SMSL RAW-DAC1 Review – We Don’t Need That Fascist Groove Thang

Disclaimer: The $499.99 SMSL RAW-DAC1 was sent to us gratis by for review purposes and can be purchased from SHENZHENAUDIO. Do yourself and SHENZHENAUDIO a favor and buy one. Or not.

I’ve made no secret of my love for SMSL’s SU-9 (review here) which as a DAC performs at least on a par with the best comparably priced  Western brands but has the added advantage of being an outstanding digital preamp and (oxymoronically as it sounds) a very good Bluetooth streamer.

Even though the SU-9 dates from 2020, which makes it an antiquity by Chi-Fi standards, I frankly didn’t expect to find anything in the $500 range that outguns it.  However, DAC technology is changing faster than my wife’s hair color, and virtually from the get-go SMSL’s new, $499 RAW-DAC1 blows its predecessor away.

The RAW-DAC1 (not to be confused with the cheaper RAW MDA-1 all-in-one) is an amp-less DAC/BT streamer with a ton of connectivity, including the much-appreciated balanced outs. Larger than SMSL’s usual paperback-sized component, with a much clearer display; its single control knob is very intuitive but somewhat touchier than prior iterations.

Mercifully, the RAW-DAC1 utilizes four feet instead of SMSL’s traditional and inexplicable three. Per its marketing hype, it sports the latest, greatest AKM chips which deliver “crisp, detailed audio that uncovers nuances you might have missed before”, a contention I have little basis to dispute. Likewise, its claims of vanishingly low distortion and high SINAD are very credible—this thing is dead quiet at idle.

The selectable PCM filters really do have an audible effect, mostly in the sense of changing the soundstage and midrange emphasis—I found the “linear fast rolloff” default setting to be as good as any. The Sound Color filters, OTOH, do very little.

Features SMSL RAW-DAC1

• Both USB, optical and coaxial support MQA and MQA-CD;
• Using AK4191+AK4499EX to play the full performance of Chips, the distortion is as low as
  0.00006%(-124dB);
• XMOS XU-316, true 32bit USB processing, supports DoP and Native DSD, and PCM reach up to
  768kHz and DSD512;
• The newly self-developed CK-03 clock processing circuit greatly reduces the clock jitter;
• USB, Optical and Coaxial support DSD transmission, Coaxial, Optical support DOP64;
• Use tempered glass display panel for higher light transmission and longer service life;
• Built-in shielding, low noise power supply processing, while improving power supply efficiency,
  lower power consumption;
• Specially designed discrete component linear regulated power supply and multiple low noise
  regulated power supplies to provide low noise power for analog circuits;
• The latest Bluetooth supports LDAC, APTX/HD, SBC, AAC;
• High-quality gold-plated input and output jacks;
• Using a fully laminated 2.33-inch LCD screen;
• JAS Hi-Res certification;
• Equipped with remote control and full-featured remote control

Whether by design of otherwise, the “RAW” designation is apt—this thing has a wholly uncolored, unfiltered and neutral tonality which presents the source without any sort of sweetening or smoothing. It’s very forward and rich-textured; by contrast the by-no-means-anemic SU-9 sounds warmer and more polite, with a leaner and more chiseled note texture.

Low end on the RAW-DAC1 is substantial in quantity and depth and slightly bloomy; the lowest strings have a lot of body and resonance (the SU-9’s lowned is audibly tighter and quicker). Crisp, live-sounding mids have some added energy and a high level of resolution. Low end is very well extended and detailed, there’s no rounding off of notes but correspondingly no glare or steeliness; the highest frequencies have a sense of openness and airiness.

It also steers clear of sounding analytical—it’s not the most revealing DAC I’ve heard and something like the Topping D90, at least from memory, will uncover more micro-details—but the RAW-DAC1 hits viscerally like nothing I’ve heard at this price point.

The RAW-DAC1 displays a very wide, deep  soundstage with limited height but very accurate instrument placement with a lot of space between performers.  Where it really stands out is its sense of dynamism and aliveness—there is a visceral punch to the presentation and contrast between soft and loud passages are really registered; it’s an exciting listen even on mellower and acoustic fare.

I compared the RAW-DAC1 to the (original) Chord Mojo, which is my reference for a highly-resolving, uncolored DAC. The Mojo is still a viable piece which displays a lot of information and clarity, but it lacks the drive and PRAT of the RAW, especially at lower volumes. Again, a purist might prefer the more reference character and/or less unruly low end of the Mojo, but the RAW-DAC1 simply sounds bigger.

At a certain age, you find that while you still appreciate new gear, you’re rarely moved by it. I know I sound like a paid shill, but the RAW-DAC1 is one of those exceptions. It’s not a perfect piece—bass control, in particular, could be better, and it’s probably not the last DAC I’ll acquire. However,  it’s has that certain ear-catching something that will force you to pull out your credit card.  Wall of Fame material.

Specifications SMSL RAW-DAC1

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