SMSL RAW-MDA 1 DAC & Headphone Amp Review

[HiFiHelp]

It seems like a simple fix on the firmware side for the manufacturers.

Configuration defines - sw_usb_audio: USB Audio reference designs v9.2.0

www.xmos.com

 

[ziggurcat]

Do you know if the XMOS XU-216 or XU-208 based DACs suffer from this issue? When I had a Topping DX3 Pro+ with XU-208, I did not have this issue.

I don't know, but I can test that our with the D10s since it's XMOS 216.

 

[HiFiHelp]

3. Search for KeepMacAudioAlive on this forum -- it is an ASR user-developed app that functions like the Qobuz workaround, but I think it chews up less resources. Keep that running in the background, and it will solve the popping issue.

I decided to add the feature to my personal DSP software which has parametric equalization and multi-channel down-mixing, so the issue isn't a big deal

 

[escalibur]

It seems like a simple fix on the firmware side for the manufacturers.

Configuration defines - sw_usb_audio: USB Audio reference designs v9.2.0

www.xmos.com

View attachment 533264

Hopefully a few of us could email them this to rise the issue. Contact details can be found here: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...adphone-amp-review.56430/page-44#post-2562949

 

[Corvuscorone]

This is on sale @Amazon.

On another note, sadly I had to return mine yesterday because it was exhibiting some very odd behavior. When using the #2 coaxial input for my Audiolab 6000CDT, when I touched or lightly tapped the top of the RAW-MDA1 the sound of the CD would cut out. I tried using the #1 coaxial input as well and one of the optical inputs and it didn't happen, and a different coaxial cable. It also happened when I hooked up my Sony UBP-X800M2 to the #2 coax input. I tried shaking the unit and there is nothing loose or rattling inside. Very strange.

View attachment 490480

I have exactly the same problem. Really strange.

 

[Wunderphones]

Regardless, the best case SNR is 123 dB with 3.6 uVrms of equivalent A-weighted noise at full output. It's not clear how much of this noise is contributed by the DAC chip vs other parts of the device.

The thing is, as the volume goes down on most DACs--which attenuate in the digital domain--SNR goes down with it. Whereas the D200's worst case stays a lot closer to that best case--which is, admittedly, not exactly SoTA. Because an analog volume control will be attenuating both signal AND noise as they come out of the DAC chip.

Look at the D&A DAC that Amir reviewed a while back: it uses the same analog volume chips as the D200, but pairs them with the ESS 9039 Pro instead of whatever ROHM chip is in the D200. It puts up really good numbers, and because of the analog volume, those numbers stay pretty good as you get lower in volume. (If that thing had a remote control, that would be for sure what I'd buy.)

 

[Roland68]

I returned the MDA1 since my Qudelix T71 does not have this issue. I will continue to look for lower noise options than the T71 which don't use the XU316 chip.

Do you know if the XMOS XU-216 or XU-208 based DACs suffer from this issue? When I had a Topping DX3 Pro+ with XU-208, I did not have this issue.

With the SMSL D1 Rohm, DO400, D200, and the Topping D70 Pro SABRE, I experience absolutely no interference, crackling, or switching noises—not even faint ones—while streaming (Spotify, Tidal, etc.) via my M2 Pro and my 2012 MacBook Pro.
All these DACs feature the XMOS XU316 chip and are connected via USB.
This remains true regardless of whether power amplifiers—such as the 3E Audio A5/A7 or Fosi Audio V3—or headphone amplifiers—such as the Singxer SA-1, Topping L70, L30 II, or A70 Pro—are connected via RCA or XLR.

 

[Apesbrain]

I had an SMSL RAW-MDA1 in my system for several weeks while my old tube DAC was being repaired. It never exhibited any issue and to my ears sounded very good. I'd gladly have kept it in service had my old DAC been unrepairable.

 

[orange_juice]

After my RAW-MDA1 broke just a few days after 1 year passed, I replaced it with Schiit Jotunheim 3: yes, it's more expensive but comes with 5y warranty (vs. 1y) and I cannot audibly tell any difference between them.

 

[RandomEar]

I don't doubt you're right, but nowhere on SMSL's site is this mentioned, nor in the manual. Plus you can download FW from SMSL too https://www.smsl-audio.com/portal/product/downlist/id/13.html

So how are you supposed to know this?

They don't explicitly mention this for any of their devices. You have to ask them or check which devices are only sold by one specific vendor like Shenzen Audio. For example, the AO300 Pro is exclusive to Aoshida Audio whereas I think the SA400 is exclusive to Shenzen Audio. In contrast to that, the A300 is available at both sellers, suggesting that it is an original SMSL product and not a "partnership" in which a seller determined the major performance criteria and SMSL designed and manufactured it.

Also, sometimes the products are nonetheless available at other sellers: I've got an SU-9n, which is technically a Shenzen Audio exclusive design, but I got it from HiFi Express. SMSL redirects any support requests for this product to Shenzen Audio, even if you did not buy it there. It's a mess.

 

[Roland68]

I don't doubt you're right, but nowhere on SMSL's site is this mentioned, nor in the manual. Plus you can download FW from SMSL too https://www.smsl-audio.com/portal/product/downlist/id/13.html

So how are you supposed to know this?

You can only identify which device is being referred to by looking for the "Purchase Link" for that specific device on the SMSL homepage.

 

[ziggurcat]

I decided to add the feature to my personal DSP software which has parametric equalization and multi-channel down-mixing, so the issue isn't a big deal

In that case, if you added something to allow for the data streaming to be always on, then it probably won't matter which XMOS chip is in the device.

 

[HiFiHelp]

The thing is, as the volume goes down on most DACs--which attenuate in the digital domain--SNR goes down with it. Whereas the D200's worst case stays a lot closer to that best case--which is, admittedly, not exactly SoTA. Because an analog volume control will be attenuating both signal AND noise as they come out of the DAC chip.

Look at the D&A DAC that Amir reviewed a while back: it uses the same analog volume chips as the D200, but pairs them with the ESS 9039 Pro instead of whatever ROHM chip is in the D200. It puts up really good numbers, and because of the analog volume, those numbers stay pretty good as you get lower in volume. (If that thing had a remote control, that would be for sure what I'd buy.)

These don't have enough output voltage to take advantage of the state of the art in noise Topping B100 or B200. For example, a Topping E30ii with 131 dB dynamic range at 11.3 Vrms of output, attenuated by an L70 preamplifier, can reach Topping B100 max power with much lower noise than a 4-5 Vrms DAC like the D200 into a higher gain setting.

 

[ziggurcat]

I decided to add the feature to my personal DSP software which has parametric equalization and multi-channel down-mixing, so the issue isn't a big deal

And may I ask what DSP software you're using?

(Sorry, I know this is a bit off-topic -- feel free to PM to keep it off of this thread topic)

 

[iconoclast]

Does anyone know if this also happens w/ the USB source? Or am I going to have to choose between chucking it directly in the trash, or buying an oscillator to test (good to have I guess, but haven't needed one yet), and then possibly throw it in the trash anyway?

I don't think bugging Shenzhenaudio will do anything for a device that's been out for, what, 2 years. If it hasn't happened yet, it won't.

 

[HiFiHelp]

Just got a Topping E50ii with an XMOS XU-316 chip and have no popping noises on MacOS. I spoke to Topping support before and they said they haven't heard any reports for this unit.

I am, however, hearing more residual noise from it than my Qudelix T71.

 

[staticV3]

I am, however, hearing more residual noise from it than my Qudelix T71.

Unsurprisingly, as the Topping has a super hot signal and no analog gain stages unlike the T71.

 

[ziggurcat]

Just got a Topping E50ii with an XMOS XU-316 chip and have no popping noises on MacOS.

Is this without using the DSP software with the data streaming always on modification?

Edit: I'm assuming the thumbs up means that's a yes?

 

[HiFiHelp]

Unsurprisingly, as the Topping has a super hot signal and no analog gain stages unlike the T71.

To be fair, this comparison was without my preamplifier attenuating the DAC signal. I am starting to think the highest value options for DACs nowadays are the sub 100 USD ES9039Q2M dongle DACs like the CVJ Hibiki, which advertises sub 1 uVrms noise over balanced.

 

[corumuk]

My unit arrived yesterday.
Initially concerned there was no shrink wrap or factory seal, but everything in the box looked new so.
First thing was to power it on without connecting any cables, select coax 2 input, power down, then back on. No sign on the front panel of any rogue signal thankfully.
Chain is PC to SMSL via USB to Kali LP-UNF via RCA. Initially I was getting a nasty coil whine type sound through both speakers if the Kali's own volume was at 50% or above. Switching out the cheapo RCA cable to a slightly thicker RCA cable and the buzz disappeared almost entirely, only slightly audible if the Kali's were at max volume.
Plugging my HD565 Ovations into the SMSL and I was immediately pleased with how clear, clean and detailed the sound was. Listening to JLH Burnin Hell there was a moment where you could clearly hear he got a bit of a frog in his throat and gently cleared it mid-song. So quite revealing.
Sound through the Kali's is good, for music, gaming and general computer use. It's also nice to have a physical (if cheap feeling) volume knob.
Haven't spent a lot of time listening yet but first impressions are pretty good.
Firmware is v1.0, have downloaded v1.1 but not sure whether to flash, probably will in the end.