84%
s.m.s.l RAW Pro-DAC1
ES 9039 MS Pro
Support MQA decoding and MQA-CD;
The new generation flagship DAC chip ES9039MSPRO of USA ESS has built-in MQA hard decoding;
New 3rd generation XMOS XU-316, PCM support up to 32bit/768kHz, DSD support to DSD512;
Using ultra-low phase noise crystal oscillator and optimized clock processing circuit to achieve ultra-low clock jitter;
All input ports except Bluetooth support DSD transmission, coaxial, optical, AES/EBU support DoP64;
Firmware upgrade function, users can upgrade the firmware of the system and USB by themselves;
Built-in low-noise power processing, while improving power efficiency and lower power consumption;
Specially designed power supply system and multiple low-noise regulated power supplies provide clean power supply for analog circuits.
Qualcomm's latest Bluetooth 5.1 chip supports LDAC 24bit/96kHz, APTX/HD, SBC, AAC;
High-quality gold-plated input and output connection terminals;
Japan Audio Society (JAS) Hi-Res certification;
Equipped with remote control and full-featured remote control.
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Professional Reviews 84/100
Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
92/100
Build Quality
50/100
Features Connectivity
87/100
Value for Money
85/100
The RAW Pro-DAC1 delivers a transparent, neutral signal with airy micro-detail, fast bass and natural mids, letting the character of a favourite amplifier take centre stage. Giz Audio found its resolving, open presentation exceptional below $1,000, while Audiophilepure highlights flexible Soundcolor tuning for tailoring a system without losing its uncoloured poise.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Highly transparent, linear and uncoloured presentation with natural mids, extended treble and strong micro-detail retrieval.
Fast, dynamic bass with convincing texture, weight and extension.
Versatile system integration through Soundcolor settings, variable RCA/XLR outputs and extensive digital inputs.
&
Cons
Its very linear character can sound somewhat clinical when paired with similarly neutral amplifiers; warmer Class A or tube amplification was preferred by the reviewer.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 92/100
Reviewers describe a notably transparent, linear and uncoloured presentation that avoids the bright or clinical edge sometimes associated with highly resolving DACs. It combines strong retrieval of recorded detail with natural mids, extended treble and a wide, open presentation.
Tonal Balance and Musicality
92/100
Audiophilepure found the RAW Pro-DAC1 neutral and unencumbered by an imposed sonic signature, allowing connected amplifiers to determine the system character. Giz Audio likewise calls it transparent and linear without brightness, clinical sterility or audible “Sabre glare,” with clear and natural midrange tone.
Resolution and Detail
93/100
Giz Audio reports that micro-details, air and upper-frequency nuances are all clearly represented when present in the recording. The reviewer considered it about as transparent, linear and resolving as any DAC heard below $1,000, while noting only a very small possible detail advantage for a comparison unit.
Digital Performance
92/100
The presentation is reported as clean and free of harsh digital traits, particularly the glare sometimes attributed to ESS-based designs. Treble extension, fast bass and crisp transient information are described as accurate and well controlled rather than artificially sharpened.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
50/100
The supplied reviews say little about chassis construction, internal layout, power supply implementation or long-term durability. They confirm a substantial complement of rear-panel connections, but do not provide enough direct construction evidence to draw broader conclusions about workmanship.
Features Connectivity
87/100
The RAW Pro-DAC1 is unusually well equipped for a desktop DAC, with fixed or variable RCA and balanced XLR outputs, AES/EBU, I2S, coaxial S/PDIF, USB-C and USB-B inputs, plus Bluetooth capability. USB and I2S support PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz and DSD512, while the variable outputs allow it to serve directly as a digital preamplifier.
Value for Money
85/100
At roughly $699, Giz Audio calls it an exceptionally good standalone desktop DAC and places its transparency and resolving ability among the strongest heard below $1,000. Audiophilepure also characterises the overall result as excellent, though neither review makes an extended direct comparison of its price against competing models.
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Authorized dealers for s.m.s.l RAW Pro-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