SMSL DO300 DAC Review

[Kiko1974]

View attachment 387332The DO300 is a nice machine, I used it to measure my "THD measured record" with the my modif Cosmos ADC.

For playing/converting PCM audio, yes. For DSD playing is a lousy perming DAC as it applies too much gain to DSD signals, over the +6 dB standard, making It sound with too much treble and some distorsión.
I've had a DO 300 for a year and got rid of It and got an SMSL DO 300EX which uses AKM 4499EX plus AKM 4191 (AKM 4191 is not a DAC IC, It does oversampling and Delta Sigma modulation), and It does play DSD properly.

 

[Dawsoo]

My DO300 with the latest firmware 1.014? has no problem with DSD. The only time the volume is raised is in NOS mode at low samplerates.

 

[Kiko1974]

My DO300 with the latest firmware 1.014? has no problem with DSD. The only time the volume is raised is in NOS mode at low samplerates.

I had the DO300 until last March. There was a firmware update available back then, which I did to my DO300 but It didn't sort out the problem with DSD.
I Don't know how a brand, Chinese or not, can release a device with such an issue.
Fortunately the DO300 EX sorts this out, and in addition to that, I prefer the sound of the AKM based DO 300 EX. I think the AKM chipset combination of AK4499 EXQ plus AK4191 sounds outstanding. A friend of mine owns an SMSL D400 PRO which uses the same AKM chipset as the DO300 EX but with a better (actually two) power supply, and It sounds identical to the DO300 EX, that is impressive, even if the Sabre chipset used on the DO300 measures better on lab tests. I find the DO300 very detailed, but also cold and "musically boring".

 

[Dawsoo]

I think it depends on the chain and even more personal preferences, so no generalization is out of place.

For me, on the contrary, AK4491+4499EX is not good at all, in terms of measurement and sound. I had a short time (E70V, Gustard A26, D400EX) and the sound didn't suit me in any of them = in short, in my dac set with AK4499 it averages the recordings, which always means its own signature, I understand that it suits some people, but not me and I don't consider it for correct..

I am much more comfortable with the ESS9028pro 9039q2m 9039pro and Crystal 43198 and 43131 DACs, and also the cheaper basic AK4493S (except E30). Of course, these are very small nuances and I just want to say that general statements about sound are invalid, we can only talk about subjective preference at most.

 

[Kiko1974]

I think it depends on the chain and even more personal preferences, so no generalization is out of place.

For me, on the contrary, AK4491+4499EX is not good at all, in terms of measurement and sound. I had a short time (E70V, Gustard A26, D400EX) and the sound didn't suit me in any of them = in short, in my dac set with AK4499 it averages the recordings, which always means its own signature, I understand that it suits some people, but not me and I don't consider it for correct..

I am much more comfortable with the ESS9028pro 9039q2m 9039pro and Crystal 43198 and 43131 DACs, and also the cheaper basic AK4493S (except E30). Of course, these are very small nuances and I just want to say that general statements about sound are invalid, we can only talk about subjective preference at most.

I agree with you that the AK4491 plus AK4499EX do have a sound signature, a character, a "Sound Personality", just like, as an example, tubes have a very distinct Sound, and among tube brands there are very different sound signatures and nuances. NOS Telefunken ECC83 (the European equivalent of US 12AX7), NOS RCA 12AX7 and NOS Mullard ECC83 are all tubes, and they all sound very different, and they all have their fans (I love Telefunken ECC83's).
It happens that the combination of AK4491 plus AK4498EX sounds suits my sound preferences better than the Sabre ESS9028PRO, regardless of which one of them measures best.

 

[Wild 7]

I’ve been using the +2.0 db output for almost 6 months for Tidal and finds it loud and harsh. Switching back to 0 db output today and the SQ is much closer to the CD output.

Do anyone have the same finds ?

 

[Dac Visitor]

Today with a little Blackfriday discount bought a DO300EX. After reading mostly enthusiastic reviews I want to hear the difference. Come from a modified Arcam irDAC that I actually like but curiosity gnaws at me. For the playback a modified Denon PMA 735 R with B&W DM 7 equipped with Viawave SRT 7 ribbons and modified crossover for this combination. Expect the DO300EX in the first week of December and will report.

 

[sbgk]

It's interesting that the DPLL setting improves the sound quality when set to 0. Gustard currently use the ES9039SPRO chip in their X26iii and X30 dacs, wonder if they've left the DPLL setting at the default (it's not configurable by the user)

In the ES9039PRO datasheet it says Minimum Phase is the default and has this description - v2 of minimum phase fast roll off with less ripple and more image rejection
and also says minimum phase filters are asymmetric filters that work to minimise the pre echo of the filter, while still maintaining an excellent frequency response and they peak earlier than linear phase filters resulting in a lower group delay. Minimum phase filters usually feature zero cycles of pre echo, which can result in improved audio quality

 

[RandomEar]

It's interesting that the DPLL setting improves the sound quality when set to 0. Gustard currently use the ES9039SPRO chip in their X26iii and X30 dacs, wonder if they've left the DPLL setting at the default (it's not configurable by the user)

DPLL doesn't change the sound at all, unless you have audio dropouts. Toslink is a digital signal and - apart from small amounts of jitter on mediocre sources - doesn't change the audio data. And even then, the jitter is almost always inaudible.

In the ES9039PRO datasheet it says Minimum Phase is the default and has this description - v2 of minimum phase fast roll off with less ripple and more image rejection
and also says minimum phase filters are asymmetric filters that work to minimise the pre echo of the filter, while still maintaining an excellent frequency response and they peak earlier than linear phase filters resulting in a lower group delay. Minimum phase filters usually feature zero cycles of pre echo, which can result in improved audio quality

Apart from super slow filters with drooping frequency response in the treble region, I have yet to see / hear any difference between typical DAC filters. You can choose whatever filter you like best, it won't hurt the music. But it's also very unlikely to result in any audible difference.

 

[sbgk]

DPLL doesn't change the sound at all, unless you have audio dropouts. Toslink is a digital signal and - apart from small amounts of jitter on mediocre sources - doesn't change the audio data. And even then, the jitter is almost always inaudible.


Apart from super slow filters with drooping frequency response in the treble region, I have yet to see / hear any difference between typical DAC filters. You can choose whatever filter you like best, it won't hurt the music. But it's also very unlikely to result in any audible difference.

I'm sure there's no jitter, but the circuit that makes it jitter proof muddys the sound and can be reduced by the dpll setting
I tried various filters and they sounded pretty cold and uninvolving, setting the filter off let the music flow and sounded more realistic.
end of the day it's about listening and getting an emotional involvement no matter how it measures

 

[RandomEar]

I'm sure there's no jitter, but the circuit that makes it jitter proof muddys the sound and can be reduced by the dpll setting

I'm sorry, but it does not "muddy the sound". It's a digital signal - you either hear the audio, or you get drop-outs. There's no in-between. You're doing sighted listening and your brain is playing tricks on you.

I tried various filters and they sounded pretty cold and uninvolving, setting the filter off let the music flow and sounded more realistic.

If "filter off" means NOS, it will probably be slightly louder and (on average) exhibit a rolled-off treble response. Yes, that is likely to sound different, just like ultra slow filters might. Other "correct" filters should sound more or less the same. At least I never heard any difference between linear phase, minimum phase or ESS apodizing filters.

end of the day it's about listening and getting an emotional involvement no matter how it measures

Kinda agree. But this is audiosciencereview and many users prefer to stay close to verifiable facts and are allergic to audiophoolery. I think it's important to point out statements that are objectively wrong. Helping people get informed results in better decisions.

 

[Wild 7]

My DO300 display couldn‘t show the signal file type anymore, it stays at 44.1kHz even though the Tidal shows the file is 96kHz or even 192kHz, have any bros here have the same experience ?

 

[Leefer55]

I had the DO300 until last March. There was a firmware update available back then, which I did to my DO300 but It didn't sort out the problem with DSD.
I Don't know how a brand, Chinese or not, can release a device with such an issue.
Fortunately the DO300 EX sorts this out, and in addition to that, I prefer the sound of the AKM based DO 300 EX. I think the AKM chipset combination of AK4499 EXQ plus AK4191 sounds outstanding. A friend of mine owns an SMSL D400 PRO which uses the same AKM chipset as the DO300 EX but with a better (actually two) power supply, and It sounds identical to the DO300 EX, that is impressive, even if the Sabre chipset used on the DO300 measures better on lab tests. I find the DO300 very detailed, but also cold and "musically boring".

Have you ever tried flipping your USB C connection to the DO300EX? I read a post on Audio Asylum where the OP claims a difference in SQ between the two orientations. I am skeptical of such claims but I figured why not, it's a simple enough to implement and if I don't hear a difference on my DO300EX, well no harm no foul. So I flipped the USB C connection 180 degrees and FFS, the images were tighter, the soundstage was wider, details were more apparent... Must be my imagination, right?

 

[Jimbob54]

Have a friend flip with you having a blindfold on. Or friend doesnt flip , just disconnects and reconects same way round . You will be guessing for sure.

 

[Kiko1974]

Have you ever tried flipping your USB C connection to the DO300EX? I read a post on Audio Asylum where the OP claims a difference in SQ between the two orientations. I am skeptical of such claims but I figured why not, it's a simple enough to implement and if I don't hear a difference on my DO300EX, well no harm no foul. So I flipped the USB C connection 180 degrees and FFS, the images were tighter, the soundstage was wider, details were more apparent... Must be my imagination, right?

I don't own the DO300 EX anymore. I returned it and got an SMSL D 400 PRO. Despite both using the same AKM chipset, I much prefer the sound of the D400 PRO. It may be because the D400 PRO uses two power supplies instead of one, or maybe the better circuit design of the D400 PRO Next to the DO300 EX, or even the use of better op-amps on the D400 PRO. For me It was worthwhile paying around 280 Euros more for the D400 PRO. It sounds better, the display is also better with a superior and more informative and easy to read lay out, not to mention a much better exterior body desing and finish.

 

[Leefer55]

I don't own the DO300 EX anymore. I returned it and got an SMSL D 400 PRO. Despite both using the same AKM chipset, I much prefer the sound of the D400 PRO. It may be because the D400 PRO uses two power supplies instead of one, or maybe the better circuit design of the D400 PRO Next to the DO300 EX, or even the use of better op-amps on the D400 PRO. For me It was worthwhile paying around 280 Euros more for the D400 PRO. It sounds better, the display is also better with a superior and more informative and easy to read lay out, not to mention a much better exterior body desing and finish.

Before going with the DO300EX, I looked at other units including the DO400 PRO and tho it looked to be superior in many ways, my need for HP out was paramount.

 

[Leefer55]

Have a friend flip with you having a blindfold on. Or friend doesnt flip , just disconnects and reconects same way round . You will be guessing for sure.

I marked the USB C connecter with my preferred orientation and then had my son randomly flip and note the connection back and forth, sometimes he changed it, sometimes he didn't. I "correctly" identified the connection 7 out of 8 times and on the one I missed, I allowed myself to be distracted at a critical time during that test. I am by no means a golden ear so am a little amused that I could hear/sense the change.

I would be guessing if I was using a recording of average quality that I was unfamiliar with that was heavily congested with many instruments and voices. For the test, I used recordings that are sparse that were very well recorded.

 

[RandomEar]

I marked the USB C connecter with my preferred orientation and then had my son randomly flip and note the connection back and forth, sometimes he changed it, sometimes he didn't. I "correctly" identified the connection 7 out of 8 times and on the one I missed, I allowed myself to be distracted at a critical time during that test. I am by no means a golden ear so am a little amused that I could hear/sense the change.

I would be guessing if I was using a recording of average quality that I was unfamiliar with that was heavily congested with many instruments and voices. For the test, I used recordings that are sparse that were very well recorded.

What is the "tell" that you use to distinguish the orientations?

 

[Leefer55]

What is the "tell" that you use to distinguish the orientations?

Depends on the recording I used.

On Dean Peer's "Lord's Tundra" at the 1:42 mark, the bass guitar solo is played out of phase and the image goes from being a little diffuse and slightly above my speakers to more precise and further above.

On Sara K's "History Repeats Itself", the soundstage is a bit deeper and wider and Sara's voice is a little more precise and further back.

I should add that the increase in precision and soundstage dimension still falls a bit short of my vinyl rig but it's better than the Dragonfly v1.2 I upgraded from.

 

[Jimbob54]

Depends on the recording I used.

On Dean Peer's "Lord's Tundra" at the 1:42 mark, the bass guitar solo is played out of phase and the image goes from being a little diffuse and slightly above my speakers to more precise and further above.

On Sara K's "History Repeats Itself", the soundstage is a bit deeper and wider and Sara's voice is a little more precise and further back.

I should add that the increase in precision and soundstage dimension still falls a bit short of my vinyl rig but it's better than the Dragonfly v1.2 I upgraded from.

A head scratcher for sure . Needs measuring , sounds like some kind of phase change but who knows why that should be related to the usb connection.