In this article, Lynn reviews the SMSL DL100, a compact and affordable quad-CS43131 integrated desktop DAC and amplifier capable of 3W. It is priced at $179.99.
Disclaimer: This sample was sent to me in exchange for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or partnerships. I appreciate hifi express and SIDS for your support.
Click here to learn more about SMSL products We already reviewed it previously on Headfonics.
Please note that this article follows our current scoring guidelines which you can find in more detail here.
SMSL DL100 Review
Summary
The SMSL DL100 integrated DAC and headphone amplifier is a very good option if you are looking for its versatility but put the overall sound in the background of that equation. That said, it worked better than I expected and I was impressed and surprised.
Advantages
Versatility: many connections.
Relatively transparent sound signature.
Cons
Difficulty with the assembly of some cable sockets.
The sound is common and not offensive, so it may not be enough for some.
We have reviewed many affordable desktop SMSL products, such as the SU-1 and the DO100 DAC, but this is my first foray into the brand in some time.
Having reviewed several of their competitors, I am familiar with the brand and have a few units at my disposal to compare.
The unit I'm carrying today is the recently released DL100, a compact desktop DAC and integrated headphone amplifier, priced at $179.99.
It comes with a couple of interesting tricks, which the company hopes will give the DL100 a set of features that are unique and distinct from an otherwise competitive group.
These include an HDMI (ARC) connection and XLR outputs for connecting to your favorite desktop amplifier and BT for wireless connection.
Characteristics
With 4 CS43131 chips, labeled as the first quad chip of 2024, and TI's OPA1612A op amps, the DL100's DAC can offer a wide range of digital connections, including an HDMI (ARC) cable.
Coupled with a dual USB connection (1.1 and 2.0 for easy gaming system connection), it makes the DL100 a potential system option for HDMI ARC TV users.
The third generation XMOS XU-316 is capable of supporting DSD Native 256, PCM up to 32-bit/768 kHz and DoP64. The DL100 also has more power than its cousin the M300SE by approximately 16 times at 300 Ω.
Five PCM filters allow customization ranging from NOS (unsampled), FL1 (fast and low latency), FL2 (fast and phase compensated), FL3 (slow and low latency) to F4 (slow and phase compensated). phase) .
That DL100's amplifier can deliver up to 1.5W at 32Ω and 3.0W at 16Ω, making it powerful enough on its own. The power implementation is also kept separate from the DAC circuit, helping to keep potential interference to a minimum.
The Qualcomm QCC5125 BT 5.1 module supports LDAC, aptX, aptX HD, AAC and SBD, giving you all common wireless codecs at your fingertips.
Design
There's no getting around the DL100's diminutive size, especially given how slim it is in height. This can provide the user with many beneficial options for placing the drive within their system.
The matte black finish on all sides also makes it a simple piece of equipment, meaning you can carry out your tasks without attracting too much attention.
With its diminutive size of 196 x 31 x 206 mm (7.7 × 1.2 × 8.1 in) and weighing just over a kilo of 1.05 kg (2.31 lb), the DL100 is a Quite compact desktop DAC and a headphone amplifier integrated.
The slightly sloping sides also remind me of the YULONG DA-ART Aquila series. I find this shape helps me grip the DL100 when needed and if anything it looks slightly different than a normal black rectangular hi-fi box.
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The front carries a 6.35mm single-ended 4.4mm balanced PO, a larger LCD screen, and a left-right multi-function volume knob.
Proportionally, the space is pretty good for me, except for the beveled edges of the headphone jacks that don't allow many of my headphone cables with thicker pins to fit. I even had a problem with the aftermarket PLUSSOUND Copper XL IEM cable, making it useless with the DL100.
The back has the power socket, BT antennas and USB-C connections which are next to the HDMI ARC connection with an optical input above it, to the right of the BT antennas. Lastly, the RCA output jacks are flanked on either side by the balanced XLR output jacks.
Although it has a minimal size, the design is logical with access to all connections and usable at the same time.
There's no dedicated power switch, but you can use the included remote control to turn it on and access the various menus. Coincidentally, I discovered that the remote control works on many SMSL devices at the same time, which is a huge benefit.
Controls
The multifunction volume knob allows access and rotation between options such as connectivity and filter options. Fortunately, the letters are large and legible, but I ended up using the remote control more to see how well it could work. The remote control gave me all the options I needed.
As mentioned, the 4.4mm balanced output could not be used with cables that featured a thicker connector, making it useless for many cables I have, both stock and aftermarket. However, I think the DL100 is more geared towards IEMs than headphones.
The one-way 5.1 BT connected easily and would automatically reconnect when turned back on if that source also had its BT on.
Most devices now do this, but it's still a cool feature. That said, if you have a transmitter connected to your system, you may need to reconnect your source if both are on.
Packaging and accessories
It seems that most manufacturers understand that we prefer protective packaging, but we don't use too many resources for it.
The SMSL DL100 comes in a white box, with the contents protected by medium soft foam inserts for the DL100 and the power cable, manual and BT antennas.
I appreciate the protective nature of the packaging and don't want anything extra since most of us have a lot of cables lying around.
Sound impressions
The listening was carried out with the Spirit Torino Twin Pulse Beryllium IEM, he Shanling MG100and the QoA Aviation. All three were used with the 4.4mm balanced connector. The headphones used were Meze Audio 99 Classics using the ddHiFi BC-150B cable with a 4.4mm balanced connector.
Sources included my MacBook Pro, the Shanling M6 Proand the Oppo BDP-83. I also connected the Geshelli Labs Erish2 as a headphone amp to test the DL100 DAC.
Summary
The sound emanating from the DL100 naturally varied depending on the input source and the music source coming from each. I preferred the balanced output for listening. The balanced option helped widen the soundstage, allowing the instruments to exercise in their own space.
The DL100 promotes a neutral signature, showing warmth and richness only if the source or the music played does so. This seems like one of the more neutral DACs/amps I've tried lately.
Its bass offers poise when necessary, but without bloating the sound or carrying into the mids, which I appreciate. The top end reach will add some brightness and distinctive clarity to the notes, but without becoming grating or harsh.
Ring
The SMSL seems neutral, but not boringly analytical. Quad DACs (two per channel) help keep the music in perspective, without coloring the sound.
To promote a very realistic tonality, it is the headphones, IEMs or sources used that will provide the coloration here. The top end of the musical spectrum reaches further than the bass, allowing the extension to extend the height very well.
The midrange shows good detail, especially in acoustic guitar music to the point where strumming can be heard, adding to the experience. This brings a precision to detail that might not be produced with something in this range. While it's not extraordinary, it's still good.
This is something I appreciate and I usually like a bit of warmth or richness in the sound of devices like this. However, hearing strong male vocals through the Oppo as they should be on the CD makes me appreciate the DL100 for what it does and doesn't do.
The quality of the notes is strong without being strident or strict. Speed is the key here, proving that a quick attack and drop can provide accuracy without being cut short like some do in the same situation.
Staging and dynamics
The soundstage depends on the expression source, but the width and height coming from the DL100 are quite wide. The depth seems a little shallow, but not to the point of compressing the music back and forth.
The dynamics are allowed to extend with a good note weight and that too in the right amount. If the note weight becomes too thick, the sound slows down and becomes less precise and cumbersome. The DL100 avoids this by keeping the weight just right but providing good weight across the entire sound spectrum.
I will say that hooked up to the Oppo BDP-83 I was blown away by the combined performance and appreciated what could be gotten from a product so tiny in features and cost.
The OPA1612a op amps did their job here by providing more than adequate power for anything I threw at them.
Click on page 2 below to see my recommended combinations and selected comparisons.
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