SMSL PS200 Mini DAC Review – ES9039Q2M & Bluetooth 5.0
The PS200 from SMSL is a small, compact DAC featuring quality components. It features an ES9039Q2M DAC chip, an XMOS XU316 USB interface, and no fewer than 4 OPAs. It supports sampling rates up to PCM 32bit 768kHz, native DSD up to DSD512, and MQA and MQA-CD streams. Bluetooth reception is also included for a fast, stable wireless connection.
The SMSL PS200 features an ES9039Q2M 2-channel 32bit DAC chip featuring SABRE HiFi architecture and HyperStream IV Dual DAC technology. The USB input also features a third-generation XMOS XU316 interface. This combo enables the SMSL PS200 to support sampling rates up to PCM 32Bit 768kHz, DSD DoP256, DSD512, and even MQA/MQA-CD.
The PS200 can be easily paired with a smartphone via Bluetooth for stable, reliable wireless transmission. It supports the standard SBC codec, so you can quickly enjoy your streaming services or music library.
On the interface side, we find the essentials with a USB-C input, an optical Toslink input, a coaxial input, and a stereo RCA output. A switch allows the selection of the UAC1 or UAC2 protocol on the USB input for driverless compatibility with video game consoles. The whole unit is powered via the same USB-C port with 5V DC.
A UAC1/UAC2 selection switch on the rear panel of the SMSL PS200 lets you change the transmission protocol of its USB input. The UAC1 protocol enables driverless connection to video game consoles (PS5, Nintendo Switch, etc.). After each change, the device must be rebooted for the change to take effect.
The SMSL PS200’s three inputs support MQAx8 decoding.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Product Type | DAC |
| DAC chip | ES9039Q2M |
| USB interface | XMOS XU316 |
| Inputs | 1x USB-C 1x Optical Toslink 1x Coaxial SPDIFBluetooth |
| Output | 1x Stereo RCA |
| Supported sample rates | USB: PCM up to 32bit 768kHz, DSD DoP up to DoP256, Native DSD up to DSD512, MQA/MQA-CD Optical Toslink and coaxial: PCM up to 24bit 192kHz, DSD DoP64, MQA/MQA-CD |
| Supported Bluetooth codec | SBC |
| Output level | 2Vrms |
| THD+N | 0.0001% (-118dB) |
| Dynamic range | 123dB |
| SNR | 123dB |
| USB protocol | UAC1 / UAC2 |
| General | |
|---|---|
| Power supply | 5V via USB-C (do NOT use fast-charge adapter) |
| Dimensions | 105 x 80 x 22mm |
| Weight | 90g |
| Color | Black |
| Package | 1x SMSL PS200 DAC 1x USB-C to USB-C cable |
I want to thank Aoshida Audio for providing me with the review sample of SMSL PS200.
Sound
The SMSL PS200 is a neutral-sounding DAC with an exciting and dynamic sound signature. It is well-extended with a good dynamic range, presenting complicated arrangements with no vagueness.
The unit has average good performance alongside above-average imaging performance. Its neutral and exciting tonality makes it pair well with neutral-sounding amps.
The SMSL PS200 has a clean but engaging timbre that does not color the overall tonal balance at all, It does not add any warmth or brightness to the sound but rather preserves its original tonality while adding some excitement via its good dynamics.
Low-end bass drum hits are not given additional weight and bass riffs do not bleed into the lower mids. Despite this, deep male vocals do not sound hollow due to the DAC’s good extension towards the low end.
Bass hits have a strong impact and good texture. The difference in texture was quite noticeable when compared to other less capable DACs.
The mid-range was neutral but exciting. String instruments are well articulated and textured, and vocal performances are presented in a way that maintains all nuance. Once again, the sheer texture playback was the immediate standout to me.
High-pitched female vocals are presented with a slight sparkle, giving a better sense of detail. The treble region is presented in a very detailed manner. Different cymbal strikes can be easily differentiated from one another, but it does not introduce any sibilance in its presentation.
Snare drums sounded full and nuanced, compared to the compressed “crunchy” snare drum playback I observed in other more affordable DACs.
Despite this, the high end was the only part of the frequency response that did not wow me. Don’t get me wrong, its performance is fine, but nothing I heard on the high end made me feel that it was unequivocally better than the DACs I’ve tried before.
The SMSL PS200 has an impressive dynamic range, contributing to the exciting and dynamic sound signature of the unit. The first thing that stood out once I started using the SU-1 was how much livelier all sounds in the mix came off as.
The sheer volume difference between the loudest and softest instruments within a mix gives the music a more natural yet engaging tonality. It contributes to the feeling that the band is playing right in front of you, instead of listening to a recorded track through some headphones.
This improvement is better observed in tracks with complex arrangements and multiple layers. Other less capable DACs may present different layers in a way that makes them sound like a solid wall of sound, but the D-6S make each layer easily distinguishable from one another.
The SMSL PS200’s staging performance is quite good, giving tracks a more atmospheric sound, especially in lower-end rumbles and bass riffs.
It has accurate imaging and positioning that place the instruments and vocal locations precisely in the space. There is no sense of vagueness and individual instruments can be easily isolated.
Sum-Up
The SMSL PS200 looks cheap, feels cheap but sounds amazing. For $89.99 the performance is better compared to many dongle DACs in the market.