[@matytinman]

Good sound. More body than Audalytic AH90 DAC. Sound demo: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5mVpYx4g7SHaNk And with 80 $ more you have a CD player!

[@Simplyveej]

Not sure if it is because of the recording, but I am hearing a lot of sibilance and digital glare

[@AudioTnT]

The room acoustics and microphone quality are also factors. This sound sample isn't the most flattering.

[@Tharbamar]

Please let me know how do you listen to it because I have proper description for how to listen to my sound samples and have you heard original music?

[@1324390]

You're listening through your cellphone or computer speakers/headphones...

[@Simplyveej]

@@Tharbamar I am hearing the same way as other sound samples from other KZbin videos, many of which do not sound as sibilant / have as much digital glare. Therefore I don’t think it is because of how I am listening. However, I will try through good headphones and report back if anything changes.

[@Tharbamar]

Thanks for your feedback.

[@cesarjlisboa7586]

Doesn’t play SACD, it’s a reason to think twice..

[@thinkIndependent2024]

Last I checked Sony won't allow it due to copy protection but. Upsample 176.4/24 is top notch on 44/16 content

[@thinkIndependent2024]

I've been waiting for a review on this product. Thanks perfect timing

[@VirusForPrez]

Does anything still play SACD's ?

[@cesarjlisboa7586]

@@thinkIndependent2024 upsample without good speed transfer, the streaming services like Qobuz will make a frustrating experience, buying.

[@amb3cog]

@@VirusForPrezThere's a few out there. Some cheap ones. But to get a decent one isn't that cheap usually. I've certainly never seen one in this price range with this SQ. Which makes me wonder WTF the OP is even talking about. The Marantz Model SACD 30n is the one I would get myself. It's also a streamer, and a DAC. So it covers almost all the digital bases. But the 50n seems almost nicer for less money. But no SACD w/ that one. Just regular CD. The main issue for me is bang for buck. Between the extra cost and hassle of getting the player, and the ridiculous prices of the SACD's themselves. I just don't see it being worth it myself. But for those with bigger budgets. It's not a bad way to go I suppose. Yamaha makes one too BTW. And I think Technics does too. As well as Denon. There's also a few universel type players. But they're designed for home theater uses mainly. So I don't know about SQ. Another alternative is the OPPO players. They don't make them anymore. But they can be found used still. A little pricey, but they're supposed to have heat SQ. ✌️

[@johnminassian4887]

Just want a CD Transport.....no DAC, no headphone amp, no streamer. I like top loaders too. The tray is a weak point.

[@AdiMaco]

The sound is not bad. Why I don't say is good or very good? Because it is a bit dry and thin and there are no decays in the sound. I listened here on your channel to cheaper SMSL and Topping DACs, which sounded much, much better than this CD player. Your reviews are very good and enlightening, but I don't like this CD player!

[@tariqaziz6551]

Hey buddy if you listened to the recording of the music on this video then you using your own dac when listening to the music. You have to use the actual device in your own system to appreciate the sound quality of the player

[@saltyolive_]

the reviewer needs a reality check

[@Tharbamar]

Explain why?

[@DannySmith-mu3pt]

You need to have some training in presentation.

[@VirusForPrez]

A cd player ? Just rip your cd's to PCM files and listen through a modern dac .

[@Tharbamar]

This is a modern CD player with one of the best DAC.

[@jimmyaxelsson1312]

Cd sound is werry dead or clinical... The greatest brand on cd have try to copy the alive vinyl sound whitout any noice.....some players do it werry good....I use both cd and vinyl... I have a roksan caspian m2... It make the cds to sparkle... Enjoy the music

[@ChrisTaylor-dz6nk]

Mqa.impossible.its sales talk.its dead now

[@user-kr8pq2fv9q]

Will you review the SMSL VMV D2r DAC that recently came out?