SMSL C100 DAC making a rattling noise inside when you gently tilt it up & down?

[Zek]

According to the picture of the interior of the C100, there is nothing there that could rattle.

 

[alexanderino]

I’m now considering whether to go for the SMSL SU-1 DAC instead (apparently, better sounding than the C100?)

The two units' processing pipeline appears to be similar if not identical. However, I vastly prefer the C100 for these reasons.

Is it not too late for you to return it back for refund or replacement?

I've decided to keep it for a few more days and identify the source of the rattling.

 

[alexanderino]

Found the origin of the metallic rattling: it's this silver O-ringwasher located in the Bluetooth antenna input. It moves around when the box is shaken. Holding it down silences it. Hope that's of some help.

 

[kotc]

I didn’t open the C100 up to investigate or have a look inside as it was purchased from Amazon so I had the easy, sensible option to return it back for a refund.

Maybe it just a case of quality control during production, there’s only a small percentage of the C100 have this rattling issue, as you mentioned, the 1st C100 you had was fine.

In my opinion, you shouldn’t have to open the C100 up yourself to investigate if it’s new as it shouldn’t even have this rattling issue in the first place?

I think most would just return it back for a refund if the option is there!

 

[alexanderino]

I didn’t open the C100 up to investigate or have a look inside as it was purchased from Amazon so I had the easy, sensible option to return it back for a refund.

That's fine, and that's your choice. My post was to share the information with ASR readers, and it made no judgement regarding your decision.

In my opinion, you shouldn’t have to open the C100 up yourself to investigate if it’s new as it shouldn’t even have this rattling issue in the first place?

I shouldn't have to, but I can choose if I want to. Doing so revealed the source of the problem, confirmed that it is not in a position to cause catastrophic failure, and that it is easily remedied.

 

[johny_2000]

So, if it's a washer on the Bluetooth antenna mount, it was designed to be tightened inside the external antenna nut.
This way it will be pressed tightly against the wall of the case and will not rattle.
Did you have the antenna attached when it rattled?

 

[alexanderino]

Did you have the antenna attached when it rattled?

Not at the time the photo was taken. However, my first C100 never rattled (in fact, I have no idea if it had a washer in the first place as I never opened it. The image in this post shows no washer). Also, if I recall correctly, the second one did rattle with the BT antenna. Tightening the connection made no difference. I'll confirm this when I return home. EDIT: the rattling is present even when the antenna is attached.

 

[kotc]

Now that you have found the source of the rattling sound inside the C100 caused by a loose metal O ring/washer, is there a way of tightening it up from inside?

From the photo you have posted, the washer looks lopsided, not aligned or flushed against the casing.

Looks easily remedied with a bit of silicon or hot glue on it, if you can’t tighten up the washer from inside or outside.

Still, this class as a manufacturer minor production defect so if new, you shouldn’t have to open it up yourself, spend time to investigate, try & fix it, just send it back, refund or replacement

Of course, if you choose to do so, that is also fine!

 

[alexanderino]

Now that you have found the source of the rattling sound inside the C100 caused by a loose metal O ring/washer, is there a way of tightening it up from inside?

From the photo you have posted, the washer looks lopsided, not aligned or flushed against the casing.

Looks easily remedied with a bit of silicon or hot glue on it, if you can’t tighten up the washer from inside or outside.

Correct. It's too thin (hence appears lopsided), and (at first glance) cannot be tightened from the inside. Silicon/hot glue is the way to go.

 

[Yersinia Bestmate]

How about a drop or two of cyanoacrylate glue? Hardens in seconds, makes a solid bond.

 

[kotc]

Cryanoacrylate glue (superglue) is usually watery, difficult to control the flow, you have to be very careful during application.
Make a mistake and it would spread all over the place, messy and very difficult to remove.

Silicon, hot glue or even an all purpose glue like UHU is a much safer bet, if you do make a mistake, it’s a lot easier to remove, just re-apply until you get it right.

 

[Yersinia Bestmate]

Cryanoacrylate glue (superglue) is usually watery, difficult to control the flow, you have to be very careful during application.
Make a mistake and it would spread all over the place, messy and very difficult to remove.

Silicon, hot glue or even an all purpose glue like UHU is a much safer bet, if you do make a mistake, it’s a lot easier to remove, just re-apply until you get it right.

There are gel-like, non-watery cyanoacrylate glues avaivable nowadays. Not messy at all.

But if one wants the part to be easily removed (hard to imagine why?) then hot glue would be my choice.

edit: typo

 

[Steel Squirrel]

I have purchased a SMSL C100 DAC from Amazon, connected it up, great sounding & looks well made.

However, I noticed when you tilt the SMSL C100 DAC up & down, there’s a rattling noise inside like there’s something loose inside which is a bit concerning?

Apart from that, everything works fine, the rattling noise issue has been there from new, straight out of the box?

Message the Amazon seller about the rattling noise issue, seller requested a short video clip to demonstrate the issue for them to send to SMSL technician to assess which I’ve obliged.

A couple of days later, the Amazon seller message me the SMSL technician assessed the video clip sent & informed them it’s the scew on Bluetooth antenna that’s making the rattling noise, just needs tightening up to solve the issue.

This just didn’t make any sense as the video clip sent to them, the Bluetooth antenna wasn’t even screw on the SMSL C100 DAC so I message the seller about this & no response since!

I really like the SMSL C100 DAC & want to keep it as it’s fully functional but the rattling noise issue is a bit concerning?

Anyone encounter this before, rattling noise inside issue with the SMSL C100 DAC or any similar SMSL DAC products?

Can’t make my mind up whether to keep it as I really like the SMSL C100 or just return it back to Amazon for a refund?


Thanks

I had that exact same problem, so I opened it up to check it out. I discovered the little nut inside that tightens on the Bluetooth antenna was a bit loose. Open it up and give it a tighten and it'll be just fine.

 

[kotc]

I have returned it back to Amazon for a full refund & purchased another SMSL C100. Fortunately, the replacement one doesn’t have any rattling noise issue whatsoever.

My advice is still to return it back to the seller for a refund/replacement if possible rather than having to open it up to tighten the nut inside, add a blob of glue & etc.

 

[BlackTalon]

I have returned it back to Amazon for a full refund & purchased another SMSL C100. Fortunately, the replacement one doesn’t have any rattling noise issue whatsoever.

My advice is still to return it back to the seller for a refund/replacement if possible rather than having to open it up to tighten the nut inside, add a blob of glue & etc.

Eh, this is a science/ engineering forum. I suspect many here would have no qualms about opening it to apply a simple fix. Or, since the source appears to have been identified, I suspect many would probably just ignore it.

 

[kotc]

Eh, this is a science/ engineering forum. I suspect many here would have no qualms about opening it to apply a simple fix. Or, since the source appears to have been identified, I suspect many would probably just ignore it.

Yes, this is an audio science/engineering forum, so how come there’s so many post/messages from the majority of members just looking for advice, information, etc on many hifi/audio matters & not necessary audio rocket science?