SMSL RAW-MDA 1 reviewed and compared

[@davidcotie6878]

You have a remarkable skill in choosing incredibly descriptive words to convey what you hear in your reviews. I think it's even more remarkable when we consider the fact that based on your accent English is not your first language. The direct comparisons with peer devices is the cherry on top. Top audio reviewer on YT without a doubt. It's not even close...

[@r00s.]

I've said it before... I am saying it again: Srbo is the BEST DAC REVIEWER on the planet. Period. No one else has his gift: an ability to perfectly explain the differences he hears between different DACs, amps & transducers.

[@nabildanial00]

But can he do it blind?

[@kickazzdrummer666]

shill

[@AG-bp3ll]

Yes his imagination is quite vivid.

[@AG-bp3ll]

@@nabildanial00 None of these guys test blind for a reason. The realization that a $200 DAC sounds identical to a $2000 DAC would pretty much kill any reason to even review them.

[@blupantat3678]

i bought this, 2 hours after watching your review. definitely record breaking speed. going from dx3 pro to this one is crazy. i only use yamaha hs8 and the sound is already truly holographic. it felt like every sound now have a coordinate of depth and location. every songs felt like a new exprience again. huge thanks!!

[@watch3r9]

you're so coherent with the presentation. interesting dac+amp indeed

[@jyan727]

I have been waiting for someone to give a thorough review of this product and I am glad to see that you are the first! Your insight has helped me finally decide on this dac/amp! Thanks!

[@kriskelvin64]

Great detailed review as always. Waiting for your review of the fio K11 R2R. Sounds like an interesting product that is breaking the price barrier for r2r dac.

[@hammer-and-thumb]

My RAW-MDA1 just arrived. I am using speakers of my own design (a narrow-baffle three way design like Audio Physic, except using a planar tweeter) and a pair of IcePower 300AS1 amp monoblocks, and compared to my prior DAC/amp (NuForce DDA-120) I am now hearing state-of-the-art sound. If the RAW-MDA1 sounds less 'crisp' than another DAC, I think that can be attributed to even lower distortion, and that is actually desirable for a more laid-back sound. Real audio isn't supposed to outline every detail, only convey the detail that is in the recording without artificial enhancement. I think the RAW-MDA1 is incredible, and soon I'll also be doing some headphone-based listening. I'll also be trying it with my 700W NCore NCx500 monoblocks but I think the IcePower amp modules are the most complementary to the sound of the RAW-MDA1, so someone could be very happy with the RAW-MDA1 feeding some even higher performance IceEdge 1200AS1 modules for a mega-powered system. I share the finding that the soundstage dimensions and the 3-dimensional imaging are quite good with this DAC, and the overall effect with the IcePower monoblocks is more spacious, more involving, and more tonally pure than I was getting with the DDA-120, which uses Infineon class-D chips with digitally controlled modulators.

[@seveneb]

Yes plz review FiiiO K11 R2R DAC, reasonable price has me wondering!

[@innovance3788]

+

[@chryoko]

"Good enough" is my favorite adjective too ! I use daily an SMSL M7 (212€ back then) for about 12 hours a day average since 2018 on my office set up attached to some small desk Presonus E3 active monitors via RCA. Super happy about that M7. Just the one knob, no screen interface is a bit complex to use. Therefore I just got last week the newer SMSL M300SE for 119€ with a better interface and XLR outputs. At moment i use it in my main room connected to my YAMAHA P5000S that get only symmetric inputs. My big speakers sounds great now ! Super fan of the SMSL brand. Thanks to them for those High Quality affordable electronics they propose us. They are "good enough" and pretty close to perfection while at budget pricing.

[@AndreaRavaioli]

I have this DAC. It replaced an SU-10 because, frankly said, I could not tell them apart in a blind test. When I thought I barely could, swapping cables inverted the results.... Great job SMSL. Chifi really good these days, also the Hifiman EF499 using an old chip is really good.

[@EduardodeFuentesCeballos]

That’s really saying something, I consider the SU-10 a GREAT DAC. I’m tempted but I already have 3 DACs 😂.

[@D1N02]

The name sounds like a designer drug. Are you going to review the SMSL DO200 PRO (with 12 Cyrus CS43131 DAC chips) and the new FIIO K11 R2R (169 dollar r2r dac) Those look like interesting developments. I would also be interested on your opinion of the JDS Atom 2 stack. (Just 129 dollars a piece so 258 for the stack)

[@innovance3788]

+

[@middleearthltd]

I was hoping that review would have been done already +1

[@darrenjurevicius8630]

I have had the DO200 PRO for a week now, upgrading from Topping E50. Still all very new, but a definite step up in sound quality. I loved the E50, but the resolution and sound stage imaging of the DO200 PRO is at another level.

[@sjohie]

I just love your reviews, and since I was thinking about upgrading my Topping DX3Pro+, your comparison was spot on for me. Keep up the good work!

[@user-xim25gri56]

С удовольствием слушаю ваши обзоры. Так подробно, без =воды= и со знанием дела могут говорить только славяне!! Слушал американцев, у них 10 минут бла-бла-бла о себе любимом, 2 минуты о кнопках на цапе или усилителе и в конце о звуке - = Звук хороший, мне понравился = Они такие жалкие, хоть и пытаются шутить. Вы настоящий ценитель звука и с правильной речью и очень похожи по подаче материала с российскими блогерами по этой тематике, а в чём то и немного лучше.

[@r00s.]

This kind of attitude is disrespectful and unwanted.

[@user-xim25gri56]

@@r00s. Уважение не купишь, это достигается ответственным отношением к своему делу, профессионализмом, умением доходчиво подать материал своим подписчикам и не тратить их время на пустую информацию не имеющую отношения к делу. Американцы сделают из этого шоу, но очень мало скажут по существу дела. Поэтому над ними можно только посмеяться и забыть что они как блогеры существуют в youtube. Может вы мне покажете достойного американского блогера умеющего говорить о тонкостях звука, усилителях и сравнения их звучания без кривляния и дурацких шуток???

[@bbfoto7248]

@@user-xim25gri56 Erin's Audio Corner

[@asan1050]

Srboljub! Thanks for posting this video

[@sloboat55]

My Tradutto is on fire. Thanks, Jub. Cool runnings

[@iiWiReviews]

Thanks man! 👍🍻

[@mickeylickey]

Bought the c200 because of you and I will be trying this for sure.

[@ascubapro]

Thanks for another awesome review. I also agree BEST REVIEWER on the planet.

[@anakinskywalker8624]

Hi :) Thank you for the wonderful review! You said that 4.4mm connector may be just connected to a single-ended output. I just thought what if it is the opposite - I mean that the 6.35mm connector is just connected to a balanced output...

[@user-cy9og3cy4q]

Great detailed review. Thank you so much.☺

[@tigerfish66]

Love your Content, attitude to audio review and knowledgeable opinions/thoughts..Thank You

[@tanachip]

The one thing that the D50 III has the sold me was its 10-band PEQ function this At I’m able to store on the unit. I can just hook up my iPad or iPhone and my EQ is already loaded!

[@mrkoolg5924]

Amazing review great work mate

[@geraldcruz6868]

Hi Srboljub, love your reviews, by the way, when are you gonna review Topping DX9? Looks like it will blow our minds. Thanks!

[@roa5359]

Please review FiiO’s new K11 R2R. Seems much more interesting for considerably less. You could even add the S11 streamer and almost come in at the same price.

[@alphasixty1316]

I like speakers with as well as headphones on my desktop. The topping MX3s filled those needs well.

[@thomastoccupe9406]

Very good review, for what it seems to be a very good product. Ijust bought one thanks to your video 😁 Wanted to know if i can preamp the raw mda1 ? Thanks

[@bobb.9917]

Thanks for The Music! 👍🏼

[@NeilBlanchard]

Zoot Sims - is a *great* name! And I have never heard of him, before. Thanks for that!

[@yoochanmyung6399]

Found a weird defect which is, changing USB to USB1(UAC-1.0) mode causes 'tick' noises for optical input mode.

[@davidpetner8247]

Srbo - such a shame that you never tested the SMSL M500 mk3 - I need to know if your conclusion here would've changed if you had only reviewed that specific model 😢

[@dtdcampbell]

Also appreciate and enjoy the reviews. Any plans to review the FiiO K19?

[@jayem1826]

Flash! There’s one for sale on USAudiomart for $219 as of 18aug24

[@Tapac2112]

Will this drive Sennheiser HD 600 with its low sensitivity of 97 dB and 300 Ohm?

[@stephenbailey9969]

SMSL D6s with last chance $59 Schiit Heretic and its TI 1656 opamps would be an interesting mix.

[@JYMBO]

i NEED your input on the Topping DX9

[@user-mi6fb1of7j]

Comparison with FX-Audio Dr07? with upgraded power supply as it would match price

[@iiWiReviews]

FX Audio on its own is not a match. With iFi iPower X it is a much closer thing. In the end RAW MDA is a touch more spacious and clean sounding. But the difference is not big so don't worry about it if you already have DR07.

[@PU2VTT]

I bought one, and I really like it. I would like to know which is the best amplifier to connect it to (I thought about the SMSL AO200 MK2, or is there another better one from SMSL?). Thank you very much! Best regards! Duarte - from Brazil

[@janwege150277]

Now I have big problem with Fiio K7 - price range is about same, BUT: cons: - Fiio does not have balanced speaker outputs - Fiio does not have double coaxial and opical outputs pros: - Fiio has balanced headphone output - Fiio declares frequency outputs 20Hz-50kHz on all outputs - Fiio has external bric fot power supply **** And my question is why Fiio has so much declared frequency? Will it give better scene/3D efect? Better separation of instruments? - Does it give antything if someone plans to buy some better frequency speakers? - Perhaps better screenned cables can substitute balanced outputs? * This is important issue I think, since for example some headphone producers put respose frequency even higher than Fiio gives on outputs. Why? * Please, forgive if my questions are on amatour level, but... I'm amatour 😞 Kind greetings! 👍

[@iiWiReviews]

Hi and thanks for your support. That kind of declared frequency is not really much important, just the way manufacturer decided to specify something. Soundstaging and 3D will depend on some other staff, like overall clarity and tone decay. But that's not something that we know is good or bad from anything found in the spec sheet. We have to try them. This SMSL is very good in that regard (soundstage and separation). Unfortunately I can't say anything about K7 and its sound since I never tested it. Knowing Fiio, it's probably a very good device too.

[@iiWiReviews]

Also, most speakers and headphones will not play much above 20kHz which is fine because we don't hear above that either. That 50kHz is more about bragging with a high bandwidth amp design... Not really important for this choice you have here.

[@janwege150277]

@@iiWiReviews Thank You for Your answers. I must think everything over again All the best for You

[@hrdstl285]

Hi, I have ordered this DAC and I am really looking forward to it. I want to ask your opinion, ...I own Denon headphone AH-D7200 (25 ohm). Does the MDA RAW 1 headphone output of sufficient quality for my AH-D7200, but invest an additional 500 usd on the SMSL H400 for maximum music enjoyment. Thanks :)

[@lucacarlotto5056]

Excellent review Srboljub. Can the XLR outputs be fixed and variable voltage, only fixed, only variable? Hi and thanks, Luca

[@lucacarlotto5056]

I found it ! PRE MODE is the volume adjustment function switch for the output. VARIABLE : The output volume is controlled. FIXED : The output connector volume is fixed.

[@NigelFudge]

Thanks for the review. In the U.K . this is twice the price of the SMSL C200, £260 - £130. Is the extra cost worth it?

[@iiWiReviews]

If you have very good headphones and that amount of money won't make you struggle for bills... Then I think it's worth it. But that's my subjective feeling, and I do love hi quality sound very much.

[@DM-ws7pd]

All these adjectives are hilarious

[@JPC326]

How does it compare to FiiO K9 AKM

[@KXP70]

Any comments on how well it does as a preamp?

[@kimai1641]

*** Hi, I have my trusty RME ADI2 DAC FS that I simply adore but I am aware that there are newer devices out there that maybe more competitive. Do you think that the RAW-MDA1 might be a contender for a second device, I will not be replacing my RME but I will be augmenting. I don't care for 4.4mm output since I don't have any headphones that are balanced as of now. I know companies add the convenience of adding a socket that allows users to connect 4.4 or other plugs without changing the internals *a cheap, cop out*. Cheers, and I hope you can steer me in the right direction. My RME is the AKM version. I mostly listen to speakers but on occasion I listen to headphones and as such, I want to have something of a powerhouse that can drive most headphones to their limit. Thanks again! ***

[@radicalturkey]

Nice. Do400 still the best though

[@gadgetgenerationspulkit]

I am looking for a companion for my A70 Pro and TA20 Plus, my Headphone is Bokeh. Which one would you suggest up to 500-600$ price bar??

[@emiliodiezjunior]

Does this dac has the auto on off feature whem they receive signal from the input?

[@FaintSignals]

So, what makes it "raw"?

[@UAVmaker]

How does SMSL RAW-MDA 1 do compared to SMSL SU-1?

[@iiWiReviews]

SU-1 is a bit more forward tonally and has slightly narrower soundstage... But we're talking about the same tier performance, just different.

[@UAVmaker]

@@iiWiReviews thank you ☺️

[@prashanthkrishanduth8521]

What about the Aune DACMagic XVIII with the Sparkos OpAmps? Is that not better, from a pure DAC point of view?

[@iiWiReviews]

It is. In the DAC part of comparisons you can see that SMSL D6S is slightly better... So there was no need to compare RAW with pricier and better standalone DACs - they are better. So is Aune with Sparkos. 2in1 DAC/AMP use is where this one is at its best.

[@Anh-Áo-Nâu]

Is this close to same as Dynafrip Aris?

[@dylanemeraldgrey]

I'm taking delivery of the SMSL DO200 Pro today. I got it for $319. Hmmmm...If anyone wants to reassure me, feel free. 😅

[@itayadler8565]

What is the best amp dac combo under 750 dollar in your opinion? I have the powerdac v2.1 and I want to upgrade

[@Rezzzn0r]

Nice review! Does it sound better than Mojo2?

[@iiWiReviews]

They are on a similar level but different. Mojo 2 has more midrange deteils and better inner tone texture. This one has better high frequency extension, and it's warmer in the bass region. It's also slightly more dynamic. I can see different people preferring one or the other.

[@Rezzzn0r]

@@iiWiReviews thank you a lot, once again your findings are priceless. I wonder what would you say about Hiby R8 II, I've heard this monster few weeks ago and it blew my mind.

[@markothomas9765]

How does this match up against a mojo 2? I picked the mojo up a long time ago and love it, but without rca outs I am considering a standalone DAC. If I connect a 3.5mm to RCA cable and have the volume way up to match amp input, I run the risk of killing any headphone or IEM thats unprepared. I am hesitant of buying something that doesnt exceed the mojo just over the inconvenience

[@iiWiReviews]

Mojo 2 sounds tonally richer and more natural. It's one of the best DACs bellow 1000 for sure.

[@yongkykurniawan1089]

​@@iiWiReviewsany recommed desktop dac that tonally like mojo 2?

[@MegaEpstein]

What do you think about the new Fiio R2R DAC?

[@vitenp]

what about in comparison to high end dongle dac like ibasso dc elite? worth spending more for the form factor?

[@vitenp]

trying again

[@brianmateosantiago7508]

How would you consider this to the SMSL DO400? Is it a better option at a lower price?

[@iiWiReviews]

DO400 offers a slightly wider soundstage and maybe a tocuh softer (like in a natural way) tonality. The difference is very, very, small that I maybe wouldn't notice them if not doing a direct one to one comparison with critical listening. RAW-MDA 1 is a clearly better value.

[@brianmateosantiago7508]

@@iiWiReviews thanks so much for your response. Also been enjoying your content a lot, keep the great work!

[@user-ed9gz5lf7u]

Thanks for sharing. Where to buy in Europe?

[@iiWiReviews]

Try Audiophonics

[@danieldusentrieb9336]

#Srboljub, you are comparing with the D50 III, but which power supply unit did you use?

[@iiWiReviews]

Small meanwell SMPS that is default for many DACs at this price. Anything more expensive is changing the comparison but adding to the price too.

[@user-ov5ot6bd8p]

My Burson Play (original) can drive passive speakers, but Burson Playmate 2 cannot. I'm a complete newb when it comes to sound do you know why there is such a different between the new and old model? Could this model you are reviewing drive small desktop speakers passively?

[@iiWiReviews]

Passive speakers need much more power, especially current, than headphones. I never test headphone amplifiers with speakers because they are just not meant to be able to do that. It's basically a misuse of a product. Burson Play being able to drive them is a lucky coincidence, not a rule. I suggest giving that job to a true speaker amplifier. There are small, affordable, and good ones now - like Fosi V3 for example.

[@user-ov5ot6bd8p]

@@iiWiReviews Thanks but the Burson Play has one very nice (or two really) feature... it can be molex powered and fits in a 5.25 slot. Have mine in a Silverstone Sugo 14 ITX PC.

[@nonchalantd]

♥

[@vavanjukebox7137]

Zdravo Srboljub, your instagram link is not the good one.

[@BluesMan90]

Is it at the same level as the aune s9c pro?

[@iiWiReviews]

I don't have S9C with me anymore for a direct comparison... But I do still have Mojo 2... And I remember comparing it to S9C. Long story short, S9C is more dynamic, but I think RAW is equally revealing. So very very close indeed.

[@BluesMan90]

@@iiWiReviews Okay! Thanks again! :)

[@richardblaauwgeers4349]

Is the raw-mda1 better then tone2pro when you only listen to iems?

[@iiWiReviews]

Tone 2 pro was with me a long time ago so I can't compare them directly and say for sure. That said, I belive that RAW MDA is more revealing and has bigger soundstage.