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SMSL SP200 THX AAA-888 Balanced Headphone Amp
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SMSL SP200 THX AAA-888 Balanced Headphone Amp
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Product Description
SMSL has joined forces with THX to create a high-performing balanced headphone amp with next to no distortion. True to its name, the SMSL SP200 THX AAA-888 Balanced Headphone Amp features ground-breaking THX AAA-888 technology to deliver detailed audio with extreme output power and impressively low crosstalk Read More
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keyboard_arrow_downmattris
1278
Keyboard Club Member
Jun 19, 2020
Pay now. Wait a month. Or, ya know, you could just pay $24 more (on Amazon) and have it in a few days.
Considering the new price of the 789, the previous 'value' of this inferior-sounding unit is not what it once was.
Xii-Nyth
21
Nov 26, 2021
the only main thing that happens is something cant make ceratin waves go big so the bass is anemic etc, other than that amps dont actually really affect sound and its just in ur head
mattris
1278
Keyboard Club Member
Nov 26, 2021
Xii-NythBased on that statement, I can just as easily say that "something cant make ceratin waves go big so the bass is anemic etc" is just in your head. Can you elaborate?
postwarscars
1367
Mar 31, 2021
Well, the user I was replying to has since removed their comments, but largely the article states the things I'm talking about. The person I replied to originally said there was a "notable and drastic difference in sound quality (more or less what he said)" with a "fully balanced" amp, which is ridiculous.
As I said, if you could prove to me that a "true balanced" system is any more capable than the implementations that the THX amps use, then you are more than welcome to show me why. But, as it stands, that article doesn't articulate such, as the THX amps benefit from the majority of the things in that article. You don't have to have a fully balanced design to reap the rewards of balanced connections: you still get noise rejection, and you're still getting more voltage/headroom.
RVDIII
70
Jan 15, 2021
Thanks for your perspective... They did tell me if it does not say "Manufacturers Warranty" in the details...There is none!
postwarscars
1367
Jan 15, 2021
RVDIIIYeah, they have it listed in their FAQ that way, but I think it strongly depends on the company. My assumption would be liability reasons, but Drop has sold grey market items in the past which was an issue.
I generally only purchase Drop specific items here. Largely because other retailers both have equivalent prices, or will replace/refund more easily. Drop has some customer service issues, no question about it.
(Edited)
adi518
292
May 4, 2020
I ordered the SP200 like a month ago (from another site) should be delivered this week. Its corresponding DAC was just released: https://hifigo.com/blogs/news/smsl-m200-dac-released-latest-dac-solution. Tilt doesn't look so bad now.
The pic is misleading, it says "M400", but it's actually the M200.
(Edited)
tvr2500m
145
May 5, 2020
I have one of these and a Drop x THX AAA-789. ...and other amps. I really dig the SMSL. I also like the 789. What I like about the SP200 is it's smaller footprint (I dig the rhomboidness in a Geary kind of way), built-in power supply, and that you have full power from either the XLR or 6.35 mm phone jacks.
And I see there's a "matching" DAC. Nifty.
I've had nothing but a positive experience from Drop. Most of my headfi world is Massdrop/Drop. Apos Audio has also been outstanding.
(Edited)
tvr2500m
145
May 6, 2020
The SMSL and Drop THX headphone amps sound the same to me, listening with all the different pieces of gear I have.
Sonically, a blindfolded coin-toss choice between them and you can't go wrong.
This is another one that might come down to form factor and features. I mentioned why I like the SMSL. For the Drop THX amp, it's larger, perhaps feeling like a more "substantive" desktop piece. It has a pass-through, three gain settings.
At the current $300 price, the Drop 789 is a great buy. You can't go wrong with either of them.
(Edited)
NoMuffinForYou
143
Jun 22, 2020
This is a great amp. This is not a great place to buy this amp.
Try https://apos.audio/ instead. Got this as a combo with the M200, saved a decent bit and they upgraded my shipping for free due to a certain global issue (ymmv on that last part though) and I had both in under a week. They also offer 30 day returns and a 2nd year of warranty. If you can wait an extra day or two they're like headphone Amazon except you don't make Jeff Bezos rich buying from them.
GuyInPittsburgh
509
Oct 1, 2020
NoMuffinForYouI second the apos recommendation. My experience with them left me completely satisfied. If you haven't looked at their website lately you should...they have continued to increase the number of brands that they sell. They will always match any lower price that you bring them and that includes prices on Drop. So you can get the drop price and have it in a few days or you can wait a few months and then a few more months after that by ordering it from Drop. For the brands that Apos carries, Drop no longer has a value proposition.
Mylene2006
46
Feb 1, 2022
NoMuffinForYouThank you! Although I certainly appreciate the Drop $140.0 price, which is a superb value, one simply cannot justify not accepting the Apos price matching guarantee, and an actual warranty (2 years) instead of none. Sometimes Drop is good, but your advice has given me a much better value and piece of mind. Plus, you're totally right about their attention to detail. I've dealt with Apos before, and they are always there if there is any issue whatsoever. They even upgraded my no charge shipping to express at n/c since I had to wait a few days for them to get the sp 200 back in stock. Again, Thanks
Andrew.damato
47
May 4, 2020
Spend the extra 30 dollars get it on Amazon. You’ll get it way before June.
jarlaxle_baenre
11
Oct 4, 2021
I'm torn between this deal and new Topping L50. Which one you good folks recommend. I'm by no means in a hurry.
jarlaxle_baenre
11
Oct 4, 2021
Thanks a lot. I think I'll go for L50. Lack of pass-through makes me reluctant.
(Edited)
citysinz
33
Dec 21, 2021
jarlaxle_baenreAs we are discussing your SP200 expectations in another conversation on 21 December 2021, the differences in the current price range ($140 USD to $290) seem minimal, other than the unusual SMSL aesthetic with the SP200 lol.
Your M500 looks like a great DAC/Head Amp combo unit. Good luck!
Asrei
126
May 4, 2020
(Edited)
bleakend
5
May 5, 2020
Thanks! Maybe I'll get one some time in the future if I get a harder pair of headphones to drive then, because I don't really have issues with the low gain with the Anandas
bleakend
5
May 5, 2020
I've read that for low impedance headphones, a higher current is needed for it to perform properly? Do you know if there is truth in this and if it would actually have any sonic benefit over the DX7 Pro Balanced output as compared to a dedicated amp like the 888?
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