S.M.S.L RAW-MDA1

[Berwhale]

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?

This is how I use my EX5 (with the HP and Line Out buttons on the remote) . However, you really want independent volume control (and volume memory) for HP and Line outputs, otherwise switching between outputs can lead to alarmingly loud output from either your headphones or monitors. At the very least, you'll almost certainly have to adjust the volume every time you switch.

The EX5 has independent volume, but apparently the MDA1 does not - a clue is that it can output to both HP and line outputs simultaneously, so it would be difficult to control the volumes separately.

 

[Dawsoo]

user guide file is too big .... "uploaded file too large" sorry guys apparently the email didn't go through. ...but highly compressed version here:

 

[staticV3]

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?

You can switch between HP out, RCA out, XLR out, and RCA+XLR out in the menu.

There is no dedicated output select button on the remote.

Whether there is a way to quickly switch between outputs (e.g. double-press front knob), is not described in the User Manual.

 

[Dawsoo]

You can switch between HP out, RCA out, XLR out, and RCA+XLR out in the menu.

There is no dedicated output select button on the remote.

Whether there is a way to quickly switch between outputs (e.g. double-press front knob), is not described in the User Manual.

Yes. Outputs are selected in the menu and then on the remote control you can switch between this option and the hp output by pressing the fn button.

Everything that is set with the knob on the converter can also be set via the remote control.

The remote IR controller is much better than the bad IR RC of the toppings, it has a much better range and does not need to be aimed extra precisely, it works as you are used to with classic home electronics like tv etc.

 

[SiR]

One more clarification Friends

Does RAW MDA1 have Independent Headphone Circuit ?

This info is not in the User Manual but mentioned in the "Audiophonics .fr " website


If there is no separate one, won't it affect the DAC performance ?

I'm concerned because I'll be using this only as a Desktop Dac

TIA

 

[john100a]

Yes. Outputs are selected in the menu and then on the remote control you can switch between this option and the hp output by pressing the fn button.

Everything that is set with the knob on the converter can also be set via the remote control.

The remote IR controller is much better than the bad IR RC of the toppings, it has a much better range and does not need to be aimed extra precisely, it works as you are used to with classic home electronics like tv etc.

Can you clarify if I can plug in only headphones and XLR out, and by clicking the button it will switch between them?

 

[Dawsoo]

Yes, basically this user-selectable button switches between the selected output or a combination of outputs in the menu and a separate HP output.

 

[JIW]

The filters are labeled incorrectly. The figure is the same as for the DO100 Pro as can be seen from the date and time and the error is the same. I explain what is correct in this post.

 

[Dawsoo]

The filters are labeled incorrectly. The figure is the same as for the DO100 Pro as can be seen from the date and time and the error is the same. I explain what is correct in this post.

You're right, those filters are wrong with SMSL... I still only remember two or three filters that I prefer and I have them under the numbers.

For RAW-MDA1 "pure subjective" I like filters 3, 4 and 6 in my setup.

 

[john100a]

Yes, basically this user-selectable button switches between the selected output or a combination of outputs in the menu and a separate HP output.

Thank you.

But you mean yes as in:

1) I have Headphones + XLR out connected, and I press the button, which makes the output alternative between XLR and headphone out

OR

2) I have headphones + XLR out connected, and I press the button, which then I have to fiddle in a menu to choose between XLR out or headphone out

 

[Dawsoo]

-it is point No. 1, with the fact that in the main menu you can select another options than XLR only,like RCA, RCA+XLR or All outputs variant combinations. The fn button switches between what is set in the setup - and pure headphones only.

-the hp amplifier has a low and hi gain option, which solves a lot of things with different sensitivity of headphones and an amplifier on line out in preamp mode

-for toyboys there is a sound color function where different spectra of THD tubes transistors etc. are DSP emulated like Topping D90LE

-DPLL setting optimatizations for crappy or perfect digital sources etc...

I consider six digital inputs options 1xUSB-2xSPDIF-2xToslink-1xBT, and the possibility to switch to legacy UAC1 compatible mode in the menu as the main currency. the only one minor thing missing is a 4/5V output level switch.

 

[john100a]

-it is point No. 1, with the fact that in the main menu you can select another options than XLR only,like RCA, RCA+XLR or All outputs variant combinations. The fn button switches between what is set in the setup - and pure headphones only.

-the hp amplifier has a low and hi gain option, which solves a lot of things with different sensitivity of headphones and an amplifier on line out in preamp mode

-for toyboys there is a sound color function where different spectra of THD tubes transistors etc. are DSP emulated like Topping D90LE

-DPLL setting optimatizations for crappy or perfect digital sources etc...

I consider six digital inputs options 1xUSB-2xSPDIF-2xToslink-1xBT, and the possibility to switch to legacy UAC1 compatible mode in the menu as the main currency. the only one minor thing missing is a 4/5V output level switch.

In that case, this is a great alternative for the Topping DX5. I believe on the Topping you can also double click the knob and it switches outputs. Spec-wise, the RAW seems like it has higher-grade components and is cheaper.

 

[john100a]

One thing that's odd though, why can't I find it on SMSL's official website?

 

[Dawsoo]

john100a: a hot new item that doesn't fit into any manufactured line? I also wonder why they are delaying the release on the site.

hp observations:
I very rarely use headphones, but I couldn't do it and I tried to compare the much more expensive Topping E50+L50 combination against the RAW-MDA1 and I would say that although the top L50 probably has slightly better measured parameters than the dedicated hp amplifier in smsl, the DAC part is definitely better (by measuring and listening) than the older E50.

As a result, I find the new RAW preffered very slightly more pleasant to listen to on my Audiotechnica ATH-AD900X headphones than the split E50+L50 symmetrically TRS connected combination.

Of course, I tried the line connection of DAC RAW and L50 and if I'm honest the difference was very small and more in the sense of very little different than better-worse.

 

[staticV3]

One thing that's odd though, why can't I find it on SMSL's official website?

Some products take a while until they're added to SMSL's homepage, others are never added at all (e.g. SU-1).

I don't know why.

 

[john100a]

Another question... where do we go for support/firmware/software updates if it's not on the official website?

 

[Bleib]

Another question... where do we go for support/firmware/software updates if it's not on the official website?

And why is it not on the official website?

 

[john100a]

And why is it not on the official website?

No clue. I tried looking it up under all of their categories and it's not there

 

[Berwhale]

the DAC part is definitely better (by measuring and listening) than the older E50.

The E50 is already way past transparent. Any difference you heard is due to other reasons.

Audibility thresholds of amp and DAC measurements

Introduction A recurring theme on ASR is whether or not the various measured qualities of the devices are audible. In this post, I'll present some clear and visual thresholds for when those imperfections can be considered a potentially audible concern. I will not explain the basics of amp/DAC...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Dawsoo]

E50 je již tak průhledný. Jakýkoli rozdíl, který jste slyšeli, je způsoben jinými důvody.

[URL se rozvine = "true"] https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-thresholds-of-amp-and-dac-measurements.5734/[/URL]

This thread isn't a debate about these things, it's just information about a new machine I have and a comparison with others I've been using for a while.

Everyone is free to interpret this information as they see fit. That some people are fine with a 20usd usb dongle and others are not is a natural thing. I don't think there is any problem.For me there is some correlation, and yes I agree that the differences in such a basic common static measurement with limited bandwidth in these values are not really the thing that makes the subjective difference in listening, which moreover some may perceive and others may not.

I think those variables are really too simplistic for any categorical yes-no statement. And for me, any information is valuable.

That's my perspective, which I'm not forcing on anyone.
In the audio business I've been R&D and servicing professional audio studio equipment for over 25 years.

And listening and playing with cheap but quality audio equipment at home is just only a hobby for me.