SMSL C100From real comments

Name: SMSL C100
Rating: 3.2 (14 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 14 mentions across 9 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment62%

PROS 62%

CONS 38%

Rank based on 14 mentions across 9 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

You want an affordable AKM-chip DAC that also handles MQA and hi-res FLAC
You need a DAC with enough built-in power to drive harder-to-drive headphones like the Sundara
You want numeric resolution readouts instead of color-coded indicators

What users love

Strong value for price0 mentions

Strongly positive

MQA and hi-res FLAC playback0 mentions

Widely praised

AKM chip sound character0 mentions

Widely praised

Built-in amp drives hard headphones0 mentions

Widely praised

Numeric resolution display0 mentions

Widely praised

Skip this if...

You've had reliability issues with USB DACs disconnecting or misreading sample rates
You specifically want a dedicated headphone output optimized for IEMs in a smaller form factor
You prioritize measured sound quality over price, since one owner preferred the cheaper SU-1

What users complain about

Passed over for size and headphone output0 mentions

Generally negative

Connectivity and recognition problems0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Outperformed by cheaper SU-10 mentions

Frequently criticized

Needed reset after sound loss0 mentions

Generally negative

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice

1Premium

SMSL VMV D2

Natural, non-fatiguing soundMQA and AK4499 chip appealClear upgrade over harsher rivalsUncertain heat outputHigh priceNo sharper sound signature option

SMSL VMV D2

Natural, non-fatiguing sound

MQA and AK4499 chip appeal

Clear upgrade over harsher rivals

Uncertain heat output

High price

No sharper sound signature option

2Premium

SMSL H400

Strong power deliveryReliable alternative to competitorsSound-tuning flexibilityCosts more than cheaper alternativesHigh price

SMSL H400

Strong power delivery

Reliable alternative to competitors

Sound-tuning flexibility

Costs more than cheaper alternatives

High price

HiFiMan Goldenwave GA10

Fully Balanced ArchitecturePremium, Understated BuildRich Tube Sound

HiFiMan Goldenwave GA10

Fully Balanced Architecture

Premium, Understated Build

Rich Tube Sound

4Premium

iFi iCAN

Drives almost any headphoneUnique xBass and 3D tuning controlsMusical, layered, engaging soundHigh price questionedOverdamped decay / odd dynamics reportedCannot switch preamp and headphone outputs independently

iFi iCAN

Drives almost any headphone

Unique xBass and 3D tuning controls

Musical, layered, engaging sound

High price questioned

Overdamped decay / odd dynamics reported

Cannot switch preamp and headphone outputs independently

5Budget

SMSL VMV SAP1

Excellent value for moneyDrives demanding headphones with easeExceeds initial expectationsInconsistent regional pricingCheap-feeling volume knobLimited availability at some retailers

SMSL VMV SAP1

Excellent value for money

Drives demanding headphones with ease

Exceeds initial expectations

Inconsistent regional pricing

Cheap-feeling volume knob

Limited availability at some retailers

6Premium

iFi Pro iCAN

Extremely versatile tuning options

iFi Pro iCAN

Extremely versatile tuning options

7Mid

Monoprice Monolith THX AAA 887

Balanced XLR ConnectivitySought for Driving Hard-to-Drive HeadphonesSolid Metal Volume Knob

Monoprice Monolith THX AAA 887

Balanced XLR Connectivity

Sought for Driving Hard-to-Drive Headphones

Solid Metal Volume Knob

8Mid

Creative Sound Blaster E3

Strong Value on SaleGaming Software FeaturesImproved Dynamic RangeFull Price Feels HighUncertain Value vs E5

Creative Sound Blaster E3

Strong Value on Sale

Gaming Software Features

Improved Dynamic Range

Full Price Feels High

Uncertain Value vs E5

9Budget

SMSL RAW-HA1

Strong speaker amp performance

SMSL RAW-HA1

Strong speaker amp performance

10Mid

iFi Hip-DAC

Detailed, engaging sound

iFi Hip-DAC

Detailed, engaging sound

Best valueYou are here

31Budget

SMSL C100

Strong value for priceAKM chip sound characterMQA and hi-res FLAC playbackPassed over for size and headphone outputConnectivity and recognition problemsNeeded reset after sound loss

SMSL C100

Strong value for price

AKM chip sound character

MQA and hi-res FLAC playback

Passed over for size and headphone output

Connectivity and recognition problems

Needed reset after sound loss

Expensive
1. SMSL VMV D2arrow_downward2
2. iFi iCANarrow_downward3
3. SMSL H400arrow_downward3
Powerful
1. SMSL H400arrow_upward2
2. SMSL VMV SAP1arrow_upward2
Build quality
1. HiFiMan Goldenwave GA10arrow_upward1
2. Monoprice Monolith THX AAA 887arrow_upward1
Reliable
1. SMSL H400arrow_upward1
2. SMSL VMV SAP1arrow_upward1

Overall Impression

The built-in amplifier and AKM chip impressed buyers expecting to need extra gear. One owner was surprised to find the C100 could drive hard-to-drive headphones like the HIFIMAN Sundara directly via its RCA-to-jack connection, without a separate headphone amp. Another highlighted the AKM DAC chip as a point of interest compared to ESS-based alternatives in SMSL's own lineup, suggesting the sound signature stood out enough to be a deciding factor between models.

MQA and hi-res FLAC support plus numeric resolution readouts appealed to format-conscious listeners. A buyer confirmed the unit reads MQA FLAC files up to 384kHz, adding value for Tidal-style streaming. Another chose the C100 specifically to see file resolutions displayed 'in numbers' rather than the color-coded system used by their iFi gear, valuing clearer, more precise feedback about what they were actually hearing.

Not every user got a trouble-free experience, with some reporting inconsistent performance. One owner had the display stuck at '44.1' with the MQA light failing to activate during Tidal streaming, plus repeated disconnects on Mac. Another needed to find a reset method after sound suddenly stopped. A third directly compared it to SMSL's cheaper SU-1 using the same AKM chip and returned the C100 because the SU-1 sounded better.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

attach_moneyStrong value for price

3 mentions

Strongly positive

Multiple commenters framed the C100 as a long-awaited, high-value chifi product, with one noting they'd wanted something like it at this price for years. It's also referenced as sitting affordably below SMSL's pricier D12 and C200 models.

@wim1983

Frankly technology today is way ahead to come out something as simple straightforward yet powerful as this SMSL C100, it just no people willing to do it without high profit, glad that SMSL did it, again I still think a DAC has no sound until you do the analog op-amp stage, which make sound starting to be \"physical\". The sharp sound at high volume you experiencing is the main reason people jump into HiFi rabbit hole :P, infinite hunt of preamp!!!

smart_display

September 11, 2024

@ddgardner5671

I've just found out that SMSL also has the D12 amp/dac, which uses the same dac chip as the C100, has a relatively low powered amp, and gets rid of the optical and coaxial inputs. At $170, it's priced in between the C100 and C200.

smart_display

February 12, 2023

@timothychan4566

First\nI think the first rule of chifi is: if you can think of it, wait long enough and it'll appear on the market. \n\nI've been waiting for a device like this at this price for 3 years, glad it came out now

smart_display

February 12, 2023

high_qualityMQA and hi-res FLAC playback

2 mentions

Widely praised

A buyer confirmed the C100 successfully reads MQA-encoded FLAC files up to 384kHz. Another user specifically sought it out to enjoy MQA via Tidal on a USB-powered setup.

@OSCARDEMELERO

Good, I've already bought it and I'm going to explain my small contribution. I was very surprised by all the features it has (which the manual doesn't explain...) It turns out I tested it directly \"WITHOUT\" my ZEN CAN headphone amplifier, and ...!!SURPRISE, \"YES\" it amplifies by itself, I even put my SUNDARA headphones which are hard to drive on it and it was able to handle them too. The connection is made from the RCA output to jack and from the jack to the headphones, there's no mystery.... I also want to note that it reads FLACs MQA at 384 khz I don't remember if at 24 or 32 bits, almost nothing ...And why don't I have files of higher resolution, to see what the top of this little guy is.

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July 11, 2023

@AndrewChoppa

Nice review - thanks. I love that you paired it with the feliks echo - i was looking at that amp too as my first tube amp but $$ wise (it will be my 2nd stack) I am going to check out the Eufonika H5 or 7 ($663 AUD). Very naiive question so bear with me as i haven't had a usb-powered dac before - the usb-c is power but I assume that you connect it to Iphone/Ipad/laptop, this powers it as well as gives MQA to Tidal app (I love MQA!!) Thanks in advance.

smart_display

March 20, 2023

graphic_eqAKM chip sound character

2 mentions

Widely praised

Buyers were drawn to comparing the C100's AKM DAC chip against ESS-based alternatives, treating the chip choice as a meaningful factor in sound character and purchase decisions across the SMSL and competing lineups.

@gamecock2465

I’ve recently bought the SMSL PO100 PRO so I can play hi res audio on my phone connected to it via usb and convert it spdif optical out into my Helix DSP in my car. But then discovered all the other cool things SMSL makes and bought the C100 for a desktop HiFi system and the PS100 for TV/HiFi system in another room of the house. It will be cool comparing the ESS DAC and AKM DAC in each unit. Cool to see the cross over between Audiophile HiFi gear and car audio.

smart_display

October 14, 2024

@CharlesSeraphDrums

I was about to buy the C100 but I bought the Uno. Anyway I use it as a dac/pre exclusively connected to another amplifier. I liked both but I went a bit more with the ESS chip thing and that it really serves me more and I don't use coaxial or BT inputs.

smart_displayTranslated from Spanish

February 7, 2023

volume_upBuilt-in amp drives hard headphones

1 mentions

Widely praised

An owner tested the C100 without a separate headphone amp and found it could still power hard-to-drive headphones like the HIFIMAN Sundara through its RCA-to-jack connection. This built-in amplification was described as a genuine surprise given the DAC's small size and price.

@OSCARDEMELERO

smart_displayTranslated from Spanish

July 11, 2023

pinNumeric resolution display

1 mentions

Widely praised

One owner chose the C100 specifically because it shows file resolution in clear numbers rather than the color-coded indicators used by their iFi devices, which they found harder to interpret.

@OSCARDEMELERO

I have from the Signature line the Ifi Zen Can and the Ifi Zen One, I also have Estream from ifi, and I'm going to buy this SMSL so it tells me in \"NUMBERS\" the resolutions of the files I listen to since the IFI indicates them with colors and I don't understand

smart_displayTranslated from Spanish

July 2, 2023

compare_arrowsPassed over for size and headphone output

2 mentions

Generally negative

Two shoppers considered the C100 but ultimately bought the smaller iFi Uno instead, citing its more compact size and dedicated headphone output for driving IEMs as deciding factors.

@VinicioCascante

I was thinking about buying the C100 but I ended up going for the iFi Uno because of the size and the headphone output to drive my IEMs more than anything. Since I have other DACs for audio output to the amp and to drive more demanding headphones like the Sundara or the Beyerdynamic 770 and 990.

smart_displayTranslated from Spanish

February 7, 2023

@CharlesSeraphDrums

smart_displayTranslated from Spanish

February 7, 2023

warningConnectivity and recognition problems

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

One user reported the display stuck showing '44.1' with the MQA indicator never lighting up despite streaming MQA content from Tidal, and separately had the DAC repeatedly disconnect and go unrecognized on a Mac.

@JoeWild1984

I'm connecting it and just keeps displaying: \"44.1\" and the MQA light won't light even tho I'm streamline from Tidal.\n\nAlso on my Mac it keeps unrecognizing it and disconnecting etc\n\nAnyone with help?

smart_display

January 2, 2023

trending_downOutperformed by cheaper SU-1

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

A user directly compared the C100 to SMSL's cheaper SU-1, which uses the same AKM chip, and ultimately returned the C100 because the SU-1 sounded noticeably better in their system.

@ehong123

I tested both SMSL c100 and their new cheaper and simpler SU-1 DAC in my system. I returned the c100, the SU-1 just sounded much better, even though they had the same AKM chip.

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June 23, 2023

restart_altNeeded reset after sound loss

1 mentions

Generally negative

An owner reported the unit suddenly had no sound after working fine, and asked for help resetting it, indicating an occasional reliability hiccup.

@Onceuponatimeinhawaii

Hello great video. Can you tell me any clue about how to reset the C100? Been working great and today had no sound. Any help appreciated.

smart_display

May 26, 2023

SMSL C100chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

thumb_up_off_altBuy this if...

What users lovefavorite_border

thumb_down_off_altSkip this if...

What users complain aboutheart_broken

Compare in seconds

Who wins on what

Expensive

Powerful

Build quality

Reliable

auto_awesomeOverall Impression

SMSL C100From real comments

Buy this if...

What users love

Skip this if...

What users complain about

Overall Impression