SMSL SMSL M2 Portable Headphone Amplifier External DAC Decoder Sound Card (Black)

Spent plenty of time using the SMSL M2 on my PC after hearing many positive reviews. I don't really know how to feel about it. The M2 that I received seems to cut out/lose power fairly frequently. The only way to remedy this is to unplug the USB, then plug it back in. Tried all ports, same issue. Possibly and probably an AMD driver issue, can't tell for sure. Should note this issue might not exist on my laptop, which is also AMD (APU), but I haven't got the time to fully test that nor do I get paid to.Despite that, I can't really give it less than 4 stars. It gets surprisingly loud although the DAC is a little meh. Just be aware that you might share this inconvenience and consider it before spending $65.

It's really hard to decide on what to buy from reading a review and not actually testing a product. I was looking for something in increase my listening experience on my macbook for various genres and could not decide weather I needed a dac or an amp first. I have read and watched tons of reviews and most descriptions mentioned how the product would make your music "warm" or "liquid" or "sharp" and I didn't understand what the hell that meant. I am very, very happy with my choice of the SMSL M2 and highly recommend it for anyone in the same spot I was. I Just received my M2 and have been using it constantly for just one day. I was very surprised how small it is, it's like a thick credit card, 3/8" thick. I would describe the change in my listening experience as making the music more "dynamic" and "exposed". What I mean by that is now when I listen to music all the voices and instruments used sound more separated in a very good way. I'm hearing things come out in the songs that I never even noticed before small cymbals and such. And a much larger sound stage, so like if there was one person holding every different instrument used they were standing in a different spot. Also I don't feel the need to turn my headphones up as loud as I usually would, because before I felt like I couldn't fully enjoy my music and all the fine detail unless it was loud enough that I could pick up all the real subtle nuances in the blaring song where as now I don't have that issue because it's all being laid out for me by the M2. I'm using my Sennheiser HD 429's and Audio Technica ATH-D40fs Headphones, neither of which need a big amp or are mentioned much in online reviews, but I just wanted to mention them in my review because I definitely think the M2 made them shine and sounds leaps and bounds better than they already did, and when I do get a pair of headphones that like more power I'm sure the M2 can handle it, because I'm hardly turning the power knob to get to the listening level I prefer now. However If I ever needed to I know I've got the dac and I can just use the line out to a larger amp like the SMSL SapII. I hope this small rant/review helps others to decide on the M2 to increase their listening too.

Works as intended. Windows Volume had to be set to 80% due to distortion at any level above that. Sound quality is definitely better than onboard, but only when critically listening. Amp is powerful enough to drive my 50 Ohm headphones with 98 db sensitivity to ear damaging levels at max. Line out is very useful for my speaker setup.I was successful in using it on a Galaxy Nexus flashed with AOKP 4.4.2. I used USB Audio Player Pro as the app and it worked wonderfully. Battery life does suffer quite drastically when using an external dac/amp, so I wouldn't suggest this as an OTG dac/amp unless you happen to have an external battery pack and a Y-OTG cable.October 21, 2014 Edit: 3 stars because mine has now stopped working. Think what you what about the longevity.

Pros: Great sound, Amazing volume boost, Small package takes virtually no space.Cons: Volume dial not ideal as it's a tab hard to adjust. Might be better if it was a bit more tactile so you would feel it as you adjust it. - You can hear it I guess so...USB cable not black- Looks add on my desk with the tan one provided. Changed to black cable.3/10/2015Died after 4 Months - This device cannot start. (Code 10) STATUS_DEVICE_DATA_ERROR - Tried re-installing on 3 machines and even tried flashing the newer firmware. Windows 7/8.1 - Seems that some other are seeing the same issue. I tried the process suggested in the following link with no luck. - http://www.head-fi.org/t/725575/s-m-s-l-m2-dac-first-impressions/75

Serious problems getting this DAC to work, DRIVERS! Impossible. Not recommended!

This DAC/Amp is very good but has one or two flaws.Pro- 1.USB powered DAC, meaning this can be hooked up with your laptop. That is good becuse that means no external battery is needed and size is can be as minimalistic as possible.2. It is an AMP as well, so the SMSL will be able to crank up you headphones louder than your phone or laptop would.3. This can be hooked up with your android phone (additional cord and Application required) http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DCZWK6W/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1G3FTMEE75R7O&coliid=IIFFJI9M6CFWJCon: I only found one bad thing and it is a hissing sound I get once in a while, which can be annoying. I don't exactly know how to remove the hissing sound but all I know is that is goes away after an extensive amount of listening time.Overall, this item is great and I highly recommend it.