SMSL DO300EX is a new powerful high quality DAC/headphone amplifier. It uses such high-quality components as the AK4499EX DAC chip coupled with the AK4191 digital filter interface, the XMOS XU316 USB interface, 5 OPA 1612A chips, the TPA6120A2 headphone amplifier chip and the latest generation Qualcomm QCC5125 Bluetooth chip. Additionally, the DO300EX integrates an MQA decoder.
This DAC is capable of decoding high-resolution audio streams up to PCM 32-bit 768 kHz, DSD512 and MQA-CD. The headphone amplifier performance is also very good, notably the clock circuit is based on the DO300 and uses the company’s CK-03 architecture to achieve very low jitter. The DO300EX has a full range of connectors that can be adapted to numerous configurations and input sources. In addition, the appearance of the device is characterized by a rather impressive screen and small aesthetic details, which makes it pleasant to look at.
The front panel of the DO300EX features two headphone outputs: a balanced 4.4mm jack and an unbalanced 6.35mm jack. The headphone amplifier circuit uses TPA6120A2 chip. Thanks to its wide selection of connectors and high output power, DO300EX can be adapted to different types of headphones: 2x 2000 mW / 16Ω, 2x 1000 mW / 32Ω.
MQA Decoder
The DO300EX’s MQA decoder allows support for MQA-CD streams via coaxial and optical Toslink inputs. Thus, this DAC allows you to enjoy professional sound quality, while playback is as close as possible to the original sound recorded and processed in the studio.
Ultra-Low Noise Power Supply
For the DO300EX DAC, SMSL has specially developed an ultra-low noise linear regulated power supply. It is complemented by a network of multiple low noise regulated power supplies to ensure a stable, reliable, efficient and low noise overall power system.
Remote Control The
DO300EX remote control provides access to all basic functions such as volume control, play/pause/previous/next functions and input source selection.
Characteristics of SMSL DO300EX:
- Item Type: DAC/Headphone Amplifier
- Inputs: 1x USB-C/ 1x coaxial/ 1x optical Toslink/ 1x I2S via HDMI/ / Bluetooth
- Outputs: 1x stereo analogue RCA output/ 1x stereo balanced XLR output/ / 1x balanced headphone output with 4.4 mm jack/ 1x unbalanced headphone output with 6.35 mm jack.
- Supported sampling rates: PCM 32bit 768kHz, DoP64, DoP256 DSD512, MQA, MQA-CD
- Output Level: XLR : 5.2 Vrms/ RCA : 2.5 Vrms
- Headphone output power: 2x 2 W / 16 Ω / 2x 1 W / 32 Ω /
- THD+N: XLR and RCA: 0.00006% (-124 dB, unweighted)/Headphone Outputs: 0.0001% (-120 dB, unweighted)
- Dynamic Range: XLR: 132 dB/Headphone Outputs: 127 dB
- SNR: XLR: 132 dB / Headphones: 127 dB
- Output Impedance: XLR: 200 Ω / RCA: 100 Ω / Headphone Outputs: About 0 Ω
- Headphone output gain: Low : 0dB/ High : +7dB
- USB data transfer: 2.0 asynchronous
- USB Compatibility: Windows 7/8/8.1/9/10/11 (with driver)/ Mac OS 10.6 and +/ Linux
- MQA Decoding: MQA: USB, Optical Toslink, Coaxial/ MQA-CD: Optical Toslink, Coaxial
- Supported Bluetooth codecs: AAC, SBC, aptX, aptX HD, et LDAC
- Power consumption: <20W
- Standby power consumption: <0.5W
- Color: black or silver
- Dimensions: 222 x 307 x 39 mm
- Weight: 1.54 kg
Author: Marcus Carlsen
Marcus Carlsen is an avid audiophile with a deep passion for hi-fi systems, high-end headphones, and premium speakers. Marcus constantly explores the latest audio technologies and equipment, from precision-engineered speakers to the finest headphones.
