SMSL PO100 PRO MQA DDC XMOS XU316 Digital to Analog Audio Converter Type-C USB Input IIS/Optical/Coaxial Output Mini Portable USB Interface for Phone/PS5/Switch/TV

I took a chance and bought this product to see if it would improve the sound from my Mac USB to my DAC, like all the reviewers say. I used the coaxial output from the DDC to my DAC. Frankly I expected no improvement in sound (its zeros and ones anyway). To my surprise I found the sound significantly improved and no, its not a placebo effect. Perhaps its the poor USB input in my DAC, an old Emotiva Stealth DC-1, or perhaps its the cleaner signal from this DDC. However, the results are irrefutably better sound.

This thing has made me re-think my car audio setup! I intentionally bought this just to use the coaxial output as a hub between my laptop and DSP for EQ'ing, but when I actually read up more about it I decided to try it out before I did any EQ'ing. I ended up using it with my phone for the MQA decoding and wow did it work wonders! The overall clarity and extra information given has blown my mind, I am by no means an expert on high end speakers and hi def music but to my average ears it's practically a night and day difference. In my opinion when comparing my Fiio M11s and my Samsung S23ultra I would be a bit hard pressed to spot a noticable difference honestly. I can't wait to EQ and see what kind of difference I'll hear in the end, that'll be the next hurdle for me. So for the price I would say give it a try if you have a DSP and are on the fence of getting a DAP.

I bought this for its unofficial application of reclocking digital audio and removing jitter when used with the WIIM ultra streamer. It’s set up using the USB out function of the WIIM and the the coax out from the P100 to coax in on a Yamaha Aventage A3080. This produced noticeably cleaner dialog and “cleaner” treble in cymbals, etc. While this isn’t a typical audiophile stereo set up, I use the Yamaha for stereo application as well as 7.1.2 home theater.

This product has been getting some hype from YouTube reviewers lately. It is touted as a product that will enhance the performance of relatively inexpensive DACs. I think that is generally true, but there are some things to know before you buy.The unit comes in simple packaging, a cardboard sleeve over a foam insert - there is no box. USB A to C, and USB C to C cables are included, along with a short manual and owner's card. The unit is smaller than a deck of playing cards and is USB powered, there is no port for an external power supply. Thus, I would not expect a level of performance that would improve a highly resolving home system.One thing you should know is that this is not a DAC and is incorrectly described on the site. It is a DDC (digital to digital converter) with no analog outputs. The sole input is USB C. For outputs you have the choice of optical, coaxial, and I2S. There is a switch on the top that allows you to select two I2S pin configurations for compatibility for different DACs, and a second switch that allows you to select between UAC1 and UAC2 for different USB sources. I only used the PO100 in an office desktop system, primarily connected to a Windows 10 PC and the optical input of the Fosi Audio ZD3. Speakers in the system are the Audioengine A2+. I also ran it into a Benchmark HDR DAC1 driving Focal Clear headphones.I did not have a preconceived notion as to whether adding the PO100 would improve the sound, but simply wanted to try the unit before the new tariffs kick in. My PC is home built and relatively noisy, I was hoping that adding the DDC and using an optical connection would, at the very least, reduce any noise coming down the USB cable.Upon listening, one thing I noticed was a volume attenuation. I normally set volume on the ZD3 at about 50, with the DDC I needed to set it to 58 to achieve the same volume. The A2+ speakers image quite well for near field listening - I thought I heard an improvement with the PO100. I also thought the soundstage was improved - horns seem to be coming from a location closer to the listener. With the Benchmark/Focal Clear, it seemed as if the bass response was enhanced. There was no noise even in quiet passages. I did not notice any difference in resolution/detail. The effects produced by devices like this are subtle - some say they are products of the fertile imagination of audiophiles. At this price, you can likely afford to take a chance. YMMV.

This little unit is NOT a DAC, as described in the listing. Instead, it is used to adapt usb digital input to coaxial or fiber optic digital output. The big takeaway, though, is that this digital to digital converter, includes a 'reclocking' feature that cleans up the signal in a way that improves the sound quality substantially. I use it as the YouTube reviewers 'Cheapaudioman' and 'Old Guy HiFi' recommend: Use USB output from WiiM Ultra streamer through this unit into a digital input (I use optical toslink into my Geshelli Labs J3S DAC.) The sound improvement using this little unit is well worth the price. Resulting sound rivals much more expensive DACs. Highly recommended.

This is needed for the WiiM Ultra as that units DAC and associated circuits add jitter to the stream, better to use this between the Ultra and a good DAC of your choice. This effectively reclocks the signal and passes a clean signal to your external DAC.