Audiophilepure

https://www.headfonia.com/smsl-ds200-review/

The DS200 is one of the more striking budget units SMSL has put out. The cyberpunk look is a first for them, and it immediately sets the LIN.LIN.LIN line apart. It feels like SMSL wanted to aim this sub-brand a little closer to the gaming market. That said, the lack of USB 1.0 support means the DS200 can’t be used with consoles, which limits that angle somewhat.

The finish is classic SMSL with a twist. The sandblasted CNC aluminum chassis has that smooth, slightly grippy feel that reminds me of Apple Macbooks. The tempered-glass front panel adds to that impression, with its clean white LEDs that resemble the device as if it were warped out of a sci-fi movie. The orange accents work surprisingly well with the grey tones of the chassis, giving the DS200 a bit of contrasty personality.

On the front, the layout is tidy. The vertical volume slider is still, in my opinion, the standout, as it’s unusual; however, in practice, I found it fun and satisfying to use. The slider has no steps and feels smooth from bottom to top. I also didn’t encounter any channel imbalance.

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