Henry Audio DA 256 vs SMSL DO100 PRO
The Henry Audio DA 256 scores 0.2 higher; the SMSL DO100 PRO costs $1,511 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
On score and price Henry Audio DA 256 The DA 256 scores 0.2 higher, two steps, which is worth more than the $1,511 the DO100 PRO saves. The DO100 PRO still does better than the DA 256 on connectivity and features.
When to choose the DO100 PRO over the DA 256The short version
The Henry Audio DA 256 scores 8.2/10 (Recommended) and the SMSL DO100 PRO 8.0/10 (Recommended). At €1,600 against $219, the DO100 PRO saves you $1,511 over the DA 256. On connectivity, the DO100 PRO review notes "Balanced internally - XLR output sounds slightly better" and the DA 256 review "No XLR outputs at all - one pair of RCAs and that's it". The DA 256 has the edge over the DO100 PRO on tonal balance: "Neutral and natural, with none of the dry, gray character most chip DACs share" against "Tonality leans slightly analytical". Weighing score against price, the DA 256 is a better buy than the DO100 PRO, and the cards below say when the DO100 PRO makes more sense.
Higher score
Henry Audio DA 256
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 | $219 |
| Better choice for | tonal balance and build | connectivity and features |
| Less suited to | connectivity and features | tonal balance and build |
Henry Audio DA 256
Picked on score and price. Choose it if:
- You care more about the DA 256's tonal balance and build than the DO100 PRO's connectivity and features.
- You would pay $1,511 more than the DO100 PRO costs for the DA 256's higher score, 8.2 against 8.0.
Not ideal if:
- You need the DO100 PRO's connectivity and features more than the DA 256's tonal balance and build.
- Every dollar counts: the DO100 PRO costs $1,511 less than the DA 256.
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.
- Keeping $1,511 matters more to you than the DA 256's two-step lead over the DO100 PRO, 8.2 against 8.0.
Not ideal if:
- You need the DA 256's tonal balance and build more than the DO100 PRO's connectivity and features.
- The DA 256's 8.2 against the DO100 PRO's 8.0 is worth $1,511 more to you.
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 review describes its energy and stage size and the DO100 PRO review its tonal balance and presentation, so no axis is described in both reviews and each dot is one review's own reading, not a comparison.
On paper
The DA 256 ranks #2 and the DO100 PRO #4 of the 8 DACs reviewed here; on value the DA 256 rates Steep and the DO100 PRO Strong. The DA 256 lists 4 inputs and 1 output; the DO100 PRO lists 5 and 2. Inside, the DA 256 uses Texas Instruments PCM5142 delta-sigma, chip filter only, no upsampling and the DO100 PRO Dual ESS DAC + 6× OPA1612, XMOS.
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 (1450 g) |
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 extra $1,511.
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.
Is the DA 256 worth $1,511 more than the DO100 PRO?
Yes, on score and price: the DA 256 leads the DO100 PRO by 0.2, two steps, which outweighs the $1,511. What the extra money gets you, going by the reviews, is the DA 256's tonal balance and build over the DO100 PRO's.
Where they rank
In Best DACs the DA 256 ranks #2 and the DO100 PRO #5.
DA 256 #2 DO100 PRO #5 8 picks