SMSL DP3 Hifi Audio Music Wifi Player DAC with Bluetooth LAN Network USB SD AES Inputs and Balanced and Unbalanced Headphone Jack Out Home Amplifiers

SMSL DP3 Review

Today I’m reviewing the SMSL DP3 DAC Wifi Player. There’s a LOT it can do, and if you’re looking for an all-in-one type DAC that can connect to a whole host of devices this may be just what you’re looking for. But like anything, there are a few potential limitations depending on your particular situation. So in this review I’ll talk about the different features, what you can expect performance wise and reasons you may want to consider something else.

Currently this retails for $279, but you can click here to check price and availability.  

ACCESSORIES

SMSL DP3 DAC AccessoriesIncluded with this wifi player is a power cord, antenna (which you screw on manually at the back of the unit), remote (batteries not included), micro USB cable and a manual.

The remote includes a programmable button which allows you to customize it’s operation a bit according to your personal preference.

DESIGN

The casing is made of aluminum and overall the design has a pleasing look to it.

On the front there is a IPS display screen which makes it pleasing to see and easy to navigate through different menu options. Controls are centered around the jog dial and screen which allows you to interface with the unit without the need for the remote. It’s very usable and is a well thought out part of the design.  The Micro SD card slot is located on the front and as well as the headphone out which provides a 6.3mm and a 4 pin XLR jack.

SMSL DB3 back of unitYou can install any updates for the DB3 using a Micro SD card. You first need to download any updates from your computer, transfer them to the Micro SD card, then you can insert the Micro SD card with the downloaded updates into the DB3 and you’ll be able to install any updates that way.

At the rear of the unit you have several more options for connecting the DP3 to a variety of equipment options.

FEATURES

There are quite a few features including a good mix of connectivity and network support options. The SMSL DP3 gives access to your local network using Ethernet or Wifi. So whether you’re music library is stored on your NAS, computer or any other device you have on your network, it’s easy to access your entire collection of music files. You can also use Samba, DLNA or AirPlay to access and play your music.

If you have an Android device there’s an option to use HiBy Link which gives you wireless control using your smartphone. This allows you to control the DB3 with your phone which is pretty cool.

SMSL DB3 Paired with Bluetooth DevicesThere are a variety of inputs which include: two-way Bluetooth transmission, wifi, a 100BASE-TX LAN port, 2 USB ports, Micro SD card (256GB max capacity), 4-pin XLR and 6.3mm headphone jacks. As an example, the USB ports could be used to connect to an external hard drive (USB stick max capacity is 4TB). And what’s nice about these input connections is that they are designed to work with a network type environment.

The USB inputs are also compatible with Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10,  Mac OS X and Linux.

Having Bluetooth 4.0 gives you fast data transfer. And aptX means you not only increase the transfer rate, but it especially helps with better quality audio reproduction.

The output options include: optical cable, coaxial cable, micro USB, AES (XLR) and RCA.

PERFORMANCE

The SMSL DP3 utilizes a double ES9018Q2C Saber DAC from ESS. So you not only get a high-quality conversion but it also provides an extended dynamic range and low distortion.

Reproduction is very accurate not only because of it’s high quality chip, but because it uses two high-precision clocks (22.579MHz and 24.576MHz)  that have very low phase noise. As a result, jitter goes down to 0.1ps @ 10Hz-1Mhz and the phase noise is below 166dBc / Hz @ 1MHz. So overall you get a very accurate signal.

The DP3 can support high definition files up to 32bit in PCM and native DSD256. And all the popular file formats are supported such as: APE、FLAC、WAV、ALAC、WMA、AIFF、MP3、DFF and DSD. This DAC also loads the files extremely fast from a Micro SC Card. It took just a couple seconds for the DP3 to read and update all the files I had loaded and it was ready to go. 

SMSL DP3 Paired with Sennheiser HD6XX HeadphonesThe Sennheiser HD6XX and Audio Technica MSR7 both sound very good with this DAC. Obviously these headphones each provide a different type of listening experience but I like that the DP3 doesn’t get in the way of allowing these headphones to just be themselves. I really don’t feel like I’m missing anything my using this wifi player as opposed to a more typical ‘critical listening’ type setup. It really is accurate!

The Bluetooth functionality is surprisingly easy to use and it works both ways! So I can pair the DB3 with my iPhone, then from my iPhone I can be using Spotify, TIDAL or whatever music source I want on my phone and it will play through the DB3 (ie. to my headphones which are plugged in).

But you can also use the Bluetooth mode to use the DB3 to play your music files. For example, I used the Bluetooth mode to pair the DB3 with my Soundbar and then the DB3 was the device dictating what music was being played (this time it was off the inserted Micro SD Card).

REASONS TO CONSIDER SOMETHING ELSE

The output impedance is a little high for the headphone jacks. So if you’re planning on using this with IEMs or more sensitive headphones then this may not be the best choice.

Also, if you want to be able to connect this wifi player to a source such as your computer via an optical, coaxial or USB input then that won’t work as these methods of connecting are only outputs on the DP3.

Finally, if you have an iPhone and are hoping to be able to control this device using your phone, sadly that’s not an option unless you have an Android phone. But of course, as mentioned earlier, you can still connect with the SMSL DB3 via Bluetooth or even AirPlay (if you have an Apple TV) using your iPhone.

BOTTOM LINE

But as for me, so far I’m loving this as an all-in-one connected type solution for my home (but it could work just as well at your office). I’m using it mainly as a standalone device but it also is designed to work with a NAS or a hard drive of some kind. I’m finding that I really appreciate all the versatility and different ways I have to connect the DB3 with different devices. The dual-Bluetooth functionality is awesome and it’s ability to reproduce sonic details with such accuracy is impressive. I’m not getting hung up on any loss of detail and instead, can just enjoy my music. In fact, it does such a good job that I’m going to get a pair of powered monitors to use with this and create another listening station when working from home.

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So ultimately, if you have an environment that is able to utilize such a device with these types of features then I think you’ll find it well worth the price.

4 thoughts on “SMSL DP3 Review”

  1. Hello,
    Just wondering if I can use DP3 network mode to read my music files in my NAS and send a digital output via, for example, the xlr output to my other DAC to play music. Is this possible?

    • Hello and great question.

      Although I haven’t tried this specifically, I believe this is possible and should work fine to do.

      Thanks for the comment and question!

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