SMSL RAW-MHA1 power amp with new Infineon chip

[bozodidthedub]

With the glut of budget but solid 3255 class D amps, something different caught my attention:

SMSL RAW-MHA1 Available

For years, SMSL has quietly built a reputation that speaks louder than any marketing slogan. From the meticulously transparent SU-2 DAC to the incredibly versatile RAW-HA1 headphone amplifier, the brand has become synonymous with one thing: delivering reference-grade audio performance at prices...

shenzhenaudio.com

Does anyone know anything about this amp or about the "the latest generation of high-power amplifier chips from Infineon, Germany" that it uses? There is some marketing copy but it is light on details or comparison to their other amps in that price range. I've been wondering for a while what comes next after 3255, so I'm eager to learn more.

 

[Bruce Morgen]

With the glut of budget but solid 3255 class D amps, something different caught my attention:

SMSL RAW-MHA1 Available

For years, SMSL has quietly built a reputation that speaks louder than any marketing slogan. From the meticulously transparent SU-2 DAC to the incredibly versatile RAW-HA1 headphone amplifier, the brand has become synonymous with one thing: delivering reference-grade audio performance at prices...

shenzhenaudio.com

Does anyone know anything about this amp or about the "the latest generation of high-power amplifier chips from Infineon, Germany" that it uses? There is some marketing copy but it is light on details or comparison to their other amps in that price range. I've been wondering for a while what comes next after 3255, so I'm eager to learn more.

Price, specs, and some APx555B measurements here: SMSL RAW-MHA1 Power Amplifier

 

[whazzup]

Hmm... No details on LPF and doesn't seem to be configurable, and no HPF.

 

[jaakkopetteri]

Such a pretty design, and quite compact too considering the integrated PSU. I expect load dependence will "ruin" it like with comparable Infineon implementations. Some consider the MA5332 more "musical" or "dynamic" than TPA3255s but that's of course questionable

 

[UA8890]

Such a pretty design, and quite compact too considering the integrated PSU. I expect load dependence will "ruin" it like with comparable Infineon implementations. Some consider the MA5332 more "musical" or "dynamic" than TPA3255s but that's of course questionable

How does the 5335's "musicality" translate into better performance? According to the specifications, it's worse than the TPA3255. How is this so-called "musicality" measured?

 

[jaakkopetteri]

How does the 5335's "musicality" translate into better performance? According to the specifications, it's worse than the TPA3255. How is this so-called "musicality" measured?

Take it easy, I called it questionable already. But surely there are some properties that we don't really know how to measure, or give enough attention to

 

[GGroch]

So, SMSL, is being coy describing the Infineon chip as "Newest". Gemini, at least, thinks it IS using the MA5332MS not something newer. The specs do match the MA5332MS.

The MA5332MS is in the Saba A20a 2022 (the silver one with handles, $125 on Amazon), and also the similar to RAW-MAH1 looking SMSL PA40. I own both, (I have 3 amps, 2 of them just happen to be the Infineon), they sound fine/great/no issues. I hear no added or lessened musicality compared to the TPA325X family.

I am suspicious that I have see almost no measurements of these amps. That is, I'm sure they measure well but perhaps not as well as tweaked out TPA325X do for ASR pixel peepers.

 

[Bleib]

I have Infineon chip inside my Topping mx3s, I'm still quite stunned how cool it runs

 

[Keith Flanker]

Infineon MA5332 - load dependence is the usual suspect, so wait for real measurements before trusting the marketing. At sane levels class D is class D; the real question is whether it stays flat into 4 Ω. Nice design though.

 

[Bleib]

A couple of measurements here but nothing for frequency response

SMSL RAW-MHA1 Professional Digital Power Amplifier | Infineon Chip

SMSL RAW-MHA1: Professional digital high-power amplifier with Infineon Germany chip, dual input modes, BTL bridge mode, 2.1 subwoofer output, and gold-plated terminals. 90%+ energy efficiency, compact all-aluminum design.

thehificat.com

 

[Mike123]

A standard graph, like any cheap Class D chip:

What revelations do you expect from it? The Merus line included an excellent amplifier, the MA 12070. Infineon has discontinued it. Of course, it doesn't have 200 watts of power. But in PMP2 mode, the MA 12070 could do what only Class D amplifiers in other price categories can:

But this one will be just like dozens of others. Clone Wars.