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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
Thank you!
I only found one moment when the CD player was replaced with a Topping DAC. Did you have this exact moment in mind? Or did you mean measurements?
The main disappointment for me is the difference between the measurements and the listening results. In fact, they don't often match up with each other. I own cd6000 about 20 years, and it is quite good for my ears. I'm thinking of buying an external DAC for another applications and I don't want to go lower in sound.
 
Thank you!
I only found one moment when the CD player was replaced with a Topping DAC. Did you have this exact moment in mind? Or did you mean measurements?
The main disappointment for me is the difference between the measurements and the listening results. In fact, they don't often match up with each other. I own cd6000 about 20 years, and it is quite good for my ears. I'm thinking of buying an external DAC for another applications and I don't want to go lower in sound.
Tested blind?
 
I'm thinking of buying an external DAC for another applications and I don't want to go lower in sound.
Buy a DAC from a seller who allows returns: try it, connect it to your CD player and evaluate with your ears what you like best.
 
Hello,I would like to point out that I own the SMSL RAW DAC1 and not the SMSL RAW MDA 1. However, I believe it may be related to the issues I've read about the screen that "dies" suddenly. It's worth mentioning that both models use the same user interface and screen.

The truth is that I've been sleeping in the living room where the DAC is located, and I've noticed that when the room is completely dark, the screen flickers with a very dim light but permanently, even when it is in standby mode(totaly "turn off" screen). In fact, if you look at it for a long time, you can see the information on the screen Flickering .I have tried disconnecting it from all digital and analog sources, and it still has this small and almost imperceptible light flicker.

To be honest, I now turn off the DAC completely when I'm not using it because I imagine that this behavior could eventually harm the device in standby mode.I hope they release some firmware to fix it.

P.S.: Don't ask why I'm sleeping in the living room, lol.
 
Mine is noisy when it is turned off. Audiophile qualities might be great but build quality (verarbeitiung) is not (as with quite some other Chinese stuff as well).
 
Audiophile qualities might be great but build quality (verarbeitiung) is not (as with quite some other Chinese stuff as well).
My experiences are quite the opposite. Especially with SMSL and Topping.
 
Hello, I never owned a DAC. I have an active speakers pair, that I use with my PC. I also have DAP or my phone that at times I wish to use with my Speakers but the whole process is tedious. I also plan to get a subwoofer whenever I could afford one.

Would the DAC be a good choice for me? I have been reading about Topping - D50 III (this does not have a headphone amp, which is okay and not a deal breaker), Fiio K11 R2R (which would be cheaper), or Topping - DX3 Pro+.

Anyone who has any views to guide me, that would be awesome. Thank you.
 
If you don't need the HP amp, I would go with a DAC with volume control. Ex. SMSL DO100 Pro or something similar. It depends on what other inputs you need and if you need balanced outputs or not.
 
Hello, I never owned a DAC. I have an active speakers pair, that I use with my PC. I also have DAP or my phone that at times I wish to use with my Speakers but the whole process is tedious. I also plan to get a subwoofer whenever I could afford one.

Would the DAC be a good choice for me? I have been reading about Topping - D50 III (this does not have a headphone amp, which is okay and not a deal breaker), Fiio K11 R2R (which would be cheaper), or Topping - DX3 Pro+.

Anyone who has any views to guide me, that would be awesome. Thank you.

I own all but the D50 III. In terms of accurate/clean sound quality, if that is important to you, stay away from the K11 R2R (it's s soft sounding and lacks dynamics), and the MDA1 is better than the DX3 pro+ (the DX3 pro+ has a wide soundstage, but lacks the lowest octave and is not as detailed and full as the MDA1. I don't know if size is a consideration and/or if you want something with balanced outs.
 
Hello,I would like to point out that I own the SMSL RAW DAC1 and not the SMSL RAW MDA 1. However, I believe it may be related to the issues I've read about the screen that "dies" suddenly. It's worth mentioning that both models use the same user interface and screen.

The truth is that I've been sleeping in the living room where the DAC is located, and I've noticed that when the room is completely dark, the screen flickers with a very dim light but permanently, even when it is in standby mode(totaly "turn off" screen). In fact, if you look at it for a long time, you can see the information on the screen Flickering .I have tried disconnecting it from all digital and analog sources, and it still has this small and almost imperceptible light flicker.

To be honest, I now turn off the DAC completely when I'm not using it because I imagine that this behavior could eventually harm the device in standby mode.I hope they release some firmware to fix it.

P.S.: Don't ask why I'm sleeping in the living room, lol.

After RMA'ing the unit I had where there screen died, the screen on the replacement I received was much brighter. So, basically the screen on my old one was defective out of the gate and I didn't know. If the screen flickers on yours, I'd be concerned that it will eventually fail. If its under warranty, I would replace it.
 
If you don't need the HP amp, I would go with a DAC with volume control. Ex. SMSL DO100 Pro or something similar. It depends on what other inputs you need and if you need balanced outputs or not.
I am in India, not every DAC gets released out here. Nor I can test or audition. I go by specifications and try to learn about the device and user experience. SMSL DO100 Pro hasn't released at my end. And aliexpress etc won't work. (this site usually has the most stock in India - https://www.headphonezone.in/collec...m.hpz.ideal_for_filters=🪴+Budding+Enthusiasts)

I have an active pair of speakers, I am looking also for a subwoofer that would go along with them. My speakers have XLR, or TRS as balanced option. So would love to go balanced. Apart from that USB C for my Dap, I think port wise I don't have too many requirements.

Thank you for the reply.
 
I own all but the D50 III. In terms of accurate/clean sound quality, if that is important to you, stay away from the K11 R2R (it's s soft sounding and lacks dynamics), and the MDA1 is better than the DX3 pro+ (the DX3 pro+ has a wide soundstage, but lacks the lowest octave and is not as detailed and full as the MDA1. I don't know if size is a consideration and/or if you want something with balanced outs.
Thank you that helps. I heard a lot of cool things about R2R, and usually they are expensive, that's how Fiio landed there. Otherwise, I avoid Fiio even as a Dap, most of the times they sound too bright.

I would prefer more details and a fuller sound, thus Mda1 feels better. I have a Kali lp6 v2, which has a XLR & TRS Balanced options.

Thanks again.
 
I am in India, not every DAC gets released out here. Nor I can test or audition. I go by specifications and try to learn about the device and user experience. SMSL DO100 Pro hasn't released at my end. And aliexpress etc won't work. (this site usually has the most stock in India - https://www.headphonezone.in/collections/desktop-amps-dacs?sort_by=price-descending&filter.p.m.hpz.ideal_for_filters=+Beginners&filter.p.m.hpz.ideal_for_filters=+Budding+Enthusiasts)

I have an active pair of speakers, I am looking also for a subwoofer that would go along with them. My speakers have XLR, or TRS as balanced option. So would love to go balanced. Apart from that USB C for my Dap, I think port wise I don't have too many requirements.

Thank you for the reply.
Try to find reliable measurements. This tells you more than specs and certainly more than user experiences (sound wise anyway). Only go with user experiences for ease of use, functionality and maybe reliability concerns (people tend to complain more when things go wrong then that they praise a product when everything works just fine ;) ).

Looks like the shop you mention has plenty of Topping and SMSL products in stock. You should be able to find something Amir has reviewed for us, in the database, and that fits your budget.
 
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Thank you that helps. I heard a lot of cool things about R2R, and usually they are expensive, that's how Fiio landed there. Otherwise, I avoid Fiio even as a Dap, most of the times they sound too bright.

I would prefer more details and a fuller sound, thus Mda1 feels better. I have a Kali lp6 v2, which has a XLR & TRS Balanced options.

Thanks again.
I also own Kali Lp6 (v1). Great speakers. Perhaps the best bang for the buck monitoring speaker in the 5 to 6 inch class bracket (I own several sets from the usual suspects). It must be said that the sound differences between the MDA1 and DX3 pro+ will be less discernable on speakers due to speaker spacing and room acoustics (not too mention that without a subwoofer, you won't notice the missing low octave). You are wise to take into account user experience. Most of the newer hi-fi/pro audio units measure above and beyond, and without 1st hand experience you won't have any gauge for what the relative comparative differences are. For example, I purchased a Topping DX5 based on measurements alone, but it sounded considerably colder and less enjoyable than the DX3 pro+. A lot of people think they can hear something, and make a judgment call by looking at a graph. That's never the full story. As always, your mileage will vary.
 
(not too mention that without a subwoofer, you won't notice the missing low octave)
Nothing in the measurements would indicate anything like this. Do you have measurements confirming this?
A lot of people think they can hear something, and make a judgment call by looking at a graph.
A lot of people imagine things they here and profess them as reality, in spite of all the science telling them it's placebo.
You don't understand science. That doesn't mean people who have a better understanding of it are wrong. (or judge the quality of a device the way you think they do)
As always, your mileage will vary.
This is not a matter of opinion.
 
Nothing in the measurements would indicate anything like this. Do you have measurements confirming this?

A lot of people imagine things they here and profess them as reality, in spite of all the science telling them it's placebo.
You don't understand science. That doesn't mean people who have a better understanding of it are wrong. (or judge the quality of a device the way you think they do)

This is not a matter of opinion.
The music I record and mix on Lp6's or any 5-6 inch speaker set up, I need to check the low bass on closed back headphones. It's just not there on the speakers. The effect is similar with the DX3 pro+. The comparison is relative. Measurements aren't helpful when I have to check for translation. So relative comparisons are my gauge. I'm a gear junkie and I have a dozen set ups. Most of these DAC-AMP AIO's all sound different. It's not placebo. If you put a Zen Dac, K7, and a DX3 pro+ side by side, they will clearly sound different (I own those, and the differences are immediate and obvious). I do think though that the MDA1 is all anyone would ever need. In my estimation, it spits out audio as true to the source as it gets, and asking for more would deviating away from that truth. - And yes, "your millage will vary" is not a matter of opinion. It's a matter of fact. Everyone's experience is different. - I'm not going to argue measurements. If we went by measurements alone, all current gear should sound same since they all measure above and beyond the threshold of human hearing and are audibly transparent. However, a lot of these SOTA or near SOTA units don't sound the same.
 
Your stories don't impres me.
 
Your stories don't impres me.
and I'm not impressed by your dismissive and condescending comments or replies. Either way, I have the gear and that makes me qualified to make my own conclusions and offer advice. Hopefully, my hands-on experience can help others make informed decisions.
 
and I'm not impressed by your dismissive and condescending comments or replies. Either way, I have the gear and that makes me qualified to make my own conclusions and offer advice. Hopefully, my hands-on experience can help others make informed decisions.
I've read many of your posts. You keep telling stories but never provide any evidence. People keep telling you why your stories don't actually matter when giving advice.
You are not helping others make informed decision. Quite the opposite.
 
I've read many of your posts. You keep telling stories but never provide any evidence. People keep telling you why your stories don't actually matter when giving advice.
You are not helping others make informed decision. Quite the opposite.
You're right. I have not provided any evidence. The only way I'd be able to possibly do that is to record level matched audio samples of the HP or Line outs of all these devices for A/B comparison. On this forum, even this would be held up to scrutiny considering the many variables that come in to play. If we go by measurements, all of these things sound the same and there's no point in considering SQ. Only power, feature set, form factor, and price. - If you believe that, then you win.
 
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