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SMSL RAW-MDA 1 DAC & Headphone Amp Review

Rate this DAC & HP Amp

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 3 0.9%
  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 9 2.7%
  • 3. Fine (happy panther)

    Votes: 30 9.1%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 288 87.3%

  • Total voters
    330
Im happy to report that i have absolutely no issues to with any of my headphones or iem's from any of the inputs or any operating system i have tried. Windows or Android. No pops or clicks. Tried deliberately switching file quality, starting, stopping and YouTube.
 
Might be a stupid question but can't seem to find the answer to it. Is there some "back" or "home" button? For example pressing the left side of the knob or whatever?
 
For people who own one of these and are using it with Windows, does 768000 Hz (768 kHz) show as a sample rate option under the advanced properties for the device?

I got mine a couple of days ago, hooked it up yesterday, and installed the drivers, but the highest option that shows for me is 32 bit, 384000 Hz, or 384000 with lower bit rates. I also updated the firmware and it made no difference. I understand that it's probably pointless to actually set the sampling rate that high, but the specs for the MDA1 say it's supposed to be able to do 768 kHz, so I'm just wondering if there's something specific I need to do to enable that.
 
For people who own one of these and are using it with Windows, does 768000 Hz (768 kHz) show as a sample rate option under the advanced properties for the device?

I got mine a couple of days ago, hooked it up yesterday, and installed the drivers, but the highest option that shows for me is 32 bit, 384000 Hz, or 384000 with lower bit rates. I also updated the firmware and it made no difference. I understand that it's probably pointless to actually set the sampling rate that high, but the specs for the MDA1 say it's supposed to be able to do 768 kHz, so I'm just wondering if there's something specific I need to do to enable that.
384kHz is the highest sample rate that Windows supports natively, and the highest that you'll ever see in the Sound Control Panel, regardless of which DAC and which driver you use.

To play higher sample rates, you'll need to use a music player with ASIO output.
Not that there'd be any point in doing so :)
 
Ahhhhhh, okay. Thanks for the info, static. I didn't realize that it was a native Windows limitation. Good to know.

What's the highest playback sample rate that actually makes sense to use? I have some FLAC files that are 96 kHz and I think I remember people elsewhere saying that's probably the highest that's worth using, so I would guess that makes sense, but I don't know a definitive answer or anything.
 
Alright. I know that certain games and software also don't like using anything above that, so maybe that would be a good general setting to stick with.
 
Looking at my first DAC/amp purchase, had decided on the FiiO K11 R2R but Richer Sounds don't have stock...

Plan B was the DX1, with the RAW MDA1 as the 'aspirational' choice... my chain will be Windows 10 laptop > DAC/amp > Senn HD560S. I do have one eye on eventually adding a wireless streamer to the chain for convenience...

Given the DX1 is £100 and the RAW MDA1 is about £260 is there any compelling justification for the extra £160 outlay? I see a bunch of Outputs and Inputs that I likely won't use...
 
Definitely not sound quality.
Thanks.

I can also get the C200 for £181 at the moment, which seems a little better from a future proof perspective due to the Optical (future streamer?) and BT connectivity. Would you say the DX1 @ £100 or C200 @ £181 is the better purchase?
 
Thanks.

I can also get the C200 for £181 at the moment, which seems a little better from a future proof perspective due to the Optical (future streamer?) and BT connectivity. Would you say the DX1 @ £100 or C200 @ £181 is the better purchase?

Select members have reported issues with their SMSL C200's. I have no idea how common the issues are. Consider reviewing threads on the SMSL C200.
 
Thanks.

I can also get the C200 for £181 at the moment, which seems a little better from a future proof perspective due to the Optical (future streamer?) and BT connectivity. Would you say the DX1 @ £100 or C200 @ £181 is the better purchase?
I don't think you would hear any difference but I also take ergonomics into account when I go shopping for new gear. My experience is that some devices for desktop use are too small to be used conveniently. The volume/menu knobs get too small, the display is to small, cables pull the device around the desk because there's no weight/stability because of the limited size, unplugging or plugging in headphones does the same, ...
I find the RAW-MDA 1 well worth the money because I don't have those issues with this device. The menu's are very easy to figure out and use. The performance is absolutely great. And yes, this has a (relatively small) price.

BTW: Love the avatar. Great album!
 
Thanks.

I can also get the C200 for £181 at the moment, which seems a little better from a future proof perspective due to the Optical (future streamer?) and BT connectivity. Would you say the DX1 @ £100 or C200 @ £181 is the better purchase?
For that price, you can also get the DL100 or the DL200 for £10 more. You also get symmetrical balanced line-output and remote control.
 
+1 for the SMSL DL100 because it has the same headphone amplifier as my RAW MDA1 and it has a build in power supply. These devices should sound remarkably similar with your headphone.
The DL200 should have the same headphone amplifier as well but unlike the DL100 has adjustable gain.
 
Select members have reported issues with their SMSL C200's. I have no idea how common the issues are. Consider reviewing threads on the SMSL C200.
Yeah I've seen some issues reported, which is a shame because it ticks a lot of the required boxes...
 
I don't think you would hear any difference but I also take ergonomics into account when I go shopping for new gear. My experience is that some devices for desktop use are too small to be used conveniently. The volume/menu knobs get too small, the display is to small, cables pull the device around the desk because there's no weight/stability because of the limited size, unplugging or plugging in headphones does the same, ...
I find the RAW-MDA 1 well worth the money because I don't have those issues with this device. The menu's are very easy to figure out and use. The performance is absolutely great. And yes, this has a (relatively small) price.

BTW: Love the avatar. Great album!
Thanks, you raise some good points regarding ergonomics. I'm now wondering whether the RAW-MDA1 is just the way to go, assuming I can get sign-off from the Fun & Finance Officer.

Also yeah, Absolute Elsewhere was one of my favourites from last year \m/
 
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The DL200 should have the same headphone amplifier as well but unlike the DL100 has adjustable gain.
If so, that would make another great option. In a way it is absurd how many devices there are in the same price point with only slightly different features. The DL100 has a HDMI ARC input and XLR while the DL200 lacks HDMI but has TRS.
 
Thanks, you raise some good points regarding ergonomics. I'm now wondering whether the RAW-MDA1 is just the way to go, assuming I can get sign-off from the Fun & Finance Officer.

Also yeah, Absolute Elsewhere was one of my favourites from last year \m/
Always take your budget into account. Just try to get the best for what fit's your budget.

Yep, it's also highly ranked on my AOTY list.
 
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