Crazy Audio Product Under $200 Does it All... KIND OF...

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Recommended Streamer
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Fosi Audio TB10D amzn.to/43cJtwh
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[@cheapaudioman]

SMSL DL100 hifi-express.com/products/smsl-dp5-se (direct) SMSL DL100 amzn.to/3WiKBgf (amazon affiliate) check out my other channel www.youtube.com/@cheapwatchman_official Intro graphics by johnvilardi.com BEST HIFI COMMUNITY OUT THERE patreon.com/cheapaudioman Support the Channel! Shop on Amazon amzn.to/3W8vsgK Crutchfield shop-links.co/cguPK8XEGmt Join the best hifi community out there! patreon.com/cheapaudioman TRY ROON www.rofjdjk3ns.com/33G977/2CTPL/ Tidal Deal bit.ly/3siuqSF Amazon Unlimited Music Trial amzn.to/3DRAVj9 Crutchfield shop-links.co/cguPK8XEGmt Best Buy Deals shop-links.co/cf9yDZeYtUH amzn.to/3GkNaop CAM Store (New Products!) bit.ly/30Lgu4K apos.audio?sca_ref=552340.TY98BPcZ6P massdrop.7eer.net/qnOye5

[@cunningtim]

An analog input would make these dac/amps truly useful as a preamp. They could keep the Bluetooth in return.

[@juicythedj750]

Might as well slap in a streamer, hdmi and phono preamp... Oh wait it's the WiiM Ultra ;)

[@joelcarson4602]

There's no tape monitor.☹️

[@gopium1976]

@@juicythedj750 soooo I’m looking to build a new hifi…..I used to be the loop and now I’m totally out I got caught up with my Apple phone and a crappy blue tooth speaker 🔊 now I wanna get back into it but want to stream my music through a decent stereo setup so should I be looking at this as part of the equipment

[@michaelstanley5215]

Most of the people using these products have few sources anyway, most of the time only one. Putting too much in them adds useless complexity and cost.

[@juicythedj750]

@@gopium1976 then you definitely should check out the whole family of Wiim products. There's also the WiiM Pro Plus which lacks hdmi and the phono preamp, but still has the line input, a decent DAC and the same streaming services. Just like the Wiim Ultra, this would still need to be connected to an amplifier or active speakers. Next up there's also the WiiM Amp which combines the streaming functionality with a decent 60W per channel class D amplifier circuit. Just add your own speakers :)

[@ChicagoRob2]

You have done a great job building your channel, Randy. Kudos.

[@Durkhead]

I was thinking that when i watched the intro

[@TheFrugalAudiophile]

Love my Arylic BP 50! It really can’t be beat at its prize for HDMIARC preamp. I have mine paired with some swan M10 speakers and a monoprice 10 inch low profile subwoofer. Makes a nice 2.1 living room system!

[@razzman2987]

😅😅😅

[@blinkingmanchannel]

hunh!? I did something wrong the first time I tried to make a comment. 🤔 Anyway: very cool, as always. I had to go look up XLR connections, so I learned something great! ... doesn't get any better than that! ☕️

[@lekis15]

Great review Randy, I have the SMSL C100, which you could say is the little brother, also with remote and and a sound like SU1. I learned the Apple TV remote the IR signal from the SMSL to be able to control the volume. I suppose you could do the same with this unit as well? 😊

[@FunFiEmpire]

Totally agree on the missing sub out (can even have a simple menu option to control the crossover from 60-120 Hz) and the headphone out not meshing with the HDMI. THOUGH I do own the SMSL AO300 that also uses the CS43131 (x1) chip and has the HDMI, sub (fixed), and headphone out. I LOVE the headphone out on the AO300 with my HiFiMan Edtion XS as it has really clean sound and punchy low bass using the SDB (aka loudness) turned on. Sometimes, I even prefer it to my J2/E2 stack (gasp!) when I am looking to rock out in my head. Too bad the DL100's headphone out did not capture the same magic. Looking forward to your Wiim Ultra overview. I have it (got a 10% preorder discount I could NOT pass up-$30 is $30 you know), but am saving it for my birthday present to myself later in the year as I just bought the refurbished XS headphones for $280.

[@6643bear]

Great review Randy , I wonder how it compares with ifi zen dac v2 . I do like there ideal you can see what bit rate of music you are listening to. Regards mark

[@CinemaDemocratica]

My SMSL AO-300 -- which I kinda-sorta bought on Randy's recommendation (although he auditioned the AN220, which is just the AO300 without the subwoofer output and in this chassis -- is one of the most impressive audio products I've ever owned, not just for the money but full stop.

[@pascalmartin1891]

Functionwise, the Arilyc bp50 still keeps its edge due to Bluetooth input _and_ output. Sometimes, you want to watch tv, but the spouse does something else and you don't want to disturb. Bluetooth output is the perfect solution: sound quality is good enough for tv. Bluetooth input is perfect when you found out some new music and you just want the more immersive experience of your speakers.

[@shaunmk]

just love you videos...thanks for making great content

[@svdk81]

I have the dl200 and it is fantastic. Clean sound!!

[@salvereginavirgomaria]

Listening to this review on my SMSL DA-9 amp, connected to my MacBook via a Zen DAC Signature, and balanced inputs. I absolutely LOVE the cheap offerings from SMSL, they do a great job for the price. Oh, and my speakers? ELAC UB5's, the 4 ohm originals. And yes, the little SMSL gives them enough power for my needs. I've been looking for a new little SMSL for a family member, and this one might be it. Great job as always Mr. Randy!

[@DanielPyle]

I've used the old, pre-subscription version of Audirvana for many years and love it for my music management.

[@ltmund]

Surely SMSL will run out of numbers for product names soon

[@PH-gm2qe]

yeah, my head went around when I checked their product line. I cannot imagine I begin with this hobby now, without knowledge and I should pick one product. 😀

[@MLantier]

Good review. I appreciate your detail and honesty.

[@davidbond9138]

I got the D0100 pro which i use for my tv and wiim pro in my living room. It doesn't have a headphone amp but it give me balanced outputs to plug in my fosi monoblocks. Hdmi arc can be a bit finicky though

[@EskWIRED]

Good review. Both good and bad aspects. Keep it up.

[@ShazeemKhan]

I recently bought the PS100, love it, tho I only use it for tv stuff (YT, Movies & gaming). It sounds way better than the RGB TEK DAC I used

[@lmcteo]

My c200 is okay except when skipping tracks while using wiim pro. It makes a loud crackling sound, enough to make you instinctively want to rip off the iem from your ear. If this doesn't have the same issue then it's definitely a good buy

[@nathanaelcole8466]

I've got the M300SE going to two ZA3's. This is on a laptop, CD player, and record player system so no TV and no HDMI needed for me. If this sounds as good as the M300SE seems like a like deal if you are going HDMI. I do also like the dedicated power vs USB power.

[@fardosh4193]

Is it better then topping dx 3 plus? I am looking to buy a little dot mk 6 plus tube amp. Would it be a good pairing whit a chaifi dac like topping or this smsl? Thanks for all your excellents reviews!

[@FunFiEmpire]

Being a FunFi fanatic, I would love to recommend a cheap chinese dac, but if you are spending $1K on your tube amp, I would recommend getting a Geshelli J2S. You can get an AKM 4993 chip with an upgrade path (Sparkos or Burson) op amps for the same cost ($250) as a good Topping or SMSL dac. I am making a huge assumption you are in the continental US. If not then SMSL has a very good RAW-MDA1 dac with mulitple digital inputs. I did not like the DX3 Pro+ as it was fussy with inputs and sounded very dry. If you need the remote, I would recommend the Wiim Ultra (has a decent DAC), streamer, and remote for $330.

[@fardosh4193]

@@FunFiEmpire I live in Canada/ Quebec. It is very hard to buy most amp or dac in Canada... I don't have a lot of choice. It is why I am looking for a second hand little dot at 500 canadian dollar ( 350 $ usd ) . I think the sound of the amp will improve my topping dx 3 pro.... I hope 😅

[@JoshColletta]

I would venture a guess that the HDMI / headphone combo is intended for those who are either hard of hearing or want to watch TV late at night without waking up the rest of the house. It probably wouldn't be my first choice for that purpose given all of its other functionality; I'm a very purpose-oriented hardware buyer. But for that niche group who want an all in one with that option, it makes sense. I just have to wonder how big that niche group is.

[@d.s.6268]

Thanks for another great video ! So is this the right choice if I'm looking to connect a TV through HDMI ARC to an amplifier that doesn't have that option ? That PS1 cheap option is cool, but I'm willing to spend a little more for nice quality. Should this device be my choice ?

[@dtdcampbell]

Any plans to review the SMSL RAW-MDA 1 DAC/Amp? Wondering if would be a worthwhile upgrade from the DL200 or not and how it also compares to this DL100

[@GregDavidson-li2jn]

hi all, if I connect my Apple TV with hdmi arc, directly to this dac's hdmi input, will sound be transferred to the dac, or will I need to use a tv?

[@StevoJacobs]

I'd be interested to see this paired with the Schiit Syn, great idea for another video.

[@AndrewWong08]

Are there any products out there with an HDMI eARC that decodes Dolby Atmos so that you can send the signal to an older receiver that doesn’t have that option? If there was one, I’d buy it in a heartbeat!

[@Havanero52]

Great video can I use this after Wiim ultra?

[@jukingeo]

Hmmmm, I'm going to wait for the Wiim Ultra. When are you going to review that one, Randy?

[@Mr70hemi]

Does it have a built in equalizer ?

[@brochg]

I love Audirvana!

[@TheDiamonddave2]

Is the DL100 Pro worth the extra over the DL100?

[@noahewald7696]

What dac would you recommend for 80ohm dt990 pros

[@BadgesForTheCross]

Time to swap out my D-6S. Would love to have the HDMI.

[@Brian_Romska]

Cool, thx Randy 😊

[@Nordraw]

If it’s not a good headphone amp what good is it?

[@ethimself5064]

Having one of those moments, what are balanced inputs? As opposed to unbalanced?

[@gloodle]

Balanced are XLR whereas unbalanced is RCA

[@ethimself5064]

@@gloodle From Canada IC. 🤣🤣🤣. Still don't get it - XLR. Boomer learning the new here for a future system

[@ethimself5064]

@@gloodle Got it now👍

[@gloodle]

@@ethimself5064 awesome. The other way it can be balanced is by using a 1/4 in TRS plug. That’s the same as a stereo 1/4” plug.

[@greenbeginner9221]

You never said how it sounds while driving a speaker based system. (Good coverage on the headphones though).

[@RogerBergqvist]

This product would be perfect if it was a streamer too. Then Wiim would have gotten sweaty...

[@ethimself5064]

Intro, soooo kool👍

[@stefanweilhartner4415]

usually, when your setup requires a subwoofer, there is something wrong with your setup. however, there could be some exceptions to it, like having open baffle panel speakers with exciters driving them. in this case you are not getting enough deep bass from it.

[@michaelstanley5215]

LOL

[@Feliciano12v]

No no....

[@ZZZ_ZZZ_ZZZ_ZZZ_ZZZ]

Geshelli Labs J3 review maybe...

[@VoiceOfReason5487]

Your first link goes to a different SMSL product.

[@cheapaudioman]

thanks for the heads up

[@NosEL34]

They should've squashed the headphone amp. I see this device as basically an eArc connection..soundbar replcement for those wanting a power amp for TV listening. LDAC BT for non streaming people. Great engineering with its ultra transparency/resolution but normally people in this price range dont have the source or speakers that pair well with that. Any product with HDMI eArc grabs my attention but I think some WiiM products offer this & more for a little mo' money. I'm guessing this product would work best for a TV system.

[@bpalpha]

I’ve found SACD players for $8. It’s not about budget.

[@christopherviers8302]

Dude...!!! You took the words right outta my mouth...!!! Lush, Yummy Music...!!!

[@dazza1976]

I use Audirvana

[@D1N02]

The Verum 2 are just 12 ohm

[@bengleason508]

Thank you Randy

[@Airjer54]

\UM/ LOVE!

[@TheSinclairmoore]

My DL200 is close to flawless

[@TheSinclairmoore]

Just swapped with a cheap Chinese R2R Gustard Clone which has blown me away. Less technical, but more enjoyable.

[@667hodge]

This just in,noone needs a dac to listen to music

[@cuttinchops]

Moist

[@pjeffries301]

So,,,, how does it f-n sound out of the bal./unbal. outs? ffs.

[@cheapaudioman]

@@pjeffries301 sounds nice

[@pjeffries301]

@@cheapaudioman Nice? As opposed to mean? Review the dang thing! Thinking matched with za3 and wiim mini could be better than wiim amp - help me - you have so many times before.