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.