Foshan ShuangMuSanLin Electronics, also known as SMSL, was founded in 2009 in Shenzhen, China. The company is specialized in audio DAC, stereo headphone amplifiers, and power amplifiers. If you need a ton of power in a small space, consider the SMSL SA-98E to drive your home audio speakers. The SMSL SA-98E is engineered around the STMicroelectronics TDA7498E amp chip and is built with quality electronic components from Panasonic, ALPS, WIMA, and Siemens. This amplifier, though small in size, will produce a whopping 160 watts per channel. The SMSL SA-36A Pro is the perfect amplifier to power small to medium-sized speakers in a near-field listening environment. Centered on the STMicroelectronics TDA7492, this Class-D amplifier is highly efficient while delivering deep bass and an expanded sound stage to the listener.
SMSL DACs
The SMSL AD18 is a DAC module that uses a DAC which features zero phase shift, a strong anti-inference ability using the CS8422 digital receiving chip. The signal then goes into the TAS5508C chip of the AD18 for digital sound processing and pre-amplification, sending it to the highly efficient (90%) TAS5342A chip, boosting the output up to 80 watts per channel. The SMSL AD18 features NFC and Bluetooth 4.2 wireless connectivity and supports your favorite wired inputs: AUX, 3.5mm coaxial, optical, and USB. As a flat, portable DAC/amp, the SMSL IQ is best paired with laptops or smartphones and high-end IEMs. To deliver an accurate, reference-quality sound, it uses well-regarded components. The IQ features a small OLED display on the left side. For users with balanced IEMs, the IQ has a 2.5-millimeter balanced output in addition to the 3.5-millimeter unbalanced output.
The SMSL DL300 is a high-end audio DAC and headphone amplifier that supports a wide range of high-resolution audio formats, including MQA, DSD512 and PCM up to 32bit/768kHz. The device features a dual mono design with one AK4499EX DAC chip per channel, resulting in ultra-low distortion and excellent sound quality. The DL200 has several input options, including USB, coaxial, optical and Bluetooth. It also offers several output options, including balanced and unbalanced headphone outputs, as well as RCA line outputs. The headphone amplifier is powerful enough to drive a wide range of headphones, including high-impedance models.
SMSL Headphones Amplifiers
Measuring only 9,53 x 7,62 cm and weighing just 2,2 kg, the SMSL M3 USB DAC / Headphone amplifier helps you achieve better sound without taking up too much space in your bag or on your desk. Equipped with the CS4398 DAC chip, it has a 24 bit/192 kHz sample rate via optical and coaxial and a 24 bit/96 kHz sample rate via USB.
SMSL’s latest addition to their headphone amplifier portfolio is the DA-8S. The SMSL DA-8S is a Bluetooth 5.0 power amplifier that features Infineon's new Class D chip from Germany to improve quality and reduce power consumption by up to 92 percent. It has a fully balanced design from inputs to outputs, which decreases signal transmission distortion.
SMSL Audio Stacks
When purchasing a desktop audio stack, it usually is important to match the synergy, tonality, and performance of audio decoders and amplifiers to achieve the highest possible performance within your budget and your audio output. To assist you to find the appropriate stack for your speaker systems, SMSL compiled two high-quality desktop stacks that include the latest and most reliable HiFi DACs, headphone amplifiers, and power amplifiers!
SMSL has been working on their 2-channel systems and the SMSL DA-9 is a Class-D amplifier designed to be stacked with the SMSL SU-9, the SMSL SD-9, and SMSL SH-9. All components were released between 2020 and 2021 and therefore on the latest technological standard.
SMSL's second stack is their xO200 audio stack series. This stack accommodates an integrated amplifier with the same characteristics and a Class-D designation. The SMSL AO200 is designed to be stacked with the SMSL DO200 DAC and the SMSL HO200 Headphone Amplifier / Preamplifier.
SMSL Amplifier
SMSL also joined the amplifier game by introducing the VMV A1, their latest power amplifier from the VMV premium-tier series. The VMV A1 uses some of the best available chips to create a classic FET Class A amplifier circuit. For a rich sound experience, it has premium components such as a high-precision volume chip, stabilized power supply circuit, high-quality Japanese audio sockets, and more. The VMV A1 is designed to power and get the maximum out of your high-tech audio components.
The big brother of the VMV A1 is the VMV A2; another power amplifier from SMSL's premium-tier VMV series. With a maximum output of 200 watts per channel, the VMV A2 delivers clear and powerful sound. Premium components such as Qualcomm Bluetooth hardware, DSD512, the latest DSP processors, and an ST high-power amplifier chip are included.
