86%
s.m.s.l DO300EX
AK4499EX DAC chip
Support MQA decoding, support MQA-CD;
New 3rd generation XMOS XU-316, PCM support up to 32bit/768kHz, DSD support to DSD512;
Flagship DAC chip AK4191+ AK4499EX, taps all the potential of the chip, with distortion as low as a staggering 0.00006% (-124dB);
Use 5 high-end dual op amps and a large number of audiophile components;
Adopt 2nd PLL to eliminate JITTER during SPDIF transmission;
The new self-developed CK-03 clock processing circuit greatly reduces clock jitter;
Support DOP independent display function, accurately determine the current decoding format;
USB, optical fiber, coaxial , AES, I2S support DSD transmission, coaxial and optical fiber support DOP64;
Use tempered glass to fully fit the color IPS display;
Built-in low-noise power processing, while improving power efficiency, lower power consumption;
Combined with multiple low-noise regulated power supplies, it provides a stable, reliable, efficient, and low-noise power supply system.
Qualcomm high-end Bluetooth chip, support LDAC (24bit/96kHz), APTX/HD, SBC, AAC;
High quality all-aluminum alloy shell, support high quality gold plated input and output connection terminals;
Japan Audio Association (JAS) Hi-Res certification;
Equipped with remote control and full-featured remote control.
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Professional Reviews 86/100
Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
85/100
Build Quality
79/100
Features Connectivity
87/100
Value for Money
92/100
The DO300EX delivers a clean, neutral window into music, pairing expansive, layered imaging with unusually broad all-in-one connectivity. Prime Audio Reviews highlights its immersive stage, coherent organization and polished usability, while USB-C, I2S, LDAC Bluetooth and variable balanced outputs make it a compact DAC/preamp hub for transparent headphone or speaker systems.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Wide, deep soundstage with strong layering, separation, and coherent handling of complex arrangements.
Extensive connectivity includes USB-C, I2S, coaxial, optical, Bluetooth, balanced XLR and RCA outputs; Bluetooth performed reliably in testing.
Neutral, transparent presentation offers clear, organized sound without emphasizing any frequency range.
&
Cons
Headphone amplifier has limited power and control for demanding headphones.
Sound can feel matter-of-fact rather than emotionally immersive, with a faint digital glare audible in direct comparisons.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 85/100
The DO300EX is consistently described as neutral, transparent, clean, and faithful rather than deliberately warm or colorful. It presents a spacious, well-layered image and clear organization, though one reviewer found it more competent than emotionally involving during focused listening and noted a faint digital glare in direct comparisons.
Tonal Balance and Musicality
86/100
Prime Audio found the presentation transparent, unbiased, and notably even-handed tonally, with the headphone output balancing energy and composure. WaveTheory likewise heard a clean, perceptibly neutral balance, but found the sound somewhat matter-of-fact and less compelling for immersive critical listening.
Resolution and Detail
85/100
Reviewers report clear, coherent handling of complex arrangements, good separation, and a wide, deep stage with convincing layering. WaveTheory calls resolution decent rather than exceptional, so the presentation appears capable and organized without clear evidence of class-leading micro-detail retrieval.
Digital Performance
85/100
Prime Audio heard no audible jitter and praised the precision and clarity of complex music. WaveTheory detected a small amount of digital glare in direct comparisons, although it was not generally distracting in normal listening.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
79/100
WaveTheory considers the compact chassis adequate and free of any obvious problems, but says it does not especially exude quality. Prime Audio praises the quality of the components, though the reviews provide limited detail on internal construction, power supply design, or long-term durability.
Features Connectivity
87/100
This is an unusually versatile all-in-one: balanced XLR and RCA outputs, coaxial, optical, I2S, USB-C, and Bluetooth inputs are all cited. It supports PCM to 32-bit/768kHz, DSD1024, LDAC Bluetooth, variable line output for preamp use, and headphone amplification; Bluetooth operation was reported flawless in testing.
Value for Money
92/100
At roughly $469-$470, both reviewers speak positively about the package. WaveTheory highlights the strong feature set and compact form factor for the money, while Prime Audio says few DACs at the price can match its functionality, component quality, build, and audio performance.
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- Addicted to Audio — online and in-store — Epping, Victoria, Australia (website)
- Apos Audio — online and in-store — Oakland, California, United States (website)
- Audio 46 — online and in-store — New York, New York, United States (website)
- Audio Hum — in-store — Norte Sierra, Andalucía, Spain (website)
- Audio Magic - EU — online and in-store — Wola, Województwo mazowieckie, Poland (website)
- AUDIOPHONICS — in-store — Bordeaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France (website)
- Bloom Audio — online and in-store — Gibbsboro, New Jersey, United States (website)
- Elise Audio — online and in-store — Paddington, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Headphone Zone — online and in-store — Laxmi Industrial Estate, Maharashtra, India (website)
- Hifi Passion — in-store — Neustadt, Bremen, Germany (website)
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