In this review, we take a close look at the SMSL HO100, a compact desktop headphone amplifier selling for $149 USD.
Disclaimer: the SMSL HO100 was sent to us by SMSL, free of charge, in exchange for our honest opinion.
About S.M.S.L
As Yagiz said in its D1SE review, “if you don’t know SMSL, you have to get acquainted as soon as possible because you’re missing A LOT”. In fact, since its inception in 2009, Foshan ShuangMuSanLin Technology Co., Ltd (or S.M.S.L) has produced countless devices, including many successes. Curious? You should be, and if that’s not enough, check our other reviews here.
Covering every genre, from high-end DAC, to power amplifiers and dedicated headphone amplifiers, the brand is best known for its excellent quality/price ratio. Some, like the SMSL AD18, or SH-8S are now all-time classics and can be found on many chi-fi enthusiast desks. Mine, for example, hosts the brilliant DO200 + HO200 combo, a superb DAC + headphone/amp duo that earned my personal recommendation, as one of the best combos you could get in this price range, and above.
Then, earlier this year SMSL introduced a smaller version of that setup, the SMSL DO100 a desktop DAC that we recently reviewed, and the SMSL HO100, the smaller brother of the HO200.
Good news, we are reviewing the latter one today!
The DO100/DO200 Series
As usual, we’ll get a quick look at the SMSL product range. Not all of them, of course, but the DOX00 series.
SMSL HO200
The SMSL HO200 is a desktop headphone amplifier, packing a lot of power in an ultra-compact casing. If it looks a lot like the SH-9 and SU-9 above, the HO200 is allegedly supposed to replace the SH-9, thanks to some improvements and a slightly sleeker design.
I tested this device a few months ago, and it’s a killer, so here is an excerpt of this review:
Let’s make it short: for the price, the SMSL HO200 is one, if not the best, solid-state headphone amplifier you could get at the moment. Build quality is great, the sound is superb, I/O is complete and either as a headphone amplifier or a pre-amplifier, the device was just darn impressive.
SMSL DO200
The SMSL DO200 is a desktop DAC embedding a dual set of ESS Sabre ES9068AS, full MQA decoding, an extensive I/O, and a full set of features, which we’ll cover in this review. As expected, it shares the same design as the SO200 (headphone amplifier) and the AO200 (integrated amplifier) allowing the final user to create a full setup, able to power both your headphones and your speakers.
Paired with the HO200, it’s a match made in heaven. Here’s a quick excerpt too:
“Once again, SMSL delivers an excellent piece of gear and the DO200 is, first, a great DAC, and second, the perfect addition to the HO200, to make a compact but powerful headphone listening station.
Build quality and sound is good, I/O is complete, and either as a pure DAC or a DAC + pre-amplifier, the device was just impressive.”
SMSL DO100
The SMSL DO100 is the little sibling, a compact desktop DAC, embedding a dual set of ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M and full PCM/DSD decoding (but no MQA). If not as good as the DO200, the DO100 is also twice cheaper, and that makes it very interesting for someone seeking a good DAC, on a low budget.
“Here’s a quick excerpt of my last review:
Small but mighty, the SMSL DO100 is another great piece of hardware. For less than $250 US Dollars, it’s simply one of the best desktop DAC you could get at the moment.
Sound quality is surprisingly good, build quality is exquisite, I/O is versatile, and the conception design makes it the perfect desk companion, whether if it’s for your computer, a DAP or any other digital source. Pair it with a good headphone amplifier, or a pair of solid powered-speaker, and you’ll get one of the best experiences you might ever get, in this price range.
Sure, it’s not DO200 good, but it’s damn close! Kudos SMSL. “
SMSL HO100
Finally, here comes the SMSL HO100, a compact desktop headphone amplifier, designed as an entry-level version of the HO200. Same dual-mono circuit, smaller footprint, lower price but higher value… at least one paper.
How is it in practice? That’s what we’re about to discover! The SMSL HO100 can be bought from Linsoul or Aoshida Audio.
The review continues on Page Two, after the click HERE or by using the jump below.
