SMSL DS300 Desktop DAC/Headphone Amp Review

SMSL's DS300 is a desktop DAC and headphone amplifier built around an ESS ES9039Q2M DAC chip and a third-generation XMOS XU316 USB processor, listed at $188. The page gives PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz and DSD up to DSD512, an amp section with four OPA1612A operational amplifiers, and 4.4mm and 6.35mm headphone outputs. It adds Bluetooth 5.1 with LDAC, aptX HD, SBC and AAC, and the page describes a cyberpunk-styled case with LED lighting and a sliding volume control.

Specifications

Options and pricing

The page lists a single option, Model: DS300, at $188, orderable when the page was read. There are no color or plug variants, and the page names no cable or accessory with it. It does not list the box contents, so a USB cable, power lead or remote is not confirmed by the listing. The price covers the DAC and headphone amplifier as described on the page.

How it compares

The FiiO K11 R2R High-Performance Desktop DAC / Headphone AMP is listed at $169.99 against $188 here, and its spec line names a fully differential 24-Bit R2R resistor array. The Soncoz QXA1 Fully Balanced Headphone Amp & Pre-Amp costs $199.99 and, going by its name, is an amp and pre-amp without a DAC. The DS300 suits a buyer who wants USB, optical, coaxial and Bluetooth inputs in one unit; the QXA1 suits someone who already owns a DAC.

Shipping, returns and warranty

HiFiGO sells from hifigo.com and says every order leaves its warehouse in China, usually 1-3 business days after it is placed, and says its delivery times are estimates, not promises. Its shipping policy gives the United States 1-2 weeks (about 10 days on average) by Priority and 6-10 days by Premium, both with duties and taxes prepaid by the store; Canada 2-3 weeks; the United Kingdom 1-2 weeks; and Australia 10-15 days. Express couriers (DHL, UPS, FedEx) take 3-7 days, but then the buyer pays any duties and taxes. No shipping page names New Zealand, PO boxes are not accepted, and the free-shipping thresholds differ between the store's own pages, so check the cart. One of its two shipping pages adds that a lost parcel on an order above $50 gets only a 50% refund. A US buyer reported a $40 tariff charge in August 2025, after which HiFiGO said it had added a customs notice at checkout.

Read the return terms before you order. The homepage advertises 7-day returns. Both of HiFiGO's policy pages offer a 7-day dead-on-arrival cover (a replacement or a full refund, with the return postage refunded) and also describe 30-day returns, but a request made 7 to 30 days after delivery loses 30% of the MSRP as a restocking fee (10% more if the packaging is incomplete), plus shipping both ways and duties, and the FAQ on the same pages says there is no refund or exchange once 7 days have passed. One version recommends reselling an opened product locally. Custom IEMs and custom cables cannot be returned, no return address is published, and buyers describe sending items back to China.

HiFiGO's warranty runs one year from the order date for parts and labor; its policy names desktop DACs and amps, IEMs and dongles at one year and gives cables and adapters three months. HiFiGO decides between repair and replacement, the buyer pays the shipping, and faulty items go back for service, not for a refund. Claims go to [email protected], the only contact the store lists: its pages name no company, street address or phone, and its terms are governed by the laws of China.

On Trustpilot, HiFiGO had 4.6 out of 5 from 378 reviews when we checked on 2026-10-28 (91% five-star, 5% one-star), and it had replied to about 75% of negative reviews; Trustpilot notes the store has not invited customers to review recently. The one-star reviews mostly concern the short return window and the deductions on returns, items listed in stock that turned out back-ordered, slow email support and a tariff charge on a US delivery in 2025. HiFiGO says its products are genuine and come in the brands' retail packaging; it does not claim to be an authorized dealer.