SMSL RAW-MDA 1 DAC vs Topping DX3 Pro +

[roddo]

Hi everyone.

Looking for a DAC (I dont use headphones) with two coaxial inputs, and based on reviews, have narrowed things down to the SMSL RAW-MDA 1 DAC and Topping DX3 Pro +. Both review well in this forum, and I can get either for about the same price.

I'm connecting a streamer (coax), and a CD transport (coax) through to a vintage receiver (Marantz 2325) via RCA.

I have a layperson's understanding of DAC chips and throughput stages, but the technical aspects are over my head. Are there any obvious advantages of one over the other?

SMSL RAW-MDA 1

Topping DX3 pro +

Thanks

 

[fritobugger]

Hi everyone.

Looking for a DAC (I dont use headphones) with two coaxial inputs, and based on reviews, have narrowed things down to the SMSL RAW-MDA 1 DAC and Topping DX3 Pro +. Both review well in this forum, and I can get either for about the same price.

I'm connecting a streamer (coax), and a CD transport (coax) through to a vintage receiver (Marantz 2325) via RCA.

I have a layperson's understanding of DAC chips and throughput stages, but the technical aspects are over my head. Are there any obvious advantages of one over the other?

SMSL RAW-MDA 1

Topping DX3 pro +

Thanks

As a DAC/pre-amp for a speaker system they are probably audibly identical.

That said, I would choose the SMSL for the following convenience features:

1. internal power supply, so no wall wart, and no proprietary pull on the unit, just a standard 3 prong power cable.
2. both balance XLR and unbalanced RCA outputs which offers some nice flexibility.

The SMSL is 3 years newer in design, uses two ESS9039Q2M chips instead of one ESS9038Q2M chip, and uses a newer XMOS also.

I like Topping but between the two of these units, I would choose the SMSL.

 

[roddo]

As a DAC/pre-amp for a speaker system they are probably audibly identical.

That said, I would choose the SMSL for the following convenience features:

1. internal power supply, so no wall wart, and no proprietary pull on the unit, just a standard 3 prong power cable.
2. both balance XLR and unbalanced RCA outputs which offers some nice flexibility.

The SMSL is 3 years newer in design, uses two ESS9039Q2M chips instead of one ESS9038Q2M chip, and uses a newer XMOS also.

I like Topping but between the two of these units, I would choose the SMSL.

thanks for the reply.

I ended up ordering the SMSL RAW-MDA 1 DAC for just over $200 new on ebay, and they actually mistakenly (or misidentified) sent me the SMSL RAW Pro DAC 1, worth about $600, which I happily accepted.

 

[fritobugger]

thanks for the reply.

I ended up ordering the SMSL RAW-MDA 1 DAC for just over $200 new on ebay, and they actually mistakenly (or misidentified) sent me the SMSL RAW Pro DAC 1, worth about $600, which I happily accepted.

Wow! That is amazing mistake in your favor! That unit is really top end gear.

SMSL RAW Pro-DAC1 Balanced DAC Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the SMSL RAW Pro-DAC1 balanced stereo audio DAC. It was sent to me by shezehenaudio and costs US $699. I must say, this is one of the most modern and attractive looking SMSL DACs. The UI is simple to navigate without the included remote and seems...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[jareinertson]

Hi everyone.

Looking for a DAC (I dont use headphones) with two coaxial inputs, and based on reviews, have narrowed things down to the SMSL RAW-MDA 1 DAC and Topping DX3 Pro +. Both review well in this forum, and I can get either for about the same price.

I'm connecting a streamer (coax), and a CD transport (coax) through to a vintage receiver (Marantz 2325) via RCA.

I have a layperson's understanding of DAC chips and throughput stages, but the technical aspects are over my head. Are there any obvious advantages of one over the other?

SMSL RAW-MDA 1

Topping DX3 pro +

Thanks

I have owned a RAW-MDA1 for approx. 6 months and am happy to report what I consider to be good sonics and flawless operation. It is used with a Cambridge Audio CXV transport via COAX and a WiiM Mini via Toslink for Apple Music and Tidal streaming. Based on ASR reviews it appears the ESS9039 series has a slight performance edge over the 9038 series. Whether it’s audible… I can’t say but it feels good to have technically well executed device. Highly recommended!

 

[jareinertson]

thanks for the reply.

I ended up ordering the SMSL RAW-MDA 1 DAC for just over $200 new on ebay, and they actually mistakenly (or misidentified) sent me the SMSL RAW Pro DAC 1, worth about $600, which I happily accepted.

Lucky you! Enjoy!

 

[roddo]

Lucky you! Enjoy!

Thanks, I'm still expirementing with the settings: I'm finding it pretty bright and a little fatiguing with some recordings, but the sound stage is very nice and wide, with a lot of definition. I can tweak color and filter settings so lots of scope.

Currently trying to pair it with a CD transport and tossing up between a smsl pl200t, pl150 or a shanglibg transport/ripper. (Can't remember the model)

 

[jareinertson]

Thanks, I'm still expirementing with the settings: I'm finding it pretty bright and a little fatiguing with some recordings, but the sound stage is very nice and wide, with a lot of definition. I can tweak color and filter settings so lots of scope.

Currently trying to pair it with a CD transport and tossing up between a smsl pl200t, pl150 or a shanglibg transport/ripper. (Can't remember the model)

I enjoyed experimenting with the “sound color” settings but have settled on “standard”. I could not say that I found any of the color options preferred to the standard setting. I will also say that any music I find sounds a bit harsh I can attribute to the mastering, etc of the source material. I’m afraid that with the advancements in digital source music reproduction, the poor quality of the source material is exposed. Sadly this includes much of the 80’s material I listen to. Happily I can say the well recorded material I have available to me sounds excellent.

 

[RandomEar]

The "sound color" stuff is just added distortion starting below -60 dB. I honestly don't think anybody would be able to differentiate them in a blind test.

Also, just to state the obvious: Competent DACs don't have a sound signature. "Sound stage" is a property of the recording with some interactions of your speakers and room.

 

[jareinertson]

The "sound color" stuff is just added distortion starting below -60 dB.

That’s true… it was fun to sample but in the end no color was the best choice.

 

[roddo]

You guys are right I think.
I was listening to some old metal CD:s; Dio, and even back in the 80's on chrome tape, it sounded shoutey.

I think the DAC is just revealing levels prev hidden and my ear needs to ajust.

I WAS wondering if an AKM DAC would be more suited to my ear then sabre, which this DAC uses.

If I play Wish You Were Here, or Love Over Gold, those albums sound amazing though.

Color aside, what about a PCM filter?
I'm currently using minimum slow rolloff,.but I'm pretty confused about them, even after watching a couple of YouTube's. Athrodizing addresses bad recordings, I think I read somewhere.....

 

[RandomEar]

You guys are right I think.
I was listening to some old metal CD:s; Dio, and even back in the 80's on chrome tape, it sounded shoutey.

I think the DAC is just revealing levels prev hidden and my ear needs to ajust.

I WAS wondering if an AKM DAC would be more suited to my ear then sabre, which this DAC uses.

There's no audible difference between the chips, so I guess they are either both not suitable or both suitable

If I play Wish You Were Here, or Love Over Gold, those albums sound amazing though.

Color aside, what about a PCM filter?
I'm currently using minimum slow rolloff,.but I'm pretty confused about them, even after watching a couple of YouTube's. Athrodizing addresses bad recordings, I think I read somewhere.....

Depends on what you want. If you feed the DAC with CD quality material directly (without upsampling in your source device), slow filters will have a treble roll of which should just be audible. They are technically less precise, though. For the most faithful reconstruction, use a linear phase fast roll-off filter.

 

[jareinertson]

As a DAC/pre-amp for a speaker system they are probably audibly identical.

That said, I would choose the SMSL for the following convenience features:

1. internal power supply, so no wall wart, and no proprietary pull on the unit, just a standard 3 prong power cable.
2. both balance XLR and unbalanced RCA outputs which offers some nice flexibility.

The SMSL is 3 years newer in design, uses two ESS9039Q2M chips instead of one ESS9038Q2M chip, and uses a newer XMOS also.

I like Topping but between the two of these units, I would choose the SMSL.

This SMSl RAW-MDA1 owner agrees! Excellent ASR test results and real world music performance. A winner!