SMSL RAW-MDA 1 DAC & Headphone Amp Review

[jareinertson]

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 buzz 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.

Congratulations!
I’ve had my RAW MDA-1 for several months with no issues, just works great. I only use Toslink and COAX inputs. It’s part of a home stereo system. I have not updated the firmware as my understanding is it only affects how the digital filter settings are displayed. Let us know how it’s working for you and if you update.

 

[corumuk]

Well thats interesting. I've just compared the filter list on my new unit against this post:
Post 750
and even though the unit reports firmware 1.00, the filter list matches that for firmware v1.01, i.e. starting with minimum phase, then linear apodizing.
So that's all good.

 

[ziggurcat]

Well thats interesting. I've just compared the filter list on my new unit against this post:
Post 750
and even though the unit reports firmware 1.00, the filter list matches that for firmware v1.01, i.e. starting with minimum phase, then linear apodizing.
So that's all good.

I briefly had the RAW MDA-1 right before the Topping DX5 II, and I seem to recall that even if I updated to FW v1.01, it still showed v1.00 in the menu. I mentioned it in a post here: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...1-dac-headphone-amp-review.56430/post-2302467

 

[iconoclast]

No sign on the front panel of any rogue signal thankfully.

The front panel will not show it. I verified with an oscilloscope that my unit has the issue (right channel only), so I will put mine in storage until I have a use for USB-only input so that I never mistakenly leave it on OPT-1/2 or COAX-1/2, and get another device for my intended use.

 

[corumuk]

Ah ok.

So I just tested with a multimeter, set to ACV 200 (the lowest setting).
Unplugged the usb cable and just left the RCA cable connected (to DAC only).
Set to optical input at 0db and powered off then on, then took a reading from the end of the RCA cable.
Left channel = 00.0
Right channel =01.0

 

[corumuk]

I figured out today where the source of interference was coming from. You may recall my chain is:
PC - SMSL (via usb) - Kali LP-UNF (via RCA)
With the Kali volume anywhere above 40% or so there was a coil whine type sound coming through the speakers, which got louder as the Kali volume was increased.
I reduced it by switching to a better quality RCA cable (an old Cambridge Audio Atlantic cable from about 30 years ago).
Anyway, I also have a Behringer UMC22 sat on top of the SMSL that is also connected to the Kali's via TRS.
Long story short, when I unplugged the Behringer from the PC today (the only way to power it off), the Kali's could be turned up to max volume with no audible interference.

 

[RexTheWolf]

Is this still a good amp/dac combo to get or is there other ones out there similar priced thats better?

 

[staticV3]

Is this still a good amp/dac combo to get or is there other ones out there similar priced thats better?

DX1 II costs $100 less, does not play meaningfully quieter, is USB-powered, and has internal PEQ.

 

[RexTheWolf]

DX1 II costs $100 less, does not play meaningfully quieter, is USB-powered, and has internal PEQ.

Hmm intresting. If i do want a power block to it. As i suppose if you jank hard enough the usb could get lose. What about the: SMSL C200PRO?

 

[staticV3]

Hmm intresting. If i do want a power block to it. As i suppose if you jank hard enough the usb could get lose. What about the: SMSL C200PRO?

C200 Pro does not play meaningfully louder than the DX1 II, unless you use a DCA Aeon variant.

It has Bluetooth and Coax input which the DX1 II lacks.

Compared to DX1 II it has no onboard EQ, a larger chassis, and will occupy a mains socket.

 

[tccalvin]

Is this still a good amp/dac combo to get or is there other ones out there similar priced thats better?

DL200 is cheaper and basically identical.

 

[Roland68]

Is this still a good amp/dac combo to get or is there other ones out there similar priced thats better?

The Topping DX5 II is likely the most interesting and powerful device in this price range.
However, I’m not sure if Topping managed to resolve all the issues; you would need to check the relevant forum thread for that.

An often overlooked option in this price range is the Topping L30 II, which outperforms all the listed devices (except the DX5 II) in terms of power and measurements. When paired with an affordable, high-performing Topping DAC (like the D50 III or E50 II) or one from SMSL (D1, PS200 Pro, etc.), the total cost remains under €250.

Alternatively, Sabaj’s top-tier models—the SABAJ A20d 2023 (featuring the AK4499EX) and the Sabaj A20d 2022 (with the ES9038PRO)—are available on various platforms for €200–250.
In terms of quality and build, I would definitely prefer both of these over the SMSL RAW-MDA1.

 

[jareinertson]

Is this still a good amp/dac combo to get or is there other ones out there similar priced thats better?

My RAW MDA1 has operated flawlessly as the DAC in our main system for a year. It is fed by a WiiM Mini and a Cambridge Audio CXC and passed audio via XLR to our preamp. It gets occasional HP use. We are completely satisfied with its performance.

 

[Jimster480]

Overall this is really competitive price segment so there are alot of options to choose from which are all quite good. It is hard to say what is "better" but the newer Topping stuff has PEQ now, which many people consider to be a great feature.

 

[Bleib]

Is this still a good amp/dac combo to get or is there other ones out there similar priced thats better?

DX5 II for power and nice display
DX1 II for most bang for the buck

 

[Corvuscorone]

Is this still a good amp/dac combo to get or is there other ones out there similar priced thats better?

An affordable and good option is the SMSL DL100. It has four CS43131 chips and 1.5 W power at 32 Ohm and 3 W at 16 Ohm. Inputs: USB-C, HDMI ARC (for TV), optical Toslink, coaxial (SPDIF) and Bluetooth 5.1 (with Hi-Res codecs such as LDAC and aptX HD). Headphone outputs (front): 6.35 mm unbalanced and 4.4 mm balanced plug connection. Line outputs (rear): Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA for active speakers or a separate amplifier.

 

[tccalvin]

An affordable and good option is the SMSL DL100. It has four CS43131 chips and 1.5 W power at 32 Ohm and 3 W at 16 Ohm. Inputs: USB-C, HDMI ARC (for TV), optical Toslink, coaxial (SPDIF) and Bluetooth 5.1 (with Hi-Res codecs such as LDAC and aptX HD). Headphone outputs (front): 6.35 mm unbalanced and 4.4 mm balanced plug connection. Line outputs (rear): Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA for active speakers or a separate amplifier.

I wouldn't go for it. At this price point, money spent on CS431XX chips is wasted imho. There are better options so choosing DACs that have documented defects over others makes no sense to me. Unless you're much more interested in the features of a particular device than you are in sound quality.

 

[Corvuscorone]

I wouldn't go for it. At this price point, money spent on CS431XX chips is wasted imho. There are better options so choosing DACs that have documented defects over others makes no sense to me. Unless you're much more interested in the features of a particular device than you are in sound quality.

I have both the SMSL RAW MDA-1 and the DL100 and I can't tell the difference between their sounds. Both are transparent. I appreciate the DL100 more for living room use because its screen is better visible from a distance, and of course the ability to connect to a TV via HDMI (arc).

 

[tccalvin]

I have both the SMSL RAW MDA-1 and the DL100 and I can't tell the difference between their sounds. Both are transparent. I appreciate the DL100 more for living room use because its screen is better visible from a distance, and of course the ability to connect to a TV via HDMI (arc).

I love the feature-set of the DL100 but I couldn't justify paying that much for a device that shares the same distortion profile as the FiiO KA11 (which costs a fraction of the money) when the "bigger" brother DL200 exists for around the same price and has a much more capable chip.

If the bar to clear is "audibly transparent most of the time" then just about any DAC will do, no need to spend ~200€.

I'm not going to pretend that the DL100 is terrible in any way, it's just that there are objectively much better options in that price range and choosing them over it is a no-brainer.

 

[Corvuscorone]

I love the feature-set of the DL100 but I couldn't justify paying that much for a device that shares the same distortion profile as the FiiO KA11 (which costs a fraction of the money) when the "bigger" brother DL200 exists for around the same price and has a much more capable chip.

If the bar to clear is "audibly transparent most of the time" then just about any DAC will do, no need to spend ~200€.

I'm not going to pretend that the DL100 is terrible in any way, it's just that there are objectively much better options in that price range and choosing them over it is a no-brainer.

Where has it been tested that the DL100 has the same distortion profile as the KA11? I think in Amir's tests the DL100 was almost as good as the RAW-MDA1. Not all CS 43131 devices have the Cirrus hump.