S.M.S.L RAW-MDA1

[nice-n-easy]

At last I got a response from SMSL Mandy

He wrote " This model is customized by the dealer, the dealer will sell it, please rest assured "

What does this mean?

 

[pstr]

If someone is wondering how good is this DAC, my take is easy to guess by stating that my SMSL SU-10 is now for sale on Head-Fi.
I do not know if younger ears than mine can find a difference in the way they sound, but yesterday I failed to tell them apart in a blind test. That is all I needed to know.
While initially I thought to be able to tell a minimal difference, when I swapped line-out and cables the difference also swapped.
I like the convenience of the headphone amplifier, so even if the price was the same (instead of being 3x cheaper) I would have kept the RAW-MDA1.

Could you check if its possible to quickly switch output between headphones and RCA/XLR without remote. Im thinking knob long press or double press maybe ?

 

[john100a]

Could you check if its possible to quickly switch output between headphones and RCA/XLR without remote. Im thinking knob long press or double press maybe ?

I asked @Dawsoo the exact same question and he said that 1 press does this.

Dawsoo can you confirm this again? This is the exact feature that sells me on this unit as well, to be honest.

 

[aravaioli]

Could you check if its possible to quickly switch output between headphones and RCA/XLR without remote. Im thinking knob long press or double press maybe ?

Yes, a long press of the volume wheel activates the settings menu.

 

[SiR]

What does this mean?

@nice-n-easy Me too didn't understand it fully and hence sent him below response

" So, it is to understand that though it may not be in the Official website, still we can get the support from the Dealer

Even the Firmware update we have to get it from the Dealer ? "



Fingers Crossed


@john100a did you get any response for your DM from SMSL Mandy ?

 

[SiR]

Got response from SMSL Mandy " can get the support from the Dealer "


( after I posted the above post )

 

[nice-n-easy]

Got response from SMSL Mandy " can get the support from the Dealer "


( after I posted the above post )

It doesn’t build much confidence on a product when the manufacturer deflects to the dealer for support. If you build it, you should back it.

 

[Dawsoo]

Hello gentlemen, sorry for not writing, but I will write to set the record straight:
I have chosen this DAC as the current best choice from SMSL (the equally equipped Topping D50III I bought with it was inferior in everything) in terms of equipment, fitment, design and measurement, it is a great pity that SMSL do not have it in their main portfolio yet, because I think it has no equivalent in their standard range (SU,D,M and DL) at this price level. On the other hand maybe it could be explained by the fact that like the DO range it cannibalizes x of their older and less advanced models which are inferior and they have many of them in stock.

I'm considering buying it again,I have several DACs and a friend of mine had his big DAC go away,(I didn't buy it for a headphone amp) at all but as a pure DAC,so I didn't test the headphones much extra. The only reason I sold it is because I left it to him to have something to play. I offered him a choice of this and the E70 topping, he had borrowed both at home and chose this one as the better one. so I didn't sell it because of any slightest self dissatisfaction. Hopefully this will shed more light on the reasons and the situation.

 

[john100a]

Hello gentlemen, sorry for not writing, but I will write to set the record straight:
I have chosen this DAC as the current best choice from SMSL (the equally equipped Topping D50III I bought with it was inferior in everything) in terms of equipment, fitment, design and measurement, it is a great pity that SMSL do not have it in their main portfolio yet, because I think it has no equivalent in their standard range (SU,D,M and DL) at this price level. On the other hand maybe it could be explained by the fact that like the DO range it cannibalizes x of their older and less advanced models which are inferior and they have many of them in stock.

I'm considering buying it again,I have several DACs and a friend of mine had his big DAC go away,(I didn't buy it for a headphone amp) at all but as a pure DAC,so I didn't test the headphones much extra. The only reason I sold it is because I left it to him to have something to play. I offered him a choice of this and the E70 topping, he had borrowed both at home and chose this one as the better one. so I didn't sell it because of any slightest self dissatisfaction. Hopefully this will shed more light on the reasons and the situation.

Can you perhaps confirm again what would be the result from having Headphones AND XLR pre-out connected, and then clicking the button ONCE?

The output changes between headphone and XLR, or the menu pops up?

 

[Dawsoo]

Can you perhaps confirm again what would be the result from having Headphones AND XLR pre-out connected, and then clicking the button ONCE?

The output changes between headphone and XLR, or the menu pops up?

When you press the main rotary button (volume and menu) on the front panel, you enter the main menu, where you can move and set everything with the help of turning and pressing = everything can be selected in the submenu.

I used the fn button on the remote control to quickly switch between the selected output variant and the separate headphone output. No annoying noises and pops never occurred. I can't say more tests, because as I wrote, I no longer have a DAC at my home.

ask aravaioli who also has it

 

[john100a]

When you press the main rotary button (volume and menu) on the front panel, you enter the main menu, where you can move and set everything with the help of turning and pressing = everything can be selected in the submenu.

I used the fn button on the remote control to quickly switch between the selected output variant and the separate headphone output. No annoying noises and pops never occurred. I can't say more tests, because as I wrote, I no longer have a DAC at my home.

ask aravaioli who also has it

Ah, I recall I asked you about what happens if you press the knob and the XLR+Headphones were connected, and you said that upon pressing the output changes, without going into the menu.

I am trying to forego using the remote at all (even with the fn button)

@aravaioli maybe u can confirm ?

 

[aravaioli]

Ah, I recall I asked you about what happens if you press the knob and the XLR+Headphones were connected, and you said that upon pressing the output changes, without going into the menu.

I am trying to forego using the remote at all (even with the fn button)

@aravaioli maybe u can confirm ?

Not for me. If I press the volume wheel I get to the settings menu, so you will need to select the output sub-menu and there you can make the final selection. Not a setting just one press away. There is also the ability to customise the Fn button on the remote: the choice is very limited but I think one is output switch (I can't verify now). If confirmed, your one click solution is there on the remote.

 

[john100a]

Not for me. If I press the volume wheel I get to the settings menu, so you will need to select the output sub-menu and there you can make the final selection. Not a setting just one press away. There is also the ability to customise the Fn button on the remote: the choice is very limited but I think one is output switch (I can't verify now). If confirmed, your one click solution is there on the remote.

What happens when you double press it?

Do you think there's a way to switch from Headphones to XLR pre-outs without messing with the remote?

For example, I do know that on the DX5, if you double press the knob, it switches outputs. Atleast according to a review.

 

[pstr]

What happens when you double press it?

Do you think there's a way to switch from Headphones to XLR pre-outs without messing with the remote?

For example, I do know that on the DX5, if you double press the knob, it switches outputs. Atleast according to a review.

On DS100, long press of knob switches output without entering menu. @aravaioli if possible could you check long press and double press of knob ?

 

[aravaioli]

On DS100, long press of knob switches output without entering menu. @aravaioli if possible could you check long press and double press of knob ?

Double press on the volume wheel doesn't work for me. It goes to the menu and then activates the selected option.

I can also confirm that the Fn key of the remote can be configured to switch across all the output options.

 

[nice-n-easy]

Can the SMSL RAW-MDA1 perform well as a preamp?
Can both XLR and RCA outputs work simultaneously (amps & subwoofer)?
I’m considering using it directly with a pair of Topping B200 amps.

 

[aravaioli]

Yes, RCA and XLR outputs can be set to work simultaneously.

 

[pstr]

Double press on the volume wheel doesn't work for me. It goes to the menu and then activates the selected option.

I can also confirm that the Fn key of the remote can be configured to switch across all the output options.

Thx, for confirming, I will probably go with topping 30II stack then.

 

[john100a]

Thx, for confirming, I will probably go with topping 30II stack then.

You can get the topping dx5, i saw a review once that says that double clicking the knob will switch outputs

 

[catch22]

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.

Offtop in this thread, but, WOW!!!!!!! I hope I read the graph correctly
After the modification, your old JVC has SINAD of 110, with a potential to below 115dB, if 50Hz noise is taken care of? Incredible!

I reckon originally this was a good amp, but nothing really special, right?
So, it is YOUR modification brought it to a level only few SOTA amps have!