SMSL DL100 DAC and Headphone Amp Review

[Bow_Wazoo]

If I have understood the measurement correctly, the power at 16 ohms is not twice as high as at 32 ohms?!

The manufacturer speaks of 2 x 3W at 16 Ohm, and twice 1.5W at 32 Ohm.

It's practically impossible for me to push the DL 100 to the point of clipping with my Noire X, right?!

 

[staticV3]

If I have understood the measurement correctly, the power at 16 ohms is not twice as high as at 32 ohms?!

In Amir's measurements, 16 and 32Ω clip at the same output voltage, hence output power is indeed twice as high at 16Ω.

It's practically impossible for me to push the DL 100 to the point of clipping with my Noire X, right?!

To clip the DL100, you'd have to push the Noire X to about 118dB SPL Peak.

 

[JIW]

If I have understood the measurement correctly, the power at 16 ohms is not twice as high as at 32 ohms?!

View attachment 426434

The manufacturer speaks of 2 x 3W at 16 Ohm, and twice 1.5W at 32 Ohm.

It's practically impossible for me to push the DL 100 to the point of clipping with my Noire X, right?!

Amir's power measurement shows 1.42 W RMS at 33 Ohm which corresponds to sqrt(33*1.42) = 6.85 V RMS while only showing 6.1 V RMS at 32 Ohm and just slightly less at 16 ohm as well. Thus, it may well produce 3 W RMS at 16 Ohm. At 12 Ohm, output is restricted to around 5 V RMS, i.e. around 14 dBV. Full output seems to be around 8 V RMS, i.e. around 18 dBV based on the 600 Ohm voltage. Thus, with the Noire X, it may clip at any volume higher than -5.

 

[Bow_Wazoo]

I don't think I've understood the measuring procedure yet. How loud can the input signal be, which Amir has to feed in digitally, for example via USB, if I've understood correctly?
It can be a maximum of 0dB true peak level?!
Is it then, regardless of the load applied to the headphone output, loud enough to cause the amplifier to clip up to the 0 position of the volume control?

 

[Bow_Wazoo]

Thus, with the Noire X, it may clip at any volume higher than -5.

That's close...
I need sometimes to go higher.
I got a +3db bass boost in my profile, and I use the normalize option.

 

[Bow_Wazoo]

The Loxjie D40 pro delivers 2x4.4w @16Ohm right?

 

[staticV3]

That's close...
I need sometimes to go higher.

Higher than 118dB SPL Peak? I doubt it.

I usually listen at 80-85dB Peak. 118dB would be mental! Quite literally 10x my usual listening volume.

 

[Bow_Wazoo]

my volume control is usually between -10 and -5.
Is there a halfway usable measuring method that I can implement with my USB microphone?

 

[staticV3]

my volume control is usually between -10 and -5

If you're struggling to get good loudness out of the DL100+Noire X, then somewhere along the signal chain you're giving away headroom.

The DL100+Noire X themselves are capable of permanent hearing damage levels of loudness.

 

[Bow_Wazoo]

Yes, you're right. I guess I got a bit worked up about it.Subjectively, from my listening experience, I can't detect any distortion at all and I can reach the volume I want. Even if I have to set the volume control to -3. But that only happens with very dynamic mastering like MfSl Muddy Water - Folk Singer.

 

[Bow_Wazoo]

What kind of relay is that, that I hear switching, when I turn it from -8 to -7?

 

[vinodk69]

New member here. Slowly going down the rabbit hole of headphone world. I am looking at this DAC/amp. Have Oppo BDP-103 player connected to old Denon AVR X5200 receiver with beefy amp stage. Using Oppo just as universal audio player. Can I connect HDMI 2 output(audio only) of Oppo directly to HDMI input on this DAC to listen to SACD in DSD direct as well as well as DVD-A without any down-scaling of audio codecs?
Thanks

 

[Limopard]

Will the SMSL suffice for a DCA Aeon flow closed RT? Got a nice offer for a used one...

 

[staticV3]

Will the SMSL suffice for a DCA Aeon flow closed RT? Got a nice offer for a used one...

The DL100 can drive the Aeon RT Closed to about 111dB SPL Peak.

For my needs, that would be easily loud enough.

 

[Limopard]

The DL100 can drive the Aeon RT Closed to about 111dB SPL Peak.

For my needs, that would be easily loud enough.

Seems sufficient, I don't want to crush my brain (or whatever is left from it).

 

[namcost]

Can we get an update? I would love to see how Filter 5 (NOS mode) looks graph wise. PERSONALLY, I already own the unit. And going between FL1 and FL5 to see hear the difference, I can say 100% that NOS mode sounds better. But would love to see an actual graph like how you tested FL1.... Utilizing my Sony MDR-MV1 headphones which are hi-res certified to 80khz.... I mean the sound is just, yummy/creamy in NOS mode.

This is a review, listening tests and detailed measurements of the SMSL DL100 balanced stereo DAC and headphone amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $179.
View attachment 388167
The DL100 is a fair departure from standard SMSL offering in that it uses a stamped steel enclosure instead of machined aluminum. Despite that, the unit maintains its high quality feel and you only notice otherwise when you look from behind and see the seams in the lid:
View attachment 388168
The slanted back and bright display make it easier to see the settings at the desk. Alas, I wish that it would show the volume by default than sample rate. A remote control is provided (not shown).

I love that despite the budget pricing, and slim case, the power supply is in the case. And support for HDMI ARC (which I cannot test at the moment).

Navigation of the settings was surprisingly easy display the limited display type.

We expect superb measured performance from SMSL so let's test to see if there are any surprised.

SMSL DL100 Measurements
As usual we start with our dashboard:
View attachment 388169
This nicely lands the DL100 in our excellent category:
View attachment 388170
Output can go higher, delivering even better performance:
View attachment 388171

Here is RCA output:
View attachment 388172

Here is the dynamic range:
View attachment 388178

IMD tests shows slightly earlier distortion rise (curve starting to flatten) but it is still impressively low:
View attachment 388173

Multitone performance is superb in mid and higher frequencies where it matters:
View attachment 388174

As is measurement of 50 Hz tone into 600 ohm load per stereophile test:
View attachment 388175

Linearity is perfect but shows a very slight offset at both ends of the spectrum:
View attachment 388176

Jitter is excellent sans harmless couple of sidebands:
View attachment 388177

I did not mess with filters so here is the default behavior (filter 1):
View attachment 388179
View attachment 388180

At first blush, wideband distortion+noise vs frequency looks quite high:
View attachment 388181

But that is an artifact of measuring all the way to 90 kHz and pulling in "noise shaping" behavior:
View attachment 388182

Actual distortion spikes are down a whopping -135 dB so no audible issue at all.

My minimum standard for headphone output with 300 ohm is 100mwatts and DL100 easily passes that mark:
View attachment 388184

Notice the incredibly low distortion before it clips. Story gets even better with 32 ohm load:
View attachment 388186
Good current delivery ability means that it is able to keep increasing power all the way down to 16 ohm!
View attachment 388187

Most headphone amps in this class start to droop the voltage at 32 ohm and below.

Sorry forgot to save the 50mv test results last night.

SMSL DL100 Listening Tests
I went right to the stress test of using my everyday Dan Clark E3 headphone to pair with the DL100. This is a rather difficult headphone to drive but the DL100 had no trouble producing superb fidelity with it and no hint of any distortion even at max volume. Speaking of that, comfortable listening was at -10 dB on the display. Pushing to 0 dB allowed just enough headroom to shorten your hearing lifetime by a bit while producing excellent dynamics! Someone had complained about switching track glitches with SMSL DACs but I heard nothing here with my Roon player.

Conclusions
DL100 provides some form factor changes and inclusion of HDMI ARC. Performance is more than excellent in every area, making for a compelling package despite its attractive price. I especially like its high current drive for headphones that have low impedance.

I am happy to recommend the SMSL DL100 dac and headphone amplifier.
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As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.

Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/

 

[JIW]

Can we get an update? I would love to see how Filter 5 (NOS mode) looks graph wise. PERSONALLY, I already own the unit. And going between FL1 and FL5 to see hear the difference, I can say 100% that NOS mode sounds better. But would love to see an actual graph like how you tested FL1.... Utilizing my Sony MDR-MV1 headphones which are hi-res certified to 80khz.... I mean the sound is just, yummy/creamy in NOS mode.

This is from the product page.

 

[NexusOne]

The DL100 can drive the Aeon RT Closed to about 111dB SPL Peak.

Hello,

I also use the DL100 and I am not sure to update it because I am a All in one fan and in a tv environment it is a disadvantage to have an external DAC. Am I allowed to ask you anything?

- With my XS the DL100 sounds very good. Do you think the DO200 Pro sounds better or should there be no difference?
- Does it make sense to buy a H400 additionaly for using it with a Arya or HEK or is the DL100 good enough?

I am not sure but is it correct that the DO200 Pro would make no difference but the H400 will sound a bit better in comparison with the DL100?

I really hope they release a AIO unit in future which is like the H400. The DL100 is entry level and there are no all in one solutions which dimm the display in 5 sec like the DL100. A stand alone DAC doesn't make sense for me.

 

[staticV3]

- With my XS the DL100 sounds very good. Do you think the DO200 Pro sounds better or should there be no difference?

There should be no difference.

- Does it make sense to buy a H400 additionaly for using it with a Arya or HEK or is the DL100 good enough?

It would make sense only if you can hear distortion from the DL100 before you can reach the desired loudness.

I am not sure but is it correct that the DO200 Pro would make no difference but the H400 will sound a bit better in comparison with the DL100?

If the DL100 gets loud enough without distorting, then neither switching to the DO200 Pro, nor adding an H400 will make any difference.

 

[JIW]

Hello,

I also use the DL100 and I am not sure to update it because I am a All in one fan and in a tv environment it is a disadvantage to have an external DAC. Am I allowed to ask you anything?

- With my XS the DL100 sounds very good. Do you think the DO200 Pro sounds better or should there be no difference?
- Does it make sense to buy a H400 additionaly for using it with a Arya or HEK or is the DL100 good enough?

I am not sure but is it correct that the DO200 Pro would make no difference but the H400 will sound a bit better in comparison with the DL100?

I really hope they release a AIO unit in future which is like the H400. The DL100 is entry level and there are no all in one solutions which dimm the display in 5 sec like the DL100. A stand alone DAC doesn't make sense for me.

The Edition XS, Arya, HE1000 all have very similar sensitivity of 108-109.5 dB SPL at 1 V RMS with Edition XS having the highest. However, the Edition has an impedance of 18 Ohm whereas the others have an impedance of 32 Ohm. The DL100 can produce 3 W at 16 Ohm so 10*log10(3*16) = 16.81 dBV. Its maximum output is around 8 V RMS or 18 dBV. Thus, if volume below -3 is loud enough with Edition XS there is no benefit to an external amp.