New product - SMSL AO300

[Schlippwhip68]

Concerning the firmware update and compatibility with MacOS. Aoshida replied to my email stating that the firmware update is compatible with both MacOS and Windows but…yes that ol’ but is here again…see the photo attached which I have politely replied to Aoshida’s reply with this morning…

 

[Schlippwhip68]

I dont have any issues with mine at apart a very minor semi pop when skipping through the sources. Tone is my favourite eq setting after configuring the bass to +2 and the treble at 0 this little amps sounds great. Definitely keeping mine as my main streaming amp. Just got to sort the firmware update via MacOS which is in hand with Ashoida. Nice piece of work from SMSL.

 

[G-Can]

This thread for you https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...os-driver-settings-for-no-cutoff-delay.25838/ It will fix a problem... Checked yesterday with my AO300

Thank you, although this still doesn't sort the buzzing problem.
I am guessing people who say they don't hear it, don't have the speakers on their desk, rather away from listening position, so yes, in that case, youd be hard to hear the buzzing.
But nearfield it's absolutely audible and persistent

 

[Schlippwhip68]

Thank you, although this still doesn't sort the buzzing problem.
I am guessing people who say they don't hear it, don't have the speakers on their desk, rather away from listening position, so yes, in that case, youd be hard to hear the buzzing.
But nearfield it's absolutely audible and persistent

Dead silent here.

 

[ercapoccia]

Dead silent here.

Mine is super silent too. I have a very recent unit in black color

 

[DmitryL]

Thank you, although this still doesn't sort the buzzing problem.
I am guessing people who say they don't hear it, don't have the speakers on their desk, rather away from listening position, so yes, in that case, youd be hard to hear the buzzing.
But nearfield it's absolutely audible and persistent

I have AO300 in black color and in nearfield absolutely silent(tested on full volume range). Do you have this problem only with usb type-c connection?

 

[G-Can]

Dead silent here.

you have it on your table, and when there is no music playing, you dont hear anything, like a buzz, especially from right speaker.

I have AO300 in black color and in nearfield absolutely silent(tested on full volume range). Do you have this problem only with usb type-c connection?

Im not talking at volume. Im talking when there is NOTHING playing, but the device is on. It doesnt change with volume.
I hear it with USB (connected to PC) and Optical connection (using Chromecast Audio dongle)

As I mentioned earlier, I went with SMSL C100 and Fosi V3, and in exact same setup, there is ZERO noise coming out of speakers when nothing is playing.

 

[DmitryL]

you have it on your table, and when there is no music playing, you dont hear anything, like a buzz, especially from right speaker.


Im not talking at volume. Im talking when there is NOTHING playing, but the device is on. It doesnt change with volume.
I hear it with USB (connected to PC) and Optical connection (using Chromecast Audio dongle)

As I mentioned earlier, I went with SMSL C100 and Fosi V3, and in exact same setup, there is ZERO noise coming out of speakers when nothing is playing.

Can you check EQ was on or in Direct mode? I tested my device this few days and found some noize on max volume (60) nothing playing and it depended from EQ preset. In Direct mode all is excellent)


WOW i made Firmware update
After update no click when power on\off, no bzz in speakers with "On when Needed" option in xmos driver (but still delay, u may change to Always on for avoid this)
Here is log^
Checking target MCU ...
MCU type: STC8C2K64S2
F/W version: 7.3.13U

Current H/W Option:
. ISP-IRC frequency: 23.772MHz
. IRC frequency: 24.010MHz
. Wakeup Timer frequency: 35.300KHz
. Oscillator gain is HIGH
. User EEPROM size is 3 K
. Do not detect the level of P3.2 and P3.3 next download
. Power-on reset, use the extra power-on delay
. RESET pin behaves as IO pin
. Reset while detect a Low-Voltage
. Thresh voltage level of the built-in LVD : 2.70 V
. Hardware do not enable Watch-Dog-Timer
. Watch-Dog-Timer pre-scalar : 256
. Watch-Dog-Timer stop count in idle mode
. Erase user EEPROM area at next download
. Do not control 485 at next download
. Do not check user password next download
. Reference voltage: 1185 mV (Range: 1100~1300mV)
. Testing time: 2023-4-3

MCU type: STC8C2K64S2
F/W version: 7.3.13U

Adjusting frequency ... [1.000"]
Adjusted frequency: 23.995MHz (-0.020%)

Re-handshaking ... Successful [0.125"]
Current Baudrate: 115200
Erasing MCU flash ... OK ! [0.641"]
Programming user code ... OK ! [9.313"]
Programming OPTIONS ... OK ! [0.016"]

H/W Option upgrade to:
. ISP-IRC frequency: 23.772MHz
. IRC frequency: 23.995MHz
. Wakeup Timer frequency: 35.300KHz
. Oscillator gain is HIGH
. User EEPROM size is 3 K
. Do not detect the level of P3.2 and P3.3 next download
. Power-on reset, use the extra power-on delay
. RESET pin behaves as IO pin
. Reset while detect a Low-Voltage
. Thresh voltage level of the built-in LVD : 2.70 V
. Hardware do not enable Watch-Dog-Timer
. Watch-Dog-Timer pre-scalar : 256
. Watch-Dog-Timer stop count in idle mode
. Erase user EEPROM area at next download
. Do not control 485 at next download
. Do not check user password next download
. Reference voltage: 1185 mV (Range: 1100~1300mV)
. Testing time: 2023-4-3
MCU ID : F7DCC9190232AE

MCU type: STC8C2K64S2
F/W version: 7.3.13U

. Set frequency: 24.000MHz
. Adjusted frequency: 23.995MHz ( clock divider = 1; )
. Trim error: -0.020%


Complete !(2023-11-27 16:25:26)

 

[Schlippwhip68]

Can you check EQ was on or in Direct mode? I tested my device this few days and found some noize on max volume (60) nothing playing and it depended from EQ preset. In Direct mode all is excellent)


WOW i made Firmware update
After update no click when power on\off, no bzz in speakers with "On when Needed" option in xmos driver (but still delay, u may change to Always on for avoid this)
Here is log^
Checking target MCU ...
MCU type: STC8C2K64S2
F/W version: 7.3.13U

Current H/W Option:
. ISP-IRC frequency: 23.772MHz
. IRC frequency: 24.010MHz
. Wakeup Timer frequency: 35.300KHz
. Oscillator gain is HIGH
. User EEPROM size is 3 K
. Do not detect the level of P3.2 and P3.3 next download
. Power-on reset, use the extra power-on delay
. RESET pin behaves as IO pin
. Reset while detect a Low-Voltage
. Thresh voltage level of the built-in LVD : 2.70 V
. Hardware do not enable Watch-Dog-Timer
. Watch-Dog-Timer pre-scalar : 256
. Watch-Dog-Timer stop count in idle mode
. Erase user EEPROM area at next download
. Do not control 485 at next download
. Do not check user password next download
. Reference voltage: 1185 mV (Range: 1100~1300mV)
. Testing time: 2023-4-3

MCU type: STC8C2K64S2
F/W version: 7.3.13U

Adjusting frequency ... [1.000"]
Adjusted frequency: 23.995MHz (-0.020%)

Re-handshaking ... Successful [0.125"]
Current Baudrate: 115200
Erasing MCU flash ... OK ! [0.641"]
Programming user code ... OK ! [9.313"]
Programming OPTIONS ... OK ! [0.016"]

H/W Option upgrade to:
. ISP-IRC frequency: 23.772MHz
. IRC frequency: 23.995MHz
. Wakeup Timer frequency: 35.300KHz
. Oscillator gain is HIGH
. User EEPROM size is 3 K
. Do not detect the level of P3.2 and P3.3 next download
. Power-on reset, use the extra power-on delay
. RESET pin behaves as IO pin
. Reset while detect a Low-Voltage
. Thresh voltage level of the built-in LVD : 2.70 V
. Hardware do not enable Watch-Dog-Timer
. Watch-Dog-Timer pre-scalar : 256
. Watch-Dog-Timer stop count in idle mode
. Erase user EEPROM area at next download
. Do not control 485 at next download
. Do not check user password next download
. Reference voltage: 1185 mV (Range: 1100~1300mV)
. Testing time: 2023-4-3
MCU ID : F7DCC9190232AE

MCU type: STC8C2K64S2
F/W version: 7.3.13U

. Set frequency: 24.000MHz
. Adjusted frequency: 23.995MHz ( clock divider = 1; )
. Trim error: -0.020%


Complete !(2023-11-27 16:25:26)

I thought this would be the case with the FW update which I believe is the only update available on SMSLs website for the AO300. One issue is after contacting SMSL is that it is only available for Windows OS. The FW update will not work with MacOs yet.

 

[Usatencu]

Can you check EQ was on or in Direct mode? I tested my device this few days and found some noize on max volume (60) nothing playing and it depended from EQ preset. In Direct mode all is excellent)


WOW i made Firmware update
After update no click when power on\off, no bzz in speakers with "On when Needed" option in xmos driver (but still delay, u may change to Always on for avoid this)
Here is log^
Checking target MCU ...
MCU type: STC8C2K64S2
F/W version: 7.3.13U

Current H/W Option:
. ISP-IRC frequency: 23.772MHz
. IRC frequency: 24.010MHz
. Wakeup Timer frequency: 35.300KHz
. Oscillator gain is HIGH
. User EEPROM size is 3 K
. Do not detect the level of P3.2 and P3.3 next download
. Power-on reset, use the extra power-on delay
. RESET pin behaves as IO pin
. Reset while detect a Low-Voltage
. Thresh voltage level of the built-in LVD : 2.70 V
. Hardware do not enable Watch-Dog-Timer
. Watch-Dog-Timer pre-scalar : 256
. Watch-Dog-Timer stop count in idle mode
. Erase user EEPROM area at next download
. Do not control 485 at next download
. Do not check user password next download
. Reference voltage: 1185 mV (Range: 1100~1300mV)
. Testing time: 2023-4-3

MCU type: STC8C2K64S2
F/W version: 7.3.13U

Adjusting frequency ... [1.000"]
Adjusted frequency: 23.995MHz (-0.020%)

Re-handshaking ... Successful [0.125"]
Current Baudrate: 115200
Erasing MCU flash ... OK ! [0.641"]
Programming user code ... OK ! [9.313"]
Programming OPTIONS ... OK ! [0.016"]

H/W Option upgrade to:
. ISP-IRC frequency: 23.772MHz
. IRC frequency: 23.995MHz
. Wakeup Timer frequency: 35.300KHz
. Oscillator gain is HIGH
. User EEPROM size is 3 K
. Do not detect the level of P3.2 and P3.3 next download
. Power-on reset, use the extra power-on delay
. RESET pin behaves as IO pin
. Reset while detect a Low-Voltage
. Thresh voltage level of the built-in LVD : 2.70 V
. Hardware do not enable Watch-Dog-Timer
. Watch-Dog-Timer pre-scalar : 256
. Watch-Dog-Timer stop count in idle mode
. Erase user EEPROM area at next download
. Do not control 485 at next download
. Do not check user password next download
. Reference voltage: 1185 mV (Range: 1100~1300mV)
. Testing time: 2023-4-3
MCU ID : F7DCC9190232AE

MCU type: STC8C2K64S2
F/W version: 7.3.13U

. Set frequency: 24.000MHz
. Adjusted frequency: 23.995MHz ( clock divider = 1; )
. Trim error: -0.020%


Complete !(2023-11-27 16:25:26)

Can you explain how you did the update? I installed drivers, i connected with unit off, usb port, but for me checking mcu target... forever, nothing happen. I have windows 11

 

[G-Can]

Can you check EQ was on or in Direct mode? I tested my device this few days and found some noize on max volume (60) nothing playing and it depended from EQ preset. In Direct mode all is excellent)




Complete !(2023-11-27 16:25:26)

yes, direct mode. Ive returned the unit. Too many issues that I was willing to accept.

On top of it all, cost wise, it costs double then SMSL C100+Fosi V3 and sound wise, its not worth double the price.

 

[Schlippwhip68]

yes, direct mode. Ive returned the unit. Too many issues that I was willing to accept.

On top of it all, cost wise, it costs double then SMSL C100+Fosi V3 and sound wise, its not worth double the price.

Maybe you could consider the Nad 316Bee V2…it is around the same price but no dac. Clean sound and well built.

 

[DmitryL]

Can you explain how you did the update? I installed drivers, i connected with unit off, usb port, but for me checking mcu target... forever, nothing happen. I have windows 11

I had some problems with updating and only successful with replug power cord and power on button on back... I'll try reflash it soon and mark correct steps

 

[G-Can]

Maybe you could consider the Nad 316Bee V2…it is around the same price but no dac. Clean sound and well built.

I agree, but this is my desk setup and I have no space to put a full size amp on the table, space and looks wise.

I actually had that amp few years back in a different room layout.

 

[Schlippwhip68]

I am keeping it. I think the sound quality is great, quite a sweet sound. I went through the steps where other people have problems ie the slight popping flicking through the sources and the display on and off. There is a very slight low hiss at full volume when not playing anything but no where enough to hear unless I put my ear within 1cm of the speaker, its almost negligible.
There is not much chance of my self ever playing music past 65% of this amplifiers total output and even if I did there is no extra noise, just the music.
This amp is a good match for my Monitor Audio Bronze 200 speakers. I love the soundstage and as far as power goes then this offers a lot more than my old Rotel A11 Tribute which would struggle played at 65% volume for longer listening sessions.
I would not recommend rushing into returning this model until at least accomplishing the latest firmware upgrade which I have not done yet as i do not run a Windows PC which as other users have and found alot of issues resolved. I’m sure SMSL will continue to support further improvements via firmware updates as and when needed. My Wiim Pro sounds great running through this thing.

 

[Usatencu]

I had some problems with updating and only successful with replug power cord and power on button on back... I'll try reflash it soon and mark correct steps

Ok, thank you. We are waiting for steps

 

[Schlippwhip68]

I agree, but this is my desk setup and I have no space to put a full size amp on the table, space and looks wise.

I actually had that amp few years back in a different room layout.

I am thinking about getting one next year. What did you think of it?

 

[G-Can]

I am thinking about getting one next year. What did you think of it?

of NAD? It was fine, I am not crazy critical listener, but appreciate good sound. It worked great with at that time KEF LS50

If some sale comes up, I wouldnt mind grabbing it again, its a great bang for the buck

 

[Schlippwhip68]

of NAD? It was fine, I am not crazy critical listener, but appreciate good sound. It worked great with at that time KEF LS50

If some sale comes up, I wouldnt mind grabbing it again, its a great bang for the buck

How would you compare the sound quality of the Nad 316Bee V2 to the AO300?

 

[G-Can]

How would you compare the sound quality of the Nad 316Bee V2 to the AO300?

no clue as it was long time ago and I used different sources.