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SMSL RAW Pro-DAC1 Balanced DAC Review

Rate this DAC:

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 2 1.0%
  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 8 4.1%
  • 3. Fine (happy panther)

    Votes: 51 25.9%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 136 69.0%

  • Total voters
    197
We are almost at RME price levels without the feature set, future support and build quality of such a highly praised device. All for 0.2 SINAD more.

I wouldnt buy this.
Can you detail a bit what makes RME better in your opinion?
 
There are too many models of SMSL, I am curious about how they can profit from them.
 
Trigger is not a priority.if anything most Chinese manufacturers think about SINAD (in a way to game the system here) more than actual product and market research (what features the users need, what price ranges that suit which segments etc.)
I would not buy it, because of the lack of triggers. Already owning a Topping D70pro Sabre helps. For some folks it IS important:)
 
Generally think that for this price it should include a HQ headphone amp as well.
Kind of nice look, but it sort of mixes metallic with a plastic look.
 
Can you detail a bit what makes RME better in your opinion?
Not speaking for anyone else but for ME what make the RME better are:
PEQ
Excellent automatic loudness feature
Very good headphone amp
A LOT of features and flexibility (actually this is a double-edged sword as the manual is huge and daunting and the menus aren't very intuitive but you can do a lot)
Proven track record of support both in servicing and software updates even for older models
Very high quality construction
 
Why is the AES/EBU on the input side? Shouldn’t the vertical separator line have been moved over a bit?

EDIT: nvm, that’s AES/EBU input. But why not an output? How odd…
IMG_5228.jpeg
 
Not speaking for anyone else but for ME what make the RME better are:
PEQ
Excellent automatic loudness feature
Very good headphone amp
A LOT of features and flexibility (actually this is a double-edged sword as the manual is huge and daunting and the menus aren't very intuitive but you can do a lot)
Proven track record of support both in servicing and software updates even for older models
Very high quality construction
I'll add: you can also get the RME ADI-2 Pro FS BE with Analog in, ADC + digital passthrough (which I use). Yes, more money, more capabilities. But it is available. All my RME components have been 100% reliable and I do appreciate the support from the RME forum.
 
I would not buy it, because of the lack of triggers. Already owning a Topping D70pro Sabre helps. For some folks it IS important:)
Of course, what I was saying is trigger is not a priority to them (SMSL). If you take a look at their lineup you will quickly realize they don't have a clear vision of what their product lines should look like, with what features and price segment. More like "throw at the wall and see what stick". Repeat every 6 months
 
Not speaking for anyone else but for ME what make the RME better are:
PEQ
Excellent automatic loudness feature
Very good headphone amp
A LOT of features and flexibility (actually this is a double-edged sword as the manual is huge and daunting and the menus aren't very intuitive but you can do a lot)
Proven track record of support both in servicing and software updates even for older models
Very high quality construction
Anyone who buy this or more expensive SMSL/Topping/etc. DAC over RME is fooling themselves. Not worth chasing a few dB in SINAD in exchange for features/support/customer service that really matter
 
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