Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Easy upgrade for a range of equipment at a reasonable price
- Well-built little box for the money, with a 32-bit DAC housed inside a simple brushed aluminum case
- Midrange is beautifully smooth and fluid, with clarity and detail not normally expected at this price
- Greater low-level resolution, superior dynamics, and fatigue-free listening compared to the V-DAC II
- Sound was robust and full, with a delightful sense of air, offering a level of performance that other similarly priced DACs have not quite attained
Product Considerations
- Overall presentation feels somewhat sanitised—a polite PG-rated version of an 18 movie, if you like
- Bass could be tighter
- It is just a little too relaxed
- It is more sensible to the cheap switching power supplies
- USB inputs are limited to 24/96, as is the case with many inexpensive asynchronous USB DACs
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The V90 DAC offers greater low-level resolution, superior dynamics, and fatigue-free listening than the V-DAC II
Takeaway: The V90-DAC is a well-priced and well-featured DAC that offers a smooth and detailed midrange, making it a pleasant listening experience. It is a good option for those looking to upgrade their sound quality without spending a lot of money.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
V90-DAC
reviews
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An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Jitter: <12 picoseconds peak to peak
- THD(+ noise): <0.004% 20Hz to 20 kHz
- Frequency Response: +0, –0.1dB, 20Hz to 20 kHz
- Crosstalk: -104dB, 20Hz to 20 kHz
- Signal / Noise ratio: -117dB, 20Hz to 20 kHz
- Inputs: 1x RCA coaxial SPDIF (32-bit/192 kHz), 2x TOSLINK optical (32-bit/96 kHz), 1x USB type 'B' (24-bit/96kHz)
- Outputs: 1x line level RCA
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 170 x 47 x 102 mm
- Weight: 600g / 1.1 kg
Description
The V90-DAC is a DAC designed to deliver stunning sound quality with a wide range of sources.
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- They place a significant emphasis on achieving a distinctive, energetic sound, even at the expense of absolute neutrality, leading to a more engaging and enjoyable listening experience.
- Musical Fidelity often integrates advanced features, like sophisticated equalization or balanced inputs/outputs, into their designs to enhance versatility and cater to audiophiles' evolving needs.
Select products
Select product comparisons
V90-BHA
- Positioning: The entry-level balanced headphone amplifier in Musical Fidelity's lineup.
- Description: Offers excellent sound quality with balanced audio technology. Features balanced XLR inputs and outputs, which minimize noise and interference, providing a cleaner sound. This makes it ideal for users with a limited budget who want to enhance their headphone listening experience.
M2si
- Positioning: An affordable integrated amplifier designed for audiophiles seeking high-quality sound without extra features.
- Description: Delivers a pure and dynamic sound, drawing on technology from Musical Fidelity's premium models. Stands out with its fully discrete power amplifier and independent power supplies, offering a performance akin to a pre/power configuration in a single unit.
M8xi
- Positioning: A super integrated amplifier, positioned as a high-performance model in the M8 series.
- Description: Known for its powerful and articulate sound, featuring dual mono power amps and a high-quality DAC. It offers significant power output and low distortion. Provides extensive connectivity options, including digital inputs, catering to users with diverse system compatibility needs.
Nu-Vista 800.2
- Positioning: The flagship integrated amplifier in the Nu-Vista series, representing the pinnacle of Musical Fidelity's offerings.
- Description: Combines the unique Nu-Vista tube technology with modern design, delivering an exceptionally smooth and powerful sound. Features dual mono power amps and a locally decoupled output stage, providing remarkable stability and control over any loudspeaker.
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Avg. Product Price
$500
Used For Sale
92
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
42
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
52
Founding Year
1982
Our take on the brand
Musical Fidelity is known for its unique amplifier designs, particularly the A1 integrated amplifier that uses its top plate as a heatsink and features a distinctive current-mode phono stage. The brand stands out for its innovative dual-monoblock approach in integrated amplifiers, where separate power transformers and dedicated power supplies are housed in a single chassis, as seen in their M8xi and M6i models that deliver exceptional power output.
Look inside the brand
Brand Page
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
Musical Fidelity (like other Audio Tuning brands) is structured in a pretty traditional way, whereby support and advice are best administered on a local level. Of course, they have a technical team positioned at HQ to help all their partners around the world, and in some more extreme cases you may need to be put straight through to this team. But it's the job of the distributor to support the territory in the best way it can.
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
I can tell you this, as we've done this recently for others. These are personal choices:
Simon Quarry – the chief designer – selected these three.
- Low Desert Punk – Brant Bjork
- Moon Love – Electric Moon
- Psychic Chasm – Ozric Tentacles
Heinz Lichtenegger – the brand owner – selected these two:
- Tosca – Puccini, Leontyne Price, Di Stefano, Taddei / Vienna Philharmonic with Herbert von Karajan (Decca, 1963)
- Don Juan – Richard Strauss, Tod und Verklaerung, Also Sprach Zarathustra / Vienna Philharmonic with Herbert von Karajan (Decca, 1960)
What other products pair best with yours?
This is a tough one! Partly because of the diverse range of products on offer from Musical Fidelity. For example, with the A1, we have a lot of success pairing this amp with Klipsch Heresy or Forte IV – but in smaller rooms, our own-brand LS3/5A are a wonderful choice. For Nu-Vista, we pair very nicely with Piega – which requires some deeper power reserves to really get going. So I would say it's very difficult to pair the sonic ID with one brand in particular. Musical Fidelity pairs pretty nicely with a wide range of products, giving customers a great degree of choice.
From our interview with
Simon Powell
.
Brand Page
Used
Musical Fidelity
All of the Brand's Used Products
What if you spend more?
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EverSolo
DMP-A6
769
769
/
25
Reviews
EverSolo is a newer hifi audio brand that makes affordable, high-performance DACs and streamers. The brand appeals to budget-conscious audiophiles by offering features typically found in more expensive equipment, such as dual AKM4499EX DAC chips and R2R volume control, at more accessible price points.
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Our summary
Product Strengths
- Excellent and responsive touchscreen display, and user-friendly interface that is intuitive and easy to navigate
- Versatile as an all-in-one device, functioning as a streamer, DAC, pre-amp, and media storage server with a competitive price point
- High build quality, featuring a solid aluminum alloy chassis
- Supports a wide variety of streaming services, including Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music, and more
- Rock solid as a streamer, especially when going into a separate DAC
Product Considerations
- Customer support from Eversolo may be limited, with some reviewers noting slow or nonexistent responses to inquiries
- Internal DAC, while good, is not on par with higher-end—more expensive DACs
- Lack of a traditional I/R remote could be a drawback for some users
- Some unusual control procedures are noted, such as the inability to power on the unit from the mobile app
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The DMP-A6 sounds just as good as the Lumin U2 Mini as a streamer
- The A6 beats the Bluesound Node when used only as a streamer
- The A6 has similar features, a similar control/display, and a similar size and shape
- The Lumin U2 has more "shine", dynamics, solidity and is a touch more refined than the A6
- The Eversolo is favored over the iFi Neo Stream, especially as a streaming DAC
- Eversolo proves it can play with Cambridge Audio CXN (V2) in many ways
Takeaway: The Eversolo DMP-A6 is a versatile and user-friendly streamer that delivers great value, and it provides a great streaming experience with its screen. It is a great entry point into high-resolution digital audio and can serve as the center of a modern hifi system.
Video review
Our take on the brand
EverSolo is a newer hifi audio brand that makes affordable, high-performance DACs and streamers. The brand appeals to budget-conscious audiophiles by offering features typically found in more expensive equipment, such as dual AKM4499EX DAC chips and R2R volume control, at more accessible price points.
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iFi
NEO iDSD 2
899
899
/
20
Reviews
iFi Audio specializes in portable hifi audio players, offering compact DACs and headphone amplifiers for audiophiles seeking quality sound on the go. The brand also provides affordable audiophile gear, making quality hifi audio accessible to more people.
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Product Strengths
- The NEO iDSD 2 functions as a versatile all-in-one (AIO) solution, working as a DAC, headphone amplifier, and preamplifier
- It has a significantly more powerful amplifier section than its predecessor, making it better at driving a wider range of headphones
- Includes sound-shaping features such as XBass and XSpace, plus selectable digital filters, allowing users to customize the sound
- Comprehensive connectivity options include USB, S/PDIF (coaxial/optical), Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Lossless, and both balanced XLR and single-ended RCA outputs
Product Considerations
- The amplifier section may not be powerful enough to drive some very power-hungry headphones to their full potential
- The Nexis app only works with a 2.4ghz WiFi signal
- There is a slight click or noise when switching inputs as a pre-amp
- Some reviewers would have preferred the inclusion of the iPower X power adapter instead of the iPower V2, considering the unit's price
- The variable volume output may not save the last used settings
Takeaway: The iFi Audio NEO iDSD 2 combines a high-quality DAC with a significantly improved headphone amplifier, making it a good all-in-one solution for desktop audio. With its wide range of features, solid build quality, and pleasing sound, the NEO iDSD 2 is a worthwhile upgrade.
Video review
Our take on the brand
iFi Audio specializes in portable hifi audio players, offering compact DACs and headphone amplifiers for audiophiles seeking quality sound on the go. The brand also provides affordable audiophile gear, making quality hifi audio accessible to more people.
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Matrix Audio
Mini-i 4
649
649
/
16
Reviews
The all-new music streamer mini-i 4 does not only have a rich set of digital inputs with excellent digital audio processing capabilities, but also supports various network streaming protocols. Combined with a self-developed high-quality digital audio/streaming playback system MA Player and the controller app MA Remote App, it easily plays a vast amount of online streaming music, provides you with an exceptional high-fidelity listening experience.
Matrix Audio is a hifi brand known for their DACs and streamers that feature a unique H-shaped chassis design for mechanical stability and circuit optimization. Their products include built-in NVMe SSD storage slots and natively integrate HIGHRESAUDIO streaming, while offering control through their proprietary MA Remote App and MA Player software system.
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Product Strengths
- Excellent sonic performance, characterized by neutrality, transparency, and detail retrieval
- The MA Remote app is intuitive and feature-rich, offering access to various streaming services and settings
- Solid build quality with an aluminum chassis, though the sides are plastic, and a bright, clear LCD screen
- Versatile connectivity with a wide array of inputs, including USB-C for external storage, HDMI ARC, optical, coaxial, and analog RCA inputs
Product Considerations
- Lacks wireless connectivity—no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
- Does not come with a physical remote, the RM5 is sold separately
- Some users have experienced issues with navigating large local music libraries
- Some reviews mention the touch screen controls being a bit fiddly
- No digital output to support an external DAC
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Bluesound Node (2021): Mini-i 4 has better detail retrieval and is cleaner sounding
- Vs EverSolo DMP-A6: DMP-A6 sounds more natural with bolder bass and better soundstaging, while Mini-i 4 sounds tonally and spatially flatter
- Vs Matrix Audio Mini-i 3 Pro: Mini-i 4 has a wider range of source repositories and USB storage reader
Takeaway: The Matrix Audio Mini-i 4 is a great sounding device for anyone wanting a DAC and streamer that can do it all. With its comprehensive set of features and focus on audio quality, enjoying music becomes easy.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Matrix Audio is a hifi brand known for their DACs and streamers that feature a unique H-shaped chassis design for mechanical stability and circuit optimization. Their products include built-in NVMe SSD storage slots and natively integrate HIGHRESAUDIO streaming, while offering control through their proprietary MA Remote App and MA Player software system.
Product Page
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EverSolo
DAC-Z8
699
699
/
15
Reviews
EverSolo is a newer hifi audio brand that makes affordable, high-performance DACs and streamers. The brand appeals to budget-conscious audiophiles by offering features typically found in more expensive equipment, such as dual AKM4499EX DAC chips and R2R volume control, at more accessible price points.
Expand Details
Product Strengths
- Exceptional build quality, with a premium feel thanks to the aluminum chassis and attention to detail
- Clean, crisp, and clear sound, with a neutral presentation that resolves detail well
- Well-implemented headphone amplifier that can drive a wide range of headphones, and the headphone level reverts to the last used
- Bright and crisp LCD screen with VU meters adding to its visual appeal
- Versatile connectivity with USB-B, USB-C, optical, coaxial, and Bluetooth inputs, as well as balanced XLR and RCA outputs
Product Considerations
- Lacks HDMI ARC input, which would be useful for hybrid setups
- Some reviewers find the treble a little aggressive and fatiguing with certain recordings or speakers
- No Wi-Fi or Ethernet connectivity, meaning a computer or other network streaming device is needed
- No dedicated subwoofer output
- Not a tone control, those looking for a colored or editorialized sound should look elsewhere
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The Z8 has a more nuanced presentation and better separation than the Cambridge Audio DACMagic 200M
- The Z8 is smoother with a darker background on the headphone output, but the SMSL M500 MKII is warmer and fuller sounding on the line outputs
- The Z8 has a cleaner sound, darker background, and deeper soundstage on the line-outs than the Topping DX5, but the DX5 has more powerful headphone amplification
- Java Hi-Fi gives a slightly cleaner presentation with more authority in the bass than the Z8
Takeaway: The Eversolo DAC-Z8 is a well-built and versatile DAC that delivers a clean and detailed sound. It is a great option for users looking for a high-quality DAC with a range of features, including a headphone amplifier and preamp capabilities.
Video review
Our take on the brand
EverSolo is a newer hifi audio brand that makes affordable, high-performance DACs and streamers. The brand appeals to budget-conscious audiophiles by offering features typically found in more expensive equipment, such as dual AKM4499EX DAC chips and R2R volume control, at more accessible price points.
Product Page
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What competes at this price?
iFi
GO bar
329
/
Released
2022
The GO bar may be the size of a USB stick, but with powerful sound customisation and 10x the output power of your iPhone, it's your portable audio powerhouse - ready for any adventure.
iFi Audio specializes in portable hifi audio players, offering compact DACs and headphone amplifiers for audiophiles seeking quality sound on the go. The brand also provides affordable audiophile gear, making quality hifi audio accessible to more people.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Comprehensive specifications, aiming to equal or improve upon existing portable DACs
- Features a balanced 4.4mm output and a single-ended 3.5mm headphone output
- High power output, described as the most powerful headphone amp of its size
- Includes XBass+ and XSpace analog processing for sound enhancement
- Supports PCM up to 384kHz, DSD up to 256, and DXD
Product Considerations
- The blue text on the blue chassis is hard to read in almost any lighting condition
- Can be considered chunky compared to other dongle DACs
- Can be noisy and produce audible hiss with sensitive IEMs, though IEMatch can help mitigate this
- High power consumption potentially impacts battery life of the source device
- The digital filters can be tricky to access, according to one review
Takeaway: The iFi Audio GO bar is a powerful and versatile portable DAC/amp that can drive most headphones, providing a clean and detailed sound. It is packed with features and offers good sound quality, making it a great option for enjoying high-resolution music on the go.
Video review
Our take on the brand
iFi Audio specializes in portable hifi audio players, offering compact DACs and headphone amplifiers for audiophiles seeking quality sound on the go. The brand also provides affordable audiophile gear, making quality hifi audio accessible to more people.
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Cambridge Audio
DacMagic 200M
399
/
Released
2021
Digital audio files can be packed with incredible musical detail, but they need to be converted to analogue first for you to hear it. And how good it sounds will depend on how well the digital audio from your computer, network player or CD is converted. DacMagic 200M's twin ESS DACs decrease crosstalk and improve separation because there's a DAC dedicated to both left and right channels. These fully balanced, optimised, and efficient signal paths reveal previously hidden glittering musical prizes.
Cambridge Audio pioneered the use of toroidal transformers in power amplifiers, a technology now widely adopted by high-end audio companies. The brand stands out for using premium amplification technology across their product range, from Class A/B amplifiers in their wireless earbuds to Hypex Ncore modules in their EVO series, while maintaining accessible price points between their CX and Edge product lines.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Rich feature set is its ace card
- Presents a very clean, detailed, and dynamically punchy sound
- Tonal smoothness and expansive soundstage
- Balanced and unbalanced outputs, plus a headphone output
Product Considerations
- Front fascia is a wee bit cluttered
- Lacklustre feel of the volume control
- No remote control
- The headphone output is a useful convenience feature, but it doesn't live up to the unit's performance in other areas
- Auto-shut-off feature turns it off after a little while of not being used
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Chord Mojo: Chord edges ahead in performance, delivering even greater subtlety and rhythmic precision, but it can't match the DacMagic 200M's impressive feature versatility
- Vs Schiit Bifrost: Bifrost offers more meat on music's bones, making the DacMagic 200M sound comparatively lighter weight, presenting a skinnier version of the music at hand
- Vs Denafrips ARES II: The DacMagic 200M sounds pale as it does its best to tease out music's kaleidoscope of tone colors
- Vs Audiolab M-DAC+: Rhythmically the DacMagic 200 does a good enough job, it can't compete with the next tier up of DACs costing close to twice its price
- Vs Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 Digital: The sound of the Pro-Ject DAC was not as different from that of the DacMagic
Takeaway: The DacMagic 200M is a feature-rich device with good sound, offering balanced and unbalanced outputs, plus a headphone output. Its versatile feature set makes it a great all-rounder at its price point.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Cambridge Audio pioneered the use of toroidal transformers in power amplifiers, a technology now widely adopted by high-end audio companies. The brand stands out for using premium amplification technology across their product range, from Class A/B amplifiers in their wireless earbuds to Hypex Ncore modules in their EVO series, while maintaining accessible price points between their CX and Edge product lines.
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iFi
GO bar Kensei
449
/
Released
2024
Forged for masters of audio. Like a true Kensei, this GO bar is a skilful master of power and performance. Adorned with K2HD Technology and crafted from Japanese stainless steel, the Kensei represents the pinnacle of our refinement in the GO bar range.
iFi Audio specializes in portable hifi audio players, offering compact DACs and headphone amplifiers for audiophiles seeking quality sound on the go. The brand also provides affordable audiophile gear, making quality hifi audio accessible to more people.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Detailed, organized, and spacious sound.
- Strong output power for a dongle.
- Premium build quality with tactile Japanese stainless steel.
- Feature-rich with exclusive sound-tuning options, like K2HD processing, XBass, XSpace, and digital filters.
- Improved clocking and circuitry contribute to less background noise, no jitter, and increased audio quality.
Product Considerations
- Treble can sound rather relentless—overstated, hard-edged, and thin.
- The device can get quite warm during use.
- High power draw can drain a mobile phone battery quickly.
- Stainless steel exterior is prone to collecting fingerprints and scratches.
- Controls can be difficult to understand at first, necessitating the manual.
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The Kensei offers slight improvements in clarity and bass accuracy compared to the original GO Bar, with less warmth in the lower mids.
Takeaway: The iFi GO Bar Kensei is a premium, well-built portable DAC/amp that delivers a detailed and powerful sound experience. It's packed with features and offers a noticeable upgrade for those serious about high-quality mobile hifi listening.
Video review
Our take on the brand
iFi Audio specializes in portable hifi audio players, offering compact DACs and headphone amplifiers for audiophiles seeking quality sound on the go. The brand also provides affordable audiophile gear, making quality hifi audio accessible to more people.
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Product Page
iFi
ZEN DAC 3
229
/
Released
2024
Amid the rush of everyday life, the ZEN DAC 3 is your escape to pure harmony. This multi award-winning desktop DAC delivers high-end, Hi-Fi performance to your headphones and speakers - all in a simple, plug-and-play design.
iFi Audio specializes in portable hifi audio players, offering compact DACs and headphone amplifiers for audiophiles seeking quality sound on the go. The brand also provides affordable audiophile gear, making quality hifi audio accessible to more people.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Delivers clean, musical, and entertaining sound
- Features a new USB-C input
- Good build quality and aesthetic design
- Includes XBass+ for bass enhancement
- Simple to set up and use
Product Considerations
- Audible noise floor reported, especially with sensitive IEMs
- May not have enough power for demanding planar headphones
- Simultaneous output to all connected devices may require manual switching
- XBass+ may be too much for some users or cause distortion at higher volumes
- Some reviewers feel the power output is a downgrade from previous models
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- ZEN DAC 3 has more practical outputs for desktop use, but Go Bar has lower noise floor and is more portable
- ZEN DAC 3 is more colorful, dynamic, and crisp, while C200 sounds flatter
- Similar vivid sound, but ZEN DAC 3 has warmer, punchier bass
- ZEN DAC 3 sounds warmer and punchier, while X5 creates a wider soundstage
- DX3 Pro+ offers more power and a more neutral sound, while ZEN DAC 3 offers a more musical sound signature
Takeaway: The iFi ZEN DAC 3 is a stylish and easy-to-use DAC/AMP that delivers a musical and engaging sound, making it a good all-around choice for desktop audio. It offers a lot of features for the price, like balanced outputs and XBass+, so listeners can enjoy music with great sound.
Video review
Our take on the brand
iFi Audio specializes in portable hifi audio players, offering compact DACs and headphone amplifiers for audiophiles seeking quality sound on the go. The brand also provides affordable audiophile gear, making quality hifi audio accessible to more people.
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SMSL
DO300
483
/
Released
2023
The DO300 is an MQA&MQA-CD Audio DAC that supports MQA decoding and MQA-CD. It features a new 3rd generation XMOS XU-316, with PCM support up to 32bit/768kHz and DSD support to DSD512. The new generation flagship DAC chip ES9039MSPRO of USA ESS has built-in MQA hard decoding.
SMSL, a Shenzhen-based hifi brand, stands out for its use of advanced chipsets like Infineon's MERUS and ES9039Q2M, which have been objectively verified to deliver exceptionally low noise and distortion levels. The brand has earned acclaim from value-conscious audiophiles.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- The DO300 is packed with features like XMOS XU-316, PCM support up to 32-bit/768 kHz, DSD support to DSD512, I2S input, and Bluetooth 5.0 with LDAC, aptX HD, AAC, and SBC
- Offers a wide range of input and output options, including USB, Optical, Coaxial, AES/EBU, I2S, RCA, and XLR
- Provides a clean, detailed, and neutral sound signature with a smooth texture and no audible distortion or background noise
- Offers a variety of digital filters (PCM and DSD) and 'Sound Color' DSP settings to tweak the sound characteristics to personal preferences
- Good build quality, featuring a solid, well-built aluminum chassis
Product Considerations
- Stage depth and microdynamics are lacking compared to higher-end DACs
- Issues with DSD file playback have been noted, citing high replay gain and reduced dynamic range
- The matte black coating of the chassis tends to attract fingerprints and grease
- The rotary encoder (volume knob) is described as feeling cheap and mushy
- Lacks an auto-standby feature and a status LED when the LCD screen is turned off, potentially leading to the device being left on unintentionally
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the SMSL SU-9 Pro, the SU-9 Pro has a more laid-back midrange and a tidier bassline, while the DO300 has a more forward presentation, fuller bass, and warmer midrange
- Compared to the Topping E70 Velvet, the E70 Velvet is tonally somewhere in between the SU-9 Pro and DO300, slightly warmer than the SU-9 Pro but not as warm as the DO300
- Compared to the HIFIMAN EF400, the EF400 is more natural-sounding, making instruments sound more like themselves, but it's not as quiet or detailed as the DO300
- Compared to the SMSL M400, the DO300's treble is not as etched as the M400's, and it doesn't push upper-mids forward as much
- Compared to the SMSL DO200 MKII, the DO300 provides more nuance, separation, depth, and detail
- Compared to the Pro-Ject DAC BOX DS, the SMSL DO300 has better connectivity, detailed, dynamic, impactful sound, a wider soundstage, and better instrument separation
Takeaway: The SMSL DO300 is a feature-rich DAC that delivers a clean and enjoyable listening experience. It could be a great addition to an audio setup to provide versatile connectivity and a customizable sound.
Video review
Our take on the brand
SMSL, a Shenzhen-based hifi brand, stands out for its use of advanced chipsets like Infineon's MERUS and ES9039Q2M, which have been objectively verified to deliver exceptionally low noise and distortion levels. The brand has earned acclaim from value-conscious audiophiles.
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