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SMSL DAC Mini: Excellent Idea, Poor Execution...

688 views· 12 likes· 5:33· Mar 28, 2026

🛍️ Products Mentioned (10)

Hi guys, here's my review of the SMSL DAC Mini. A DAC designed to be used with the Mac Mini. Check out the SMSL DAC Mini here: Aoshida Website: https://aoshida-audio.com/products/smsl-dac-mini?DIST=Q0VBFQ%3D%3D Aliexpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c42C8VLF Discount Codes for AliExpress: $3 off on orders over $29:【IFPFVYAF】 $6 off on orders over $59:【IFPROQ7Q】 $9 off on orders over $89:【IFPGVWPX】 $16 off on orders over $149:【IFPUKH6H】 $23 off on orders over $199:【IFPIW46E】 $30 off on orders over $269:【IFPMQTJJ】 $40 off on orders over $369:【IFPUKOH8】 $50 off on orders over $469:【IFPK6GJR】 $60 off on orders over $599:【IFPO6HZS】 $70 off on orders over $699:【IFPBO05Z】 https://youtu.be/zSXwigqUJNo https://youtu.be/XzdKrux5FhQ Want me to review something? Contact me. latenightunbox@gmail.com Timestamps 0:00 - Introduction 2:27 - Sound 3:29 - The Problems 4:53 - Summary Affiliate Links to help support the channel: Amazon (US): https://amzn.to/4bPgVy5 AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DFpBabt Akko Gear: https://en.akkogear.com/?ref=64356 Epomaker: https://epomaker.com?sca_ref=6630111.MzQ82UqHMJ Fosi Audio: https://fosiaudioshop.com?sca_ref=7181416.6BliyHag3V Monsgeek: https://www.monsgeek.com/?ref=LNUnboxing Linsoul: https://www.linsoul.com?sca_ref=8653875.83zsP4izW8 Luminkey: https://www.luminkey.com/?ref=yfbewqxc

About This Video

Welcome back — Colin here. In this video I’m reviewing the SMSL DAC Mini, a DAC that’s literally designed to sit under a Mac Mini, and as a Mac Mini user I was genuinely excited. The concept is excellent: the silver anodized finish matches the Mac Mini almost perfectly, you get a short USB‑C cable made for stacking, and internally it’s using an ESS 9039Q2M with a built-in low-dropout linear power supply, which is pretty wild for how thin it is. My favorite detail is the orange button that pops up a lever to physically press the Mac Mini’s power button — if your Mac lives under a monitor like mine, it’s a real quality-of-life upgrade. Sound-wise it’s classic ESS: clean, detailed, and a bit bright up top. Compared to the Mac Mini’s headphone jack, I got better detail and a wider stage, plus you get proper format support (up to 32-bit/768kHz and DSD256). But there are serious problems: stacking it under the Mac Mini causes WiFi interference (audible buzzing during network activity and even slower WiFi speeds), early firmware left macOS volume stuck at full output, and the unit can slip a bit when stacked. Bottom line: I only recommend it if you’re on wired Ethernet; otherwise, you’re better off with another DAC.

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