SMSL DO100 Review

Comfort and specifications

Daily use

As expected, the SMSL DO100 is extremely simple to use. Plug it into your computer/phone or any digital source, connect your amplifier with the RCA/XLR outputs, and you’re good to go! Many will appreciate the abundance of inputs, but personally, a sole USB-C is enough for me.

Contrary to the HiFiman HiFiman EF-400 I reviewed last time, the SMSL DO100 can output a line-level output – pure Digital-to-Analog-Conversion – or a variable-level output, like a pre-amplifier. Bonus point, you can even use both outputs at the same time, in case you’d like to connect a headphone amplifier, and a pair of active speakers, for example.

With its comprehensive I/O, the DO100 could very well become the hub of all your sources. If I mainly used the USB port, the DAC can basically be paired with every gear I own, be it a streamer, a computer, a CD-Player, or even my PS4.

In my case, I paired the DO100 with the SMSL HO100 in XLR, while I used the RCA outputs to fuel my KEF LS50 Wireless, and everything worked as intended. The DAC was immediately recognized by my PC and MAC and thanks to the control knob, I could easily turn up/down the volume.

Bluetooth is a nice addition and if the DO100 should be connected to a real Wi-Fi streamer, this input can be a nice option if you just want to quickly listen to a track from your phone.

Simple and efficient!

Quirks and features

Like the DO200, the SMSL DO100 comes with a few hidden features. And if the DO200 was already quirky enough with its LCD screen and various menu, the fact that the DO100 comes with a digital screen instead make things a bit… sketchier.

Why? Because everything had to be displayed in codes, as 3 digits don’t leave much space for improvisation. So, what can you do from here?

• Swap between the various inputs USB/BT/OPT/COA
• Choose a different PCM Filter (FL1-FL7) ranging from Fixed minimum phase fast roll-off, to Brickwall Mixing Filter
• switch between the various DPLL setting (an exclusive ESS feature) to adjust the bandwidth of the digital phase-locked loop circuit
• select an USB mode, UAC1 for driver-less connection but reduced bandwidth (up to 96kHz-24bit) or UAC2 for full PCM/DSD support
• finally, brightness, to adjust the screen back-lightning 

So a lot of options, but not all of them are relevant and if you stick to USB like me, you won’t have to touch any of those settings.

Specifications

Dual Sabre ES9038Q2M + XMOS

Once again, SMSL laid out a balanced design, embedding the DO100 with two Sabre ESS9038Q2M DAC. A great chip, known and renowned, used in various DAC and DAP, packing a lot of awesome features like :

• 32-bit HyperStream architecture to handle high bit-rate PCM flux up to 32bit/384kHz and DSD up to DSD512x,
• Patented Time Domain Jitter Eliminator, which does exactly what the name says,
• ultra-wide dynamic range (up to +129dB) and ultra-low distortion (-120dB)

Speaking of low distortion, the SMSL DO100 comes with its own Low-Noise Switching Power supply, with built-in discrete components, instead of your classic IC or separate AC supply. In fact, if you’re keen to open the DAC, you’ll be surprised by how neat the PCB looks: blackboard, symmetrical supply lines, discrete components with high-end IC… for the price, this is amazing.

Upstream, to feed those chips, the brand gifted the DO100 a 2nd generation XMOS chip, that supports PCM up to 32bit/768kHz and native DSD512 decoding. Downstream, you have four Texas Instruments dual op amp OPA1612, paired with a set of audio-grade components, to ensure the highest level of fidelity, with a minimal level of noise. 

Numbers? With a 32ohm Load, the SMSL DO100 harmonic distortion reaches an abysmal level (0.00008%) – same as the DO200 – while maintaining a high signal-to-noise ratio (127dB in XLR). Some DAC outperforms the device in this aspect, but none are available in the same price range.

Last but not least, SMSL gave us some measurements and if I couldn’t do the same, RMS Level and scope are always interesting to look at, from an objective point of view. At line level, the DO100 reaches 121dB per channel, with a 0.000086% THD+N ratio.

For the nerdiest one, here are the graphs and full technical data, for the rest, you can go to the next page already.

Technical Data

• Model: SMSL DO100
• Type: DAC
• Output : RCA/XLR
• Input: USB / Optical / Coaxial / Bluetooth 
• THD: 0.00008% (-122dB)
• SNR: > 126dB
• Output impedance: 100 ohms
• Sampling rate: USB- PCM up to 32bit/768kHz / DSD512 // Optical/Coaxial/ – PCM up to 24bit/192kHz / DSD64(DoP)
• Bluetooth : v5.0 – SBC / AAC / aptX / aptX HD / LDAC
• Size : 150 x 128 x 39 mm
• Weight : 560g
• Power Consumption: 5W
• Price : $239

The review continues on Page Four, after the click HERE or by using the jump below.