SMSL RAW-MDA 1 DAC & Headphone Amp Review

[JIW]

The sound from the Marantz CD60 headphone amplifier is poor, with noticeable distortion and insufficient volume.

I see. Given its specs of 28 mW at 32 Ohm which is only (28/1000*32)^.5 = 0.95 V RMS that is not too surprising. The RAW-MDA1 in low gain is 8 dB louder which is around twice as loud. The DO400 and D40Pro will be 14 dB louder in low gain balanced which is around four times as loud. Then again, there will no difference with high gain on the RAW-MDA1 unless you are able to hear its noise floor at around 0 dB SPL.

Anyways, what stops you from just trying the RAW-MDA1? It is available on amazon.fr so returning it should be easy.

 

[JIW]

Yes, the SMSL RAW MDA1 interests me greatly. However, if I can achieve a noticeable improvement in terms of the Sabre DAC chip and overall component quality, I am willing to invest further to acquire a superior device. Between the SMSL DO400 and the Loxjie D40 Pro, which would you consider the best choice based on my expectations? Lastly, do you think the FiiO K9 Pro ESS is now outdated, considering its four years of existence?

Thank you very much for your valuable help !

The D40 Pro and DO400 are essentially the same as is the DL400. The RAW-MDA1 also uses Sabre chips. The ES9039Q2M and ES9039PRO are essentially the same just with different number of outputs - 2 vs. 8. I really would not expect any difference between those.

I would not consider the Fiio outdated in terms of likely performance but it does use DAC and USB receiver chips that have been succeeded by now. Certainly, I don't think paying more for it makes sense compared to the DO400 and its siblings which use the newer chips.

I would try the RAW-MDA1 first and see if that still leaves you interested in the other DACs.

 

[JIW]

Thank you very much for all these insights and the time you’ve dedicated. It’s very kind of you.

You are welcome. How do you intend to connect the CD player to the DAC? If you want to use the coaxial connection, you need a special wire for that. Any RCA will not do. I would however recommend optical to avoid ground loops.

 

[ArthurStein13]

You are welcome. How do you intend to connect the CD player to the DAC? If you want to use the coaxial connection, you need a special wire for that. Any RCA will not do. I would however recommend optical to avoid ground loops.

I have a high-quality coaxial cable.
I noted that the SMSL MDA1 is a pseudo-symmetrical model, meaning it doesn’t benefit from true symmetrical amplification. In contrast, the SMSL DO400 or Loxjie D40 Pro, true symmetrical model, will necessarily provide a better sound quality, with superior channel separation and noise management. I believe this will suits my expectations better for my Sennheiser HD660S2.

 

[JIW]

I have a high-quality coaxial cable.
I noted that the SMSL MDA1 is a pseudo-symmetrical model, meaning it doesn’t benefit from true symmetrical amplification. In contrast, the SMSL DO400 or Loxjie D40 Pro, a true symmetrical model, will necessarily provide a better sound quality, with superior channel separation and noise management. I believe this will suit my expectations better for my Sennheiser HD660S2.

Noise on the balanced output of the DO400 and D40Pro will be no lower and most likely higher due to higher output levels and digital volume control. Channel separation is the only remaining benefit but it is very much marginal if it can be perceived at all. It may be more accurate, if marginal, but sound quality differences are constrained by perception.

 

[Von Nassau]

As @JIW writes, only an SE headphone amplifier is installed, not a balanced one.
They only have a dual op amp driving the HPA, so only 2 channels.
The discrete HPA only has 4 large SMD transistors, and 2 are required per channel.
There are only 2 relays for the HPA outputs, with only 2 normally open contacts per relay. So, only 2 channels here.

Each of these criteria only allows for one SE HPA, so a balanced HPA is not possible.
The measured power of 167 milliwatts at 300 ohms and 1.4 watts at 33 ohms is completely oversized for most HPs and more than sufficient, even for the HD 660S2.

Thank you all for the clarification.

 

[Von Nassau]

Hi, I like the look of this unit, so I can move my existing DAC/HPA (El Dac II+ / L30ii) upstairs to the desk.

I am though somewhat concerned about the clicking and popping posts. No issues with a little pop on start up or shut down, but absolutely unacceptable whilst listening to music or through sample rate changes in a play list. It will be driven by Wiim for music only (no PC, no YT, no USB).

Does this issue only occur over USB, as I will be using optical / coax?

Any guidance is appreciated, as if it pops even once, it is going back to Amazon as faulty and I'd prefer to save the hassle if known issue over optical/coax too.

Thank you.

I just got mine raw-mda1 this week. I have used it with an older pc we use as media player in the Living room, and my Samsung s22 smartphone connected via USB. Have played Spotify, YouTube music and local flac files and only noticed small pops in the beginning and only twice. I have also used it with optical in from our TV, and from my CD player and have had no issues. But of course I didn’t had it for a long time yet. But my understanding is that the pops are only an issue with usb.

No pops when skipping between music numbers.

But so far so good

 

[Crook]

I just got mine raw-mda1 this week. I have used it with an older pc we use as media player in the Living room, and my Samsung s22 smartphone connected via USB. Have played Spotify, YouTube music and local flac files and only noticed small pops in the beginning and only twice. I have also used it with optical in from our TV, and from my CD player and have had no issues. But of course I didn’t had it for a long time yet. But my understanding is that the pops are only an issue with usb.

But so far so good

Thanks for the Info. May not be an issue for me either then. I'm still in 2 minds, definitely want combo dac/ hpa, but think I'll wait for Topping dx5 ii and see what that's like. If not, I'll get an Element IV. Won't measure quite as well, but I know it will be 100% rock solid. I've had JDS Labs stuff since the cmos tin hpa and nothing I've had has ever failed. Just need to chill and take my time.

 

[Zoide]

Given that this DAC/amp doesn't support PEQ on all inputs, would this work?

Android phone + Spotify + PEQ app > Lossless Bluetooth --> RAW MDA 1
iPad + Spotify + PEQ app --> Lossless Bluetooth --> Raw MDA 1

Or are there other obstacles? (e.g., PEQ apps incompatible with lossless Bluetooth formats in Android and/or iOS)

Thanks

 

[Laika2]

I am lost here, this is new to me, how would I wire an external phono preamp (Cambrige Duo) to this to use as a headphone amp. My external phono preamp has rca outs of course but where do I plug them in to SMSL, I see two RCA outs on the back of the SMSL, (Out to Out?) I need RCAs in don't I? I DLed the manual to see if the SMSLs out were switchable to ins and don't see a word about it. I just want to use it as a headphone amp, not a DAC.

 

[Panelhead]

FORGET IT. Phono stage has big EQ built in. A microphone stage is better.
The MDA1 does not accept analog inputs. Has HP, XLR, and RCA analog outputs.
Get a real headphone amp. Some dongles offer SOTA performance. Seen 20.00 ones.

 

[Laika2]

FORGET IT. Phono stage has big EQ built in. A microphone stage is better.
The MDA1 does not accept analog inputs. Has HP, XLR, and RCA analog outputs.
Get a real headphone amp. Some dongles offer SOTA performance. Seen 20.00 ones.

I would like something stackable with 4 Cambridge, looks not important. Already have 4 headphone amps for my buds but want stackable. Idea is to listen to vinyl through headphones without firing up the main unit with 13 monoblocks but to use a a-b rca switcher between the phono preamp and the headphone amp to direct my phono preamp to send the signal to either main speakers or headphone amp. Willing to spend 500 plus. Don't need a dac in the headphone amp. Really want ins on the headphone preamp.

Any thoughts on a headphone in the 500 plus range that has RCAs in? Or really any other thoughts. ((RCAs with mini jack adapter to come out of the phono preamp and go into the mini jack input on the headphone amp/dac input) My friend, I think that is what you are saying above (but with a pocket sized unit but want to be clear)
Thanks

 

[jkim]

I would like something stackable with 4 Cambridge, looks not important. Already have 4 headphone amps for my buds but want stackable. Idea is to listen to vinyl through headphones without firing up the main unit with 13 monoblocks but to use a a-b rca switcher between the phono preamp and the headphone amp to direct my phono preamp to send the signal to either main speakers or headphone amp. Willing to spend 500 plus. Don't need a dac in the headphone amp. Really want ins on the headphone preamp.

Any thoughts on a headphone in the 500 plus range that has RCAs in? Or really any other thoughts. ((RCAs with mini jack adapter to come out of the phono preamp and go into the mini jack input on the headphone amp/dac input) My friend, I think that is what you are saying above (but with a pocket sized unit but want to be clear)
Thanks

If you can spend that much ($500 plus), then consider the Topping L70, A70 Pro, or A90 Discrete. Any will work fine as a headphone amplifier as well as a preamplifier. You don't need a switcher. The L70 will nicely sit on your phono preamp. Or the A70 Pro or A90 Discrete can be placed under your phono preamp.

 

[Panelhead]

Or keeping SMSL brand, the SH-X. A little over 500.00 on eBay.

 

[jkim]

Or keeping SMSL brand, the SH-X. A little over 500.00 on eBay.

I can speak for the L70 and A70 Pro as I own them. Both are powerful yet extremely transparent amps. Both were tested at ASR, too. I heard that SMSL headphone amps with a circuit design similar to the SH-X generate a lot of heat.

 

[Roland68]

I would like something stackable with 4 Cambridge, looks not important. Already have 4 headphone amps for my buds but want stackable. Idea is to listen to vinyl through headphones without firing up the main unit with 13 monoblocks but to use a a-b rca switcher between the phono preamp and the headphone amp to direct my phono preamp to send the signal to either main speakers or headphone amp. Willing to spend 500 plus. Don't need a dac in the headphone amp. Really want ins on the headphone preamp.

Any thoughts on a headphone in the 500 plus range that has RCAs in? Or really any other thoughts. ((RCAs with mini jack adapter to come out of the phono preamp and go into the mini jack input on the headphone amp/dac input) My friend, I think that is what you are saying above (but with a pocket sized unit but want to be clear)
Thanks

If you want to integrate something like the RAW-MDA 1 into your system, you could use the MiniDSP PocketADC to connect the phono preamp.
This would save you the additional HPA.
Otherwise, there are many well-tested HPAs in all price ranges. In addition to the devices already listed, I can also recommend the Singxer SA-1 V2, Violectric, and Lake People.

In a completely different price range would be an RME ADI 2/4 Pro SE,
which also replaces your phono preamp with a high-quality digital solution and is both a DAC, HPA, and a high-quality digital preamp with DSP and PEQ. To do this, you can digitize vinyl in high quality.

 

[Laika2]

Thanks all, sounds like I need to study a bit but it sounds like you experts have the solution. I'm no purist, I have no issues converting the signal to analog to digital and back to analog as long as it transparent which I have heard many are. Will come back in a few weeks and let you good people know what I decide. (I ended up with a free new Senheiser 650 and that sort of got this ball rolling and the fact I listen late at night when I can but stay up late and don't want to wake the wife)

 

[Laika2]

Hi experts, Think I figured out what I am going to do but what to pick up a pair of over the ear headphones. Price, no object other than logic, $500-1,500.
Don't care what kind closed, open planers. Just no buds, have some great ones.

So all that have helped me or would like to what are your favorite cans. I like close to the standard headphone curve, equalization may be added in latter. My Senhesier 650 did not have enough bass for me, otherwise ok, midrange could be much better to my ears but that could be lack of external amp.

So, what is your favorite, please none that favor a certain type of music, I listen to punk, jazz, grunge and a ton of 60's (mowtown, Stevie Wonder, Ross and the supremes, Tom Waits. I just don't want a coleection of cans for different music, I don't want to get into cans that much and prefer speakers but want a great set of cans for when the wife is sleeping.

 

[Von Nassau]

Thanks for the Info. May not be an issue for me either then. I'm still in 2 minds, definitely want combo dac/ hpa, but think I'll wait for Topping dx5 ii and see what that's like. If not, I'll get an Element IV. Won't measure quite as well, but I know it will be 100% rock solid. I've had JDS Labs stuff since the cmos tin hpa and nothing I've had has ever failed. Just need to chill and take my time.

You are welcome. It's still awesome

 

[Von Nassau]

Hi experts, Think I figured out what I am going to do but what to pick up a pair of over the ear headphones. Price, no object other than logic, $500-1,500.
Don't care what kind closed, open planers. Just no buds, have some great ones.

So all that have helped me or would like to what are your favorite cans. I like close to the standard headphone curve, equalization may be added in latter. My Senhesier 650 did not have enough bass for me, otherwise ok, midrange could be much better to my ears but that could be lack of external amp.

So, what is your favorite, please none that favor a certain type of music, I listen to punk, jazz, grunge and a ton of 60's (mowtown, Stevie Wonder, Ross and the supremes, Tom Waits. I just don't want a coleection of cans for different music, I don't want to get into cans that much and prefer speakers but want a great set of cans for when the wife is sleeping.

Maybe not the correct forum, but my SONY MDR-Z7 have deep firm bass you can feel in the ears and its pretty easy to drive too. It also have a quite wide stage for a closed headphone and it's detailed too. You can probably find a used pair for 300$ Pity they dont make them anymore.
It sound great together with everything and connected balanced or unbalanced. My small Fiio btr7, my SONY CDP-X505ES, and my RAW-MDA1 drive these cans beautifully.

The original Streets of Philadelphia recording with Bruce Springsteen just sound soooo good with these cans especially the beginning of the track with the drums.