SMSL RAW-MDA 1 DAC & Headphone Amp Review

[Panelhead]

This issue is what Benchmark Media refers to as inter-sample peaks. I think their latest two dacs can handle signals input at 0dB. That is unattenuated. Most music does not contain 0dB levels for this reason.
The Benchmark dacs can process +3dB signal input without clipping. In fact 3.5dB. The recording industry has dealt with digital clipping at 0dB for over 40 years now.
This clipping at 0dB level is not unique to the MDA1.
I am sure other digital processors are designed to deal with the inter-sample peaks besides just Benchmark processors. I deal with it by attenuating the input 3 - 4dB.

 

[Panelhead]

Questions on filters. Checked the filters and mine shows Linear Fast as the third filter. So must have shipped with FW V1.01. Tried position four, Linear Fast Low Ripple.
The Linear Fast and Linear Fast Low Ripple sound very close. But want to think the Linear Low Ripple is more pleasant sounding.
Doubt if I can pick them blind. Plus tire quickly of playing tracks repeatedly trying to hear a difference..
Have only used the Linear Fast up till now. Going to switch around to see if anything stands out.

 

[delta76]

thinking about "upgrading" my C200 to this. I know I won't hear any difference but it's nicer to look at. Go or no go?

 

[Bleib]

thinking about "upgrading" my C200 to this. I know I won't hear any difference but it's nicer to look at. Go or no go?

Well, I wouldn't change if the C200 currently works without problems. The real plus side is more inputs with the RAW. DX5 II also offers good looks and a smaller footprint than RAW, so that would be my current recommendations. It's on sale now on Shenzenaudio

 

[delta76]

Well, I wouldn't change if the C200 currently works without problems. The real plus side is more inputs with the RAW. DX5 II also offers good looks and a smaller footprint than RAW, so that would be my current recommendations. It's on sale now on Shenzenaudio

but it's showing 299$ for me ...
only if ASR has a comparison tool to compare side by side

 

[Power Pop 23]

but it's showing 299$ for me ...
only if ASR has a comparison tool to compare side by side

Go for the 'RAW' if the aesthetic is worth it to you.

I agree with the comment on the DX5 II - but more for the ability to apply Parametric EQ compared to the 'RAW'. I am not current on the status of updates to Topping Tune software or firmware updates as they relate to the usability of Parametric EQ on the DX5 II.

As a 'workaround' to the lack of a side-by-side comparison tool on ASR, I sometimes open two or more tabs to switch between reviews of similar products.

 

[aagstn]

I like the RAW and it is my daily DAC, but it does sometimes have a light pop when changing to hires files on the USB input. It is a flaw in the design and maybe a reason to avoid this DAC if it might bother you. It isn't loud or frequent enough to damage speakers. It is more of an annoyance. My SMSL D1 does the same thing and SMSL never addresses it. I use it mostly with a Pi running Moode and switching from a 44.1kHz file to one that is DSD, 96kHz or 192kHz can trigger the pop. Maybe a reason to stick with the C200 if it doesn't have that issue.

 

[pl4w]

thinking about "upgrading" my C200 to this. I know I won't hear any difference but it's nicer to look at. Go or no go?

Replaced my C200 with the RAW-MDA1, absolutely no difference except that the switch from RCA output (towards my preamp then amp then speakers) and headphone output for headphone listening now takes me only 1 click on the remote, which is nicer than the few clicks required for the same thing on the C200.

And it looks way nicer.

If you're short on money, definitely not worth it, if not, then treat yourself.

 

[Grovkalle]

Replaced my C200 with the RAW-MDA1, absolutely no difference except that the switch from RCA output (towards my preamp then amp then speakers) and headphone output for headphone listening now takes me only 1 click on the remote, which is nicer than the few clicks required for the same thing on the C200.

And it looks way nicer.

If you're short on money, definitely not worth it, if not, then treat yourself.

I have the SMSL Raw Dac1 with AK4499 chip and it sounds better than my previous dac the SMSL D6s. I pair it with a Wiim Ultra and a SMSL PO100 Pro.
The PO100 is just cause I wanted to test the i2s connection on the Raw and to my ears it sounds a bit better then just goin USB from Ultra to the Raw.
I am not saying night and day diff but a small diff that is audible... at least to my old ears

 

[staticV3]

a small diff that is audible...

*visible

Cognitive bias then does the rest.

I know it's difficult to accept, but doing a controlled listening test just once is both eye-opening and wallet-saving.

 

[Grovkalle]

*visible

Cognitive bias then does the rest.

Yes bias is always hard to disregard when the difference is small

 

[Roland68]

I have the SMSL Raw Dac1 with AK4499 chip and it sounds better than my previous dac the SMSL D6s. I pair it with a Wiim Ultra and a SMSL PO100 Pro.
The PO100 is just cause I wanted to test the i2s connection on the Raw and to my ears it sounds a bit better then just goin USB from Ultra to the Raw.
I am not saying night and day diff but a small diff that is audible... at least to my old ears

Without a blind test, your eyes deceive you much more than your ears.
We conducted over a hundred blind tests with people who were absolutely disillusioned when they couldn't hear the difference they claimed to have before.

The PO100 Pro definitely degrades your digital audio signal compared to the direct USB or SPDIF input of your RAW DAC1 and adds jitter.
The PO100 Pro is a good device for its size and price, but it doesn't match the effort that went into the USB input of the RAW DAC1.
Furthermore, the I2S input bypasses the excellent CK-03 clock processing circuit, which is responsible for the extreme jitter reduction and a clean digital signal.

 

[Panelhead]

It is all about features. If having two coax and optical inputs is of value the MDA1 is spot on. If a clock input is desired the D200. The trigger circuit really is what makes my E70 Velvet shine.
If you only want a good sounding dac there are lots.

 

[Jimster480]

Honestly, the way I look at upgrading hardware like a DAC is that I specifically will only upgrade if I'm getting more features that I can use. For example, if you want something with a remote, more inputs, more outputs, the ability to do preamp, that's when I upgrade.

 

[ziggurcat]

thinking about "upgrading" my C200 to this. I know I won't hear any difference but it's nicer to look at. Go or no go?

I would say that if you're a Mac user, don't do the RAW because there's no access to any audio control panel like there is on PC. Because of that, there's a popping noise any time audio content is paused/stopped (this includes system notification sounds). It is "fixed" by literally running Qobuz in the background, but it's ridiculous when you can literally just change a setting in the device's audio control panel on PC to stop that from happening.

I tried a RAW when I was impatiently waiting for the DX5 II to release, and while it did sound phenomenal, that popping noise was a deal breaker for me, so it went back. Also, when I contacted SMSL about it, I was met with crickets.

 

[delta76]

So the common sentiment is "Buy DX5 II" instead

 

[Totemis]

I own a smsl Raw MDA since 10 month. I am a Mac user. At my office, most of time, i play music with spotify with usb input. I output sound to a fosi BTA 20 pro and Bc acoustic Tamise speakers (bookshelves) for listening or a sony Headphone. For me Raw MDA is really OK !. I don't experiment "popping noise "...

 

[Grovkalle]

Without a blind test, your eyes deceive you much more than your ears.
We conducted over a hundred blind tests with people who were absolutely disillusioned when they couldn't hear the difference they claimed to have before.

The PO100 Pro definitely degrades your digital audio signal compared to the direct USB or SPDIF input of your RAW DAC1 and adds jitter.
The PO100 Pro is a good device for its size and price, but it doesn't match the effort that went into the USB input of the RAW DAC1.
Furthermore, the I2S input bypasses the excellent CK-03 clock processing circuit, which is responsible for the extreme jitter reduction and a clean digital signal.

Interesting... I do have two Wiim Ultra, if I get the time I will setup a blind test and run one using USB directly into the Raw and the other using PO100 Pro

 

[Shiva]

Got this Dac in the mail yesterday... Just to clarify, the 4.4mm headphone port is not balanced. I plan to get a 3.5mm to 4.4mm adapter to make use of it....

 

[Roland68]

Got this Dac in the mail yesterday... Just to clarify, the 4.4mm headphone port is not balanced. I plan to get a 3.5mm to 4.4mm adapter to make use of it....

Yes, it only has an SE amplifier installed.
Be careful that the adapter doesn't accidentally end up in a real balanced amplifier.
Alternatively, you could use a 6.3mm adapter, which should be much cheaper.