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SMSL DO100 PRO - HDMI ARC DAC

I'm looking to get a do100 pro so I can connect some Adam t7vs to my PC. Can I simply connect the USBC port on the do100 pro to a usb port on my PC and play audio through it or it is not that simple?
 
staticV3 said:
It's that simple.
Click to expand...
Thanks, I've been using RCAs to mini-jack with a Cambridge audio a1 amp powering some Gale floor standing speakers from richer sounds for the last 20 odd years so feeling a bit out of my depth with current stuff! Hopefully this will be good. SMSL do100 to two Adam t7v via XLR.
 
TerriblePain said:
Thanks, I've been using RCAs to mini-jack with a Cambridge audio a1 amp powering some Gale floor standing speakers from richer sounds for the last 20 odd years so feeling a bit out of my depth with current stuff! Hopefully this will be good. SMSL do100 to two Adam t7v via XLR.
Click to expand...
If you'd like, try applying the EQ preset available here: https://www.spinorama.org/speakers/Adam T7V/Misc/index_misc-audioholics.html

It removes the T7V's treble emphasis and makes the speaker slightly more linear:
Screenshot_20240730-205412_Chrome.png
(dashed is the stock response)

On Windows, you can use Equalizer APO for this.
On macOS, use SoundSource.
 
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Toku said:
Unfortunately, the USB input is not isolated. I don't think there are any DAC models currently on the market that have an isolated USB input.
Click to expand...
I just had a Wadia 121 for repair. The USB (looks like Amanero) is not isolated either, but they have implemented some kind of "servo" for the RCA outputs.
The Gnd of the RCA jacks are not connected to the internal Gnd directly. I measure ca. 225 Ohms between internal Gnd and "screen" of the RCA jacks. When I introduce a signal between internal Gnd and the screen of the RCA jack (just like noise due to Gnd-loops), this signal shows up with ca. 60dB attenuation compared to the signal level introduced.

They probably implemented something like Fig5a in this nice article by Douglas Self:

Balanced Line Technology

The Douglas Self Site. audio amplifiers, genealogy.
www.douglas-self.com
 
Is eARC backwards compatible with ARC?
If your TV is HDMI eARC enabled, but your AV amp or soundbar is only compatible with HDMI ARC, you’ll likely get a sound – but the bandwidth restrictions of ARC will mean you won’t be able to experience the high bitrate audio [uncompressed/lossless] that eARC can provide. So no, it's not backwards-compatible.
HDMI CEC Control
CEC (ConsumerElectronicsControl -SimpLink/AnyNet+/Bravia…) will let the remote from one piece of gear control another, as long as they're connected with HDMI […in a perfect world… and not including the "BitStream/PCM" detection].
ARC Issues with 5.1
There is one big issue w/ARC: 5.1. Technically, TVs aren't allowed to send 5.1 audio over HDMI. In other words, if you're watching a movie on Blu-ray with 5.1 Dolby Digital or DTS and it's connected directly to your TV; your receiver might only be able to get 2.0 audio. TVs that can do this are said to have "5.1 passthrough." This restriction helped lead to the creation of eARC, it enables external speakers to playback both 5.1 channel and Dolby Atmos.
Some existing TVs can still do 5.1 while other TVs will output 5.1 via the optical output, but not ARC. Rtings have an extensive list of what TVs do what, dating back to 2017.
cnn link
 
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I have been waiting for the day that the SMSL brigade stepped up to HDMI audio, but the goal-post has moved on to HDMI2.1/eARC and they haven't. :(
I was tempted to go for the SMSL DO100/200 Pro but I realized that my next (2026) TV will probably be some newer flavor of HDMI beyond v2.1.
Hoping SMSL comes up with a version of SMSL RAW-MDA1 DAC that finally offers HDMI2.1/eARC.
 
Maybe I missed, but can someone mention if this DAC or other ones discussed can be properly controlled via the TV remote over HDMI utilizing CEC?
 
darth said:
Maybe I missed, but can someone mention if this DAC or other ones discussed can be properly controlled via the TV remote over HDMI utilizing CEC?
Click to expand...
I own DO200 Pro and while ARC is working fine, I can't make CEC work with my Philips OLED TV.
 
I was interested to buy this DAC since it has an HDMI input for ARC. I have an LG OLED TV with eARC. But then I discovered the SMSL's ARC input is limited to 16bit only while eARC can handle 24bit. I don't understand why SMSL would bother putting an ARC input when they could have made it eARC. If they had made it eARC then there would be no need to buy an eARC extractor. What a waste of an opportunity. Seeing the useless MQA logo adds insult to injury.
 
audiomaestro said:
I was interested to buy this DAC since it has an HDMI input for ARC. I have an LG OLED TV with eARC. But then I discovered the SMSL's ARC input is limited to 16bit only while eARC can handle 24bit. I don't understand why SMSL would bother putting an ARC input when they could have made it eARC. If they had made it eARC then there would be no need to buy an eARC extractor. What a waste of an opportunity. Seeing the useless MQA logo adds insult to injury.
Click to expand...
Do you know an eARC extractor that outputs audio with more than 16 bits?
 
staticV3 said:
Only mention of bit depth is in relation to audio input.

Nowhere does it say that the extractor supports 24bit output.
Click to expand...
These are probably just the data for the installed converters.

audiomaestro said:
I take it all eARC extractors are limited to 16 bit? Back to the drawing board...
Click to expand...
The required ICs are protected and only licensees can purchase these ICs.
 
audiomaestro said:
I was interested to buy this DAC since it has an HDMI input for ARC. I have an LG OLED TV with eARC. But then I discovered the SMSL's ARC input is limited to 16bit only while eARC can handle 24bit. I don't understand why SMSL would bother putting an ARC input when they could have made it eARC. If they had made it eARC then there would be no need to buy an eARC extractor. What a waste of an opportunity. Seeing the useless MQA logo adds insult to injury.
Click to expand...
That's odd. ARC can handle 24 bit. Did SMSL not configure it correctly to announce that capability?
 
I noticed with the OREI DA41 it says "NOTE: It will not work with Dolby AC3/ Dolby Digital Plus etc." but with the Chinese eARC extractor it says "Multiple Audio Output Types: It supports PCM, AC3, DTS, DD+ DTS-HD Master Audio, and DOLBY True HD audio formats".

Seemingly to imply the Chinese eARC device is more capable. Would this make it more likely to output 24 bit audio?
 
somebodyelse said:
That's odd. ARC can handle 24 bit. Did SMSL not configure it correctly to announce that capability?
Click to expand...

DO100 Pro

Foshan ShuangMuSanLin electronics Co., LTD. founded in 2009 which located in Shenzhen, China. And our branch company VMV Technology(HK) Company Limited registered in HK in 2013. Our company is specialized in the audio DAC, stereo headphone amplifier, power amplifier, and with own R&D...
www.smsl-audio.com

They mention every type of connection and its corresponding bitrate limits EXCEPT the arc input. I think that's telling...
 

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