SMSL H200 Fully Balanced Headphone Amplifier & Pre-amplifier

Reference Series SMSL H200 Fully Balanced Headphone Amplifier & Pre-amplifier A high-performance audiophile desktop headphone amplifier and balanced pre-amplifier, engineered with a discrete PLFC+ circuit to deliver transparent, high-fidelity sound. Highlights at a Glance 5W Balanced Power Effortlessly drives demanding planar magnetic and high-impedance dynamic headphones with authoritative control. Zero Channel Imbalance Electronic relay volume control keeps the left and right channels aligned, even at extremely low volumes. Tempered Glass IPS Screen Fully laminated color IPS display offers premium aesthetics and clear readability of your settings. Complete Protection DC, overvoltage, and overload safety features prevent sudden electrical changes from affecting your gear. Discrete PLFC+ Circuit Design for Clean Signal Amplification The core architecture of the SMSL H200 fully balanced headphone amplifier utilizes a meticulously engineered discrete component PLFC+ design. With a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 131dB and total harmonic distortion (THD+N) down to an exceptional 0.00007%, this amplifier offers a completely silent, jet-black background. High-precision, low-temperature drift resistors ensure stable, uncolored thermal performance over long listening sessions, bringing the nuances of high-resolution audio recordings directly to your ears. Flexible Gain Settings & High-Power Output for Planar and Dynamic Headphones As a robust desktop headphone amplifier, the SMSL H200 provides ample headroom to power demanding full-sized planar magnetic and dynamic headphones, driving up to 5W at 32 ohms over balanced connections. Simultaneously, sensitive in-ear monitors (IEMs) benefit from the low-gain setting (-9.5dB unbalanced / -3.5dB balanced). Backed by an electronic relay volume control system, it completely eliminates analog channel imbalance, offering solid, stable stereo imaging even at whisper-quiet listening volumes. Desktop Pre-amplifier Functionality for Active Studio Monitors The SMSL H200 easily transitions from an individual head-amp to a high-end balanced analog pre-amplifier. Featuring both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA pre-outputs on the rear panel, it integrates with active studio monitors and external power amplifiers. Using the full-function remote control, you can comfortably switch inputs and adjust volume levels from a distance. The internal high-quality muting relay system safeguards your downstream audio equipment by eliminating physical turn-on and turn-off pop sounds. In the Box Every SMSL H200 package includes the following essential components to ensure an immediate, high-fidelity connection to your audio system: SMSL H200 Fully Balanced Amplifier & Pre-amplifier Full-Function Remote Control (RC-8D) AC Power Supply Cord (Matched to destination country) User Manual / Instruction Guide Frequently Asked Questions Can the SMSL H200 be used as a standalone pre-amplifier? Yes, the H200 functions as a high-fidelity analog pre-amplifier. It features XLR balanced and RCA unbalanced pre-outputs on the rear panel, allowing direct connection to active studio monitors or power amplifiers. You can easily toggle between headphone output and pre-out modes via the front panel or the remote control. Will sensitive in-ear monitors (IEMs) experience background noise or hiss? No. The SMSL H200 features a dedicated low-gain setting (-9.5dB on single-ended / -3.5dB on balanced outputs) specifically designed for highly sensitive IEMs. This attenuates the noise floor, ensuring a completely quiet, hiss-free background. What are the benefits of electronic relay volume control? Traditional analog potentiometers often suffer from channel imbalance (one channel sounding louder than the other) at very low volume levels. The H200 uses discrete relays to switch high-precision resistors, ensuring exact left-to-right channel matching and stable stereo imaging at any volume step. SMSL H200 Specifications Parameter Details Inputs Balanced (XLR), Unbalanced (RCA) Headphone Outputs 4.4mm Balanced, 6.35mm Unbalanced Pre-outputs XLR Balanced, RCA Unbalanced Output Power (Balanced) 16Ω: 4W 32Ω: 5W 300Ω: 1000mW 600Ω: 500mW Output Power (Unbalanced) 16Ω: 2.5W 32Ω: 2W 300Ω: 300mW 600Ω: 150mW SNR & Dynamic Range 131dB THD+N -122dB, 0.00007% (1kHz, 150 Ω) Input Impedance 47kΩ Headphone Amp Output Impedance Near 0 Ω Pre-output Impedance Balanced: 44Ω | Unbalanced: 22Ω Frequency Response 20Hz - 100kHz (-0.5dB) Gain Settings Balanced: Low (-3.5dB), Middle (6dB), High (19.7dB) Unbalanced: Low (-9.5dB), Middle (0dB), High (13.7dB) Power Consumption <60W (EN60065) Dimensions & Weight 200 x 47.9 x 174.5 mm (WxHxD) | 1.2kg (2.65lbs) Product Lineage Masterclass SMSL H200 vs. H300 vs. H400 While the legacy H300 and the ultra-expensive H400 flagship have been retired, the newly released SMSL H200 emerges as the active champion—packing reference-class performance, premium features, and exceptional value into a compact design. Why the New H200 is the Smartest Choice Flagship Relay Volume Inherits the advanced electronic relay switching attenuator from the discontinued flagship H400, eliminating channel imbalance. Vibrant IPS Display Features a fully laminated color IPS screen (like the flagship H400), leaving the display-less interface of the old H300 far behind. Elite Desktop Integration Milled into a highly compact 200mm chassis width. Frees up desktop workspace while still packing a powerful 5W @ 32Ω. SMSL Balanced Amplifier Lineup Matrix Spec / Feature SMSL H200 (Active) SMSL H300 (Retired) SMSL H400 (Retired) Retail Price $399 (Active) $260 (Retired) $510 (Retired) Production Status Active & Supported Discontinued Discontinued Volume Architecture Precision Relays Analog Potentiometer Precision Relays User Interface Color IPS Screen Toggle Switches Only Color IPS Screen Headphone Sockets (Front) 4.4mm BAL / 6.35mm SE 4.4mm BAL / 4-Pin XLR / 6.35mm SE 4.4mm BAL / 4-Pin XLR / 6.35mm SE Balanced Power (16Ω) 4.0W + 4.0W RMS 10.0W + 10.0W RMS 15.0W + 15.0W RMS Balanced Power (32Ω) 5.0W + 5.0W RMS 5.0W + 5.0W RMS 7.5W + 7.5W RMS Balanced Power (300Ω) 1000mW + 1000mW RMS Unlisted 1000mW + 1000mW RMS SNR / Dynamic Range 131dB 133dB 133dB THD+N 0.00007% (-122dB) 0.00006% (-123dB) 0.00006% (-123dB) Gain Steps (Balanced) Low (-3.5dB) / Mid (6dB) / High (19.7dB) Low (-6dB) / Mid (6dB) / High (24.5dB) Low (-5.8dB) / Mid (6dB) / High (20.4dB) Pre-outputs (Rear) XLR Balanced / RCA Unbalanced XLR Balanced / RCA Unbalanced XLR Balanced / RCA Unbalanced Width (Chassis size) 200mm (Ultra-Compact) 210mm 254mm (Large footprint) Weight 1.20 kg / 2.65 lbs 1.23 kg / 2.71 lbs 2.03 kg / 4.47 lbs Power Consumption <60W (EN60065) <50W (EN60065) <50W (EN60065)