92%
s.m.s.l RAW-DAC1
AK4499EX+AK4191EQ
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 contro
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Professional Reviews 92/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
94/100
Build Quality
87/100
Features Connectivity
85/100
Value for Money
95/100
The RAW-DAC1 pairs crystalline clarity with a satisfyingly rich, dynamic drive, bringing vocals, bass weight and instrumental textures into vivid focus. Prime Audio Reviews highlights its silent background and exceptional separation, while Audiophilepure admires its neutral, engaging poise. Extensive digital inputs and balanced outputs complete a remarkably capable mid-tier DAC.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Clean, neutral conversion combines with strong dynamic energy, controlled bass authority and natural tonal colour.
Excellent resolution: reviewers heard unusually clear vocals, sharply separated instruments and a very quiet background.
Generous connectivity includes XLR and RCA outputs, dual optical and coaxial inputs, USB-C, I2S and Bluetooth with LDAC/aptX HD.
&
Cons
The small display can be difficult to read from a distance.
Very bass-heavy, complex tracks can sound slightly loose, and listeners seeking a strictly analytical reference DAC may prefer alternatives.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 94/100
Reviewers describe an unusually complete presentation for the price: neutral and crystalline in one system, yet rich, robust, dynamic and emotionally engaging in another. Strong vocal clarity, natural timbre, focused imaging, controlled bass and exceptionally clear separation are recurring themes.
Tonal Balance and Musicality
94/100
Audiophilepure found the RAW-DAC1 almost startlingly neutral and crystalline, while The Honest Audiophile heard a full, rich and robust sound with an emotional connection to music. Prime Audio Reviews likewise calls it clean, transparent and neutral, but also dynamic and organic, with bass impact that remains controlled and clear.
Resolution and Detail
95/100
Clarity is a major strength across the reviews: Audiophilepure says vocals arrive with remarkable clarity regardless of source budget. The Honest Audiophile calls detail retrieval and resolution phenomenal for $500, while Prime Audio Reviews describes instrument separation as off the charts and notes that every sound stands out clearly against a pitch-black background.
Digital Performance
92/100
The RAW-DAC1 is repeatedly described as clean, transparent, refined and natural rather than overtly digital or harsh. Prime Audio Reviews specifically reports a pitch-black, empty background and strong dynamic contrast, while filter changes were audible but subtle in The Honest Audiophile's listening.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
87/100
The Honest Audiophile found the unit well built and sensibly laid out. Prime Audio Reviews highlights the specially designed, shielded internal power supply, which avoids an external brick and is intended to reduce power consumption; reviewers say less about long-term durability or internal component quality beyond that.
Features Connectivity
85/100
Connectivity is extensive for a standalone DAC, with balanced XLR and RCA outputs, dual optical and coaxial inputs, USB-C, I2S and Bluetooth 5.1 with LDAC and aptX HD. It also supports PCM up to 32-bit/768 kHz, DSD512, full MQA, selectable filters, and display modes including a more graphical presentation.
Value for Money
95/100
At roughly $499-$500, reviewers regard the RAW-DAC1 as an exceptional performer in its class. The Honest Audiophile calls its resolution phenomenal for the money, and Prime Audio Reviews names it a favorite mid-tier DAC, saying it could not identify a competing model that outperformed it at the time.
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Authorized dealers for s.m.s.l RAW-DAC1
- Addicted to Audio — online and in-store — Epping, Victoria, Australia (website)
- Apos Audio — online and in-store — Oakland, California, United States (website)
- Audio 46 — online and in-store — New York, New York, United States (website)
- Audio Hum — in-store — Norte Sierra, Andalucía, Spain (website)
- Audio Magic - EU — online and in-store — Wola, Województwo mazowieckie, Poland (website)
- AUDIOPHONICS — in-store — Bordeaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France (website)
- Bloom Audio — online and in-store — Gibbsboro, New Jersey, United States (website)
- Elise Audio — online and in-store — Paddington, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Headphone Zone — online and in-store — Laxmi Industrial Estate, Maharashtra, India (website)
- Hifi Passion — in-store — Neustadt, Bremen, Germany (website)
and 4 more verified dealers