In this article, I review the SMSL DS20 Portable DAC & Headphone Amplifier. The DS20 features quad CS43131 DAC chips, XMOS XU-316 and full MQA decoding. It’s priced at 189 USD.
Disclaimer: This sample was provided by Shenzhen Audio for an honest review. All observations and opinions here are my own, based on my experience with the product.
SMSL DS20
Design & Functionality
The first thing that drew my attention to the SMSL DS20 was its physical design and I’m sure that will be the same for many people. One entire side of the device has a clear glass panel revealing the black PCB and circuitry within. I think most would agree that it looks very cool.
The DS20 has an aluminium chassis with a matte finish and smooth, rounded edges. It feels solid in the hand, weighing in at 275g. There’s a magnet beneath the rear panel, so iPhone users can attach it via MagSafe. Android users hoping for a similar solution will need a MagSafe-compatible case.
The front I/O panel includes (from left to right): a volume rocker/function button to switch USB mode, a Power on/off and Standby on/off button, USB-C input, a 3.5mm headphone output and a 4.4mm headphone output.
Internally, the DS20 runs 4x Cirrus Logic CS43131 DAC chips and an XMOS XU-316 USB interface. It supports up to 32-bit/768kHz PCM, native DSD256, and full MQA decoding, meaning the unfolding is handled entirely within the device—no extra software required.
When powered on, the circuit board lights up with a series of blue and white LEDs. Each of the four DAC chips has a white LED underneath, and there’s another white LED to indicate USB mode. A row of white LEDs shows the volume level (1 to 10), while five blue LEDs display the current battery status. Additionally, two more LEDs indicate when the unit is charging or fast-charging.
The LEDs are very bright—bright enough to be distracting, and likely to be a point of contention for some users. Unfortunately, there’s no way to turn them off, which I consider a serious oversight. You could argue that flipping the unit upside down is a workaround, but that defeats the purpose of the glass panel, which is there to showcase the internals.
With support for both UAC1.1 and UAC2.0, the DS20 is compatible not just with smartphones and PCs, but also with game consoles like the Nintendo Switch and PS5. A short press of the volume rocker cycles between the 2 modes.
Output Power & Battery Life
The SMSL DS20 is powered by a 6000mAh battery and supports both normal and fast charging, but it can only be charged while in standby mode. A white LED flashes during charging, and the blue battery level indicators remain lit. I didn’t do a full run-down battery test, so I can only speculate how long DS20 will run per charge. It seems to be on par with most modern DAPs, meaning it should give you around 10-12 hours of nonstop playback time (unconfirmed).
Output power is rated at 500mW X2 @ 32Ω from the 4.4mm balanced output. While not massive, it’s more than enough for all IEMs and the majority of consumer headphones. To put that in context, the DS20 drives my Sennheiser HD 650s (300 ohms) effortlessly, with ample headroom. However, if you own truly demanding headphones, you might want to consider something more powerful.
Sound
The DS20 leans towards a neutral sound signature, but there’s a subtle warmth that makes it easy to listen to—likely coming from the CS43131 DAC chip. It’s not a warmth from boosted bass but more from the soft, silky treble response that gives the music a slightly relaxed feel. The highs are airy and well-extended but never harsh or biting, which helps stave off fatigue during longer sessions.
One of the things I noticed right away was how clean the background is. It’s pitch black, which really helps instruments pop out and keeps the soundstage tidy and spacious. Imaging and separation are solid, and there’s a good sense of layering too—nothing feels cramped or congested.
The excellent signal-to-noise ratio and dynamic range deserve a quick mention here too. Quiet passages are rendered with fine detail, while crescendos come through with punch and control. There’s a good sense of contrast and energy in the music, without the noise floor ever getting in the way.
Output power is adequate for anything I threw at it, from sensitive IEMs to harder-to-drive full-size headphones like my Sennheiser HD650. The DS20 doesn’t try to add its own flavour to the music; instead, it stays out of the way and lets your gear speak for itself. If you like hearing the true character of your headphones or IEMs without extra gloss or grit, this one does the job nicely.
Verdict
The SMSL DS20 is a solid choice for anyone after a DAC/headphone amp that can pull double duty as a portable and desktop unit. It delivers a clean, uncoloured sound and comes with a fully balanced 4.4mm output, offering decent—if unremarkable—power.
That said, there are some quirks, such as the overly bright LEDs (which can’t be turned off) and the fact that it only charges in standby mode. Personally, I’d lean towards a DAP, which adds bi-directional Bluetooth, a screen, and standalone playback. But if all you need is a straightforward DAC/amp, the DS20 is a worthy option.
