SMSL DO100 PRO HiFi Balanced DAC with 2X ES9039Q2M & XMOS XU316, 768kHz/DSD512 USB Audio MQA Decoder Preamp, Bluetooth 5.1/Opt/Coax/HDMI ARC Input, RCA/XLR Digital-Analog Converter for PS5/Amp

Recently I’ve gotten into resurrecting some vintage HiFi systems (starting with my dad’s Revox). The issue is that they obviously don’t have an internal Digital to Analog Converter to run streaming services. I’ve been using S.M.S.L. AO300 by Aoshida for the last few weeks as a general compact HiFi for streaming and to power some external speakers for the TV. I was so impressed by this little powerhouse that I wanted to try one of their DAC units. As it happened, Aoshida just released the DO100Pro, an upgrade from their previous high resolution DAC. I was lucky enough to buy one of the first units, so figured I’d give a quick rundown. As with the previous S.M.S.L. AO300, it comes very well packaged with a manual, computer style power cord, USB A to C adapter cable, Bluetooth antenna and a nice little compact remote (you do need to add batteries). The case is all metal, with a CNC front fascia and formed metal main section. It has the updated fascia style with the wave design over a plain box design of the previous DO100. There is a good sized display screen with large font and next to it a concave selector knob/dial for volume and menu selection. On the I/O back panel there is a pair of balanced XLR and a set of single ended RCA outputs. As far as inputs, there is a wide array: Optical, Coaxial, USB-C 2.0 and 1.1(for game consoles), Bluetooth 5.1, and HDMI ARC, which is new on the Pro. Internally there are upgraded components over the previous model. The new dual ESS DAC chips have better dynamic range and ultra-low distortion, and there is a new 3rd generation controller chip with two additional Op-Amp chips, for a total of 6. There is also decoding for MQA in the Pro model. I don’t dabble in that, so can’t say too much about it. This is a DAC only, so it does need an external power amp. I used it directly on powered desktop speakers, and a few different passive speakers via vintage and semi-vintage amplifiers. I do not have any XLR gear, so I did not have a chance to test that. Sound wise this DAC is exactly what I’d hoped for. Just as with the AO300, there is an extremely low noise floor (non-existent basically). The tiniest of details can be clearly heard on decent speakers. Obviously speakers make a big difference in how good things sound, so the better the speaker, the better the sound quality. That is probably my only gripe with this and the newer high resolution audio equipment - you really notice the difference between good and bad recordings. No matter which input I used, all worked flawlessly. The Bluetooth 5.1 connected with my phones immediately, and stayed connected throughout my listening area, which is pretty much the whole house. I use an older phone as my streaming device hooked up via USB-C. This allows me to bypass the phone’s internal DAC and lets the DO100Pro do its thing. Usually I use this while sitting in the listening sweet spot running a playlist and use the remote for volume. My current phone is connected via Bluetooth, so I can change music if I’m walking around. The interface is streamlined and simple to use. Pressing the dial center enters the program menu, starting with input. It cycles through USB, Bluetooth, Coax, and HDMI ARC. Another press puts it into the PCM filter selection, of with there are 7 levels. Next are the 9 DPLL settings, which is for clock jitter. The default of 1 for both of these worked just fine for me. Lastly is the brightness control of the screen. For me, the DO100Pro is a homerun for Aoshida. Though it’s an entry level model, it doesn’t compromise on sound quality, and that is the most important part of course. The higher models have more features such as sound modes, more complex screens, and internal headphone out amps, but those all come with a price increase. If you’re looking for a quality high resolution DAC that doesn’t require a crash course on settings or break the bank, the DO100Pro should be on the short list.

I purchased the SMSL DO 100 not expecting the vast improvement over my CD player DAC (Onkyo DX-390). I connected it using the coaxial connection. Boy was I shocked. The DO 100 has improved the bass, midrange and clarity. The dynamic range is amazing. I am using the Schitt Freya S pre amp with two Schitt Vidars running fully balanced, Klipsch RP 160 speakers and Klipsch subwoofer. This dac is a great value, it even improved just listening to Pandora through my Sony TV using the Toslink output. I did not try the HDMI ARC yet....but I may not even have to because the sound is amazing. Build quality is good, remote needs some work, buttons not marked for function. Overall for less than $260 bucks this is an awesome DAC.

Update (6/13/2024): I reached out to SMSL about the volume level which is not specified in the user manual. The customer rep answered my question clearly. I am happy with fast response. For everyone's benefit, each step in volume is 0.5dB attenuation. For example, level 90 is -5dB and 80 is -10dB. I wish future firmware update includes an option to toggle between 4V and 5V mode. But for now, I can control without loosing resolution for any 24bit input - volume processing is done in 32bit so it is unlikely to loose a bit for output. Update (6/6/2024): XLR output level (5.2Vrms) is too hot for any amps or powered speakers. I have to lower the input gain of the powered speaker in order to output at full volume with DO100Pro. 5.2Vrms is excessively high. I have to reduce dynamic range on either DAC or amp. Here is how I set up the system in my living room. SMSL DO100 Pro is driven by Wiim Pro Plus via optical cable. The DO100 Pro’s XLR outputs feed Kali WS6.2 subwoofer. The subwoofer has built-in crossover at 80Hz and stereo XLR outputs. The high pass signals are sent to a pair of Kali IN-8 V2 (3-way coaxial powered studio monitors). The subwoofer and the speakers are mounted on ISO-200 Sub and a pair of ISO-200’s. I use 28” high Rockville wooden speaker stands. To avoid potential ground loop, everything is connected to a Furman power strip with EMI filter so that everything shares a same ground. Overall the sound is clean enough to enjoy streaming musics. I choose DO100 Pro because it has two separate high-end DAC processors for channel separation at reasonable price. Since the subwoofer and the speakers have built-in DSP with ADC and DAC, I don’t really need more than this class of DAC. FYI. As an experiment, I directly plugged Chromecast with Google TV 4K to ARC input in order to use as headless configuration (I.e. no TV). It does not work. If possible, I’d like to review a recently announced SMSL DO200 Pro. Since my set up is pro audio, 4v rms is the reference but DO100 Pro outputs at 5v rms. It may be too hot for Kali speakers. DO200 Pro has a physical toggle switch at the bottom to choose between 4v and 5v. That may be a better configuration. The latest Topping D50 has the same type of switch at the bottom.

Why did you choose this product over others?: Previous positive experience with SMSL products. I have a D6s DAC. This is essentially the same excepthat it has an additional HDMI input port for TV sound. Value for money: The price was reduced to £167 from the usual £209-£219 price range; I pounced on it!!! Sound quality: Its A-D conversion is good enough for all but the most forensic of audiophiles. It's clear and noise-free to my hearing. I use it with QAcoustic M20 active speakers and it plays LDAC over Bluetooth from my phone (OnePlus13) or music player (TempoTech V6) for good quality wireless audio. I read an online review that said the D6s was all most people would need as a DAC. I agree with that and as the DO100 Pro is an Aoshida spec'd D6s with an HDMI addition and wave style display at the front; that review still applies, from my experience. I do prefer the D6s styling but if you want a DAC to handle your TV's HDMI audio, this will handle it along with other types of input. The styling of the front panel isn't bad but I just prefer the look of the D6s. Just buy one or the other of these two DACs. I haven't regretted either. The value to performance ratio can't be beaten in my experience. As with all SMSL products, the DO100 Pro

AOSHIDA販売の「中古商品 - 良い」を購入しましたが、激烈タバコ臭のものが届きました。 本体はまだマシですが、リモコンボタン部やケーブルなど多孔質の物はニオイが取れません。 商品状態は個体ごとに書かれているわけではない点に注意が必要です。 思わぬ落とし穴でした。 DO100 PRO自体にはかなり満足しています。 ESS Humpが改善されたらしい現行ESSで、ES9039Q2Mデュアル搭載はこれかD50IIIですが、あちらはXLRが無く電源も外部5Vが必要です。 メニューはシンプルで扱いやすく、発熱についても触れたら多少温かい程度です。 出音の基本性能はかなり高いです。某所の測定でD50IIIが現行DACトップクラスの特性でしたが、いつも通りこちらも近い位置かと思いますので、ダイナミックレンジやクロストーク、S/N比などを重視するなら文句ないでしょう。 高域に神経質な感じが結構ありますが、フィルターでかなり変わるのでなんとかなる範囲だと思います。 配送は商品画像にある白い箱丸出しで届きます。 雨の日に置き配されると酷い事になるのでこの点もご注意ください。 ※2025/06/10追記 出品者と連絡を取り交換対応を受けました。 向こうにこちらの住所を伝えヤマトが回収、アマゾンから代替品発送という流れです。返送先は国内でした。 最初の品と同じくアマゾンからの発送でしたが、代替品はなぜか段ボール入り緩衝材ありの非常に安心できる梱包でした。 文句のない対応だったため評価を修正します。通常の購入よりも約10日ほど余計に時間はかかりましたが個人的には仕方のない範囲かと思われます。

Ich bin mit dem Produkt sehr zufrieden. Die Klangqualität ist sehr gut – angenehm, eher neutral und ausreichend detailliert. Auch die Verarbeitung der Tasten und das haptische Gefühl sind sehr hochwertig. Die Anschlussmöglichkeiten sind ebenfalls interessant und vielseitig. Ein kleiner Nachteil: Wenn ich das Gerät über den ARC-Anschluss mit dem Fernseher verbinde, ist der Ton zwar hervorragend, aber der automatische Wechsel zwischen dem optischen Eingang und ARC funktioniert nicht immer zuverlässig. Wenn mein Streamer am optischen Eingang angeschlossen ist, muss ich das Gerät manchmal aus- und wieder einschalten und manuell auf den ARC-Ausgang umstellen, damit der Fernsehton korrekt wiedergegeben wird.

Le DAC SMSL DO100 Pro tient toutes ses promesses: 1- Très belle finition, connectique très complète, bien documenté et facule d'installation 2- Son précis et neutre, avec de la profondeur, un bon aigu et un grave bien tendu 3- Possibilité de plus ou moins "colorer" le son à son goût via des configurations pré-determinées. Moi qui suis habitué à des systèmes HIFI de taille plus imposante et des prix supérieurs, je suis sous le charme de ce DAC qui présente de très belles performances. Je recommande.

I have owned many DACs and AMPs over the years, but recently purchased the DO100 Pro to use with my SMSL A300 in a new bookshelf speaker setup. I am absolutely blown away by the sound at this price point. The ESS chips are revealing and detailed without sounding overly bright or harsh to my ears. The XMOS USB chip works flawlessly. I did have to install a driver (when using in the USB 2 mode) on my PC, but this was no trouble at all. I feel like the same product would have cost 2 or 3 thousand dollars from the likes of Audiolab, Naim, etc... whose products I all enjoy. But this costs $250 CAD and fits comfortably next to my PC on my desk. Unreal. The remote is not the best, but with a DAC you're probably going to set it and forget it, so I consider this to be a non-issue. Build quality is great. No cons that I can think of. Paired with the A300 (which has a high pass filter and sub out), SMSL's latest offerings make this kind of setup possible without breaking the bank and with exceptional sound to boot. The features, performance, and price speak for themselves. It's worth noting I ordered the AO300 thinking it would be better to have everything in one unit, but the DO100 Pro sounds a lot better to my ears paired with the amp-only A300. This way you also don't lose the ability to high pass your mains and can get bigger sound, which I enjoy.