• Welcome to ASR. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!

S.M.S.L PO100, PO100 PRO & PO100 AK - Measurements (Digital Interfaces & DAC)

Questions:
On Windows 11 no driver needed for PO 100 2024?
Sound settings shows this device as "Head Phones" is that normal?
No need to update firmware if it's working properly?
 
Fahzz said:
Questions:
On Windows 11 no driver needed for PO 100 2024?
Sound settings shows this device as "Head Phones" is that normal?
No need to update firmware if it's working properly?
Click to expand...
How is the computer supposed to know whether a DDC, DAC, DAC with HPA, or speakers are connected to the USB port? It doesn't matter, because the USB interface in the audio device is always the same.
If everything works, you don't need to change anything.
 
Nango said:
SOUTHSKY 192KHz DAC Converter
Click to expand...

it looks exactly like what i am looking for, but i wonder if it can affect SQ in SPDIF mode (without using internal DAC)?
this thing can be bought dirt cheap ($10) at aliexpress under a lot of different names, exactly the same device. and there are some mixed reviews about sound quality.
 
I flashed PO100 3.84 firmware on PO100 Ak. Now no audio output. smsl is not responding to email requests for firmware. Anybody has any suggestions?
 
ahl said:
I flashed PO100 3.84 firmware on PO100 Ak. Now no audio output. smsl is not responding to email requests for firmware. Anybody has any suggestions?
Click to expand...
May I ask why you're flashing the firmware from another device onto the PO100 AK? I wouldn't expect a device with the wrong firmware to work properly.

Explain this to SMSL and ask if they can provide you with the correct firmware for the PO100 AK.
 
Hi

I bought cheap TENEALAY HDMI IIS to COAX OPT SPDIF converter
but no sound comes out when playing DSD files
I tried both i2s modes 1 and 2 but no luck
Any advice to get sound from any output of PO 100 Pro when playing DSD files?
 
Onira said:
Hi

I bought cheap TENEALAY HDMI IIS to COAX OPT SPDIF converter
but no sound comes out when playing DSD files
I tried both i2s modes 1 and 2 but no luck
Any advice to get sound from any output of PO 100 Pro when playing DSD files?
Click to expand...

taipan254 said:
Just got mine today. Going from audiolinux machine to PO 100 Pro to Gustard X26 Pro via i2s. PCM is fine. DSD isn't working. The best I can is DSD 128 via DoP. No Native DSD support at all. Switched between mode 1 and 2 for i2s pinouts and mode. no dice. Also, the indicator light is green despite playing PCM upsampled to 16fs. it should be yellow.

Shame, but it's such a cheap unit that my disappointment is only mild. If anyone figures out how to use this with a Gustard DAC properly, do drop a line!
Click to expand...
Hi taipan, did you ever get the PO100 PRO working with DSD on the Gustard? Let me know. I found a solution with my X30 and it works flawlessly.
 
Is there a DDC like the PO100 Pro with a digital screen to show the sample rate?
USB to SPDIF/Coax
 
Mike_Trueman said:
Is there a DDC like the PO100 Pro with a digital screen to show the sample rate?
USB to SPDIF/Coax
Click to expand...
There are many, but they're in a completely different price range.
It's cheaper to buy a new DAC for €200-500, as these DACs start in that price range, even used ones. For example, Gustard U16/18, LKS, Audio-GD, Denafrips, Xing Audio, etc.
The PO100 Pro is nothing more than the USB part of the simple SMSL DACs, such as the SU-1, with the corresponding digital outputs.

The cheapest, and in my opinion and experience also one of the most powerful, is probably the Xing Audio AF200, which is available for around €165.

If you have DIY skills, you can also build a nice device yourself. USB to i2s boards with the XU316 are available starting at around €45, and an SRC board with the AK4137 sample rate converter and the AK4118 transceiver, complete with remote control and display, can be purchased for as little as €65. The SRC board is available in three different versions with different frequencies/crystals.

However, these DDCs offer no advantage with today's well-measured DACs.

AK4137 SRC Board
Bildschirmfoto 2025-08-10 um 23.22.15.png
 
Roland68 said:
There are many, but they're in a completely different price range.
It's cheaper to buy a new DAC for €200-500, as these DACs start in that price range, even used ones. For example, Gustard U16/18, LKS, Audio-GD, Denafrips, Xing Audio, etc.
The PO100 Pro is nothing more than the USB part of the simple SMSL DACs, such as the SU-1, with the corresponding digital outputs.

The cheapest, and in my opinion and experience also one of the most powerful, is probably the Xing Audio AF200, which is available for around €165.

If you have DIY skills, you can also build a nice device yourself. USB to i2s boards with the XU316 are available starting at around €45, and an SRC board with the AK4137 sample rate converter and the AK4118 transceiver, complete with remote control and display, can be purchased for as little as €65. The SRC board is available in three different versions with different frequencies/crystals.

However, these DDCs offer no advantage with today's well-measured DACs.

AK4137 SRC Board
View attachment 469088
Click to expand...
The L.K.S USB-100 for 250€ is the device i am looking for, only it has Coaxial output. I do not think i can connect I2S it to my HDMI input. :)
  • AUDIO-GD DI-25 has it all but cost 560€
  • Gustard U18 is cheaper for 470€
  • L.K.S USB-100 250€
  • Xing Audio AF200 is hard to order in my country it seems but looks good

Thanks for the feedback!

You said it is maybe better to buy a new DAC.
What will happen if a connect a seperated DAC like the topping E70 to my NAD M10 V3 since every connection goes trough my build-in DAC? (So i use 2 DAC's)
 
Last edited:
Mike_Trueman said:
Is there a DDC like the PO100 Pro with a digital screen to show the sample rate?
USB to SPDIF/Coax
Click to expand...

JRowland

Post in thread 'Recommend me a good DAC for my Windows PC'

If you just want a dac anyway or like me like the little display, also something a little more substantial than the PO100 try the Topping D10s. It will give you analog out as well as a bridge from usb to optical or coax. All of them work simultaneously as well. I didn’t have any issues with the PO100, it works great as a bridge. The D10s allowed me to add a headphone amp which also feeds a vu meter so I’m definitely having more fun with it.
  • Like
 
Mike_Trueman said:
Ok, i ordered the SMSL PO100 2024.

Is this a good digital coax cable for connecting it to my DAC? The connector outside looks bad isolated.

www.audiophonics.fr

AUDIOPHONICS CANARE Digital Coaxial Cable 75Ohm RCA-RCA Sleeved 0.5m - Audiophonics

Here is our digital coaxial cable Audiophonics Canare version 75Ω. Its particularity is to include Canare C5F connectors, certified 75Ω and a Canare L-5CFB cable.
www.audiophonics.fr www.audiophonics.fr
Click to expand...

Both the Canare L-5CFB cable and Canare C5F connectors are advertised as having true 75 ohm characteristic impedance, so this should be a good choice.
 
Mike_Trueman said:
The L.K.S USB-100 for 250€ is the device i am looking for, only it has Coaxial output. I do not think i can connect I2S it to my HDMI input. :)
  • AUDIO-GD DI-25 has it all but cost 560€
  • Gustard U18 is cheaper for 470€
  • L.K.S USB-100 250€
  • Xing Audio AF200 is hard to order in my country it seems but looks good

Thanks for the feedback!

You said it is maybe better to buy a new DAC.
What will happen if a connect a seperated DAC like the topping E70 to my NAD M10 V3 since every connection goes trough my build-in DAC? (So i use 2 DAC's)
Click to expand...
Mike_Trueman said:
Ok, i ordered the SMSL PO100 2024.

Is this a good digital coax cable for connecting it to my DAC? The connector outside looks bad isolated.

www.audiophonics.fr

AUDIOPHONICS CANARE Digital Coaxial Cable 75Ohm RCA-RCA Sleeved 0.5m - Audiophonics

Here is our digital coaxial cable Audiophonics Canare version 75Ω. Its particularity is to include Canare C5F connectors, certified 75Ω and a Canare L-5CFB cable.
www.audiophonics.fr www.audiophonics.fr
Click to expand...
All of the devices listed have an SPDIF/coax output, even the DIY solution.
But I didn't know you wanted to connect it to your NAD M10 V3; a DAC would be pointless in that case. The PO100 2024 would be sufficient; the others don't do much better.
Doesn't the NAD display the desired values?

The Lindy cable is expensive enough and from a very experienced and reputable manufacturer; it doesn't get any better than that.
LINDY CROMO LINE Digital Cable Coaxial SPDIF Copper Gold Plated 0.5m
LINDY CROMO LINE Digital Cable Coaxial SPDIF Copper Gold Plated 1m
 
Roland68 said:
All of the devices listed have an SPDIF/coax output, even the DIY solution.
But I didn't know you wanted to connect it to your NAD M10 V3; a DAC would be pointless in that case. The PO100 2024 would be sufficient; the others don't do much better.
Doesn't the NAD display the desired values?

The Lindy cable is expensive enough and from a very experienced and reputable manufacturer; it doesn't get any better than that.
LINDY CROMO LINE Digital Cable Coaxial SPDIF Copper Gold Plated 0.5m
LINDY CROMO LINE Digital Cable Coaxial SPDIF Copper Gold Plated 1m
Click to expand...
It doesnt display sample or bitrates when connected with optical. Only when the streamer is used.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
SMSL PO100 issues Amazon Music
Replies
5
Views
869
CuriousAli
C
Bo Dacious
Eversolo DMP-A6 USB output to SMSL PO100 Pro to Topping D90 III?
Replies
0
Views
503
Bo Dacious
Bo Dacious
O
Douk U2 DDC versus SMSL PO100
Replies
5
Views
3K
Descartes
D
ohskigod
SMSL PO 100 pro not being read by Wiim Ultra
Replies
10
Views
1K
Rinz
R
L
Smsl po 100pro?
Replies
18
Views
4K
Roland68
R
Back
Top Bottom