• WANTED: Happy members who like to discuss audio and other topics related to our interest. Desire to learn and share knowledge of science required. 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!

SMSL DO100 Review (Stereo DAC)

Rate this DAC:

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 4 1.1%
  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 7 1.9%
  • 3. Fine (happy panther

    Votes: 34 9.1%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 328 87.9%

  • Total voters
    373
What's the difference with PRO version? Only HDMI? anyone have PRO version, enlightened me?
 
What's the difference with PRO version? Only HDMI?
See the respective product page:
 
I'm thinking of that unit as a possible volume control for some active speakers in a living room setup with a WiiM streamer as source. Anyone tried a similar setup?
 
I'm thinking of that unit as a possible volume control for some active speakers in a living room setup with a WiiM streamer as source. Anyone tried a similar setup?
I would just use the Wiim to control volume and simplify the setup.
 
And so go RCA to XLR for the speakers? Volume control through just the WiiMphone app ? Or the WiiM optional physical remote? Thanks!
Yeah I would go RCA to XLR for the speakers and the remote is included with both the Pro+ and Ultra. If you go with a Pro, I would get the remote.
The Wiim remote is Bluetooth and a lot easier to use than the IR remote supplied with the DO100.
 
Yeah I would go RCA to XLR for the speakers and the remote is included with both the Pro+ and Ultra. If you go with a Pro, I would get the remote.
The Wiim remote is Bluetooth and a lot easier to use than the IR remote supplied with the DO100.
I see. I've tried RCA to XLR in the past with a DAC and there were no issues. I already have the Pro so in that case would perhaps be ugrading to the Pro Plus to take advantage of the improvements. Thanks!
 
I have a Pro connected to an SMSL DO100 via optical and decided to use the volume control on the Pro as it is so much easier.
I, personally, would stick with the Pro and only update if I could hear noise from MLP when your active speakers are hooked up directly to the Pro.
If I was going to upgrade, I would go up to the Ultra for the Arc input and subwoofer output/bass management as it gives more flexibility.
 
Is SMSL serious about this remote? My preamp is in the shop (warranty repair) so I got a DO100 pro to listen to my music on my Roon server in the interim. The remote is completely useless. Anyone who wants to use this as a volume controlled source better be in a tiny room. I dragged my old Harmony remote out of storage to have something that works. I didn’t know they sold IR emitter/receivers this weak. I’ve had craploads of AV devices in my lifetime and never had a remote that was even close to this weak.
 
See the respective product page:
Thank you, sir
 
Just some advice please! Going to use the DO100 Pro as a pure DAC to my headphone amp(input from my desktop or over bluetooth). Was watching this review.

The Topping D50 III can be run in DAC only mode(2V RCA),but the DO100 can't be run this way. Video suggests running the volume encoder at 95% to output 2V - is this true and has there been any issues running this DAC through a normal amplifer? Thanks.
 
Just some advice please! Going to use the DO100 Pro as a pure DAC to my headphone amp(input from my desktop or over bluetooth). Was watching this review.

The Topping D50 III can be run in DAC only mode(2V RCA),but the DO100 can't be run this way. Video suggests running the volume encoder at 95% to output 2V - is this true and has there been any issues running this DAC through a normal amplifer? Thanks.

Why would there be?

DACs are designed to do one thing, and that is drive the input of amplifiers. A headamp is simply a power amplifier with an input attenuator that's low power and designed to drive impedances typical of headphones.

You can set the output at 100 if you wish. There's nothing magic about setting a DAC output so that it is at 2 Vrms for a 0 dBFS digital input level. You would simply adjust the volume on the headamp down a tiny, tiny bit if setting the DO100 Pro output to 100 would provide a 2.10 Vrms signal to the headamp at 0 dBFS digital input.
 
Last edited:
Why would there be?

DACs are designed to do one thing, and that is drive the input of amplifiers. A headamp is simply a power amplifier with an input attenuator that's low power and designed to drive impedances typical of headphones.

Thanks!
 
Why would there be?

DACs are designed to do one thing, and that is drive the input of amplifiers. A headamp is simply a power amplifier with an input attenuator that's low power and designed to drive impedances typical of headphones.

You can set the output at 100 if you wish. There's nothing magic about setting a DAC output so that it is at 2 Vrms for a 0 dBFS digital input level. You would simply adjust the volume on the headamp down a tiny, tiny bit if setting the DO100 Pro output to 100 would provide a 2.10 Vrms signal to the headamp at 0 dBFS digital input.
I have SMSL do100. It goes to 99- no 100 !
 
I have SMSL do100. It goes to 99- no 100 !

I do too, which is why I edited my above reply. I missed the "Pro" in Hifidude20's original post so before that edit, it stated that he should set the output to 99.
 
I do too, which is why I edited my above reply. I missed the "Pro" in Hifidude20's original post so before that edit, it stated that he should set the output to 99.
Are we sure his headphone amp can take higher voltage?
 
Are we sure his headphone amp can take higher voltage?

Seems to me that the volume control on the headamp takes care of that with no other intervention. If you hear distortion, you turn down the volume.
 
Well I received it and looks like I was worrying about nothing, Works fine at full output.
 
See the respective product page:
Help !!! I have lost the Bluetooth antenna. Plug is very small and different from an F satellite receiver plug, what to do ??? Thanks
 
Back
Top Bottom