Smsl Pl100 Review – Slot‑loading Hi‑fi Cd Player (cs43131)
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SMSL PL100 Review — The Tiny, Slot‑Loading CD Player That Makes Spinning Discs Fun Again
If you’ve wanted a modern, affordable CD player that’s small, quiet, and easy to drop into any setup, the SMSL PL100 is a compelling pick. It blends a clean DAC section, digital outputs for future upgrades, and a handy headphone jack in a compact, all‑aluminum body. Here’s what it’s like to live with—and whether it’s the right way to bring your CDs back to life.
- Built-in CS43131 decoder chip. To maximize the potential of CDs.
- Built-in 2nd PLL circuit Dramatic reduction of CD read JITTER.
- Equipped with optical and coaxial raw digital output. PL100 does not have built-in MQA decoding, but it does support raw digital output. It supports connecting to a DAC to decode MQA! It suitable for power supply above 5V 2A.
What is the SMSL PL100?
A minimalist slot‑loading desktop CD player with a built‑in CS43131 DAC, optical & coaxial digital outputs (use it as a transport), RCA line‑out, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. It’s compact (about 160×162×42 mm) and ships with a full‑function remote. If you want a no‑nonsense way to enjoy CDs—while keeping the option to add an external DAC later—the PL100 nails the brief.
Key Benefits
- Clean, detailed sound: The CS43131 decoding platform delivers low distortion and high SNR, translating to a transparent, un-fatiguing presentation across genres.
- Future‑proof via digital out: Optical and coaxial raw digital outputs let you feed an external DAC (including MQA‑capable models) when you’re ready to upgrade.
- Simple, quiet operation: The slot‑loading mechanism feels modern and keeps the footprint tiny—great for desks, shelves, or minimalist racks.
- All‑in‑one convenience: Use RCA line‑out into an amp/speakers—or plug efficient headphones/IEMs straight into the 3.5 mm jack for late‑night listening.
- Solid build: A full aluminum housing with gold‑plated jacks looks and feels far pricier than it is.
- Low power draw: Sips just a few watts, so you can leave it on without guilt.
Specs at a Glance
- Drive: Slot‑loading CD transport
- Discs: CD, CD‑R, CD‑RW, MP3 CD
- DAC: Cirrus Logic CS43131
- Outputs: RCA line‑out, 3.5 mm headphone, optical, coaxial
- Headphone power: 60 mW @ 32 Ω (best for IEMs & easy‑to‑drive dynamics)
- Measured performance: THD+N ≈ 0.001%, SNR ≈ 110 dB
- Size & weight: 160 × 162 × 42 mm, ~1.2 kg
- In the box: PL100, remote, USB power cable
- Power: 5V/2A via USB (use a quality wall adapter)
Tip: If you already run a desktop DAC/amp, start with digital out from the PL100 and use it purely as a transport. You keep the effortless slot‑loading experience while letting your DAC handle conversion.
- Built-in CS43131 decoder chip. To maximize the potential of CDs.
- Built-in 2nd PLL circuit Dramatic reduction of CD read JITTER.
- Equipped with optical and coaxial raw digital output. PL100 does not have built-in MQA decoding, but it does support raw digital output. It supports connecting to a DAC to decode MQA! It suitable for power supply above 5V 2A.
Real‑World Use & Sound
Setup is plug‑and‑play: power, your preferred output, disc in, done. As a standalone player (RCA out), it sounds clean and even, with a slightly smooth top end that’s easy to listen to for hours. Used as a transport into a nicer DAC, the PL100 scales beautifully—think tighter bass definition and expanded stage while keeping the silent, slick disc handling you bought it for.
With headphones, the 3.5 mm jack is surprisingly handy for quick sessions. It won’t drive hungry planars or high‑impedance dynamics at their best, but it’s perfect for IEMs and everyday cans. The remote gives couch‑friendly control, and the slim form factor disappears on a shelf.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Compact slot‑loading design; quiet operation
- Digital outputs + analog outs + headphone jack
- Clean measurements (low THD+N, high SNR)
- Aluminum build and gold‑plated jacks
- Remote included; low power draw
Cons
- No USB playback/streaming—it’s CD only
- No built‑in MQA (use an external MQA DAC via digital out)
- Modest headphone power (best with IEMs/easy headphones)
- Requires a 5V/2A USB power adapter (use a good one)
- Availability can fluctuate; colors vary by region/retailer
What Others Say
- The PL100 has earned a solid reputation among CD players on Amazon, and its category ranking shows buyers are paying attention. You’ll also find community praise for the quiet slot‑loading drive and sturdy metal build.
Want to verify? Open the Amazon listing to check the current star rating, review count, and category rank, then skim recent buyer photos for real‑world setups.
- Built-in CS43131 decoder chip. To maximize the potential of CDs.
- Built-in 2nd PLL circuit Dramatic reduction of CD read JITTER.
- Equipped with optical and coaxial raw digital output. PL100 does not have built-in MQA decoding, but it does support raw digital output. It supports connecting to a DAC to decode MQA! It suitable for power supply above 5V 2A.
Who Is It For?
- Disc diehards who want a clean, compact player
- Upgrade‑minded listeners who’ll use optical/coax into a better DAC
- Desk setups where a quiet, tiny slot‑loader just makes sense
- Late‑night listeners who’ll appreciate the quick headphone jack
If you need streaming, USB playback, or a high‑power headphone amp in one box, you’ll want a different category of device. But if you simply want a great CD experience with easy upgrade paths, the PL100 over‑delivers for the size.
FAQs
Does it play MP3 CDs? Yes—besides standard CDs, it supports CD‑R/CD‑RW/MP3 CD.
Can it decode MQA on its own? No. It passes a raw digital signal over optical/coax. Pair it with an MQA‑capable DAC if you need MQA.
What outputs do I get? RCA line‑out, 3.5 mm headphone, optical, and coaxial.
How powerful is the headphone jack? 60 mW @ 32 Ω. Great for IEMs and easy dynamics; not ideal for power‑hungry planars/high‑impedance models.
Is the drive noisy? The slot‑loading transport operates smoothly and quietly—a big win for living rooms and desks.
What about power? It runs on 5V/2A via USB. You’ll need a good 5V USB wall adapter (a phone charger works if it can deliver 2A). A USB cable is included.
Gapless playback? Red Book CDs play as intended. For MP3 CDs, behavior can depend on how tracks were encoded and isn’t specifically documented—most buyers won’t notice on typical albums.
Bottom Line
The SMSL PL100 is a clever, compact CD player that sounds clean on its own and gets even better as a transport into a higher‑end DAC. If you’re rebuilding a CD rig—without dedicating half your rack—the PL100 is easy to recommend.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.