Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
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VA1
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Manufacturer details
- Design: Portable headphone amplifier
- Versions Available: Dt/K standard version & HD version (specially for Sennheiser features)
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- SMSL amplifiers, particularly the AO series, offer a versatile feature set, including USB DAC functionality, Bluetooth connectivity, and subwoofer outputs, making them suitable for diverse audio setups, often at an affordable price.
- They incorporate quality components, such as Infineon Class D amplifier chips, NJRC potentiometers, and TI op-amps, reflecting a deliberate choice to balance performance and cost.
- SMSL DACs often provide a neutral and transparent sound signature, aiming for accurate audio reproduction with excellent detail retrieval.
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Used
SMSL
What if you spend more?
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Each channel uses 40 pcs, and total 80 pcs selected low-noise op amps in parallel design; The distortion is as low as 0.00006%, and the SNR is as low as 137dB! High output power, 16 ohm output power up to 11.5W, 32 ohms up to 5.5W; Relay Switching Volume attenuator，completely avoid imbalance between the left and right channels! 3 gears gain control, low gain is specially optimized for IEM; Pre-out function, can be used as Hi-End pre-amp; Tempered glass optically bonded IPS display screen Ultra-compact design, very suitable for desktop system; High precision low-temperature drift resistance, performance is not affected by temperature; High-quality relay and non-impact sound design; 20Hz to 100KHz(-0.5dB) frequency response; The headphone amplifier has comprehensive protections such as DC, overvoltage, and overload protection; Built-in high efficiency and low noise power supply system
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Product Strengths
- Very sturdy and well-built headphone amplifier made out of aluminum
- Plenty of power and driving capabilities for both high impedance headphones and low impedance planars
- Tonality is well balanced with nothing emphasized or lacking across the frequency spectrum
- Sounds very natural and coherent, with no edgy or rough parts in its performance
- Offers good detail retrieval, separation, and layering of instruments and vocals
Product Considerations
- As a preamp, sound staging isn't particularly wide or deep compared to dedicated preamps
- The black volume knob is described as plasticky and some reviewers wish it was silver to match the chassis
- Lacks a 12V trigger, which would be a much-needed option
- Can run hot
- No auto-standby mode
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Topping A90D: SH-X adds a slight hint of warmth in the bass section and is slightly more alive–engaging sounding, while A90D sounds more ruler flat
- Vs aune S17 Pro: SH-X can compete head to head with S17 Pro in 50mA mode, but S17 Pro edges it out in 100mA mode sounding tonally richer and fuller
Takeaway: The SMSL SH-X is a beautifully built and powerful headphone amplifier that offers a clean and transparent sound. It is a great choice for those wanting a high-performing amplifier with versatile connectivity options.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Fully balanced discrete design for ultra-high power output. The distortion is as low as 0.00006%, and the SNR is as low as 133dB! High output power, 16 ohm output power up to 15W, 32 ohms up to 7.5W; Relay Switching Volume attenuator，completely avoid imbalance between the left and right channels! 3 gears gain control, low gain is specially optimized for IEM; Pre-out function, can be used as Hi-End pre-amp; Tempered glass optically bonded IPS display screen Ultra-compact design, very suitable for desktop system; High precision low-temperature drift resistance, performance is not affected by temperature; High-quality relay and non-impact sound design; 20Hz to 100KHz(-0.5dB) frequency response; The headphone amplifier has comprehensive protections such as DC, overvoltage, and overload protection; Built-in high efficiency and low noise power supply system; Equipped with remote control, full-function remote control.
Product Strengths
- Delivers plenty of power for almost all headphones on the market
- Has a neutral sound signature with good detail retrieval throughout the frequency spectrum
- Balanced output provides greater clarity, instrument separation, and a wider soundstage
- Features a redesigned and modern-looking user interface with simple controls
- Offers clean sound, remote control, and precise volume control, suitable for a wide range of headphones from IEMs to difficult-to-drive models
Product Considerations
- Single-ended output sound is good, but the balanced output is noticeably better—meaning a balanced cable is recommended
- Compared to the Topping A70 Pro, it has less weight and grunt in the bassline
- The volume adjustment process can be a little choppy when using the soft volume control
- Does not have a DAC inside, it is just a headphone amplifier with analog inputs only
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Topping A70 Pro: H400 has a quicker, more nimble bass, and a more lively and sparkly sound in the higher frequencies, while A70 Pro is bassier and slightly warmer
Takeaway: The SMSL H400 is a well-built, powerful headphone amplifier that provides great sound quality, especially when using balanced output. It is a great choice for anyone looking for a reliable amplifier with a clean interface and plenty of features.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Fully balanced design, 4 ultra-low distortion precision linear feedback circuit (PLFC)! The distortion is as low as 0.00006%, and the SNR is as low as 133dB! A total of 99 low-noise op-amps are used in a parallel design. High output power, 16 ohm output power up to 12W, 32 ohms up to 6W; The specially designed volume potentiometer greatly reduces channel deviation; 3 gears gain control, low gain is specially optimized for IEM; Pre-out function, can be used as Hi-End pre-amp; Classic retro toggle switch operation; Ultra-compact design, very suitable for desktop headphone system; High-precision low-temperature drift resistance, performance is not affected by temperature; High-quality relay and non-impact sound design; 20Hz to 100KHz(-0.5dB) frequency response; The headphone amplifier has comprehensive protections such as DC, overvoltage, and overload protection; Built-in high-efficiency and low-noise power system.
Product Strengths
- Original and stylish design
- High power output, up to 12 watts
- Overload protection
- The XLR, RCA input switch, the headphone amplifier or preamplifier switch, and the low, mid, and high gain switches are located on the back of the unit, potentially making them difficult to access
Product Considerations
- The unit uses 99 low-noise op-amps in parallel, which is considered excessive and potentially detrimental to sound quality
- The unit uses the cheapest balanced potentiometer
- The unit uses a couple of switching power supplies
- The total harmonic distortion is only at its super magical level with a very high wattage
Takeaway: The VMV amp has high power and overload protection that might work to drive headphones. It could be a great amp for someone willing to try it out.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Product Strengths
- Improved battery management offering faster charging rates and better efficiency than its predecessor
- Features a new USB-C data input for greater flexibility alongside other inputs
- Offers the world's first lossless DSP for tone adjustments without degrading sound quality, providing customization options
- Excellent resolution and dynamics with a large soundstage and extreme detail
Product Considerations
- The Mojo 2 can get warm when in a pocket for a period of time
- Complicated menu navigation with color-coded buttons that may require the manual
- Still uses Micro-USB for charging, which some find outdated
Takeaway: The Chord Mojo 2 is an exceptional DAC/headphone amplifier for those seeking high-resolution audio and customized sound in a portable format that is easy to move. Its sonic accuracy, detailed soundstage, and improved features provide a versatile and enjoyable listening experience, making it a worthwhile consideration for audio enthusiasts.
Video review
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What competes at this price?
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Excellent build quality, featuring a CNC milled aluminum chassis and durable construction
- Achromatic Audio Amplifier (AAA) technology by THX, aiming for transparent sound reproduction without coloration
- Relay volume control provides precise channel matching
- Plenty of power to drive a wide range of headphones, from sensitive IEMs to demanding planars
- Balanced XLR inputs and outputs
Product Considerations
- No pre-amp output
- The notched volume control might not be to everyone's liking
- Gets quite warm during use, especially with the SU-9 DAC stacked on top
- Some reviewers noticed a clicking noise when adjusting the volume
- The three-feet design may not be as stable as a four-feet design
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs. SMSL SP200: Better unit at repelling noise, with a higher signal-to-noise ratio and lower total harmonic distortion—completely solved the SP200's issue with not having a pitch-black background
- Vs. Benchmark HPA4: Very close to the HPA4 in performance, with some minor differences observed only with high-end headphones
Takeaway: The SMSL SH-9 is a well-built and powerful headphone amplifier with a clean, transparent sound. It is a good choice for audiophiles looking for an accurate and detailed listening experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Budget-friendly headphone amplifier focused on quality
- Robust all-aluminum exterior, with rigid toggle switches, and smooth volume control, giving it the same fit and finish as SMSL's higher-end HO200
- Delivers a clean, neutral, and transparent sound, faithfully reproducing the source audio without adding coloration
- Extremely low noise floor
- Versatile due to its three gain levels (low, mid, high) and its ability to drive both sensitive IEMs and harder-to-drive headphones
Product Considerations
- Lacks balanced and unbalanced outputs for connecting to powered speakers, functioning solely as a headphone amplifier
- Does not have preamp capability
- Reviewers have noted average microdetails
- While the design looks smart and subdued, the tempered glass panel easily grabs fingerprints, requiring frequent cleaning
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs SMSL HO200: HO100 lacks RCA/XLR outputs and has lower wattage, but is more compact and is preferred if the extra power and outputs are not needed
- Vs FiiO K5 PRO: It has better driving power, a lower noise floor with IEMs, and lower distortion at maximum volume
- Vs JDS Labs Atom+: It has higher maximum power, handles maximum volume better with lower distortion, and offers better overall detail in the micro detail, and a more relaxing signature
Takeaway: The SMSL HO100 is a compact yet powerful headphone amplifier that delivers clean, neutral sound suitable for various headphones. It is well-built and offers excellent value for audiophiles seeking a high-quality listening experience.
Video review
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- The DO400 is a versatile device, serving as a DAC, preamp, headphone amplifier, and Bluetooth receiver
- It offers a highly resolving and transparent sound, with a measured dynamic range of 133dB on its XLR output and 126dB on its headphone output
- It has very tight control over the drivers, sounds quite dynamic and clean, and delivers a punchy sound
- The DO400 features extensive I/O with HDMI, USB, XLR 4-Pins, and Pentaconn 4-Pins
Product Considerations
- It does not have analog inputs, which limits the sources one can pair it with
- The DO400's case cover is steel, and the rotary knob wobbles
- Some may find its sound signature a bit too linear for some genres
- The remote control is plastic-y
- The speedy nature of the ESC by Silicon might result in a less impressive initial kick in the eardrums via headphones, compared to the XLR and RCA outputs
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the Topping DX7 Pro Plus, the DO400 is more organic and dynamic sounding
- Compared to the Topping DX5, the DO400 offers noticeably better line output
- Compared to the Chord Mojo 2, the Chord Mojo 2 sounds better when used as a DAC, offering better detail retrieval and a richer tone timbre, but the DO400 has more power
- Compared to the SMSL SU-9, the DO400 sounds slightly brighter and less-smoothed over—there's an analytical quality to the treble end
Takeaway: The SMSL DO400 is a great-sounding all-in-one unit that offers a lot of features for the price. Its noiseless performance with IEMs and ability to drive most headphones make it a worthwhile purchase.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- 'Ridiculous power for a headphone amp' with 6 watts at 16 ohms and 3 watts at 32 ohms
- Able to drive everything from IEMs all the way through to the most power-hungry headphones
- Very low noise floor
- All-metal chassis with a nice matte-black finish
- Clean, smooth, and detailed sound, without anything to complain about
Product Considerations
- Volume knob is shallow and not particularly enjoyable to grasp
- Can be a little edgy up top with certain headphones
- A little more articulation and crispness at the leading edge of notes would be preferred
- Some found soundstage smaller than expected
- Gain is still a little too high for IEMs
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the SMSL SH-8S, the HO200 has a multi-level gain switch with low, medium, and high and is preamp capable, but the SH-8S is more detailed and textured
- Compared to the Topping A90, the HO200 is a 'baby brother'
- Compared to the JDS Labs Atom Amp, it is a lot more dynamic in bass
Takeaway: The SMSL HO200 is a powerful and versatile headphone amplifier that doesn't sound sterile and boring. It is a solid choice for anyone who wants a clean and detailed sound with enough power to drive a wide range of headphones and IEMs.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Enjoyable overall presentation with a punchy bassline, slightly euphonic midrange, and crystalline treble response
- Expansive soundstage that allows the music to breathe and come to life
- Enough power to drive most moderately hard-to-drive headphones, even those with higher impedance
- Detailed and textured vocal range that is a touch more forward and warmer than clinically accurate
- Tactile controls allow quicker access to changing any of the settings on the device
Product Considerations
- Slight bright tilt, which may require careful pairing with other components
- Bass is present, but slightly rolled off
- Lacks a screen, which some users may find to be a downside
- Balanced connection is present for convenience, as the amplifier itself is not a differential design—meaning it's single-ended by nature
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- SMSL SH-8s bass tends to be a touch more forward, SMSL SH-9 delivers a slightly tighter bass line
- The SMSL SH-9 has a markedly more controlled treble response
- Both have similar power output at 16Ω, but Topping A30 Pro maintains higher power at 32Ω
- The SMSL SH-8s has a fuller instrument timbre, but Topping A30 Pro has a more euphonic vocal range
- The SMSL SH-8s has much bigger headroom, and feels more spacious compared to the Geshelli Labs Archel 2.5 Pro
- The SMSL SH-8s is clearly digging more details, and is also able to develop a wider soundstage with better separation and layering than the Topping L30
Takeaway: The SMSL SH-8s is a well-built amplifier that sounds promising. If the listener has darker sounding headphones or a darker source, the SMSL SH-8s might be worth checking out to open the sound a little bit.
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