Some questions about the S.M.S.L DO300EX (AK4499)

[Dr.Ames]

Hello everyone, a few settings on my new DAC continue to puzzle me, which the manual and some internet research have not been able to resolve. DSD filters are narrow and wide. Are these simple low pass filters, in which case it would be advisable to use the narrow filter to suppress any high frequency interference? I listen to DSD files natively via DSD direct mode. I also simply don't understand how the 4 Sound Color settings work and what they mean. Many thanks in advance for a little help.

Oh, I've just discovered that I have to set the wide filter for DSD, otherwise I'll have noise with DSD 64 and 128.

 

[Dunring]

There was a response and chart about it here:

Smsl sound color differences

Hi all SMSL Su9 ultra have several sound color SOUND COLOR SOUND 1(5.6M) SOUND 2(5.6M) SOUND 3(11M) SOUND 4(11M) Can someone please explain me the differences ? Thanks

www.audiosciencereview.com

I have one and it's a great DAC, the amp is good for IEMs or less demanding headphones though. I added an SMSL/Drop HO150x amplifier and it's just amazing, sounds so good.

 

[Dr.Ames]

Thank you for your answer, although the linked article refers more to an ESS chip? I am also very satisfied with the sound of the DO300EX so far. As I own a lot of music in DSD format, the settings there are important to me. What really surprised me was the clearly audible noise in the DSD filter setting “narrow” with DSD 64 and DSD 128 files. Actually, I would have expected it to be the other way round, but fortunately this interference disappeared in the “wide” setting.

 

[Leefer55]

Is anyone able to feed the DO300EX a DSD file via HDMI to the DAC's I2S port? I came across one DAC with I2S but it does not accept DSD through this port (don't remember which one).

 

[beingalink]

I have the same problem. I have a shanling et3 connected to the do300ex via I2S. PCM works fine with all sampling rates but dsd upsampling doesn't seem to work with the smsl do300ex no matter what.

 

[Leefer55]

Is anyone able to feed the DO300EX a DSD file via HDMI to the DAC's I2S port? I came across one DAC with I2S but it does not accept DSD through this port (don't remember which one).

I too have a DO300EX and was similarly disappointed when I could not connect to the I2S port. Apparently, we need an HDMI to I2S converter placed in between the source and the DO300EX with an HDMI cable connecting the source to the converter and an I2S cable from the converter to the DAC. The converter does not seem to be available on Amazon but can be had for $50 or less on AliExpress.

 

[Roland68]

I too have a DO300EX and was similarly disappointed when I could not connect to the I2S port. Apparently, we need an HDMI to I2S converter placed in between the source and the DO300EX with an HDMI cable connecting the source to the converter and an I2S cable from the converter to the DAC. The converter does not seem to be available on Amazon but can be had for $50 or less on AliExpress.

You misunderstood something.
The Shanling ET3 has an i2s output (HDMI plug, not an HDMI connection) and @beingalink was able to successfully establish a connection and play PCM. But not DSD.

You can only use an HDMI to i2s converter (over LVDS) to extract the i2s signal from the HDMI signal.
A normal HDMI cable is always used for the connection.

What device did you want to connect to the DO300EX?

 

[Leefer55]

You misunderstood something.
The Shanling ET3 has an i2s output (HDMI plug, not an HDMI connection) and @beingalink was able to successfully establish a connection and play PCM. But not DSD.

You can only use an HDMI to i2s converter (over LVDS) to extract the i2s signal from the HDMI signal.
A normal HDMI cable is always used for the connection.

What device did you want to connect to the DO300EX?

ohh shite... Soooo, I did not misunderstand something. I responded TO MY OWN QUESTION (dumb azz me...lol!) Let's move on...

 

[Roland68]

ohh shite... Soooo, I did not misunderstand something. I responded TO MY OWN QUESTION (dumb azz me...lol!) Let's move on...

Which source device did you connect to the DO300EX via i2s?

 

[Leefer55]

Which source device did you connect to the DO300EX via i2s?

My laptop via HDMI.

 

[Roland68]

My laptop via HDMI.

For this you will of course need an HDMI to I2S extractor that extracts the digital audio data stream from the HDMI signal and outputs it as I2S over LVDS on an HDMI socket.
However, with I2S you will get a worse result with all newer SMSL, Loxjie, Topping DACs (etc.) with XU216/316 than with USB, because with I2S you bypass the very effective jitter reduction.
If output via HDMI is necessary for some reason, you could use an HDMI to SPDIF extractor.

 

[Leefer55]

For this you will of course need an HDMI to I2S extractor that extracts the digital audio data stream from the HDMI signal and outputs it as I2S over LVDS on an HDMI socket.
However, with I2S you will get a worse result with all newer SMSL, Loxjie, Topping DACs (etc.) with XU216/316 than with USB, because with I2S you bypass the very effective jitter reduction.
If output via HDMI is necessary for some reason, you could use an HDMI to SPDIF extractor.

Great point, I did not allow for the jitter reduction benefit.

Although I am enjoying the DO300EX, I was also considering an AKM based RME ADI-2 FS but I let the lack of an I2S input affect my decision so, just a wee bit of buyers remorse here.

 

[Roland68]

Great point, I did not allow for the jitter reduction benefit.

Although I am enjoying the DO300EX, I was also considering an AKM based RME ADI-2 FS but I let the lack of an I2S input affect my decision so, just a wee bit of buyers remorse here.

Why regret it? Both devices are comparable in terms of sound, as is the output power of the HPA.
With the money you save, you can buy a powerful HPA if you need more power.

 

[Leefer55]

Why regret it? Both devices are comparable in terms of sound, as is the output power of the HPA.
With the money you save, you can buy a powerful HPA if you need more power.

I was interested in the RME's ability to deal with room modes. The DO300EX has both an equalizer and parametric equalizer but they are in effect with both line out and headphones. The RME is well regarded whereas SMSL, Topping, Loxjie etc. do not have the dependability reputation that the RME has.
I initially bought the SMSL DL200 but eventually exchanged it for the DO300EX because the ES9039Q2M implementation in the DL200 wasn't warm enough for me and was a tad fatiguing. So far, the AKM chipset in the DO300EX seems a bit more analog like without the fatigue.

 

[Roland68]

I was interested in the RME's ability to deal with room modes. The DO300EX has both an equalizer and parametric equalizer but they are in effect with both line out and headphones. The RME is well regarded whereas SMSL, Topping, Loxjie etc. do not have the dependability reputation that the RME has.
I initially bought the SMSL DL200 but eventually exchanged it for the DO300EX because the ES9039Q2M implementation in the DL200 wasn't warm enough for me and was a tad fatiguing. So far, the AKM chipset in the DO300EX seems a bit more analog like without the fatigue.

The DO300EX is really good, and not just for the price.
The RME only has a 5-band equalizer, which can be a bit tight. If you only have your notebook as a source, it might even make sense to do it via software.
EQ Software for Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS/iPadOS and Android.

 

[unpluggged]

The RME only has a 5-band equalizer

It's actually 7-band, after the update that included B and T bands in EQ presets. But their recording interfaces that have received the room EQ update (UCX II, UFX II, UFX+, UFX III, 802 FS) are better suited due to more bands, wider adjustment range, and delay adjustment. They even recently implemented import from REW and Sonarworks.

 

[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 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.

 

[Dac Visitor]

I am very happy with the DO300EX. Straight out the box I noticed the detail and speed but still with some sharp edges. After about 40 hours of burning in no more sharp edges. I mainly listen via USB although when I use BT there is hardly any difference to hear and no pops or clicking noises. I don't know how this can be improved with it's beautiful low, lovely mid and subtle high. What particularly noticeable is the layering in the soundstage and its wideness which is very nicely expressed when listening to the master recordings of Tidal. PCM filter sharp roll off, sound color not applied, I hear no difference and I do not find it necessary in terms of sound because this DAC sounds fantastic in itself.

 

[Dac Visitor]

A small update. The Denon DO300EX combination start to produced a small phenomenon of listening fatigue, especially when it came to loud singing women. I was able to borrow a Denon PMA 925R from a friend, but the effect remained. That started to irritate me slightly. There had to be a solution for that and I found it by purchasing a Marantz Model 50 amplifier. This Model 50 is fully analog without DAC or Bluetooth facilities, but with a slightly warmer and forgiving sound in the upper regions. With the previous Denon DO300EX combination I occasionally had the feeling it could be a bit softer, with the Model 50 I have it again ,with beautiful music, this could be a bit louder and no fatigue. The soundstage is fantastic.