Henry Audio DA 256 vs SMSL DO100 PRO
On score and price Henry Audio DA 256 Its score lead is worth more than the DO100 PRO's lower list price.
The Henry Audio DA 256 scores 0.2 higher; the SMSL DO100 PRO costs roughly $1,510 less. Going by the two reviews, the DA 256 is stronger on tonal balance and build and the DO100 PRO on connectivity and features.
By Jakub Charkiewicz Published Updated
When to choose the DO100 PRO over the DA 256Is the DA 256 worth roughly $1,510 more than the DO100 PRO?
On score, yes: the DA 256 leads the DO100 PRO by 0.2, two steps, which outweighs the price difference. Going by the two reviews, what the DA 256 adds for the money is its tonal balance and build, and the DO100 PRO keeps the edge on connectivity and features.
Which one to buy
The DA 256 is the better buy unless its connectivity or features would put you off, in which case take the DO100 PRO.
| At a glance | Henry Audio DA 256 | SMSL DO100 PRO |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 8.2/10, Recommended | 8.0/10, Recommended |
| List price | €1,600 about $1,730 | $219 |
Henry Audio DA 256
Choose it if:
- You care more about the DA 256's tonal balance and build than the DO100 PRO's connectivity and features.
SMSL DO100 PRO
Choose it instead if:
- You care more about the DO100 PRO's connectivity and features than the DA 256's tonal balance and build.
What matters most to you?
| What matters | Henry Audio DA 256 | SMSL DO100 PRO |
|---|---|---|
| Sound | 8.4 | 7.9 |
| Technical performance | 8.3 | 7.7 |
| Build & comfort | 8.4 | 8.1 |
| System fit | 8.2 | 8.5 |
| Value | 7.4 | 8.2 |
The widest gap is value: 7.4 for the DA 256 against 8.2 for the DO100 PRO. The DA 256 column is worked out from its review's 15 pros and cons and the DO100 PRO column from 13, and each adds back up to its overall score, 8.2 and 8.0. How a score is built
Where they differ
The DO100 PRO has an XLR output, MQA, DSD support, and a display and the DA 256 does not.
Only the DA 256
Only the DO100 PRO
Inputs and outputs
Here the DO100 PRO review is the more positive of the two and the DA 256 review finds fault:
- DO100 PRO, praised: "Balanced internally - XLR output sounds slightly better"
- DA 256, criticized: "No XLR outputs at all - one pair of RCAs and that's it"
Tonal balance
Here the DA 256 review is the more positive of the two and the DO100 PRO review finds fault:
- DA 256, praised: "Neutral and natural, with none of the dry, gray character most chip DACs share"
- DO100 PRO, criticized: "Tonality leans slightly analytical"
Features and formats
Here the DO100 PRO review is the more positive of the two and the DA 256 review has reservations:
- DO100 PRO, praised: "MQA / MQA-CD decoding, DSD512, PCM 32-bit/768kHz"
- DA 256, criticized: "No DSD, no MQA, and PCM stops at 24-bit/192 kHz"
Build and controls
Here the DA 256 review is the more positive of the two and the DO100 PRO review has reservations:
- DA 256, praised: "Thick brushed aluminum case on a real solid wood base, designed in Norway and built in Germany"
- DO100 PRO, criticized: "Slight wobble in the (digitally stepped) plastic knob"
Only the DA 256 review praises its bass and measured noise but faults its in-box accessories and is mixed on its system matching; only the DO100 PRO review praises its circuit design but faults its soundstage.
What they have in common
The DA 256 and the DO100 PRO are both DACs, and both have a USB input, an optical input, a coaxial input, and RCA outputs. The DA 256 and the DO100 PRO are both criticized for their detail.
Sound signature, overlaid
The DA 256 and the DO100 PRO both sound neutral.
On paper
The DA 256 ranks joint #2 and the DO100 PRO joint #4 of the 8 DACs reviewed here; on value the DA 256 rates Steep and the DO100 PRO Strong.
The DA 256 and DO100 PRO figures are the makers' own; AES17 defines how they are measured.
| Spec | Henry Audio DA 256 | SMSL DO100 PRO |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Texas Instruments PCM5142 delta-sigma, chip filter only, no upsampling | Dual ESS DAC + 6× OPA1612, XMOS - PCM 32-bit/768 kHz, DSD512, MQA |
| Inputs | USB-B, USB-C (front), Coaxial, Optical x2 | USB-C, Bluetooth, HDMI ARC, Optical, Coaxial |
| Outputs | RCA | RCA, Balanced XLR |
| Weight | Just over 1 kg | 1.45 kg |
Only the DA 256 review lists SNR, format support, output level, power input, case, origin, and licensing, which the DO100 PRO review leaves out.
How these verdicts were reached
The DO100 PRO review was published on Jun 9, 2024 and the DA 256 review on Sep 19, 2026, just over two years later, on one reference chain and rubric. The DA 256 review never mentions the DO100 PRO, nor the DO100 PRO review the DA 256: two separate sessions. The DA 256 and DO100 PRO reviews were both last checked on Oct 3, 2026.
Sources
Further reading for the DA 256 and the DO100 PRO: the DA 256's delta-sigma conversion and what both reviews say about MQA.
Questions about the DA 256 and DO100 PRO
What is the difference between the Henry Audio DA 256 and the SMSL DO100 PRO?
On score, the Henry Audio DA 256 is ahead of the DO100 PRO, 8.2 against 8.0. The DA 256 does better on tonal balance and build, the DO100 PRO on connectivity and features. The DA 256 and the DO100 PRO have similar sound signatures on every axis.
Which should you buy, the Henry Audio DA 256 or the SMSL DO100 PRO?
The DA 256: its 8.2 against the DO100 PRO's 8.0 is two steps, enough to justify the roughly $1,510 extra.
Which has the better inputs and outputs, the DA 256 or the DO100 PRO?
The DO100 PRO: its review is positive about connectivity, while the DA 256 review is critical.
How do the DA 256 and the DO100 PRO differ in tonal balance?
The DA 256: its review is positive about tonal balance, while the DO100 PRO review is critical.
Where they rank
In Best DACs the DA 256 ranks #2 and the DO100 PRO #5.
Related comparisons
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