In this article, I’m checking out the SMSL RAW-MDA1 DAC/Headphone amplifier. The RAW-MDA1 features dual ES9039Q2M DAC chips, Hi-Res Bluetooth connectivity and fully balanced outputs. It’s priced at $246.

Disclaimer: This sample was provided by Shenzhen Audio for an honest review. All observations and opinions here are my own, based on my experience with the product.

SMSL RAW-MDA1

Design

The SMSL RAW-MDA1 has a matte black aluminium chassis and a fairly standard, understated style. It’s quite a compact unit (189 mm x 179 mm x 45 mm), considering its considerable functionality.

The front panel features 6.35 mm and 4.4 mm headphone outputs, a vibrant display, and a rotary volume control. On the back, you’ll find a range of connectivity options, including balanced XLR and single-ended RCA outputs, two coaxial and two optical digital inputs, Bluetooth and USB-C, as well as an AC input and power switch.

Taking care of decoding duties are dual ES9039Q2M DAC chips. An XMOS XU-316 USB interface supports up to 32-bit/768kHz and DSD512. In addition, it has both USB1.1 and USB2.0 modes so it works with gaming consoles and legacy equipment. The RAW-MDA1 also supports full MQA decoding and MQA-CD.

The Qualcomm Bluetooth chip gives the RAW-MDA1 Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity, supporting LDAC, aptX-HD, aptX-Adaptive, SBC and AAC.

6* OPA1612A op-amps deliver up to XLR 5.2Vrms and RCA 2.5Vrms. The headphone output reaches an impressive 1.7Wx2. There are dual gain modes and the headphone output impedance is rated at “Near 0Ω”, meaning the RAW-MDA1 is suitable for sensitive, low-impedance IEMs.

Functionality & Menu

I enjoy using the RAW-MDA1 as a daily driver. However, I wish it had an auto-standby mode; It gets quite warm in a closed room, so an automatic sleep function would be much welcomed. It works great as an all-in-one desktop device and serves headphones, speakers, or external amps.

SMSL has one of the best system menus that I’ve come across in DACs. It’s clear and easy to understand and now includes graphical icons that make it even easier to navigate. Furthermore, there are 2 display modes available: universal and graphics. I think both modes look cool but I prefer the graphics one slightly. It’s great to see that the SMSL engineers have tidied up the main display and finally removed some of the awful fonts used on previous models.

Sound

I tested the SMSL RAW-MDA1 with various headphones, IEMs and speakers. I would describe its sound signature as neutral but full-bodied with great end-to-end extension. In fact, the audio quality of this device is quite staggering considering its modest price point.

I tested the headphone output with both sensitive IEMs and some harder-to-drive headphones. There’s no hiss or background noise, even with very sensitive IEMs. Points scored! As I expected, the DAC and headphone outputs are uncoloured and transparent. The RAW-MDA1 will reveal the true nature of your downstream gear.

More demanding headphones weren’t a problem for the RAW-MDA1 either. It drives my Sennheiser HD650 (300Ω) with ease, even on low gain and it was the same with my FiiO FT3 (350Ω). Bass notes sound full, the midrange is clear and the treble is precise with good extension.

When it comes to soundstage dimensions, they’re fairly average. That’s to be expected with most entry-level DACs. What surprised me with this one was the blackness of the background. This is reflected in the measurements but I prefer to test with my ears and I was not disappointed. As a result, instrument separation and layering are outstanding for something at this price point.

Comparison

iFi Audio Zen DAC V3 ($229)

Zen DAC V3 has a smaller footprint than the SMSL RAW-MDA1 and it’s powered by the USB-C port (the 5V external power input is optional). However, its 390mW headphone output power pales in comparison to the SMSL’s 1.7W, so if you have demanding headphones, the RAW-MDA1 is the obvious choice.

The Zen DAC V3’s bass boost is a boon for bassheads or people with brighter headphones or speakers. The Burr Brown DAC has bit-perfect playback but I find the Zen DAC V3’s output to be slightly warmer than the SMSL’s more transparent presentation.

Another difference between these 2 devices is that the Zen DAC V3 doesn’t have Bluetooth input and can only receive data via its USB-C port whereas the SMSL has the usual host of I/O options and Bluetooth 5.1.

Both of these DACs offer excellent audio and value for money. I think the Zen DAC V3 is a good alternative for anyone who primarily uses a computer as their source and wants a more simplified and compact setup. Alternatively, the RAW-MDA1 is a more full-featured DAC that offers more versatility concerning input options.

Verdict

The SMSL RAW-MDA1 offers a lot of functionality and excellent audio quality in a small package and at an affordable price. Its neutral sound signature makes it a great reference model for people beginning their audiophile journey or even seasoned enthusiasts looking for something compact and versatile. This is about as good as it gets when it comes to value DACs and therefore gets my highest recommendation.

Specifications

• Input: USB/Optical x2/Coaxial x2/Bluetooth
• Output: RCA/XLR/HEADPHONE
• THD+N: 0.00005%(-124.5db non-Weighting)
• Line output amplitude:
  • XLR 5.2Vrms
  • RCA 2.5Vrms
  • HP 8.2Vrms
• Headphone output power:
  • 16Ω 2.5Wx2
  • 32Ω 1.7Wx2
• Output impedance:
  • LINE OUT 100Ω
  • HP OUT Near 0Ω
• Dynamic range:
  • XLR 132dB
  • RCA 127dB
  • HP 122dB
• SNR:
  • XLR 132dB
  • RCA 127dB
  • HP 122dB
• USB transmission: Asynchronous
• USB compatibility:
  • Windows 7/8/8.1/10/11(Needs Driver)
  • Mac 0SX10.6 or Later、Linux(Driverless)
• MQA decoder: USB/Optical/Coaxial
• Sampling rate & Bit Depth:
  • USB
    • PCM 44.1~768kHz(32bit)
    • DSD 2.8224~22.5792MHz(1bit)
    • DoP DoP256
  • Optical / Coaxial
    • 44.1~ 192kHz(24bit)
    • DoP DoP64
• Bluetooth specification: 5.1(Support SBC,aptX,aptX HD,LDAC)
• Power Consumption: ＜30W
• Standby power: <0.5W
• Size: 189x45x179mm(WxHxD)
• Weight: 1.02kg/2.24lbs