SMSL PO100 pro with RPI 3b+ vs RPI 5

[ajuvignesh]

For RPI3 and below it doesn't matter nirvana or shanti. The Nirvana SMPS is one of the few well designed SMPS and gives extremely stable supply as long as power drawn doesn't exceed around 2 amps. For RPI4 and above or any device with demanding load, Shanti has more grunt and hence will easily maintain a constant voltage. The only issue with shanti is two thin cables supplying the 3A and 1A output. A thicker wire should be there to reduce the I²R loss. With a bit of diy you can put thicker cable and use aviation connector for the two outputs. You just need to drill two holes - one for the 3A output and one for the 1A output. Something like below. But even without the DIY the shanti very good for the price it sells for.

View attachment 91096

View attachment 91097

Thats a very valuable insight sir. Thank you.
The mod will sure bring more improvements.
Do you think shanthi can drive rpi5? Rpi 5, needs 5A and shanti can output 3A. So, is it safe to go with rpi4 which needs a max of 3A, if shanti is choosen?

 

[mbhangui]

Thats a very valuable insight sir. Thank you.
The mod will sure bring more improvements.
Do you think shanthi can drive rpi5? Rpi 5, needs 5A and shanti can output 3A. So, is it safe to go with rpi4 which needs a max of 3A, if shanti is choosen?

Yes. Go for RPI4 with Shanti. RPI5 needs a power supply with Power Delivery (PD port) and shanti doesn't have PD.

 

[keroo1099]

Then it is worth it. I have a po100 pro which I use to convert the noisy output of my PC USB to i2S that feeds a holo cyan 2 in my desktop system. It works rather well.

By any chance have you experimented with different USB A to C cables (computer to SMSL) to see if they make a difference?

 

[reignofchaos]

By any chance have you experimented with different USB A to C cables (computer to SMSL) to see if they make a difference?

Zero difference. However the hdmi cable made a lot of difference.

 

[ajuvignesh]

Yes. Go for RPI4 with Shanti. RPI5 needs a power supply with Power Delivery (PD port) and shanti doesn't have PD.

Thank you

 

[souravin]

As a SMSL PO 100 Pro user in the chain of Mac Air USB C to SMSL 100 Pro (DDC) to Chord Qute Ex via optical cable, there is considerable improvement in sound quality. Earlier it was Audioquest USB cable connection directly to DAC.