SMSL SH-9 THX AAA 888 Headphone Amplifier Review

Thanks Apos Audio for the loan of the SH-9!

My Reviews of Gear Mentioned:

[johnellison]

Fantastic review. Im from the UK and I actually have the SH-9 and Asgard 3 as well. I tested them both side by side using an A-B switch and like you said there really isn't much in it between the two. TBH I struggled to here any difference at all using most of my headphones using the SU-9 as the dac.

Its a great little amp from SMSL. Cannot fault it at all and it even comes with a remote which is why I use it in my living room setup 👍

[VeeHausen]

I have a lot of amps....I bought two Sp200's and they've managed to stay in my signal chain forever! I personally love my Schiit gear but dammit the Sp200's, for me, just sounded RIGHT! I've always wanted to try the SH-9 and/or Sp400 but wasn't sure on the cost/benefit compared that what I already have....I do like the square'er look though!

[dennism]

Wave! Great review, brother. I have been pondering if I should replace the SP200 with this... OR... the SP400. I think that would be a great head-to-head comparison video, don't ya think? If you could make that happen that would be a don't miss! As always, thanks for the great work.

[Hakku]

Thank you for the review. <3
Where is "the beast", the Lake People G111 standing between this amps, what´s your opinion on it?

[morovis]

I was wondering if you discussed the Loxjie P20 Power supply problem in one of your videos. If not can you give a brief explanation.

[lucasdeixonne]

Hello ! Unhappy smsl SP200 owner here for all the reason you specified ! Your review could not have come at a better time as I was considering to upgrade to the smsl sh9 since I also heard that it kept the strength of the THX tech while correcting its previous flaws.

I own a sennheiser hd6xx and I recently got a hifiman edition XS and a hd800 (that I love btw). I own a Topping E30 dac, but I might upgrade to a SMSL SU9 or another good balanced dac soon.

I also ordered an Eufonika H5 latest version (a "bottlehead cracky" OTL amp hand built in Poland but with a very clean preamp output line) because I also like the tube tonality and own some good NOS tubes.

My current goal is, firstly, to get a Solid State amp that is very different from the tube universe to get a pleasantly different amp sound signature, and secondly to have a transparent enough amplifier to plug the eufonika tube amp on it as a preamp and get some tubey sound out of the edition XS (or whatever planar i will get in the future).

So, first, do you think that my "strategy" is good, and would the smsl SH9 be a good buy in my headphone and equipment stage ? If you think other amp would be a better option for me then by any mean don't hesitate recommending them to me !

Thanks in advance, and as always very good review ^^

(ps : I live in france, so SMSL is far easier to get vs shiit)

[acecabusas]

Great review! Can you review any of there Ifi Zen Stacks, whether the Signatures or just the plain Zen Can and Zen DAC stacks? Thanks. :)

[YTjuanchicod]

What about sp400 in terms of soundstage depth and imaging?

[crate]

is the asgard 3 good for classical music and accoustical instruments?

[dalejail]

how is the bass, transients/dynamics/slam, and stage/imaging compared to d30 pro?

[crate]

Would the smsl su6 sound good with the sh9? i already own the su6 sh6 dac stack

[alessandrodifrancesco]

you don't have good enough headphones to properly test dacs and amps. Instead of owning 6-7 mid range headphones I would buy if I was you, 1-2 high end headphones. Your reviews would be more credible.