SMSL VMV A2From real comments

Name: SMSL VMV A2
Rating: 2.6 (11 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 11 mentions across 10 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment45%

PROS 45%

CONS 55%

Rank based on 11 mentions across 10 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

You want a clean, detailed amp for near-field desktop listening
You need passive speaker outputs alongside headphone use
You want DSD512 support on a reasonably priced desktop amp

What users love

Clean near-field desktop sound0 mentions

Strongly positive

Passive speaker outputs0 mentions

Widely praised

DSD512 support0 mentions

Widely praised

Considered good desktop value0 mentions

Generally positive

Skip this if...

You need adjustable bass/treble crossover frequencies via DSP
You want full bass response below 70Hz through the speaker outputs
You're comparing it against pricier alternatives like the RME ADI-2 FS or Audiolab 8300a

What users complain about

Limited DSP control0 mentions

Frequently criticized

No bass below 70Hz via speaker outputs0 mentions

Strongly criticized

Missing SDB function0 mentions

Generally negative

Sub cutoff cannot be disabled0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Questionable design priorities0 mentions

Generally negative

Pricier than some alternatives0 mentions

Generally negative

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice

1Mid

Roland Blues Cube Artist

Lightweight and gig-friendlyTube-like tone and feelExcellent clean channelExpensive, hard-to-find Tone CapsulesInconsistent or harsh crunch channelNo included footswitch

Roland Blues Cube Artist

Lightweight and gig-friendly

Tube-like tone and feel

Excellent clean channel

Expensive, hard-to-find Tone Capsules

Inconsistent or harsh crunch channel

No included footswitch

2Premium

Friedman Little Sister

Exceptional tonal versatilityGreat cleanup via guitar volumeBig, huge-sounding tone for its size/wattageDark, bass-heavy voicing for somePrice relative to alternativesRequires volume-knob technique, not true multi-channel

Friedman Little Sister

Exceptional tonal versatility

Great cleanup via guitar volume

Big, huge-sounding tone for its size/wattage

Dark, bass-heavy voicing for some

Price relative to alternatives

Requires volume-knob technique, not true multi-channel

Best value

3Mid

Orange OR15

Exceptional versatilityGreat with pedals / clean platformLong-term keeper ampCleans not its strongest suitFizzy or excessive gain out of the boxStock preamp tubes considered weak

Orange OR15

Exceptional versatility

Great with pedals / clean platform

Long-term keeper amp

Cleans not its strongest suit

Fizzy or excessive gain out of the box

Stock preamp tubes considered weak

4Mid

Marantz PM7000N

Detailed, warm sound qualityGood speaker pairing versatilityHEOS streaming and internet radio convenienceAirPlay over Ethernet reliability issueDAC only active via optical/coaxial inputsLacks classic gold Marantz aesthetic

Marantz PM7000N

Detailed, warm sound quality

Good speaker pairing versatility

HEOS streaming and internet radio convenience

AirPlay over Ethernet reliability issue

DAC only active via optical/coaxial inputs

Lacks classic gold Marantz aesthetic

5Budget

TC Electronic BH250

Powerful for its sizeTonePrint effects built inClean, full, realistic toneAlways-lit tuner displayInsufficient power for loud full bandsSingle effect slot limitation

TC Electronic BH250

Powerful for its size

TonePrint effects built in

Clean, full, realistic tone

Always-lit tuner display

Insufficient power for loud full bands

Single effect slot limitation

6Premium

Mesa Boogie Badlander

Tight, modern high-gain toneBuilt-in CabClone IR / direct outBuild quality and versatility praised by ownersHigh priceMissing third channel and solo boostNo EL34 as originally expected / power tube gripes

Mesa Boogie Badlander

Tight, modern high-gain tone

Built-in CabClone IR / direct out

Build quality and versatility praised by owners

High price

Missing third channel and solo boost

No EL34 as originally expected / power tube gripes

7Mid

iFi xCAN

Strong power for demanding headphonesCompact, high-quality buildEnjoyable Bluetooth sound qualityEarly sound-mode switching bugLimited single-ended power for some planarsNot fully wireless

iFi xCAN

Strong power for demanding headphones

Compact, high-quality build

Enjoyable Bluetooth sound quality

Early sound-mode switching bug

Limited single-ended power for some planars

Not fully wireless

8Premium

Friedman BE-100 Deluxe

Exceptional tonal versatilityOwner satisfaction and 'best amp ever' sentimentSmooth, musical high-gain distortionHigh priceOverwhelming number of optionsSome find it too polished or lacking rawness

Friedman BE-100 Deluxe

Exceptional tonal versatility

Owner satisfaction and 'best amp ever' sentiment

Smooth, musical high-gain distortion

High price

Overwhelming number of options

Some find it too polished or lacking rawness

9Mid

Vox AC15CH

Built-in reactive attenuator

Vox AC15CH

Built-in reactive attenuator

10Mid

Roland JC-22

Great pedal platformLush onboard chorusExceptional clean toneBackground hiss/humWeak onboard distortionSome pedals don't pair well

Roland JC-22

Great pedal platform

Lush onboard chorus

Exceptional clean tone

Background hiss/hum

Weak onboard distortion

Some pedals don't pair well

You are here

31Mid

SMSL VMV A2

Clean near-field desktop soundConsidered good desktop valueDSD512 supportLimited DSP controlMissing SDB functionNo bass below 70Hz via speaker outputs

SMSL VMV A2

Clean near-field desktop sound

Considered good desktop value

DSD512 support

Limited DSP control

Missing SDB function

No bass below 70Hz via speaker outputs

Pedal friendly
1. Roland JC-22arrow_upward9
2. Orange OR15arrow_upward8
3. Friedman Little Sisterarrow_upward5
Versatile tone
1. Orange OR15arrow_upward10
2. Friedman Little Sisterarrow_upward8
Lightweight
1. Roland Blues Cube Artistarrow_upward8
2. TC Electronic BH250arrow_upward3
3. Orange OR15arrow_upward2
Great cleans
1. Friedman Little Sisterarrow_upward6
2. Mesa Boogie Badlanderarrow_upward5
Build quality
1. Mesa Boogie Badlanderarrow_upward6
2. Friedman Little Sisterarrow_upward4
Expensive
1. Friedman Little Sisterarrow_downward2
2. Friedman BE-100 Deluxearrow_downward3
3. Mesa Boogie Badlanderarrow_downward5

Overall Impression

Near-field desktop performance impresses owners. Several desktop users found the VMV A2 well suited to close-range listening. One owner driving original B&W 805 Nautilus speakers called the SMSL fantastic in that near-field scenario, and another commenter felt the A2 would satisfy many people in a similar desktop setup. Still, a different listener questioned why a 100W amplifier was being marketed primarily for desktop use, suggesting the design priorities felt slightly mismatched for the intended near-field application despite the positive listening reports from actual owners.

DSP and bass control fall short for some. One reviewer who compared the amp directly to the RME ADI-2 FS said the DSP really suffers, since there is no way to control the frequency at which bass and treble adjustments take effect, risking resonance problems. Separately, an Amazon reviewer reported the speaker outputs cannot reproduce frequencies below 70Hz with no menu option to change this, and other owners asked about a missing SDB function and how to disable the sub cutoff, needing firmware help that wasn't readily available.

Passive outputs and DSD512 sweeten the value case. Unlike headphone-only competitors, the VMV A2 offers passive speaker outputs, which one commenter said justified choosing it over the RME ADI-2 FS for people who need that flexibility, such as those pairing it with passive bookshelf speakers. SMSL's official page also reportedly lists native DSD512 support. Buyers weighing it against alternatives like the Audiolab 8300a, priced 150 euro higher, or pricier reference DACs, generally view the A2 as a reasonably priced way to get desktop amplification with useful connectivity options.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

speakerClean near-field desktop sound

2 mentions

Strongly positive

Owners running the A2 in close-range desktop setups reported it performing very well, with one calling it fantastic when driving passive B&W 805 Nautilus speakers. Another commenter felt it would satisfy many people in a typical desktop situation.

@thm655321

Well, thankfully I use my SMSL VMV A2 in a near field desktop scenario as my computer audio driving original B&W 805 Nautilus. I find the SMSL to be fantastic in that use case. And in the comments section of one of his previous SMSL videos Tarun helped me with the decision to get the A2. Thanks Tarun!

smart_display

July 12, 2022

@Rickzolla

Nicely done. It would seem the A2 would satisfy many in a desktop situation.\n\nI've gone further upscale, with an RME ADI-2 DAC fs, a Mytek Brooklyn Amp+ and a pair of Harbeth P3ESR XDs.

smart_display

May 6, 2022

cablePassive speaker outputs

1 mentions

Widely praised

A reviewer noted the amp's ability to drive passive speakers as a key advantage over headphone-focused alternatives like the RME ADI-2 FS, useful for owners of passive bookshelf speakers.

@bmt_techno

Your videos are so good! You are excellent at keeping my attention focused on the video and presentation and format is excellent. I must say, I cannot see myself buying this product over the RME ADI 2 FS for a desktop setup (I own the RME and its my 'ideal desktop setup'.) I do appreciate the fact you can hook passive speakers up to this - so for people with Buchardt MK2's this SMSL product would make sense. The DSP on the SMSL really sucks though, not even being able to control the frequency at which the bass + treble adjust at could cause resonance problems. \nSo I suppose if the outputs on this amp are needed by the buyer then great, they will be happy with a great performing amp. However if they don't need those passive speaker outputs then I really can't see any reason to choose the SMSL over the RME ADI 2 FS due to the price difference. I'd be very happy to hear your thoughts on this. Thanks for the video !

smart_display

May 6, 2022

high_qualityDSD512 support

1 mentions

Widely praised

A commenter pointed out that SMSL's official product page lists native DSD512 support, a feature not mentioned in the original review.

@williamsiu6291

Lovely review! Great work Tarun. One thing though, on SMSL official page it does mention they support native DSD up to DSD512. :)

smart_display

May 11, 2022

attach_moneyConsidered good desktop value

1 mentions

Generally positive

Some buyers viewed the A2 as a reasonably priced desktop amplifier compared to pricier chip-based competitors, factoring it into their upgrade considerations.

@Starsurfer1006

Interesting. I was curious about the SMSL products so I bought the AO200 some months back.\nGood reviews were aplenty and I thought (at the time) that I really needed to replace my desk-top\nintegrated behemoth tube amp. Well, I have yet to even power up the SMSL ... let alone \"use\" it.\nAfter hearing this review and your comments relevant to a near-field application - I really should\nhook this unit up and play with the numerous settings it offers. The AO200 is/was considerably \ncheaper than the VMV A2 but reportedly uses a \"good\" chip(?) ... the Infineon MA 12070. It's all\nClass D Greek to me but I really should give it a listen and see how it fares against my EL34s. \nI should mention that the AO200 uses a balanced circuit and I found that particularly attractive.\nThanks Tarun ... I will procrastinate no longer.

smart_display

May 6, 2022

tuneLimited DSP control

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

A reviewer comparing the A2 to the RME ADI-2 FS said the built-in DSP really suffers because there is no way to set the frequency at which bass and treble adjustments occur, which could cause resonance problems.

@bmt_techno

smart_display

May 6, 2022

graphic_eqNo bass below 70Hz via speaker outputs

1 mentions

Strongly criticized

A commenter cited an Amazon reviewer who found the A2's speaker outputs can't reproduce frequencies under 70Hz when paired with tower speakers, with no menu setting available to fix it, effectively requiring a subwoofer.

@endrizo

A reviewer (in amazon ) said that the A2 needs a sub for freqs under 70hz since its speaker outs dont give freqs under 70hz. 70 is the lower the spkrs outs offer. he was using his old well known tower speakers and not getting any bass under 70hz. . no setting in the menu to fix this. he couldnt get the spkr outs to give freq under 70hz ( the lower setting). is that so? thanks.

smart_display

August 8, 2023

settingsMissing SDB function

1 mentions

Generally negative

A new owner noted that the sound settings menu lacks an SDB function and asked for help, suggesting the feature set may feel incomplete to some users.

@jeanphilippeclain

Hello to you, I just received my SMSL VMA2, I notice that in the sound settings there is no SDB function. Can you help me. Thank you.

smart_displayTranslated from French

June 25, 2024

warningSub cutoff cannot be disabled

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

One user asked where to find firmware or how to disable the sub cutoff to avoid the amp cutting frequencies meant for the speakers, indicating this limitation isn't user-adjustable out of the box.

@lastdayaaa

Tell me where to get the firmware for it or how to disable SUB CUTOFF???? To avoid cutting the frequency, stand for speakers

smart_display

December 11, 2024

help_outlineQuestionable design priorities

1 mentions

Generally negative

One commenter felt that pairing a 100W amplifier with a desktop-focused design suggested something was off about the A2's priorities for its intended use case.

@thisisnev

Another excellent, thoughtful review - thank you, Tarun. A 100W amp that's best suited to desktop use seems to me an indication that something went askew with the A2's design priorities.

smart_display

May 7, 2022

attach_moneyPricier than some alternatives

1 mentions

Generally negative

A commenter noted that for 150 euro more they could get an Audiolab 8300a instead, suggesting the A2's price doesn't clearly beat some competing options.

@photorolensoman8101

I like the size of the SMSL, but for for 150 euro more I can get Audiolab 8300a in my country.

smart_display

June 9, 2022

SMSL VMV A2chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

thumb_up_off_altBuy this if...

What users lovefavorite_border

thumb_down_off_altSkip this if...

What users complain aboutheart_broken

Compare in seconds

Who wins on what

Pedal friendly

Versatile tone

Lightweight

Great cleans

Build quality

Expensive

auto_awesomeOverall Impression

SMSL VMV A2From real comments

Buy this if...

What users love

Skip this if...

What users complain about

Overall Impression