SMSL RAW-MDA 1 DAC & Headphone Amp Review

[IgorD]

Of course, you can pair the SMSL RAW-MDA 1 with Topping L50. But what made you believe you do not like the internal headphone amp of the RAW-MDA 1?

I doubt you will hear any difference between the stack of the RAW-MDA 1 + L50 and the RAW-MDA 1 itself, unless you are testing the power limit of the RAW-MDA 1's HP amp.

My previous experience:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...adphone-amp-review.56430/page-29#post-2264522
Since then, I’ve tested the RAW-MDA 1 more thoroughly and realized something important: pleasantness and transparency are two different things. I initially preferred the "Tube 2" sound color:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...eadphone-amp-review.56430/page-5#post-2061564
But then something clicked in my brain — I started to value transparency more than the audibly pleasing harmonic distortion or filters. I ended up disabling the sound color settings on the RAW-MDA 1.

Currently, I'm using the RAW-MDA 1 with everything: XLR-connected studio monitors and my Sennheiser HD800/HD600 headphones.

I'm still buying the Topping stack (L50 + E50) — just waiting for it to arrive. That will probably be my final audio purchase. I’m hoping to hear at least a small improvement in the L50 headphone amp (rated 95 dB @ 50 mV) compared to the RAW-MDA 1’s headphone output (90 dB @ 50 mV). If not, that’s fine too.

I’m really glad that companies like SMSL, Topping, JDS Labs, and Schiit offer solid devices in the $100–$300 range. I won’t be going back to expensive gear like the Benchmark DAC1 ($1000+), which I bought over a decade ago.

 

[ziggurcat]

I’m hoping to hear at least a small improvement in the L50 headphone amp (rated 95 dB @ 50 mV) compared to the RAW-MDA 1’s headphone output (90 dB @ 50 mV). If not, that’s fine too.

I can say, having a L50 in my system now, and having just tried out the RAW MDA-1, I experienced no audible differences when listening with my headphones. Unfortunately, the pops/ticks were too big of a hurdle to overcome for me (more dealing with the workarounds that seemed grossly unnecessary when my Topping DAC/HPA stack doesn't exhibit that behaviour), so I am in the process of returning the RAW MDA-1.

Also, I discovered that my version of Windows 11 under VMWare Fusion is a 64-bit ARM system, and none of the drivers will launch (I get a "current system is not supported" error), so I can't even install the latest driver to set the device's streaming option to be always on in the XMOS/SMSL audio control panel. That problem isn't limited to SMSL, the same thing happens with the Topping drivers, too. I have e-mailed both Topping and SMSL about making ARM-compatible drivers available. Topping has responded saying they will pass that along to the team that deals with the drivers. No response from SMSL yet.

 

[Apesbrain]

While my vintage California Audio Labs DAC is in the shop (first time in my 25-year ownership), I bought one of these to tide me over. All settings to default except "Sound Color" set to "Tube 1". I have to admit, it sounds very good to my old ears.

 

[Nezil]

The headphone amplifier of my RAW-MDA 1 failed at some point since I last used it.

I've ordered a replacement, but I think at this point I'd rather take the Topping DX5 II... if only it were available!

 

[ziggurcat]

... I think at this point I'd rather take the Topping DX5 II... if only it were available!

June, apparently.

 

[dimxbox]

"There are two modes to choose from: USB 1.1 and USB 2.0;"
Does this DAC work with the PlayStation 5?

I think that in USB 1.1 mode it can be detected as an external DAC in PS5. That's important to me.
My SMSL M300SE - does not support USB 1.0 and PlayStation5 does not detect it. I use Fiio K3 in USB 1.0 mode for PS5.

 

[ziggurcat]

"There are two modes to choose from: USB 1.1 and USB 2.0;"
Does this DAC work with the PlayStation 5?

It's supposed to, but they do say you have to install the new driver to enable UAC 2.0.

 

[Nezil]

It's supposed to, but they do say you have to install the new driver to enable UAC 2.0.

No driver is needed on a Mac, but I believe it is on Windows.

 

[Brian Hall]

No driver is needed on a Mac, but I believe it is on Windows.

No driver needed on Linux.

 

[ziggurcat]

No driver is needed on a Mac, but I believe it is on Windows.

That is correct, yes.

 

[RalphB]

I have a meter, tell me where to put it.
Do you have a good enough eye to judge the construction of the device based on the pictures of the integrated circuit board that someone showed in this thread?

Old school full wave bridge power supply

 

[RalphB]

I had a usb dropout when I pulled out my headphone connector. Reestablished connection on my Mac. Since I use this as a dedicated headphone DAC/amp and keep them connected it’s not a problem. I’ve only seen this twice so I can live with it since I love this dac. If I had to guess, this seems to be a grounding isolation problem.

Has anyone else seen this with PRC made stuff? They seem to make great stuff but they cut corners in their power supply.

 

[Nezil]

I've not seen that @RalphB, but I did have to return my unit because the headphone output failed. Fortunately it was within the return window and I just got another one. Fingers crossed that it's OK.

I'm also kinda waiting for the Topping which is supposed to launch at some point in June.

 

[RalphB]

I've not seen that @RalphB, but I did have to return my unit because the headphone output failed. Fortunately it was within the return window and I just got another one. Fingers crossed that it's OK.

I'm also kinda waiting for the Topping which is supposed to launch at some point in June.

I was looking at Topping also. Lets see how the SMSL does.

 

[Antz123]

Hello,

I have a silly question. I have my SMSL plugged into a power outlet, and it's connected to my PC. When I switch off my PC, I turn off my mains, so that my speakers and SMSL also switch off.

Should one use the SMSL's On-off switch, or switching off the main power outlet is fine? I was wondering if my approach might cause any damage.

 

[RalphB]

What's the difference?

 

[Panelhead]

I always turn amplifiers on last and off first. Then sources. Reduces switching transients. If speakers are active, on last, off first.

 

[RalphB]

I always turn amplifiers on last and off first. Then sources. Reduces switching transients. If speakers are active, on last, off first.

If you have large mains transients...you have other issues.

 

[Brian Hall]

I always turn amplifiers on last and off first. Then sources. Reduces switching transients. If speakers are active, on last, off first.

I do the same thing out of habit. I know it shouldn't make a difference with well designed gear, but...

 

[RalphB]

I do the same thing out of habit. I know it shouldn't make a difference with well designed gear, but...

I call it good practice.