SMSL PS100 Digital to Analog Audio Converter, USB/Optical/Coaxial/HDMI ARC to Stereo L/R RCA Output DDC Digital Toslink SPDIF 192kHz DAC Converter for PS5/HDTV/DVD/Blu-Ray Players/Home Cinema Systems

I struggled but ultimately gave this a 5 star and this more of a "How To"/"Do & Don't" Guide than a "review".TL;DR: I think this is an absolute steal for price and features but ARC is a pain to set up/keep working (probably extra problematic for "smarter" TVs like my LG C4). In the end, I was able to figure it out after much experimenting and hopefully the pain is behind me once I can "set it and forget it".I have not tried using coaxial input but tried Bluetooth, optical and USB inputs a few times. HDMI ARC is what I tried the most.I can't really say much about audio quality... It sounds fine to me and I can't tell if there is any difference from direct optical cable going into my Yamaha RX-V3800 receiver vs HDMI/optical going into this then feeding RCA into my receiver which ultimately drives a set of Klipsch RP-600M II speakers. I also didn't really try that hard to stress the DAC on this unit.There is conflicting/misleading information on volume control... I think it is technically correct that you can not change the volume of the connected devices but I can mute or reduce the volume of the RCA output with TV remote so it effectively gives me limited volume control with TV remote in the end (this is the main thing I want out of all this).Customer service did get back to me with a fairly detailed answer but still a rather generic answer (not that I included TV model in the inquiry). Here is my experience/recommendations with a LG C4 TV:1. unplug all HDMI ports2. plug compatible ARC/eARC HDMI cable into eARC HDMI port (HDMI2 for in this case)3. connect other end of the cable to unit (PS: make sure HDMI input is selected on unit)4. TV should say something like checking HDMI2 device5. change/make sure TV is set to use wired speakers/HDMI6. under advanced settings, select PCM under digital out settings and turn off eARC support (DO NOT change anything else) (PS: it also worked for me leaving eARC on...)7. unplug HDMI cable from unit and plug back in8. TV should say something like checking HDMI2 device again9. power off TV (ideally unplug TV even as it sometimes go into standby mode rather than truly powered off)10. power off unit (hold power button for a few seconds)... been doing this so long I totally forgot about making sure unit has HDMI selected also...11. power back on unit (press power button)12. plug TV back in and power it back onFor initial setup you might be able to optimize the ordering/steps here but this is what I do when things stop working and is what is most fresh in my mind so...Now TV should say a soundbar is connected to HDMI2. Going forward, unit does need to be on before TV whenever you turn off TV. Otherwise if TV is turned on with unit off, you'll need to turn off TV and turn TV back on.Problems I have seen with my LG C4:a. having other HDMI ports connected can interfere with the setup/"paring" processb. plugging back in other HDMI ports sometimes cause the LG C4 TV to revert to default settingsc. checking sound settings help but often times there is no visible change in TV settingsd. changing other HDMI input settings also seem to cause problemsHope this helps at least one other person out there but maybe it is just for me to remember how to make it work specific to the LG C4?

A simple solution for better sound into powered stereo speakers. Mine is plugged into the ARC (not e-arc on older Sony smart tv) HDMI port and powered with a 5.1 volt power supply. Sony TV>Arc-HDMI>PS100>RCA>powered speakers. I only use the TV's apps; no external HDMI sources.Sound quality is much better and louder than the television's 3.5mm audio out. Works with Netflix and Youtube/Music without issues. Youtube Music sounds extremely good and voices on Netflix is clearer and fuller.I think the best is that this works with my television's remote-control! Though now my volume changes in increments of 6. Increasing volume 31,37,43 etc. Maybe it's unique to Sony?I'm really happy with this purchase. It sounds great and works with my tv's remote.

I wrote an initial review of the PS100 where I stated the nominal 1.9V output voltage was too hot per "standard" audio spec and was causing distortion with certain fixed-volume inputs (specifically my Apple TV --> TV optical out). In subsequent troubleshooting and component-swapping, I've since realized that the SMSL was not in fact to blame (it was the input stage of one particular board amp in my collection) and have changed my review as I don't want to misinform anyone considering the PS100. It's a basic but serviceable unit and sounds fine, especially for the money.

The media could not be loaded. First off, this little $30 DAC is fantastic! I needed something quick, affordable, and great to pair with my streamer. The WiiM pro is great on its own, but when it was tied directly in with my EL34 tube amplifier, it seemed like something was missing. Thankfully, this little DAC opened up the path for me. I’m using optical from my streamer straight into the DAC, and RCA from the DAC to my Amplifier. I’ve only had it for 1 day, and all I can say is WOW, what a tiny but mighty piece of equipment. It instantly helped provide a much more detailed sound. I’m very happy with my super budget oriented setup, and the SMSL PS100 is the icing on top. Highly recommend for anyone needing an affordable, but extremely performative DAC.Update:Still just as good, if not better than the first day I’ve owned it. I’ve had it for maybe 2 weeks now and it’s still mind-boggling how such a cheap and little DAC can make a huge difference in the quality and presentation.I’ve attached a video of it playing on my custom open baffles(subwoofer off).

Super noisy out of the box, maybe I had something hooked up incorrectly but I couldn’t get a clear signal even with the thing powered off and only the inputs hooked up.