SMSL DL100 DAC and Headphone Amp Review

[Sal1950]

In the home balanced is more about avoiding ground-related noise issues like hum from ground loops or 'computer noise' than interference rejection. These affect a minority of people, but for those people they are a real problem as demonstrated by the many threads started by people asking how to solve their noise issue.

If I had the ability to use straight XLR here I definitely would, but my amps, etc are all RCA.
In the main I love the idea that XLR's have the locking feature and won't fall out if gear gets moved, etc.
I really hate the cheesy connector designs that have become the norm in audio.

 

[staticV3]

That looks like around the level is 27.5 dB below 3.5 V so around 150 mV not 50 mV. SNR is -10*log10(10^((THD+N)/10) - 10^(THD/10)) = 91.2 dB. The correction to 50 mV level is 20*log10(0.05) - (20*log10(3.5) - 27.5) = -9.4 dB so at 50 mV, SNR is 91.2 - 9.4 = 81.8 dB.

During that FFT, the Apple dongles put out 50mVrms, double-checked with an Aneng AN870 and a 60Hz sine tone.

I have high confidence in Apple dongle 50mV SINAD being 91dB, but can double-check for you if you're not convinced.

 

[JIW]

During that FFT, the Apple dongles put out 50mVrms, double-checked with an Aneng AN870 and a 60Hz sine tone.

I have high confidence in Apple dongle 50mV SINAD being 91dB, but can double-check for you if you're not convinced.

The full scale sine voltage on the top is stated as 3.5 V and the input level is around -27.5 dBFS in the top right giving 3.5*10^(-27.5/20) = 148 mV.

Did you use an amplifier between the dongle and the ADC?

 

[Limopard]

OK, it arrived and does its job well as expected. A worthy alternative to the DX3pro+ in the same price bracket for those who want a 1/4 inch jack, XLR outputs and an HDMI-ARC input. The DX3 pro looks a bit more stylish to me than the rather simple looking SMSL. Manufacturing quality is still good, despite of having just a standard steel lid.

 

[staticV3]

The full scale sine voltage on the top is stated as 3.5 V and the input level is around -27.5 dBFS in the top right giving 3.5*10^(-27.5/20) = 148 mV.

The full scale sine voltage displayed on top is a value left over from a previous measurement. It is not indicative of the measurement shown in the graph.

If it was, then I'd have chosen Vrms as the y-axis value.

 

[JIW]

The full scale sine voltage displayed on top is a value left over from a previous measurement. It is not indicative of the measurement shown in the graph.

If it was, then I'd have chosen Vrms as the y-axis value.

So what voltage was 0 dBFS?

 

[GRBH]

I only have 2 things to say against this dac. Left and right are backwards and also upside down. Other then that it seems perfectly fine.

It only looks backwards from the rear of the unit. If you face the front of the unit to connect the cables, you don't have to look at the L/R markings to know which way the cables plug in. I've seen this before on other equipment,

 

[Krusty09]

It only looks backwards from the rear of the unit. If you face the front of the unit to connect the cables, you don't have to look at the L/R markings to know which way the cables plug in. I've seen this before on other equipment,

Thanks. I understand why they did it but I don't like it . I also don't like the fact that the surface mount xlr connectors are upside down as having to push the release means you need to lift everything up to push the pins.

 

[Esprit]

Left and right are backwards

That's correct: the cables don't cross.

 

[Henreid]

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.

Thanks, Amir, for your quick review of the DL100, which was released just this June. Until I saw your test results I had a different DAC/Amp in my shopping cart costing $100 more. It's always gratifying to save a significant amount of cash on a component while still benefiting from excellent performance.

 

[Esprit]

I also don't like the fact that the surface mount xlr connectors are upside down as having to push the release means you need to lift everything up to push the pins.

This is wrong.

 

[Krusty09]

This is wrong.

How

 

[pseudoid]

It would require an entirely new analyzer at vast cost. Amir has the APX555. It is apparently not compatible with the HDMI module and he would need an APX-555B.
Pretty hard to justify just for HDMI ARC testing if you ask me.

And if they did; perhaps it would be proper to provide such specs, for those who may want to know.

It came to me in the middle of the night!
During February 2019, @amirm had measured/reviewed the Essense HDACC II-4k HDMI DAC.
It was clever how he was able to perform his testing....

...DAC Audio Measurements
As mentioned, I ran the HDMI cable from my PC workstation to the HDACC II-4K and then to my monitor. I then used the Nvidia graphic card's audio interface to play content it which worked like a charm. This is our dashboard view using this setup. The 1 kHz test signal is playing using Roon media player:

...and results were better than expected:

Technology sure has changed in the intervening years.
Orei already offers an '8K' ARC/eARC extractor (Model:BK-929) for DolbyAtmos/DTS:X, for a buck-and-a-quarter.

 

[Joffy1780]

It came to me in the middle of the night!
During February 2019, @amirm had measured/reviewed the Essense HDACC II-4k HDMI DAC.
It was clever how he was able to perform his testing....

...and results were better than expected:
View attachment 388850
Technology sure has changed in the intervening years.
Orei already offers an '8K' ARC/eARC extractor (Model:BK-929) for DolbyAtmos/DTS:X, for a buck-and-a-quarter.

That DAC accepts HDMI input, it is not limited to ARC input.

 

[ehabheikal]

Does it have a remote control?

 

[Bleib]

Does it have a remote control?

Yes. Standard SMSL, not had a unit with which it works poorly

 

[Esprit]

How

Wrong how SMSL installed it

 

[TonyJZX]

https://imgur.com/a/ej0B6gg

looks like they installed it CORRECT on the M300

and they did whatever they did on the DL100

 

[Joffy1780]

https://imgur.com/a/ej0B6gg

looks like they installed it CORRECT on the M300

and they did whatever they did on the DL100

Strange decision, for sure. Would have been better to go with TRS, as they have with the DL200.

 

[OldTimer]

I think the price will be $300 because tax import 100% for chinese goods.