SMSL RAW Pro-DAC1 Balanced DAC Review

[mc.god]

I have the same Tone board as well, and while I’m happy with the sound quality, I’ve had this consistent issue. Whenever I power on my active speakers *before* turning on the computer (which the KTB1 is connected to), I hear a loud and unsettling “pop” noise. Do you have the same issue?

To avoid the pop, I have to make sure all amps and speakers are turned off before powering on the KTB1.

Yes , it does.
Tone board have its little quirks, especially it occasionally stops being seen by my pc even though it's connected and led is on (i suppose it being sensitive to usb power fluctuations), and when it does I have to turn off and on the hub where it is connected, When doing so, you can hear that pop, both turning off and on, if you don't mute your speakers\headphones.

 

[Finale]

Yes , it does.
Tone board have its little quirks, especially it occasionally stops being seen by my pc even though it's connected and led is on (i suppose it being sensitive to usb power fluctuations), and when it does I have to turn off and on the hub where it is connected, When doing so, you can hear that pop, both turning off and on, if you don't mute your speakers\headphones.

What a shame, as it’s otherwise a great little DAC. I’ve avoided using it with my more expensive speakers and amps because of this issue. I can live with the occasional disconnecting from PC.

 

[Roland68]

I have the same Tone board as well, and while I’m happy with the sound quality, I’ve had this consistent issue. Whenever I power on my active speakers *before* turning on the computer (which the KTB1 is connected to), I hear a loud and unsettling “pop” noise. Do you have the same issue?

To avoid the pop, I have to make sure all amps and speakers are turned off before powering on the KTB1.

Depending on the overall system configuration (the popping/turn-on noise doesn't occur in all configurations), this is completely normal for inexpensive components without appropriate circuitry to suppress popping/turn-on noise. The low price has to come from somewhere, and that translates into corresponding savings.
There are options for slowly ramping up the power supply or the outputs, or for using relays to enable the outputs only after power-on.

 

[Finale]

Depending on the overall system configuration (the popping/turn-on noise doesn't occur in all configurations), this is completely normal for inexpensive components without appropriate circuitry to suppress popping/turn-on noise. The low price has to come from somewhere, and that translates into corresponding savings.
There are options for slowly ramping up the power supply or the outputs, or for using relays to enable the outputs only after power-on.

That makes sense, though I've had other el cheapo (< $50) mini DACs in the past that did not seem to have this issue. no idea how they did it.

 

[Roland68]

That makes sense, though I've had other el cheapo (< $50) mini DACs in the past that did not seem to have this issue. no idea how they did it.

As I said, it can happen, but it doesn't have to. It always depends on the overall configuration.

 

[Crash Alpha]

Does anyone know how the non pro version compares?

 

[staticV3]

Does anyone know how the non pro version compares?

Different inputs, different DAC chips, but since either chip is fully transparent, identical sound.

Hence, simply choose based on which set of inputs suits you best.

 

[Roland68]

Does anyone know how the non pro version compares?

Why don’t you compare yourself?
SMSL RAW-MDA 1 DAC & Headphone Amp Review
SMSL RAW Pro-DAC1 Balanced DAC Review

 

[IAmAgainst]

Hi there, does anyone know if it starts in standby mode? I'm almost decided on buying this dac but the fact that it starts in a functioning state is key because I want my setup to turn on and off automatically.

 

[ArthurStein13]

Hello,

I am looking to pair a quality headphone amplifier with the SMSL RAW PRO DAC 1. In your opinion, which headphone amplifier would best complement the RAW PRO DAC 1 to fully take advantage of its sound quality, providing clean and dynamic amplification for high-impedance headphones, such as a Sennheiser HD 660 S2 ?

Thank you in advance for your recommendations.

 

[Crash Alpha]

Why don’t you compare yourself?
SMSL RAW-MDA 1 DAC & Headphone Amp Review
SMSL RAW Pro-DAC1 Balanced DAC Review

Why would I compare a MDA 1 when it was never even mentioned?? I am not interested in the MDA 1

 

[Roland68]

Why would I compare a MDA 1 when it was never even mentioned?? I am not interested in the MDA 1

Does anyone know how the non pro version compares?

How else should one understand your question?
The MDA 1 is the non-Pro version of the RAW Pro-DAC1.
Then both I and @staticV3 completely misunderstood your question.

 

[staticV3]

How else should one understand your question?
The MDA 1 is the non-Pro version of the RAW Pro-DAC1.
Then both I and @staticV3 completely misunderstood your question.

I compared the RAW-DAC1 to the RAW Pro-DAC1, just like OP wanted IIUC.

The MDA1 is another product entirely with built-in headphone Amp.

 

[Roland68]

I compared the RAW-DAC1 to the RAW Pro-DAC1, just like OP wanted IIUC.

The MDA1 is another product entirely with built-in headphone Amp.

You're right, for me the MDA 1 is just the non-Pro version with smaller DAC chips, also from ESS.
The RAW-DAC1 with AK4499EX+AK4191EQ is, in my opinion, an equivalent flag chip DAC with an equivalent DAC chip to the RAW Pro-DAC1 with the ES 9039 MS Pro.

Probably only Shenzhenaudio knows what that has to do with Pro and non-Pro.

@Crash Alpha
Sorry, then I must have misunderstood.
Since SMSL (just like Sabaj and Loxjie) aren't putting much effort into the new development, the RAW-DAC1 with AK4499EX+AK4191EQ will just be another reincarnation of the DL300 and DO300EX in a different package.
Especially with the AK4499EX+AK4191EQ, I'd rather go with the Topping E70 Velvet, as Topping puts significantly more effort into development and doesn't just implement standard circuits from the datasheets. And the D70 Velvet is also cheaper.

 

[Crash Alpha]

You're right, for me the MDA 1 is just the non-Pro version with smaller DAC chips, also from ESS.
The RAW-DAC1 with AK4499EX+AK4191EQ is, in my opinion, an equivalent flag chip DAC with an equivalent DAC chip to the RAW Pro-DAC1 with the ES 9039 MS Pro.

Probably only Shenzhenaudio knows what that has to do with Pro and non-Pro.

@Crash Alpha
Sorry, then I must have misunderstood.
Since SMSL (just like Sabaj and Loxjie) aren't putting much effort into the new development, the RAW-DAC1 with AK4499EX+AK4191EQ will just be another reincarnation of the DL300 and DO300EX in a different package.
Especially with the AK4499EX+AK4191EQ, I'd rather go with the Topping E70 Velvet, as Topping puts significantly more effort into development and doesn't just implement standard circuits from the datasheets. And the D70 Velvet is also cheaper.

No worries. After reading up on the SMSL SU-X, the DAC 1 is no longer on my want list. I am now trying to decide between the eversolo Z8 and the SMSL SU-X.

 

[Roland68]

No worries. After reading up on the SMSL SU-X, the DAC 1 is no longer on my want list. I am now trying to decide between the eversolo Z8 and the SMSL SU-X.

You know, after 8 comes 9. Wouldn't you like to check out something newer than the Eversolo Z8?
For example, the Luxsin-X9 from the same manufacturer?

 

[Crash Alpha]

You know, after 8 comes 9. Wouldn't you like to check out something newer than the Eversolo Z8?
For example, the Luxsin-X9 from the same manufacturer?

Wellll the Z10 is being announced at Munich lol

 

[Jimster480]

You know, after 8 comes 9. Wouldn't you like to check out something newer than the Eversolo Z8?
For example, the Luxsin-X9 from the same manufacturer?

This is such a weird product because it is being sold as a high-end product, costing $1,000 and it has a really cool system in it to measure headphone impedance and have different tuned settings for different headphones. However, it looks to be using a $2 amplifier chip from Texas Instruments for more than a decade ago.
And that specific amplifier chip is a feedback design AB class amplifier that barely scratches 100 SINAD on the best day and comes in no name design boards for $20 shipped. It originally shipped in the topping A30 which I bought nearly 10 years ago now...
While that was a good amp for the price at the time that it launched, it definitely isn't competitive in the market today where you can get state-of-the-art performance for under $100.
So since this product is currently in pre-order, I do hope that someone gets it and sends it into the site here so that we can see what the real performance is because the company is cleaning state-of-the-art performance but without any weightings or measurements. And I just don't see how it would be possible if they are using that amplifier chip.

 

[Roland68]

This is such a weird product because it is being sold as a high-end product, costing $1,000 and it has a really cool system in it to measure headphone impedance and have different tuned settings for different headphones. However, it looks to be using a $2 amplifier chip from Texas Instruments for more than a decade ago.
And that specific amplifier chip is a feedback design AB class amplifier that barely scratches 100 SINAD on the best day and comes in no name design boards for $20 shipped. It originally shipped in the topping A30 which I bought nearly 10 years ago now...
While that was a good amp for the price at the time that it launched, it definitely isn't competitive in the market today where you can get state-of-the-art performance for under $100.
So since this product is currently in pre-order, I do hope that someone gets it and sends it into the site here so that we can see what the real performance is because the company is cleaning state-of-the-art performance but without any weightings or measurements. And I just don't see how it would be possible if they are using that amplifier chip.

You're a bit mistaken about the amplifier chip. It's been around for a while, but thanks to Topping's development work, it's one of the best HPA amplifier ICs. 5 devices with Sinad from 121-120 speak for themselves.
The TPA6120A2 is used in the Topping A90, L30, L30 II, L50, and L70, among others, and delivers excellent measurements. I can't say anything negative about the sound either, even compared to significantly more expensive HPAs.

You're right, though, that other manufacturers don't achieve such good performance with the TPA6120A2, including SMSL.
So I'm curious to see how well the TPA6120A2 is implemented in the Luxsin-X9 HPA. Amir is supposed to get a Luxsin-X9 to test.

 

[Sheepadoodling]

I know there hasn't been a review for the Schiit Gungnir 2 but was wondering how some of these SMSL DACs that are being pumped out stand up to say the newer DACs from Schiit, like the Gungnir 2 or higher or even the multibit versions or the new Mimir that just came out, also not reviewed yet on here. Reason why I ask is it seems like @amirm has been give high props to the latest released SMSL DACs, and they seem to be getting better and better concerning measurements, even with things like bluetooth and maybe a headphone jack included in some of these DACs from SMSL. I know Schiit has nice cases and some brains backing the filtering and design specifications for these DACs like OG Mike but price, SMSL seems to be knocking them out of the park, but maybe that is an issue in itself, they keep releasing another DAC from what seems like months apart at times.

Just trying to figure out, buy a Chinese well measured DAC or save lots of money for those pieces of art from the Schiit line...