I love your reviews. It’s very honest, perfectly organized and layed out… it really responds to the most important questions potential buyers or hi-fi fans have relating to new products. Many thanks
I had a Geshelli Labs J2 with 4499 chip + Sparkos and it failed after a brief period. I wasn't impressed with the supplied power supply so I used an IFI 12v and also a linear 12v which I already had. When I contacted Geshelli they said I had violated my warranty and said the unit could not be repaired. I salvaged the Sparkos and finished up handing the unit in for recycling. Painful lesson learnt!
SMSL needs to get a handle on these product names. I didn’t even realize this was a new product release. I thought you were just late to reviewing the MDA.
Great review as always! I own RAW MDA-1 and connect it to Drop THX AAA 789 amplifier, Should I sell my MDA-1 and buy this or should I keep my current setup ?
Are you planning to review the Geshelli J3 with SS2590 op amps? Other reviews indicate it’s a step up from the J2S with SS3602, but I would appreciate your input. I like the way you structure your reviews, do cost/value comparisons, and just generally have an excellent way of describing your listening impressions.
Excellent vid. So many dac choices. My Tradutto being on fire, I put a Sophia Electric 274B Aqua II tube in my Decware Rachael intergrated, with Telefunken Black Diamond KT88 and 88cc pre's. The fire got bigger. Thanks. Cool runnings
Another great review thank you, i got this more for the number of extra inputs (wish other companies would do this). Pared with the HO200 amp driving Sundara 2020 and ATH-AD1000X. I I like the sound.
Thank you for the review. I have been thinking about the SMSL DO200 Pro, which like the Topping D70 octo, 12 CS43131 chips instead of 8 CS43198 for about the same prime ($400). How does it compare with respect to tonality richness to the Topping? Did you address that in your review of the Octo?
Thank you for being such a good reviewer. I would like to ask since you reviewed a lot of DACs if its possible to make a list how each of them fall into best category for its price..
SMSL should learn from Topping now as the later has already stopped flooding the market with the same rebranded devices again and again. I still use their e70 velvet which is still one of the best bang for buck DAC to date.
Hi there, I really like your reviews. They are awesome. I own the SMSL RAW MD 1 and I like it but recently, I bought another DAC FOSI ZD3 I locked them both again my humble opinion I believe the ZD3 It’s a little bit better Could you tell me please is there any possibility to connect them together thank you so much
Thanks Srbo, great review, as always. I wonder what the point of producing several similar models is, all costing the same money and all sounding practically the same...
RT is better DAC in my opinion, sounds fuller and smoother. If line outs are important it's great option. But on a headphone output the gap is smaller and MDA1 is snapping at its heels. I still prefer RT5000 slightly but not enough to justify the price difference.
So it sounds like any other recent DAC … . Awaiting the next one in two weeks. Thanks for your vlog though, I could listen to you for hours. Perhaps you eventually even get into vinyl 😉. More interesting.
Many of these manufacturer's focus only the DAC's and add a feature here or there, but make no attempt at improving the op amps and ps. If Geshelli made a J3 (4?) with Sparkos 2590's in a professional looking enclosure with I2S :--)
Oops, I almost forgot I have a technical question : for these dacs when using a MacBook that only has usb c outputs , is “feeding the dac” with a usb c to usbc cable the same as if fed with usb c to optical/coaxial ?
How would you be sending optical or coaxial to your DAC from the MacBook? Your only option is USBC; which is a good option. It would mean you're sending an asynchronous data stream to your DAC, and the stream would be reclocked using the DACs internal clock. In this case you'd have a really nice internal clock in the DAC, which is what you want.
Strange that there are never comparisons of the various AKM or ESS DACs with the only DAC from SMSL that does not belong to this category. The D-300 with ROHM DAC.
I highly recommend you guys to check all the possible audio forums before you buy anything from this company, I did purchase the SMSL RAW MDA 1 and after couple of weeks my unit went crazy pushing extremely high signal to the one of the output channels, I'm glad I caught in on time before it damaged my speakers. :/
waiting for your review of opamps! Geshelli Labs J2S with burson v7 vivid and linear power supply vs. Fosi Audio ZD3 with same upgrades (xlr output, of course). Is zd3 close to j2s in sound performance, scene layering? These smsl, topping,.. dacs is just boring :)
I'm new to your channel and have watched a lot of your reviews, and I really appreciate how you explain things. I've never owned a DAC before so I have no experience to draw from. I have Magneplaner 1.6s with a Rel-505 sub, and I recently got the Denoon AVR-X8500HA. Watching your videos I was thinking of an entry-level DAC and was thinking the Topping 50 III with upgraded power supply, but then saw your review on the E70 Velvet and the small uptick to CAN$415 seemed worthwhile... then I saw your review of the D70 Pro Sabre (CAB$713), now this review of the RAW-DAC1, which is going for CAN$579. The I want to get the most out of my system without breaking the bank at this point. I've fallen down the rabbit hole, thanks to you haha and wondering if you could offer me your advice out of these options? Thanks in advance!
I didn't want to spend much more than the $415 E70 Velvet, but I also want to get something that I'll be happy with and will last me for quite some time. Is the upgrde price to $579 (or even $713) worth the added investment, or would I be just as content with the E70 Velvet?
It seems a good product, and it would be difficult to beat at the price, but... why has s.m.s.l disguise a single-ended headphones socket as a balanced one in the 4.4 port? They are scamming their potential clients. When you buy a device with a balanced headphone socket, you expect it to be a balanced socket, not a single-ended. It's a shame for the brand.
![Could this be my forever amp? [S.M.S.L RAW-HA1]](/img/n.gif)
I love your reviews. It’s very honest, perfectly organized and layed out… it really responds to the most important questions potential buyers or hi-fi fans have relating to new products. Many thanks
I had a Geshelli Labs J2 with 4499 chip + Sparkos and it failed after a brief period. I wasn't impressed with the supplied power supply so I used an IFI 12v and also a linear 12v which I already had. When I contacted Geshelli they said I had violated my warranty and said the unit could not be repaired. I salvaged the Sparkos and finished up handing the unit in for recycling.
Painful lesson learnt!
SMSL needs to get a handle on these product names. I didn’t even realize this was a new product release. I thought you were just late to reviewing the MDA.
There are SU, D, DL, M, VMV, and now RAW series. Once you create a simple 6x6 matrix placing all 36 models is very easy. 📏📐📈
Agreed. Their nomenclature is bottom tier. It doesn't *really* matter, yet, it does kinda matter.
@@iiWiReviews True and also hilarious 😂 a matrix is needed for sure
Great review as always!
I own RAW MDA-1 and connect it to Drop THX AAA 789 amplifier,
Should I sell my MDA-1 and buy this or should I keep my current setup ?
Happy thanksgiving. This for sure is SUPER RAWW!
Are you planning to review the Geshelli J3 with SS2590 op amps? Other reviews indicate it’s a step up from the J2S with SS3602, but I would appreciate your input. I like the way you structure your reviews, do cost/value comparisons, and just generally have an excellent way of describing your listening impressions.
Great 👍 review and comparison, thanks! 🙏
Excellent vid. So many dac choices. My Tradutto being on fire, I put a Sophia Electric 274B Aqua II tube in my Decware Rachael intergrated, with Telefunken Black Diamond KT88 and 88cc pre's. The fire got bigger. Thanks. Cool runnings
Another great review thank you, i got this more for the number of extra inputs (wish other companies would do this). Pared with the HO200 amp driving Sundara 2020 and ATH-AD1000X. I I like the sound.
Thank you for the review. I have been thinking about the SMSL DO200 Pro, which like the Topping D70 octo, 12 CS43131 chips instead of 8 CS43198 for about the same prime ($400). How does it compare with respect to tonality richness to the Topping? Did you address that in your review of the Octo?
I haven't found a comparison of the two anywhere unfortunately, as i am curious about that myself.
Thank you for being such a good reviewer. I would like to ask since you reviewed a lot of DACs if its possible to make a list how each of them fall into best category for its price..
Thanks for posting this video
Very good review as always.
How the SMSL sounds compare to Topping E70 Velvet?
E70 velvet sounds warmer but slightly more congested. This one is cleaner and layers better.
@iiWiReviews Thanks 👍
SMSL should learn from Topping now as the later has already stopped flooding the market with the same rebranded devices again and again. I still use their e70 velvet which is still one of the best bang for buck DAC to date.
Hi there,
I really like your reviews. They are awesome.
I own the SMSL RAW MD 1 and I like it but recently, I bought another DAC FOSI ZD3 I locked them both again my humble opinion I believe the ZD3
It’s a little bit better
Could you tell me please is there any possibility to connect them together thank you so much
I also think that ZD3 is a little bit better. MDA1 doesn't have analog inputs so you can't connect external DAC to it.
Thanks Srbo, great review, as always.
I wonder what the point of producing several similar models is, all costing the same money and all sounding practically the same...
I wonder if it actually sounds any better than the fabulous SMSL SU1?
Great review, how it takes against rose technics rt5k?
RT is better DAC in my opinion, sounds fuller and smoother. If line outs are important it's great option. But on a headphone output the gap is smaller and MDA1 is snapping at its heels. I still prefer RT5000 slightly but not enough to justify the price difference.
So it sounds like any other recent DAC … . Awaiting the next one in two weeks. Thanks for your vlog though, I could listen to you for hours. Perhaps you eventually even get into vinyl 😉. More interesting.
Many of these manufacturer's focus only the DAC's and add a feature here or there, but make no attempt at improving the op amps and ps. If Geshelli made a J3 (4?) with Sparkos 2590's in a professional looking enclosure with I2S :--)
Great sharing.
you should do a videos comparing all dacs. smsl and geishelli etc
Hi, is there a reason to go to this DAC from the Topping D70 (AK4497)? In terms of sound quality?
Hello, when do you will review the amp from RAW series the smsl raw ha-1??
I'm skipping that one. Too much stuff waiting for a review already.
👍👍Great, thanks for the video !!
how is this compared to smsl d300 ROHM chip dac?
Oops, I almost forgot I have a technical question : for these dacs when using a MacBook that only has usb c outputs , is “feeding the dac” with a usb c to usbc cable the same as if fed with usb c to optical/coaxial ?
How would you be sending optical or coaxial to your DAC from the MacBook? Your only option is USBC; which is a good option. It would mean you're sending an asynchronous data stream to your DAC, and the stream would be reclocked using the DACs internal clock. In this case you'd have a really nice internal clock in the DAC, which is what you want.
Strange that there are never comparisons of the various AKM or ESS DACs with the only DAC from SMSL that does not belong to this category.
The D-300 with ROHM DAC.
I highly recommend you guys to check all the possible audio forums before you buy anything from this company, I did purchase the SMSL RAW MDA 1 and after couple of weeks my unit went crazy pushing extremely high signal to the one of the output channels, I'm glad I caught in on time before it damaged my speakers. :/
is it the 6.3mm ?
I think mine is broken too
@@UrFavMidlaner-r2r In my case it's one of the RCA outputs on the back.
Lrice being im looking into the d70 pro octo, smsl su-x and raw pro dac 1. Thought from anyone with experience of these dacs welcomed!
waiting for your review of opamps! Geshelli Labs J2S with burson v7 vivid and linear power supply vs. Fosi Audio ZD3 with same upgrades (xlr output, of course). Is zd3 close to j2s in sound performance, scene layering? These smsl, topping,.. dacs is just boring :)
I have it , it is lifeless not so organic compared to my reference NAIM DAC.
Great review 👍
I'm new to your channel and have watched a lot of your reviews, and I really appreciate how you explain things. I've never owned a DAC before so I have no experience to draw from. I have Magneplaner 1.6s with a Rel-505 sub, and I recently got the Denoon AVR-X8500HA. Watching your videos I was thinking of an entry-level DAC and was thinking the Topping 50 III with upgraded power supply, but then saw your review on the E70 Velvet and the small uptick to CAN$415 seemed worthwhile... then I saw your review of the D70 Pro Sabre (CAB$713), now this review of the RAW-DAC1, which is going for CAN$579. The I want to get the most out of my system without breaking the bank at this point. I've fallen down the rabbit hole, thanks to you haha and wondering if you could offer me your advice out of these options? Thanks in advance!
I didn't want to spend much more than the $415 E70 Velvet, but I also want to get something that I'll be happy with and will last me for quite some time. Is the upgrde price to $579 (or even $713) worth the added investment, or would I be just as content with the E70 Velvet?
🤗🙋♂️SRBOLJUB 💚💚💚
It seems a good product, and it would be difficult to beat at the price, but... why has s.m.s.l disguise a single-ended headphones socket as a balanced one in the 4.4 port? They are scamming their potential clients. When you buy a device with a balanced headphone socket, you expect it to be a balanced socket, not a single-ended. It's a shame for the brand.
This is late, they've just released the pro version lol
They are same series but carry different price tags. I'll check it too.
sabre flagship model, likely similar to the D400ES
Another DAC from MSFL. I'm shocked.
lol ikr
I had already been staring at the specs and concluded it was an SU-9 Ultra in new clothes and some extra connectivity.
WOW! Cloth 👉🏼 "Secret Measure" What a GREAT recording!!! THANKS! 👍🏼
It makes me LOVE my system! 😎