SMSL RAW-MDA 1 DAC & Headphone Amp Review

[SoundsGood2Me]

Almost Perfect performance in a nice package for a reasonable price.
I only wish it would be USB powered

While USB C is capable of 9V 2A (18W), most USB devices are backwards compatible to USB A, 5V 1A (5W).
Amirm measured 1.365W/ch at 33 ohms, 2.7W + processor load = ~3.5W.
To make this device universal, they included a GOOD power supply,
That doesn't even have any magnetic influence!
(-150dB @ 60Hz, Hol E Shite!)
In this lil box.

Remarkable.

This Lil Box is made for perfect headphones, amplified . . . Perfectly!

 

[sam_adams]

Killer specs. Excellent display. It's good to see the application of easy-to-read non-serif fonts on the display. Stellar price-to-performance for desktop DAC aficionados. Excellent review, @amirm!

 

[Rja4000]

Excellent DAC and HP amp !
Thanks for testing.

The multiple inputs have clearly added value.

I do wish there was trigger output though to turn our a power amplifier in home stereo setting.

Too bad, indeed.

 

[SHENZHENAUDIO]

Superb measurement, it helps a lot! thank you, Amir.

 

[Palladium]

Please tell me the usual SMSL shortcomings that Topping has solved long long ago are finally fixed, such as:

• Not having auto on/off standby on every input
• Startup lag on BT and SPDIF
• Sample rate switching interruptions

I very much rather have emphasis on usability than winning AP graphs by miniscule and inaudible level of dBs.

 

[Svperstar]

Nice measurements but low power output. I don't think you can drive a HE6 or any other "notorious" headphone with this.

 

[Lambo1985]

Nice measurements but low power output. I don't think you can drive a HE6 or any other "notorious" headphone with this.

That's like saying: "Yeah, this brand new Mercedes S-Class may be a good deal at $1000, but it still can't go as fast as a Lamborghini."

 

[amirm]

Nice measurements but low power output. I don't think you can drive a HE6 or any other "notorious" headphone with this.

There is room left for the stand alone amp for the last 5% of headphones. They key here is getting the 95% for such a low cost device.

 

[Anthony T]

Nice to see S.M.S.L. revamping their look and ergonomics, display is rather good compared to their old attempts and I like the addition of extra coaxial and optical inputs. The USB C input will wind some up but there you go, can’t have it all…

 

[Palladium]

That's like saying: "Yeah, this brand new Mercedes S-Class may be a good deal at $1000, but it still can't go as fast as a Lamborghini."

Yeah some people in ASR have weird goalposts.

 

[Fledermaus]

As I remember, 3 years ago Topping/Shenzhenaudio EX5 was the ultimate bang for the buck as for balanced DAC + HP amp - well, this thing beats it in every measurable way, adding multiple S/PDIF inputs, for 100 bucks (about 30%) less...
Impressive !

 

[raif71]

Anybody know why there is a "raw" in the model name ie any meaning or is it just naming coincidence ?

 

[Chr1]

It is, as yet, uncooked.

 

[Doodski]

It is, as yet, uncooked.

I hope it's medium rare with butter.

 

[ralph]

Now this one with additional phone input (MM) ... and I could reduce the number of devices in my main system. And I would no longer have to disconnect my DAC from power to avoid hum when playing vinyl. But then there is the WiiM Ultra which unfortunately lacks symmetric output.

Looks like it still supports MQA

 

[Bleib]

As I remember, 3 years ago Topping/Shenzhenaudio EX5 was the ultimate bang for the buck as for balanced DAC + HP amp - well, this thing beats it in every measurable way, adding multiple S/PDIF inputs, for 100 bucks (about 30%) less...
Impressive !

I think SMSL C200 had it beaten 2 years ago

 

[Cool Runnings]

Got sick of waiting for my WiiM Ultra. Just ordered this 2 days ago and it's on the way to me. And now I see this review on ASR. Made my day!

Thanks @amirm for the excellent review and all the hard work that goes into this forum.

 

[Leeken]

At last more than 1 coax and opt inputs,that alone made me tempted.

 

[JSmith]

At last more than 1 coax and opt inputs,that alone made me tempted.

Yes having 2 coax and 2 optical is great and sorely needed on many other DAC's. It's a small shame though the filter settings are confused. Display is much better though.

Glad you dusted this one off and took it off the shelf @amirm, cheers for the testing.


JSmith

 

[Yersinia Bestmate]

Nice. Looks ok, measures well. Yet another copy of the same product with a slightly different casing and screen.

But.. Does it click and pop when changing songs or when starting/stopping playback? This sort of thing has been plaguing SMSL products of the late (with some users).

My DL200 does click, so does my SU-1 but only with Windows 11 PC. With Win10 there's no clicks nor pops. And no, I do not mean the relay clicks when changing between HP/Line out.