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S.M.S.L RAW-MDA1

So today is finally DAC at home, the first impressions excellent, Cosmos measures RCA out quality at least at the Topping E70.

Quick Comparison of RAW-MDA1 vs E70 pics. Multitone was published in the same way and sound (tonality, balance, soundstage and detail) level the topping of the E70+. No click DSD/PCM bitrate switch,all works fine.

RAW L.pngE70 L.pngE70 multi L.pngraw multi L.png
 
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So today is finally DAC at home, the first impressions excellent, Cosmos measures RCA out quality at least at the Topping E70. So today is finally DAC at home, the first impressions perfect, Cosmos measures quality at least at the Topping E70. Comparison of RAW-MDA1-E70-D50III pics. Multitone was published in the same way and sound (tonality, balance, soundstage and detail) level the topping of the E70+. No click DSD/PCM bitrate switch,all works fine.

View attachment 377186View attachment 377187View attachment 377191View attachment 377192
Does this have an option to set DSD filter? Can you tell us what options can be set in the options menu?
 
Not, only 7 pcm in menu, dsd filters are fixed.
 
So today is finally DAC at home, the first impressions excellent, Cosmos measures RCA out quality at least at the Topping E70.

Quick Comparison of RAW-MDA1 vs E70 pics. Multitone was published in the same way and sound (tonality, balance, soundstage and detail) level the topping of the E70+. No click DSD/PCM bitrate switch,all works fine.

View attachment 377186View attachment 377187View attachment 377191View attachment 377192
@Dawsoo welcome your feedback and Thanks for the same, good to see RAW-MDA 1 sound level the E70+, as per your measurement

Apart from the measurement and the features, what is different or better with RAW - MDA 1, also how it differs, when you listen to the audio, when compared to E70+ ?

Is RAW - MDA 1 is a transparent / neutral one ?

TIA
 
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SiR:
Thank you, and DACs just because they play surprisingly very similar, you can't say better/worse, both have a nice bass extension and a fullbody midrange, RAW maybe has slightly more resolution and open in higher tones and sounds slightly tend more neutral to my ears on my setup.

I will write you more later, when I can evaluate it after a longer time together and a more concentrated listening on the weekend. What is quite clear is that the D50III is quite different compared to these two and I liked it less in my setup = with less bass, a smaller stage and a lighter tonal balance, although it is practically no different from them by measurement.

All these "new" converters of mine are very clean and I would say they are on par with the higher and more expensive models of the previous generation. Smsl-raw-mda1 is, in my opinion, an excellent choice for 275usd, which looks great and has perfect equipment and connectivity, and sonically it is at least an equivalent alternative to the E70.. (sabre version) which I like and am satisfied with.
 
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SiR:
Thank you, and DACs just because they play surprisingly very similar, you can't say better/worse, both have a nice bass extension and a fullbody midrange, RAW maybe has slightly more resolution and open in higher tones and sounds slightly tend more neutral to my ears on my setup.

I will write you more later, when I can evaluate it after a longer time together and a more concentrated listening on the weekend. What is quite clear is that the D50III is quite different compared to these two and I liked it less in my setup = with less bass, a smaller stage and a lighter tonal balance, although it is practically no different from them by measurement.

All these "new" converters of mine are very clean and I would say they are on par with the higher and more expensive models of the previous generation. Smsl-raw-mda1 is, in my opinion, an excellent choice for 275usd, which looks great and has perfect equipment and connectivity, and sonically it is at least an equivalent alternative to the E70.. (sabre version) which I like and am satisfied with.
Thanks for your swift response @Dawsoo

Your feedback is valuable since I can hardly find anyone going to get RAW MDA 1 soon in my place, to get the feedback from them, of course review from Amir too will help a lot

Sure will be expecting your further evaluation and the findings

I'm considering Topping D50 III and now RAW MDA 1 too in my radar

( BTW, what is your setup )

TIA
 
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SiR:
..my setup is variable,now playing 80s vintage modif AMP JVC-AX550 "superA" and own custom made 2way based on Scanspeaks in my signature.

JVC 2x100W after my own tunning (pure signal path,eq,balance,loudness, input selector all remove out = direct only one input and slightly modif main circuit) is measure and sounding well.

I like to use it this old simple (JVC AXs) because the smallest differences between DACs can be heard on it.

The amplifier will definitely measure better, this is tested at work where I have an dummy load on a cheap Smsl SU-1 as generator.

1kHz 15Vrms@8R....I still want to remove the remaining interference from the power supply and I will be satisfied.
 

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SiR:
..my setup is variable,now playing 80s vintage modif AMP JVC-AX550 "superA" and own custom made 2way based on Scanspeaks in my signature.

JVC 2x100W after my own tunning (pure signal path,eq,balance,loudness, input selector all remove out = direct only one input and slightly modif main circuit) is measure and sounding well.

I like to use it this old simple (JVC AXs) because the smallest differences between DACs can be heard on it.

The amplifier will definitely measure better, this is tested at work where I have an dummy load on a cheap Smsl SU-1 as generator.

1kHz 15Vrms@8R....I still want to remove the remaining interference from the power supply and I will be satisfied.
Welcome your response

BTW does RAW MDA 1 has Digital Pre Amp in it ?

Unable to find any info reg this
 
Welcome your response

BTW does RAW MDA 1 has Digital Pre Amp in it ?

Unable to find any info reg this
The RAW-MDA1, like 95% of Chinese DACs, likely uses DSP for volume control performed by the ESS DAC chip.

You can control volume using the volume knob on the front, or the volume up/down buttons on the remote.

If a DAC instead uses an analog preamp for volume control, then you will 100% see that being advertised in the marketing material.
 
Gentlemen, thanks for response and observations, with the fact that SMSL is somewhat extreme with the absurdly wide portfolio of products I fully agree, so I prefer topping, but this piece came to me with an interesting few things or rather a combination:

1. Dual ES9039QM
2. Multiple Digital Inputs
3. Full size XLR + Headphone Output
4. PSU onboard
5. Nice Display and the related to the clearer menu

For me it is such a combination of everything I would like in one box and without unnecessary things. I do not like the DL-200 series, it is more like a D6S with a headphone output and the do-100Pro series is unavailable outside Aoshida. As an alternative, I have ordered and I want to try and compare directly against me miniature topping D50III, where I do not suit micro size, miserable display, jacks instead of XLR and power supply via USB-C.

Hmm, this might be a nice 'upgrade' from my Topping EX5, it has a nicer display, 4.4mm HP instead of XLR and a bit more power. My only concern would be how well it functions as a pre-amp. Does it maintain separate HP and line out volume levels? Is the output switchable from the remote?
 
Hmm, this might be a nice 'upgrade' from my Topping EX5, it has a nicer display, 4.4mm HP instead of XLR and a bit more power. My only concern would be how well it functions as a pre-amp. Does it maintain separate HP and line out volume levels? Is the output switchable from the remote?
The volume is common to all outputs and solved as StaticV3 writes, the outputs can be switched by the remote control in all possible combinations. LINE OUT XLR/RCA - All Outputs -Phone Out separately or in combination with others. If you are interested, I can send a user manual to the mail, I wrote to the SMSL and sent it to me in advance before DAC came home.
 
I just had a look at it. Compared to the DL200 the XLR and RCA output seem to be a bit better. However, the headphone output does not seem to be as good.

There do not seem to several gain settings as in the DL200. Further, the SNR for the headphone output is 10 dB lower than for the XLR at 122 dB. For the DL200, the difference is only 5 dB at 125 dB. Since the HP output has a maximum output level of 8.2 V RMS, the noise floor is around 20*log10(8.2) - 122 = -103.7 dBV giving a SNR at 50 mV of only 77.7 dB. For the DL200 in low gain it is 20*log10(2.5) - 125 = -91.0 dBV. That should rule out the RAW-MDA1 as an all-in-one unit for sensitive IEMs and headphones.

Further, there is no THD+N specified for the headphone output. It is at least the SNR obviously. Still, assuming that the signal going to the amplifier is that also going to the XLRs and assuming incorrectly that the headphone amplifier has no distortion to give a likely lower bound, the THD+N is likely at least 10*log10((10^(-124.5/10) - 10^(-132/10) + 10^(-122/10))) = -120.35. For the DL200, it is 10*log10((10^(-123/10) - 10^(-130/10) + 10^(-125/10))) = -121.44 which is lower than the specified -120 dB as expected.

Thus, as an all-in-one DAC/HPA it performs worse than the DL200. The DAC is about as good as the DO100 Pro so if one does not need the inputs or wants the display. However, the DO100 Pro has mislabeled filters like the DL200 and the D-6S and the volume control may also be miscoded as it is in the other two.
 
The volume is common to all outputs and solved as StaticV3 writes, the outputs can be switched by the remote control in all possible combinations. LINE OUT XLR/RCA - All Outputs -Phone Out separately or in combination with others. If you are interested, I can send a user manual to the mail, I wrote to the SMSL and sent it to me in advance before DAC came home.
If the volume is common to all outputs then I am not interested. I want to be able to switch between monitor speakers and headphones without blowing my eardrums.
 
Received this 3 days ago from Shenzhenaudio and tested for 2 hours. I only have good things to say about it, both as DAC as headphone amplifier.

Usability is considerably improved in comparison to the DL200, which remains a great bargain.

Its carachter, for my ears (sorry no measurements which I realise in this forum are essential....), is on the neutral side, not bright or aggressive as sometimes you hear described the ESS-based DACs. I connected it to my Cayin HA-3A and can't say I hear a difference with the DL200 that I will be returning, and that ia a good thing. I can instead tell the difference when the HA-3A is fed by my Mojo 2: no need for a blind test. The soundstage is larger with the RAW and the sound is crisper (possibly more detailed but I would need more time for that).

The headphone out is very good. Not as clinical as a THX, powers very well the only headphone with whom the Cayin struggles a bit, my Dan Clark Audio Ether 2. On the balanced output I need to stay at -19 dB to get it to sound loud and up to its potential. While the official specs describe it less powerful than the one found in the DL200, my experience is that is just as good and I would not be able to pass a blind test. No problem to drive the least sensotive headphone I have, the DCA Ether 2.

The remote is the same as the DL200 but the RAW is mich more responsive and its menu includes more settings. Sound colours, for example, were not present in the DL200.

Last advantage, at least for those who like me own balanced cables already: full-size XLR balanced out.

Very satisfied buyer, totally worth the little extra money over the DL200.
 
Received this 3 days ago from Shenzhenaudio and tested for 2 hours. I only have good things to say about it, both as DAC as headphone amplifier.

Usability is considerably improved in comparison to the DL200, which remains a great bargain.

Its carachter, for my ears (sorry no measurements which I realise in this forum are essential....), is on the neutral side, not bright or aggressive as sometimes you hear described the ESS-based DACs. I connected it to my Cayin HA-3A and can't say I hear a difference with the DL200 that I will be returning, and that ia a good thing. I can instead tell the difference when the HA-3A is fed by my Mojo 2: no need for a blind test. The soundstage is larger with the RAW and the sound is crisper (possibly more detailed but I would need more time for that).

The headphone out is very good. Not as clinical as a THX, powers very well the only headphone with whom the Cayin struggles a bit, my Dan Clark Audio Ether 2. On the balanced output I need to stay at -19 dB to get it to sound loud and up to its potential. While the official specs describe it less powerful than the one found in the DL200, my experience is that is just as good and I would not be able to pass a blind test. No problem to drive the least sensotive headphone I have, the DCA Ether 2.

The remote is the same as the DL200 but the RAW is mich more responsive and its menu includes more settings. Sound colours, for example, were not present in the DL200.

Last advantage, at least for those who like me own balanced cables already: full-size XLR balanced out.

Very satisfied buyer, totally worth the little extra money over the DL200.

Is there a way to switch between the headphone out and XLR/pre-outs at the back? I'm trying to see if I can use this unit with active speakers and headphones.

I.e I think on the Topping DX5 if you double press the front knob, it switches outputs. Is this the same here?
 
Received this 3 days ago from Shenzhenaudio and tested for 2 hours. I only have good things to say about it, both as DAC as headphone amplifier.

Usability is considerably improved in comparison to the DL200, which remains a great bargain.

Its carachter, for my ears (sorry no measurements which I realise in this forum are essential....), is on the neutral side, not bright or aggressive as sometimes you hear described the ESS-based DACs. I connected it to my Cayin HA-3A and can't say I hear a difference with the DL200 that I will be returning, and that ia a good thing. I can instead tell the difference when the HA-3A is fed by my Mojo 2: no need for a blind test. The soundstage is larger with the RAW and the sound is crisper (possibly more detailed but I would need more time for that).

The headphone out is very good. Not as clinical as a THX, powers very well the only headphone with whom the Cayin struggles a bit, my Dan Clark Audio Ether 2. On the balanced output I need to stay at -19 dB to get it to sound loud and up to its potential. While the official specs describe it less powerful than the one found in the DL200, my experience is that is just as good and I would not be able to pass a blind test. No problem to drive the least sensotive headphone I have, the DCA Ether 2.

The remote is the same as the DL200 but the RAW is mich more responsive and its menu includes more settings. Sound colours, for example, were not present in the DL200.

Last advantage, at least for those who like me own balanced cables already: full-size XLR balanced out.

Very satisfied buyer, totally worth the little extra money over the DL200.
Welcome your brief experience with RAW MDA 1, thanks for it

One clarification, does this have a PreAmp in it , so that it can be used with a Power Amp ?

Also, hope it has a independent Amplification for the headphone, which is good to ensure, headphone part doesn't affect the DAC performance

TIA
 
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One clarification, does this have a PreAmp in it , so that it can be used with a Power Amp ?
The RAW-MDA1 has Preamp functionality, which means that you can use the volume knob and the remote to control the DAC's Line out volume.

For this, the RAW-MDA1 uses the digital volume attenuation feature built into the ES9039Q2M DAC chip.

You can therefore use the RAW-MDA1 plugged directly into a Power Amp.

What the RAW-MDA1 does not have is a dedicated, analog Preamp built into the chassis.
 
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The RAW-MDA1 has Preamp functionality, which means that you can use the volume knob and the remote to control the DAC's Line out volume.

For this, the RAW-MDA1 uses the digital volume attenuation feature built into the ES9039Q2M DAC chip.

You can therefore use the RAW-MDA1 plugged directly into a Power Amp.

What the RAW-MDA1 does not have is a dedicated, analog Preamp built into the chassis.
Do you have the manual for it or know if its possible to do what I said about 1 reply above? Thanks in advance!
 
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