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SMSL RAW-MDA 1 DAC & Headphone Amp Review

Rate this DAC & HP Amp

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 2 0.7%
  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 5 1.7%
  • 3. Fine (happy panther)

    Votes: 29 10.0%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 254 87.6%

  • Total voters
    290
In this context a way to turn on the power amp connected to the preamp/DAC by using the latter.
Thank you.
I had gone a completely different way, since the poster had a peace symbol as his avatar. Full Metal Jacket has scarred me for life. :facepalm: :)
 
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Thanks, Amir, for all your excellent detailed reviews which allow assessment and purchase decisions based on objective measurements as relevant instead of golden-eared hand waving.

With your review of this SMSL RAW-MDA 1 DAC / Headphone Amplifier, have you done a linearity measurement plot? Unless I've somehow missed it, I'd like to verify this unit is outstanding in this parameter as well.

Also, does the fact that this model processes MQA pose some concern? I remember some earlier reviews where there was some worry that the implementation of processing for MQA could compromise the method of D/A conversion for other regular digital formats. I suppose the outstanding measurements speak for themselves, but it would be reassuring to know there is no potentially adverse impact due to coverage of the failed MQA format.
 
With your review of this SMSL RAW-MDA 1 DAC / Headphone Amplifier, have you done a linearity measurement plot?
Yes, it is perfect. Forgot to put it in the review. Will add in when I get a chance.
 
It's clear for a while that they got their technical side fully covered, certainly on dacs. But with the devices of them that i had in my hand on mind, i don't like the build quality. That is what they need to focus more on. Those cheap small metal boxes they use are weak, their displays and knobs fragile and the connectors are good, but not firmly connected as the backplate is not strong enough. So the construction will beark down fast. Topping and most modern asian manufacturors like that have the same issue btw.

Make stronger cases, maybe a bit larger (to be more stable with cabling connected), and better (passive) cooled, remove the outboard psu (move it in like here, thank you smsl) and use better displays and knobs, and i and many would be very happy. And add decent local support like mainstream brands do and you will beat them with ease...

But technically and on sound, nothing to comment. It's almost textbook perfect just like most they do.
 
It's clear for a while that they got their technical side fully covered, certainly on dacs. But with the devices of them that i had in my hand on mind, i don't like the build quality. That is what they need to focus more on. Those cheap small metal boxes they use are weak, their displays and knobs fragile and the connectors are good, but not firmly connected as the backplate is not strong enough. So the construction will beark down fast. Topping and most modern asian manufacturors like that have the same issue btw.

Make stronger cases, maybe a bit larger (to be more stable with cabling connected), and better (passive) cooled, remove the outboard psu (move it in like here, thank you smsl) and use better displays and knobs, and i and many would be very happy. And add decent local support like mainstream brands do and you will beat them with ease...

But technically and on sound, nothing to comment. It's almost textbook perfect just like most they do.

Weak cases?

In my opinion SMSL and Topping etc. dacs and dac/amps have very robust enclosures..
 
Does this device have the ability to change the sound color? I know that there are SMSL DACs that can have a "rich" or "tube" like sound color.
I personally prefer just neutral devices that add nothing to the signal, but I am curious whether this device can also have a "tube" like sound. if so, are tube like distortions digitally added or is the frequency response changed?
 
Does this device have the ability to change the sound color? I know that there are SMSL DACs that can have a "rich" or "tube" like sound color.
I personally prefer just neutral devices that add nothing to the signal, but I am curious whether this device can also have a "tube" like sound. if so, are tube like distortions digitally added or is the frequency response changed?
Hey, welcome to ASR.

Yes, this has the "sound color" function.

They add differing levels and combinations of harmonic distortion, e.g;

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JSmith
 
Does this device have the ability to change the sound color? I know that there are SMSL DACs that can have a "rich" or "tube" like sound color.
I personally prefer just neutral devices that add nothing to the signal, but I am curious whether this device can also have a "tube" like sound. if so, are tube like distortions digitally added or is the frequency response changed?
It's up to taste but what's the point of getting a 124dB SINAD device to downgrade it to 40dB or 50dB SINAD?
You can get away with a $30 DAC if you find a broken enough one.

(on the other hand reports tell that no one can tell the difference! )
 
The extra toslink and coax made this just what I was looking for so I ordered one. Having LDAC bluetooth for the occasional streaming from my phone was some nice icing on the cake. Can't believe this was only $250 on sale.
 
It's up to taste but what's the point of getting a 124dB SINAD device to downgrade it to 40dB or 50dB SINAD?
You can get away with a $30 DAC if you find a broken enough one.

(on the other hand reports tell that no one can tell the difference! )
I'm interested to find out. If any of the options audibly affect the sound, it only adds more options. So, additional value.
 
It's up to taste but what's the point of getting a 124dB SINAD device to downgrade it to 40dB or 50dB SINAD?
You can get away with a $30 DAC if you find a broken enough one.

(on the other hand reports tell that no one can tell the difference! )
I think the answer is that not all distortion is created equal. Some of it gives the listener a warm fuzzy feeling, and some of it doesn’t.

Personally, I have no use for warm-sounding gear. But some people like it. And if you like it, e.g., when you listen to old blues or jazz, but not anything else, it could make a lot of sense to have a DAC that’s capable of 124 SINAD but intentionally reinserts the even order harmonics instead of just buying a $30 DAC with lots of indiscriminate distortion.
 
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