SMSL M300 MKII DAC Uses AKM’s Flagship Audio Decoding Chip AK4497, Ultra-high SNR, Ultra-low Distortion to Support DSD (blue)
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| Dimensions: | 25.2 x 18.29 x 11.3 cm; 1.15 Kilograms |
| Manufacture: | Shenzhen Shuangmusanlin Electronic Co.,Ltd |
| Department: | Men |
| Department: | Men |
| Origin: | China |
| Reference: | SMSL M300 |
Realistisch betrachtet das Maximum an Transparenz
Klar gibt es DACs, die noch bessere Messergebnisse haben, aber vermutlich nicht mehr als 95% aller Nutzer, werden den Unterschied in einem ABX-Test nicht erkennen. Den einen Stern ziehe ich aus mehreren Grnden ab:
1. Der Formfaktor passt zu keinem Stack.
2. Die Form sorgt auch dafr, dass auf der Rckseite die Ein- und Ausgnge viel zu nah aneinander sind.
3. Wer wie zuvor genannt einfach nur die meiste Transparenz zum Original der Musik haben mchte, kann theoretisch sogar weniger dafr ausgeben. Der Topping D10 Balanced wre ein Beispiel dafr.
Abgesehen davon, ist dieser DAC immer noch ein gutes Gert, sieht gut aus und hat keine Probleme gemacht in den Ein-einhalb Jahren, in denen ich ihn genutzt habe.
Ottimo, a parte qualche ingenuità
L’ho acquistato per utilizzarlo come DAC/preamplificatore nel ‘secondo impianto’ dove ascolto dal mio PC solo file masterizzati in .WAV o .FLAC. Il finale un Hypex DIY da 200 Wpc e i diffusori sono Q Acoustics. Risultato stupefacente per il prezzo dei componenti: meno di 1500 il totale e, perdinci!
Incuriosito, ho collegato il DAC al mio impianto principale e devo dire che ha battuto quello dell’integrato/DAC residente (circa 2000 ) con diffusori minimonitor di ottimo livello: pi controllato e dettagliato, meno eufonico e – insomma – mi pare pi attendibile. Perfino i bassi profondi sono pi presenti e musicali, nonostante le casse non siano in grado di scendere molto, danno un po’ di pi con questo DAC.
Problemini: 1) La selezione ingressi RCA/XLR non spiegata nelle istruzioni, l’unico modo che ho trovato io di lasciare collegato l’ingresso che voglio usare, ‘staccare’ fisicamente l’altro e poi accendere il dispositivo. Mi pare un’ingenuit che i progettisti dovevano evitare. Per vero che probabilmente rester sempre collegato solo con uno dei due. 2) Facile collegare il mio smartphone Android con Bluetooth, ma IMPOSSIBILE ricolegarlo dopo avere cambiato ingresso. Le ho provate tutte (compreso, naturalmente, il fix proposto nelle istruzioni) e non ci sono riucito. Dopo alcuni giorni ho riprovato e, dopo avere trigato un po’ (non so nenache bene cosa ho fatto, andavo a caso), sono riuscito a ristabilire il collegamento. Probabilmente un problema firmware. Questo un po’ pi grave, perch anche un audiofilo pu desiderare di ascoltare musica in sottofondo occasionalmente, magari anche da file .MP3…
Cordiali saluti
Bargain DAC with superb DSD
SMSL offer superb high resolution HiFi products. The M300mkll is one very good example. Details, dynamics, soundstage and depth are 95% equal to their more expensive M400 flagship.
Build is very nice, and there’s a choice of Red, Blue & Black.
Tantissimo a poco (prezzo)
5 stelle motivate ESCLUSIVAMENTE dalla bont del prodotto. Vale DAC di costo attorno ai 1.000 ca. Il modello che mi arrivato, per, secondo me NON era nuovo ma ex-demo. Scatola rovinata precedentemente aperta (vedi foto). Il DAC per era intonso e questo mi ha permesso di rifiutare l’idea di reso. Ripeto ottimo prodotto da acquistare ad occhi chiusi. Suono fluido, neutro, senza eccessi agli estremi di banda, radiografante (senza essere per fastidioso), per nulla affaticante. Scena sinora profondissima e scandita temporalmente. Consiglio vivamente l’acquisto. Cordiali saluti. Aggiornamento 10 marzo 2021. Ha smesso improvvisamente di funzionare anche questo. Sono basito, non ho parole. Vediamo cosa dice il fornitore. Nel caso si manifestassero problemi con il reso lo far sistemare in garanzia ma sicuramente me ne sbarazzero’ e comprer una nuova marca che mi dia maggiore affidabilit. 11/3/21: ho cambiato il cavo USB: da Apple sono passato a quello fornito nella confezione originale SMSL: M 300 ha ripreso a funzionare. Il venditore (serissimo) mi ha risposto dicendomi che disponibile a rifondere per intero il costo del prodotto, ora purtroppo non piu’ disponibile. Eviterei il reso, se possibile, vista l’indiscussa qualit del prodotto. Credetemi, l’M300 suona non bene…. Ma benissimo e mi spiacerebbe restituirlo!
14 ott 2021: prodotto eccellente bastava mettere il suo cavetto presente nella confezione. Mai pi un blocco fa marzo. Perfetto. Consigliato!
Super dac
en comparaison A/B avec un RME ADI Dac 2, le smsl ne fait pas pale figure.
Le rme (a 1000) a une meilleure sparation des instruments, une scne sonore plus large, plus profonde, et des aigus bcp plus ronds (comparaison en mode direct / pre-am off)
avec un filtre , le smsl donne super bien, ravi
Gutes Preis-Leistung-Verhältnis
Mit dem eingebauten Lautsprecher in meinem Notebook war ich unzufrieden, deshalb habe ich 2 Studiomonitoren gekauft. Ich kann zwar die Studiomonitoren an den Kopfhrerausgang anschlieen, aber ich will die Lautsprecher mit einem DAC betreiben. Nach einigen Recherchen im Internet habe ich fr SMSL M300 MKII entschieden:
XLR-Schlsse
Display
Die Grundfunktion sind ber Tasten am Gerte verfgbar
Fernbedienung
Preis
Der DAC ist ber USB an Notebook angeschlossen und der Treiber muss installiert werden. Die beiden Studiomonitoren sind ber XLR Anschluss angeschlossen, und SMSL M300 wird in DAC-Modus betrieben. Der Sound ist merklich sauberer und definierter gegenber den Anschluss an den Kopfhrerausgang. Bei einer Rezension beschreibt jemand die Klangeigenschaft als “metallisch”. Das kann ich weder besttigen noch widerlegen. Ich glaube eher, dass die Lautsprecher mehr Einfluss an Klangeigenschaft hat.
Fr diesen Preis ist es sehr schwer einen vergleichbaren DAC zu finden.
Preis-/Leistung überragend
Mehr DAC brauche ich persnlich nicht, nach diversen ESS Sabre DACs fr mich subjektiv der beste DAC mit guter Ausstattung wie z.B. Balanced XLR, was brauch man mehr ;-).
Guter DAC
Netter kleiner DAC, schn anzusehen mit dem Display. Klangqualitt ist fr den Preis Spitze. Hat auch XLR was fr den dazu passenden SMSL THX Kopfhrerverstrker super passt. Kann ich nur empfehlen.
If it could get more ports...
My hifi system doesn’t have digital inputs and that’s why I looked for a DAC that can connect TV and also supports bluetooth. SMSL M300 MKII does all the work beautifully. Overall I love the product. Good build quality. Looks nice next to my amp.
I give it five-star for what it is, but have a few thoughts to share.
I wish it could have a HDMI input. I know it’s not common for a DAC to have it, because HDMI is for video and surround sound rather stereo systems. But HDMI is so ubiquitous and it makes it easy to connect to all difference devices.
I hope it can automatically switch between bluetooth and other inputs, depending on which is playing music, so that I don’t have to use the remote. Basically I already have too many remotes and don’t want to add another one.
Got this after what seemed like weeks of research to use my studio monitors in conjunction with my TV, Xbox, phone (it has Bluetooth, which is a pretty neat feature) and more. My favorite thing about this DAC besides the price was the simple fact it had more inputs/outputs than other converters at this price point. This is one great DAC!
Got this after what seemed like weeks of research to use my studio monitors in conjunction with my TV, Xbox, phone (it has Bluetooth, which is a pretty neat feature) and more. My favorite thing about this DAC besides the price was the simple fact it had more inputs/outputs than other converters at this price point. This is one great DAC!
Lo tengo conectado a un Loxjie P20 (cambi los bulbos por unos Reflektor) por medio de XLR (ambos son balanceados) y conectados a unos Sennheiser HD660s utilizando un cable no balanceado a la salida de los audfonos y suenan padrsimo. El DAC suena mejor que mis otros DACs: Monolith THX AAA DAC/AMP, Schiit Modi 3 y Topping D10 (Aimpire).
Actualizacin: lleg mi cable balanceado para los HD660s, los conect al Loxjie P20 y muri. No puede escuchar el sonido y ya no funciona ni en modo balanceado ni en no balanceado. Ahora utilizo la salida balanceada del Monolith y suena mejor de lo que pensaba, incluso mejor que con el SMSL conectado a este DAC/AMP via XLR.
Smooth, refined, detailed audio; classic AK4497 sound
I like the direction SMSL is going with their line of modular DACs: take a great design, and make it affordable. This unit directly competes with the Topping D70 at half the cost. The MKII edition added some welcome features:
1) A remote to control the unit
2) Has it’s own power supply, vs requiring USB power. This is good since PC power can introduce line noise to the audio.
3) Standard toslink input is replaced with 3.5mm toslink input, sharing the coax port. If you need both inputs to use at the same time, consider another unit.
Otherwise, it’s top shelf in output. Has the classic AK4497 “velvet” sound, smooth, and clean. Mids are ever so slightly forward, making it a good match for V-shaped headphones. The shape of the DAC precludes it somewhat from being stacked, but eh. The LCD display is a nice touch.
Competition at this price point is starting to get fierce. Even Schiit has released a $199 Modius to stack with their Asgard 3.
Sometimes we procrastinate…I tried it out and it powered on but NEVER works. It took a long time to arrive. I moved apartments…then Corona. So it was broken from Day 1…The DAC portion which is the WHOLE function was INOP from the get go…I emailed the company and they demand a video. I tried it with MAC, LINUX, and Win 10 w/driver. None recognized it. Disappointed after all the solid reviews. If you buy check it quickly as the return window is short after shipping time is calculated.
UPDATE – I am slowing working with them (5 or 6 emails and getting thru to them) and sent it back to the factory for repair…I would recommend a powered version of this or any DAC (not just usb powered) as most folks say the sound quality is off if its just UBS powered. If I get something back that works and sounds as good as everyone says I can go 4 stars…5 stars if its just that awesome. If you buy this brand…any issue just send it back IMMEDIATELY. Trust me…
Ok so It took like a month to return it to China and get another back. I upgraded to the M500 because it has more feautures and I dont like the older version uses USB power (many say this isnt good).
So once I got thru the language barrier things took shape and I returned the defect unit for a better unit paying shipping BOTH ways to CHINA and 1/2 customs fee coming back to where I live.
If you buy SMSL get a powered unit (needs A/C plugged in) as it will be less hassles and better sounding.
I WILL buy SMSL again if needed…Great value…just a bit lazy on the QA side
A great DAC worthy of a high-end stereo setup.
Sound is great! I use balanced but also tried RCA. It all sounds fantastic, if the rest of your stereo can deliver. This is definitely a high-end product! I’m sure there are better DACs out there, but for this price?
There is no remote, no volume, so you must have a preamp after it. There are inputs for USB, optical Toslink and digital RCA with a manual button switch on the front, and a nice display showing input and sample rate.
I play with a Mac mini and Audirvana using Tidal Hifi. I give it a separate power supply to avoid the computer’s often noisy power. To do this I have to first route computer USB to a hub with separate power input. Then using an USB cable which route power and data separately to the dac. This injects fresh undisturbed power, and makes a noticable difference. But power supply, hub and USB cable costs more than the DAC… about double price.
Overall the sound quality and features for the price are very good. I've paired it with a Loxjie P20 and a Monoprice Liquid Platinum using balanced interconnects. I used it with Beyerdynamic T1 2nd gen, DT880 250ohm, and DT990 600ohm, and Sennheiser HD660s and Game One headphones. It has better imaging and a wider, deeper and taller soundstage than any of the other DACs I have on hand (Note 8, Macbook Pro 2018, and an ESS 9007 in my Yamaha 2850 receiver. At times the sound seems to wrap around my head where instruments on the left or rights seem too far forward. It is free of noise and to my ears has a neutral and smooth yet detailed sound. I like the LCD screen. It seems nicer than just a text-only display. I prefer a volume dial over the push-button controls, but I wouldn't pay more for that especially considering it will likely be set and forget if you have an amp with volume control. The only issue I had was it disappearing from my list of audio devices on my Macbook Pro. It always seems to happen after using it in exclusive mode with Tidal or Jriver Media Center. I'm not sure if it's the device or macOS, but I did see someone else write about a similar issue with a different brand DAC. I'm on the fence about the shape. I'd prefer something that I could stack an amp on top of, but it fits pretty nicely sitting next to my other amps. In the end, the value, features, and sound quality make this one of the best sub-$250 desktop DACs IMO.
Overall the sound quality and features for the price are very good. I’ve paired it with a Loxjie P20 and a Monoprice Liquid Platinum using balanced interconnects. I used it with Beyerdynamic T1 2nd gen, DT880 250ohm, and DT990 600ohm, and Sennheiser HD660s and Game One headphones. It has better imaging and a wider, deeper and taller soundstage than any of the other DACs I have on hand (Note 8, Macbook Pro 2018, and an ESS 9007 in my Yamaha 2850 receiver. At times the sound seems to wrap around my head where instruments on the left or rights seem too far forward. It is free of noise and to my ears has a neutral and smooth yet detailed sound. I like the LCD screen. It seems nicer than just a text-only display. I prefer a volume dial over the push-button controls, but I wouldn’t pay more for that especially considering it will likely be set and forget if you have an amp with volume control. The only issue I had was it disappearing from my list of audio devices on my Macbook Pro. It always seems to happen after using it in exclusive mode with Tidal or Jriver Media Center. I’m not sure if it’s the device or macOS, but I did see someone else write about a similar issue with a different brand DAC. I’m on the fence about the shape. I’d prefer something that I could stack an amp on top of, but it fits pretty nicely sitting next to my other amps. In the end, the value, features, and sound quality make this one of the best sub-$250 desktop DACs IMO.
Je veux partager mon experience de trois semaine avec le dac smsl m300 mk2,a la sortie du la boite la qualite sonor n’est pas a la hauteur d’un dac de 246 euro , a cette instant j’avais toujour mon dac ifi zen dac avec mon ampli smsl sp200 pour faire des comparaison direct entre eux.la plus grand probleme que j’ai trouver c’est que la separation des instruments etait mediocre et que les aigus n’etaient pas clair ou briallant .j’ai touver un youtubeur qui fais des teste sur les materiel audio qui a vecu la meme situation avec ce dac , il consseil de le laisser en rodage pour un periode de 48 heures pour avoir le vrai potentiel de ce dac.j’ai fais la meme chose mais la qualite n’a pas changer beaucoup et j’ai donc prolonge cette duree pour envirent 150 heure .un jour j’ai lance mon music prefere et la c’est la miracle j’ai decouvert un nouveau son ,la scene sonore est enorme et dynamique avec tres bonne separation des instruments ,les medium sont detaille et naturelle ,les aigus sont detaille et brighant sans etre exagere.les basses sont tres percutant et fait vibrer mon casque akg k712 qui n’a jamais chanter comme ca auparavant.
Seriously, this thing is fantastic. I can’t believe how much detail separation, clarity and soundstage that my music and games now have. You don’t need drivers in Windows or Linux; it just works. One caveat: don’t use the various “filters” for PCM (FL1-6); just keep it at FL1 or else you’ll lose some of your high frequencies and it’ll sound slightly compressed. Oh, and don’t worry about the power; it now comes with two options: an AC adapter which works perfectly, or split USB cords (one for power and one for signal, in which case you might want to use a powered USB hub for cleaner power).
If you DO download the Windows drivers from SMSL’s site on a whim, then your device will stop working; go into the Device Manager and open the newly problematic unknown USB device and have it search automatically for drivers, and you’ll be up and running. But, again, just don’t install any drivers because it works perfectly without them.
Unexpected upgrades *new revision*
I just received mine and…. surprise surprise! new revision I’ve never expected.
the new unit now features a separate power brick, a IR Remote, and a Bluetooth input.
hell yeah, I’ll keep it. why not?
You really need to give this Dac from SMLS m300
So I started out using the little dac the m100 then I got the m300 they’re both beautiful I’m just surprised at how good it is what’s in that little p20 I bought is a pretty neat little tube amp for my headphones I use the mee pinnacle $200 headphones they sound fantastic the stack the m 300 has a very warm and smooth sound very detailed you can hear all the echoing in the background you can hear every little freaking noise buy it I got a used one and it came beautifully it has a power supply at least the one I got did it’s a sound that you can listen to for hours but do run it balanced it sounds so much different I am
crazy fanatical about sound this one is a keeper.
I use a Matrix X-pro MQA with my main system which is one of the best DACs I have ever heard – this DAC at a fraction of the price gives it a run for the money!!
If you want a great sounding DAC using the top of the line AKM4497 chips which sound great in this implementation – look no furthe
I’ve only owned it a few days, but, would say it sounds very good. The unit comes well packaged with a basic cable in the box, but, I find it limiting for my needs. I added a separate power supply for power, isolation and re-clocking the signal that takes it up a notch called the Recovery from Wyred 4 Sound.
The USB/Power connection is not the best design on this unit, it should have had one for power and the other for USB as in other SMSL models. Another option might be a extension cable on Amazon called “USB Y Cable for External Hard Drive USB A to Micro B” from StarTech.com and notice there is a 1 foot version. https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Cable-External-Drive-Micro/dp/B0047AALW6/ref=sr_1_21?keywords=2%2BDual%2BUSB%2B2.0%2BMale%2Bto%2BMicro%2BUSB%2BMale%2BY%2BCable&qid=1563057044&s=gateway&sr=8-21&th=1
I currently own various Schiit DAC’s and would say it’s similar in sound quality. Where the SMSL differs is in the treble and bass, it lacks the upper clarity/openess on top and the bottom end is not as taut. It seems well built, but, it’s a very small unit so the buttons can be tricky to engage when needed. I cannot confirm long term reliability as yet, time will tell. Cheers!
Comment dcrire cet article si ce n’est par “petite merveille”. Alimentant des enceintes de monitoring M-Audio BX5 depuis un PC, il dlivre un son parfaitement plac dans l’espace, incisif, clair. Il est aussi redoutable pour les mauvais enregistrements. Tous les dfauts lis la compression par exemple ressortent autant que les qualits de disques de haut vol explosent aux tympans. Si on frmit en entendant la respiration de Claudio Arrau pendant qu’il officie sur le dernier mouvement de la sonate Au Clair de Lune, on jubile d’tre parmi les spectateurs d’une Diana Krall dchane lors de son “Live in Paris”. Quant la pop, elle explose dans un rjouissant espace sonore quasi tridimensionnel. Un monstre de prcision dans un petit botier, un must have pour petit budget.
Se avete bisogno di un DAC con uscite in bilanciato ( xlr ) non credo si possa trovare di meglio a questo prezzo. Lo uso in accoppiata con un ampli loxjie p20 per ascolto in cuffia ( Sennheiser HD650 ), il mio iMac lo ha riconosciuto subito senza problemi si attacca e funziona. Ottimo, e usato con Tidal un piacere sentirlo suonare sia in modalit hi-fi che Master. Consigliato.