SMSL DA-9 Class D Amp, Affordable High Quality Sound

S.M.S.L DA-9 Amplifier
TBR Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½

Pros: Good Power, Affordable Balanced Design.
Cons: Tiny Clipping Sound when Switching Inputs.

Impressive sound quality for the price.

Associated Equipments (Music Den)
B&W STAV24 Speaker Stands & A few custom made AC power cables.

Hey!
Only Option To Listen YouTube Sound Demo is with good headphones, not your favorite sound system because listening to two rooms at once is not a good thing, no matter how good your sound system is.

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Video Timeline
0:00 Review
7:03 Setting Menu
9:18 Easy Choice
9:53 Sound Sample

#goodsoundtoyou

[javiers.]

You are quickly becoming one of the more thorough and professional audio reviewer on YT. Given that you review gear through speakers and mix and match the same, very few of your peers just aren’t hanging with you. We’ll done!! Congrats.

[OOnti-dzjd]

I just ordered it. Paired with Elac b6.2. Your professional reviews are appreciated.

[mrt]

When your power cable is thicker than the amplifier :) Love your content.

[anthony]

I can't believe the sound of this one, it has good clear sound for it's size.

[landosazo]

Hello...how does this compare to the Sabaj A10a or A20a? thanks

[marksobotkin]

which one actually sounds better? The SMSL or the Sabaj?

[johnsweda]

Had anything to do with the smsl A1 class A looks good similar to a valve amplifier but solid-state fet, no reviews I can see you should get one!! Should be a good amplifier both current driven amplifiers.
You didn't show the EQ setting

[fluxcapacitor]

This amp has '' freeze at smsl logo'' issue wide spread. Buyers be aware.

[carlosvalverde]

Thank you for all your excellent and unbiased reviews and sound demos, very usefull, would you please test this little beauty´s BLUETOOTH specially in the LDAC and UAT formats (to test the UAT format you´ll need a Hiby DAP) to discover once for all how much improvement can we get from this bluetooth codecs compare to wired connection. Thanks

[randallparr]

Hi Tharbamar how does this amp compare to the Cyrus One, as both of them are class D.

[eXarace]

GREAT REVIEW!!! @Tharbamar
I just have a SMSL SA300
my smsl sa300 not have more power for my desktop configuration with Lonpoo LP42 (85dB). I listen Qobuz from PC Windows 10 -> DAC Topping E30 -> SA300 -> Lonpoo

have this DA-9 more power for me?

ps: over 60% volume the SA300 have a noise rumor

[KonradSkowronski]

I know it's another question but I would be very grateful if you could advice. What is the better sounding option, this SMSL DA-9 or Topping MX5? Topping is pricier but the difference would go on DAC for SMSL-DA9. This SMSL + budget DAC (what DAC?) or Topping MX5?

[fatboyvin]

SMSL AO200 with external dac such as schiit modi 3e/ifi zen dac v2/smsl d300/topping e50/e70 etc vs class AB amp from marantz pm7000n/pm8006, cambridge audio cxa61/c / dxa81 or avr85/100? Which one would you recommend for wharfedale diamond 12.2 / kef ls50 meta / wharefedale denton 85. I know this video was posted some 2 years back, would be greatly if you can reply to this query dear sir.

[floreempongase]

I'm contemplating on getting the SMSL DA-9 or the Rega IO. I know Rega IO is $200 more expensive but I would like to know what would be the better choice for me. I'm planning to hook it up with the Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2.

[cameronkrause]

You covered the main points very well. When I say main points I mean the points that I am interested in: power, signal to noise and a few others. I would be interested to know just how well the sound holds together when the amp is pushed hard. I realize that it is supposed to be stable down to 2ohms and thus one would think that it can handle being pushed hard but the specs do not always reveal the real character of an amplifier.

[aledwidge]

Hello, what are you using (make, manufacture) for your speaker cables?

[johngault-]

Your power cord must be more expensive than the DA9, we live in a funny upside down world...reminds me of those guys in South Houston who drove around in cars where the sound system cost more that the car...

[scor]

Ah!... A regulated switching power supply unit )))
There is a math that states that in order to reproduce the higher frequency (let's say 20kHz) with the same THD as A/B class is able to do, D class amplifier must switch at 27GHz. All current "acceptable" numbers are made artificially (with cutoff filters and so on). What you really hear is 5-10% at 20kHz. More over, a negative feedback is taken _before_ the last LC filter without fixture of a hysteresis of a ferrite choke. Check out IRS datasheets for example. So, you can imagine what signal presents there.
Of course, nobody will permit to take an A/B amplifier on Mars, but as we still have plenty of space and energy here on Earth, I see no reason to use worse technology. I'm an A/B/G guy.

[mtlovesongs]

10 months of audio joy, then it died. no lights, no sound, nothing. It has been sent back to China for repair. I miss it!

[randomfootprints]

Hi, I like you video, hope you could review harbeth m30.2 speaker.