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SMSL RAW-MDA 1 DAC & Headphone Amp Review

Rate this DAC & HP Amp

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 4 1.2%

  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 11 3.3%

  • 3. Fine (happy panther)

    Votes: 29 8.6%

  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 292 86.9%
  • Total voters
    336
RHO said:
It's never in the same sections of a track as far as I can detect. It sound like it's at random intervals when it happens. Last time I used COAX1 and OPT1 I had nu issues.
I need to find a good source with COAX out. That's a good tip. I am suspecting the player. I need to test that.
Click to expand...
Found a really nice source with coax as wel as optical out. So I can get testing if I find the time. I tried it on coax 2 while the other sources were on coax1 and opt1 and could play an whole album without 1 hick-up.
Next test is this same source but on coax1 and the other one on coax 2. I'll play the same album on the same player where it had no issues. Opt1 stays connected. If this causes issues it's the DAC.
 
It's the player. The "new" (it's a Pioneer DV-565A) source is playing the same album on COAX1 now, while the PC is connected to OPT1 and the other source is connected to COAX2. No issues. While, with the source that is now connected to coax2, I did have issues playing the same disc when it was connected to coax1.
 
RHO said:
It's the player. The "new" (it's a Pioneer DV-565A) source is playing the same album on COAX1 now, while the PC is connected to OPT1 and the other source is connected to COAX2. No issues. While, with the source that is now connected to coax2, I did have issues playing the same disc when it was connected to coax1.
Click to expand...
Good to have that cleared up.
 
Marky said:
Thanks! So in tidal changing tracks from Max to High quality will pop?
Click to expand...
Yes. Along with muting the beginning. To avoid this, you will have to manually change the sample rate in the system between tracks if you can and wait for the DAC to display it.
 
RHO said:
You will have no problem going deaf with this combination. (I own: MDA 1 + HD6XX)
Click to expand...
You're right. :)
This week RAW MDA 1 has arrived . I tested the unit with Senn HD800. I don't even need high HPA gain. Low HPA gain in range of -12 ... -8 dB was already enough to drive HD800 loud.

To avoid pops and clicks (which I haven't heard yet): I use foobar2000 player with WASAPI push mode (24 bits) + transparent/very high quality software resampler (built-in in foobar2000 player) to resample to 44.1 kHz anything different sampling rates . (Win11 sound settings - 2 channles, 24 bits, 44.1 kHz)

My previous device is Benchmark DAC1 which I enjoy a lot and I still will keep it. My brain and ears will need some time to get used to SMSL RAW MDA 1. but I already like right now a new SMSL device. Very first days SMSL sounded somewhat grainy to me, also it sounds flat, more in the face/ not punchy as DAC1 (the last one has a bit of punchiness). Well, it might be just placebo. But SMSL does sound clean as hell! (well I never had problem with DAC1 either)

What is strange a bit with SMSL, sometimes I tend to adjust volume, like some passages are too loud and another are ok. It didn't happen with Benchmark DAC1. Maybe I need more time to adjust myself to a new device (?)
 
Last edited:
Hi. Could I connect two devices to it, a laptop only via usb and a phone with a wire (instead of a bluetooth)? There are no digital outputs (spdif) on these devices. Can I use an adapter (splitter) from usb-c to 2 usb?
 
Last edited:
AlSpring said:
Hi. Could I connect two devices to it, a laptop only via usb and a phone with a wire (instead of a bluetooth)? There are no digital outputs (spdif) on these devices. Can I use an adapter (splitter) from usb-c to 2 usb?
Click to expand...
You can connect one via USB and the other via USB->SMSL PO100 2024->Coax/Toslink SPDIF.

An adapter (splitter) from usb-c to 2 usb will not work.

Edit:
What's the purpose of this thread if you'll ask again here anyway?
www.audiosciencereview.com

Headphone DAC

Hi I'm looking at a headphone DAC (something like SMSL RAW-MDA1). But here's the dilemma of how to connect. The source for the sound will be a laptop, there are also speakers with unbalanced inputs and another phone (it can be connected via Bluetooth, but preferably also by wire). It turns out...
www.audiosciencereview.com www.audiosciencereview.com
 
Last edited:
AlSpring said:
Hi. Could I connect two devices to it, a laptop only via usb and a phone with a wire (instead of a bluetooth)? There are no digital outputs (spdif) on these devices. Can I use an adapter (splitter) from usb-c to 2 usb?
Click to expand...
You can use a USB switch.
 
IgorD said:
Has anyone tested different PCM filters for audible differences/preference?

Description of PCM filters is on page 18 https://www.smsl-audio.com/themes/p...ile=/upload/portal/download/RAWMDA1Manual.pdf

I prefer filter F-4 Linear phase fast roll-off low ripple as it's most neutral for my ears. Default filter F-3 Linear phase fast roll-off is grainy and might be harsh in some situations.
Click to expand...
What firmware is it running? For the old firmware, the filters are have the wrong labels. See here. In the new firmware, some are still mislabeled but many are correct.

How did you test it?
 
@JIW
Thank you for bringing this up. I will read discussion in the link you have provided

Menu -> Reset : it says "SDAA-1 RAW-MDA1 1.00"

JIW said:
How did you test it?
Click to expand...
I don't have measurement equipment, so it was just audibility test (not blind test, which I plan to do at some point).

So in case if I am currently using "F-4 Linear phase fast roll-off low ripple", which filter is applied in reality?
 
Last edited:
IgorD said:
@JIW
Thank you for bringing this up. I will read discussion in the link you have provided

Menu -> Reset : it says "SDAA-1 RAW-MDA1 1.00"


I don't have measurement equipment, so it was just audibility test (not blind test, which I plan to do at some point).

So in case if I am currently using "F-4 Linear phase fast roll-off low ripple", which filter is applied in reality?
Click to expand...
You might as well update
 
IgorD said:
@JIW
Thank you for bringing this up. I will read discussion in the link you have provided

Menu -> Reset : it says "SDAA-1 RAW-MDA1 1.00"


I don't have measurement equipment, so it was just audibility test (not blind test, which I plan to do at some point).

So in case if I am currently using "F-4 Linear phase fast roll-off low ripple", which filter is applied in reality?
Click to expand...
On the original firmware, filter 4 is Linear phase fast.
 
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