SMSL Raw DAC 1 - Questions

[SeeD]

Good day,

I have been evaluating DACs recently and I recently purchased a SMSL Raw DAC 1 (not to be confused by the Raw Pro DAC 1). I am finding it quite nice except for a few things and wanted to see if anyone else has experienced similar. I haven't seen many comments on here on the Raw DAC 1, so I figured to make an inquiry.

FYI - I recently evaluated the SMSL SU1 and the Fiio K11 R2R and am stepping up the price while going down the DAC rabbit hole.

Regarding the DAC 1:
The bass seems to be quite boomy, and I read this might be the case, but I was not prepared for quite this much.
The soundstage is wide and enveloping, but might be too wide for my tastes, since it lacks a certain precision, especially the center soundstage.

Has anyone else experienced similar? The boomy bass may be a dealbreaker for me as I enjoy tight bass.

I am also confused by the SoundColor selections as they are not well defined in the documentation. Sound 1, Sound 2......

Just wanted to get some thoughts and opinions on the DAC 1 and perhaps some guidance on what I should try next, if I choose to move on.

Thank you!

 

[RandomEar]

Welcome to ASR. Unless broken, DACs don't have any sound characteristic whatsoever. Soundstage is a characteristic of the recording and DACs won't change it. The RAW-MDA 1 and the SU-1 both show a flat frequency response and vanishing levels of distortion. I would assume that the Fiio K11 R2R - being an R2R design - performs slightly worse on paper, but unless Fiio truly butchered something, it should sound identical to the two SMSL DACs. That is assuming you select similar reconstruction filters on each device. If you select an ultra slow filter or NOS mode on one and a fast filter on the other DAC, there might be small audible differences due to a drooping treble response. These differences would be eliminated by comparing the DACs using the same filter.

When comparing audio equipment, you should be aware that echoic memory is only a couple of seconds, so unless you can switch instantly between devices, you won't be able to make a meaningful comparison between them. If you are doing sighted comparisons, you will also be subject to bias. In general, our brain likes playing tricks on us and this makes it difficult to judge things objectively using only our senses.

DACs are a solved problem nowadays and throwing money at it will not give you (audibly) better performance. Look for features, design or customer support, not for sound.

 

[SeeD]

Good day,

I always thought a DACs supplemental components (power, electrical, etc.) have an effect on a piece of equipment's sound signature?

In any event, it's fun trying out these DACs. I can hear differences in sound, despite what DAC empirical knowledge states.

Any suggestions on comparable DACs with tight bass?

Thanks

 

[Zog]

Hi SeeD. If you don't mind me saying so; please take RandomEar's seriously - ie re-read. DACs have come to a point where there is not much between them. To answer your concern the 'supplemental components': they are less important in a DAC than most other components. Of course 'everything matters' but as an analogy take your car: leaving a water bottle in the boot or taking it out - the difference is negligible. There is a list of tested DACs here on ASR and they are colour coded. Just pick one in the 'blue zone' that matches your budget your aesthetics and your connection requirements and you will be good to go.

 

[SeeD]

Good day,

I appreciate your all’s feedback.