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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
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/
The DL100 and DL200 both have a larger footprint and weight than the RAW-MDA1 so should be at least as planted.
 
The DL100 and DL200 both have a larger footprint and weight than the RAW-MDA1 so should be at least as planted.
Correct. I also had them on my shortlist when shopping for a new DAC/HP-amp.
Take into account that the 4.4mm balanced HP output is not suitable for connectors with a larger diameter. They just don't fit into the round recess in the front panel.
You don't have this issue on the RAW-MDA 1.
 
Correct. I also had them on my shortlist when shopping for a new DAC/HP-amp.
Take into account that the 4.4mm balanced HP output is not suitable for connectors with a larger diameter. They just don't fit into the round recess in the front panel.
You don't have this issue on the RAW-MDA 1.
Yeah. I just measured it on my DL200 to 11 mm on the 4.4 mm and 15 mm on the 6.35 mm.
 
Back again (sorry)... Wondering if the MDA1 fits somewhere in my Rega Planar 1 turntable and Edifier R1280T powered bookshelf speakers? Far from an essential requirement, just curious...
 
Back again (sorry)... Wondering if the MDA1 fits somewhere in my Rega Planar 1 turntable and Edifier R1280T powered bookshelf speakers? Far from an essential requirement, just curious...
Not in between because it does not have analog inputs.
 
Back again (sorry)... Wondering if the MDA1 fits somewhere in my Rega Planar 1 turntable and Edifier R1280T powered bookshelf speakers? Far from an essential requirement, just curious...
You'd have to connect the MDA1 to the R1280T PC input and the Rega to the R1280T Aux input. You can then switch between them using the Edifier remote control.

Rega and MDA1 cannot be connected to each other.
 
You want to connect the Rega TT in between the MDA 1 and the active speakers?
You could try something like this.
 
Is there any driver or setup needed for MacOS for the Amp or DAC? I have it setup fine on my Windows PC, but on my laptop I'm experiencing popping whenever audio starts or ends (sometimes seconds after it ends).
 
Hi @AFireInAsa! Welcome to ASR.

Is there any driver or setup needed for MacOS for the Amp or DAC?
SMSL do not provide device drivers for macOS, so you're stuck with the generic drivers that are used for plug-and-play functionality.

One thing that you could try is to connect to the MDA1 via SPDIF or Optical, using a Hifime UT23 or SMSL PO100.

Whether this will help with the pop noises, I do not know.
 
Is there any driver or setup needed for MacOS for the Amp or DAC? I have it setup fine on my Windows PC, but on my laptop I'm experiencing popping whenever audio starts or ends (sometimes seconds after it ends).

This is due to the XMOS USB receiver. On Windows, this can be fixed in the driver settings but on macOS, there is a workaround using the Qobuz app.
I have an SMSL DL200 with XMOS XU-316 connected via USB on macOS and have found a way to avoid dis- and reconnecting.

When the DL200 is selected as output in the Qobuz app without even having played anything or not playing anything anymore, the DL200 is always connected as long as the Qobuz app is not quit even after the sample rate is changed in the Audio MIDI Setup. The same might work for other programs where the DL200 can be selected as output device.
 
This is due to the XMOS USB receiver. On Windows, this can be fixed in the driver settings but on macOS, there is a workaround using the Qobuz app.
A bit annoying to have to keep up an app all the time, but it seems to work lol. I just downloaded it, didn't even purchase a plan or login, and the popping is gone. Thanks!
 
A bit annoying to have to keep up an app all the time, but it seems to work lol. I just downloaded it, didn't even purchase a plan or login, and the popping is gone. Thanks!
Yeah. I only figured it out because I use Qobuz anyways.
 
Actually, I'm still getting some popping when pausing YouTube videos, but it's gone from most other things. Do you get that?
No. Did you select the output in the Qobuz app as the SMSL?
 
This should be the last annoying question from me, but what is the 48khz signifying on the front panel? I’ve got Apple Music set to Hi Res and it is suggesting some tracks are 192 but this isn’t reflected by the SMSL. Is there a limitation I’m missing?
 

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This should be the last annoying question from me, but what is the 48khz signifying on the front panel? I’ve got Apple Music set to Hi Res and it is suggesting some tracks are 192 but this isn’t reflected by the SMSL. Is there a limitation I’m missing?
Maybe your windows audio settings?
 
This should be the last annoying question from me, but what is the 48khz signifying on the front panel?
That the incoming audio stream from your computer is using a 48kHz sample rate.

I’ve got Apple Music set to Hi Res and it is suggesting some tracks are 192 but this isn’t reflected by the SMSL. Is there a limitation I’m missing?
That's because macOS and Windows will resample all audio to one uniform sample rate before sending that to your DAC.

You can configure that sample rate in the Midi control panel on Mac and the Sound Control Panel on Windows.

If you'd like that sample rate to adapt to your tracks' native sample rate, them take a look at LosslessSwitcher for Mac or ASIO/Wasapi Exclusive playback for Windows.
 
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