High-End CD Sound Without Breaking the Bank: SMSL PL200T CD transport review!
HiFi Zone
34,397 views
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Remote beer tap control :D
https://paypal.me/hfzytreviews
Behind the scenes photos:
Instagram: hifi_zone_yt
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Im sure all of you have a stash of CDs somewhere home - maybe even some "mixtape" cds recorded 20-30 years ago. It seems that CDs are getting traction again as with them you actually OWN the recording and nobody will remove it remotely from your playlists ;)
And it seems that CD players are a new "niche" as there's no real competition: second hand 30yo units are hardly a choice now, and audiophile players that are being sold now are 2-3 orders of magnitude more expensive: again, not really a choice.
If you are serious about your CD collection, if you have an excellent DAC too - then PL200T should be on your short list. Especially if you also use precise 10MHz external clock source for your audio gear.
As with other SMSL gear, I got that one directly from Aoshida.
It seems that for brands like SMSL, Topping etc they have lower overall costs than Ali - but they still do follow big Ali sales calendar so the prices are dropping on the same day.
Thats the store link to the offer I used (worldwide shipping, it was extremely fast to Europe)
https://aoshida-audio.com/products/sm...
and Amazon link if thats more convenient for guys in US:
https://amzn.to/4kb3DiG
--------------------------
Audio setup used in testing (you can find reviews of most of these in my channel):
FLAC/DSD files - Foobar2k - Fully passive 11th gen Intel PCwih LPS - SMSL PL200T - X26III - fk Dragon XLR - 2x851W - fk Dragon Full Range - Dali ikon 1 mk2, Dali Opticon 1, Oatlons (big and small) ML 15i, ML 35Xti, ML XT B100, ML Ascent I speakers.
Power: two Pavalle power strips with additional DIY EMI filters, power cords: fk AQ Dragons Source (DACs) fk AQ Dragon HC (amplifiers) and RCore LPSes with Sonic Scientific Hades for HTPC, Su-6 and OCXO power supply.
More links for that gear can be found in my reviews.
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All earlier codes are gone, so just a small set valid 1-7th of July 2026. Should be valid store wide:
USA Codes:
$2 off $18:【HFZ2】$5 off $39:【HFZ5】$10 off $69:【HFZ10】$20 off $139:【HFZ20】$23 off $169:【HFZ23】
$35 off $249:【HFZ35】$55 off $379:【HFZ55】$70 off $499:【HFZ70】
Global Codes:
$2 off $15:【GHFZ2】$4 off $30:【GHFZ4】$9 off $65:【GHFZ9】$15 off $120:【GHFZ15】$25 off $209:【GHFZ25】
$40 off $329:【GHFZ40】$55 off $449:【GHFZ55】
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20 Comments
Looks like I am buying a transport😂 I always appreciate your dedication and helpful knowledge 👌
Many thanks
I also paired it with an external 10MHz digital clock you mentioned in an earlier review. For context, I’ve been using a Parasound CDP-2000 CD Transport as my long-time reference, along with an Audiolab 6000CDT.
While both the SMSL and Audiolab are in the same price range, the SMSL is hands down the better transport. It delivers more detail, better air, and a deeper, wider soundstage that really elevates the listening experience.
I can’t make a fully fair side-by-side with the Parasound since it’s over 27 years old and really needs a capacitor refresh—but even so, the SMSL feels like a modern upgrade that punches way above its price.
Thanks for the recommendation! BTW, I too purchased the M10 Three Way speakers and waiting on delivery. I can't believe they weigh over 60kg each! I hear you'll be doing a review of them soon. How are they sounding so far?
All the best from Switzerland, Rob
as a Denon H4500 preamp, optical connector, Quad 909 and FM300A amplifier, I didn't think that the CD transport itself could sound so different
High-End CD Sound Without Breaking the Bank: SMSL PL200T CD transport review!
HiFi Zone
34,397 views
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Remote beer tap control :D
https://paypal.me/hfzytreviews
Behind the scenes photos:
Instagram: hifi_zone_yt
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Im sure all of you have a stash of CDs somewhere home - maybe even some "mixtape" cds recorded 20-30 years ago. It seems that CDs are getting traction again as with them you actually OWN the recording and nobody will remove it remotely from your playlists ;)
And it seems that CD players are a new "niche" as there's no real competition: second hand 30yo units are hardly a choice now, and audiophile players that are being sold now are 2-3 orders of magnitude more expensive: again, not really a choice.
If you are serious about your CD collection, if you have an excellent DAC too - then PL200T should be on your short list. Especially if you also use precise 10MHz external clock source for your audio gear.
As with other SMSL gear, I got that one directly from Aoshida.
It seems that for brands like SMSL, Topping etc they have lower overall costs than Ali - but they still do follow big Ali sales calendar so the prices are dropping on the same day.
Thats the store link to the offer I used (worldwide shipping, it was extremely fast to Europe)
https://aoshida-audio.com/products/sm...
and Amazon link if thats more convenient for guys in US:
https://amzn.to/4kb3DiG
--------------------------
Audio setup used in testing (you can find reviews of most of these in my channel):
FLAC/DSD files - Foobar2k - Fully passive 11th gen Intel PCwih LPS - SMSL PL200T - X26III - fk Dragon XLR - 2x851W - fk Dragon Full Range - Dali ikon 1 mk2, Dali Opticon 1, Oatlons (big and small) ML 15i, ML 35Xti, ML XT B100, ML Ascent I speakers.
Power: two Pavalle power strips with additional DIY EMI filters, power cords: fk AQ Dragons Source (DACs) fk AQ Dragon HC (amplifiers) and RCore LPSes with Sonic Scientific Hades for HTPC, Su-6 and OCXO power supply.
More links for that gear can be found in my reviews.
-------------------------
All earlier codes are gone, so just a small set valid 1-7th of July 2026. Should be valid store wide:
USA Codes:
$2 off $18:【HFZ2】$5 off $39:【HFZ5】$10 off $69:【HFZ10】$20 off $139:【HFZ20】$23 off $169:【HFZ23】
$35 off $249:【HFZ35】$55 off $379:【HFZ55】$70 off $499:【HFZ70】
Global Codes:
$2 off $15:【GHFZ2】$4 off $30:【GHFZ4】$9 off $65:【GHFZ9】$15 off $120:【GHFZ15】$25 off $209:【GHFZ25】
$40 off $329:【GHFZ40】$55 off $449:【GHFZ55】
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