SMSL RAW Pro-DAC1 Balanced DAC Review

[Martin]

I think SMSL and Topping can stop sending in desktop DACs. We get it. You make SOTA performing DACs.

(Unless they are something different, e.g., Topping's recent R2R DAC.)

Martin

 

[phoenixdogfan]

For the life of me I don't know why they're calling it "RAW" when it is so very apparently "Well Done."

Great review as always, Amir.

 

[Somafunk]

I think SMSL and Topping can stop sending in desktop DACs. We get it. You make SOTA performing DACs.

(Unless they are something different, e.g., Topping's recent R2R DAC.)

Martin

They are reminding me of adverts for “new and improved hair/beauty/cleaning/washing products”, 78 out of 100 users expressed a preference blah…blah, wait 5 minutes and a new and improved version will be out.

That’s not to say the engineering in these devices is not impressive but c’mon……come up with something new or useful, whether that be product design or features rather than churn out products for the sake of it.

 

[AdamG]

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.

The RME ADI-2 DAC FS is $1299 USD

This is $699

$600 less expensive. So not really almost the same price points.

 

[RogerSmith]

I don't understand all the complaints about missing of PEQ and HDMI Arc, design, build quality, functionality or any other feature. You are here at ASR and you have to buy DACs soley based on SINAD and this one is the 6th best ever. At least if have understood the recent Golden Sound video correctly.

 

[CedarX]

However, it is unfortunate that this DAC only uses a Qualcomm Bluetooth chip QCC5125...

what’s wrong with the QCC5125? Please explain.
In any case, Bluetooth is more a convenience feature on this type of DAC.

 

[EJ3]

They finally made one that I would actually have in my system based on BOTH appearance & function.
(My oPPo 205 UDP has a pretty good one built in, based on function, but this one is even better and looks VERY GOOD, too).
Many of my things can be hidden in my extremely well ventilated furniture designed for that purpose.
But some things you just want to have visible. To me, this is one of those.

 

[EJ3]

Is the difference between this and the DAC in a WIIM Pro Plus going to be audible?

I am one that has absolutely no use for a streamer (I am not buying Elon Musk's Satellite WIFI set up because I might want to stream).
I am quite happy with my setup and having that would not make me any happier, only more poor.
Which would then make me less happy.

 

[Ken1951]

I don't understand all the complaints about missing of PEQ and HDMI Arc, design, build quality, functionality or any other feature. You are here at ASR and you have to buy DACs soley based on SINAD and this one is the 6th best ever. At least if have understood the recent Golden Sound video correctly.

If this is sarcasm - fine. Otherwise:

 

[EJ3]

I would not buy it, because of the lack of triggers. Already owning a Topping D70pro Sabre helps. For some folks it IS important

And for other, It is not even on the RADAR. If it has the important stuff & happens to have a trigger, it would not stop me from buying it (but it would never be used). It's like buying a car fully loaded with options that you will never use: it increases the range of people that might by it upon resale.
But, if it is an unavailable option, then you know that buying it to begin with.
If it's not & you need it, then one should do as you stated.

 

[mc.god]

Am I allowed to be happy with my trusty Khadas Tone Board?

 

[RogerSmith]

If this is sarcasm - fine. Otherwise:

I am sorry that I apparently must explain it, but yes.

 

[delta76]

The RME ADI-2 DAC FS is $1299 USD

This is $699

$600 less expensive. So not really almost the same price points.

https://www.thomannmusic.com/rme_adi_2_dac_fs.htm it is more expensive but not that much

 

[AdamG]

https://www.thomannmusic.com/rme_adi_2_dac_fs.htm it is more expensive but not that much

That’s price in Germany using Euros or pounds. Does not include VAT or shipping costs for the US. Hard to make a comparison. To calculate final delivery price they want my full address and email and phone number. I consider that shady business practice. They want to harvest my personal information before I know the final price. No thanks.

 

[obsessive9119]

I am one that has absolutely no use for a streamer (I am not buying Elon Musk's Satellite WIFI set up because I might want to stream).
I am quite happy with my setup and having that would not make me any happier, only more poor.
Which would then make me less happy.

The main thing I use my streamer for is music on my local DLNA server; no need for Musk or anyone else’s internet. Being able to play qobuz through it is a rather convenient bonus, though.

 

[ninetylol]

The RME ADI-2 DAC FS is $1299 USD

This is $699

$600 less expensive. So not really almost the same price points.

In germany you can get it for about ~1000 while chinese devices usually also gets tax added. I still would pay 600 extra for an RME though, if I had the need for such an device.

 

[xaxxon]

Careful buying directly from chinese resellers. You may be on the hook for paying for shipping to china even for warranty repairs. For less expensive gear, this can easily approach 50% of it's purchase price. Also, if there are customs values associated with it they may also require you to pay that (and at least one requires lying about the value on your paperwork - I have the emails to back this up)

If you're unsure, make sure to check what their policies are before purchasing. This includes when you buy on amazon - some of them sell there as third party sellers. Aoshida tricked me into buying from them -- now I'm very careful that I can get reasonable support for the gear I buy. You can buy the gear for similar prices from companies with a presence in the US.

EDIT: My experience was after the amazon return period. It seems like if you get a DOA or it dies within the first month it can be much easier/cheaper. Mine was during the 1 year warranty but well after 30 day amazon return policy.

 

[obsessive9119]

This includes when you buy on amazon - some of them sell there as third party sellers. Aoshida tricked me into buying from them -- now I'm very careful that I can get reasonable support for the gear I buy.

I had excellent support from Aoshida when I bought my C200 from them on Amazon. The first one was DOA - they were really responsive in trying to help me troubleshoot and in processing the return/refund.

 

[xaxxon]

I had excellent support from Aoshida when I bought my C200 from them on Amazon. The first one was DOA - they were really responsive in trying to help me troubleshoot and in processing the return/refund.

They were very responsive to me, too. I just didn't like what they had to say. Also, this was past the amazon return period and into the warranty period.

Fortunately actual topping support came through with a much better option - just sent me a pa5 v2

Anyhow, I'm not saying don't buy from anyone, I'm just saying make sure you understand what the warranty process will be and that you're comfortable with it.

 

[jools]

Careful buying directly from chinese resellers. You may be on the hook for paying for shipping to china even for warranty repairs. For less expensive gear, this can easily approach 50% of it's purchase price. Also, if there are customs values associated with it they may also require you to pay that (and at least one requires lying about the value on your paperwork - I have the emails to back this up)

If you're unsure, make sure to check what their policies are before purchasing. This includes when you buy on amazon - some of them sell there as third party sellers. Aoshida tricked me into buying from them -- now I'm very careful that I can get reasonable support for the gear I buy. You can buy the gear for similar prices from companies with a presence in the US.

I bought from Aoshida through Amazon, the item (Topping amp) died in a few days but they were very good about return/refund.