As we speak, Lynn evaluations the SMSL RAW-HA1, a brand new built-in desktop DAC, headphone, and speaker amplifier with added BT 5.1 wi-fi functionality. It’s priced at $249.99.
Disclaimer: I obtained this pattern in change for my trustworthy opinion. Headfonics is an unbiased web site with no affiliate hyperlinks or partnerships. I thank Shenzhen Audio and SMSL for his or her assist.
Click on right here to be taught extra about SMSL merchandise we’ve got beforehand reviewed on Headfonics.
This text follows our present scoring tips which you will discover in additional element right here.
SMSL RAW-HA1 Evaluate
Abstract
When the SMSL RAW-HA1 arrived, I knew upfront that being able to hook up in two-channel mode can be a plus. What I didn’t fairly notice was that may be the most effective side of the RAW-HA1. The RAW-HA1’s headphone amplifier part carried out fairly nicely when used with IEMs, nevertheless, don’t anticipate harder-to-drive headphones to sound optimum.
Professionals
A number of enter choices..
Excellent 2-channel HiFi efficiency.
Atypical SMSL sound-stretched signature.
Cons
Weak headphone amplifier.
Thinning of high finish hinders high quality.
The SMSL RAW-HA1 is a headphone amplifier that may also be utilized in a two-channel system.
Having reviewed a number of SMSL merchandise of late such because the RAW-MDA1 and the DL100, I praise them for staying numerous of their merchandise, together with many supply choices out and in.
This retains their gadgets contemporary whereas permitting the lineup to fine-tune choices assembly many wants.
The RAW-HA1 can be utilized in some ways, and I used to be trying ahead to testing it, particularly in two-channel mode.
Options
Utilizing the German firm Infineon for the selection of digital amplification offers the RAW-HA1 a stable base on which to face.
Coupled with the third technology XMOS XU-316, which may deal with PCM as much as 32bit/768kHz and DSD256 permits for many of the present alternative music choices. MQA and MQA CD certifications are included.
The JRC NJW1194 quantity attenuation retains issues correct when elevating or reducing the amount. Gone are the small channel imbalances had on analog quantity pots.
The Cirrus Logic CS43131 DAC chip rounds out the decoding wants, with good outcomes. It is a fundamental DAC chip that has been efficiently utilized in not solely desktop items however DAPs as nicely, such because the simply reviewed FiiO x Jade Audio JM21.
Qualcomm’s Bluetooth 5.1 helps LDAC, aptX HD, SBC, and AAC.
Design
Type Issue
The acquainted black rectangular form is unmistakably SMSL, with minimal “interference” on the entrance, apart from the display and quantity knob, which acts as a operate knob, too.
Sized to suit neatly in your desktop at 8.62 x 1.77 x 7.48 inches (219 x 45 x 190 mm), the three.42lb unit could be simply shifted round.
With a brand new design, the UI flows simply between the 2 display points. The curved part permits for a little bit of aptitude between the 2 sections.
The LCD display is straightforward to see, even from a distance, however I do want that the appropriate aspect, which included the supply possibility and HPA/Audio system was a bit bigger. In fact, when you select the supply and listening possibility, that is much less essential.
Aesthetics
The clear look of the RAW-HA1 is quick turning into an SMSL custom. Some name the shortage of “seems to be” boring and plain, but it surely may very well be referred to as functionally literate. Purposeful can be one other descriptor, with the better than the center-third taken up by the brand new LCD display.
Not like a number of the SMSL items prior to now although, the headphone jacks are readily accessible for big jacks. The gold lining offers a little bit of an upscale look to it, differentiating the all-black look of the remaining.
The semi-gloss black additionally hides fingerprints, even on the amount knob, which is once more appreciated. The curved backside to the entrance offers the RAW-HA1 a decidedly smaller look to it, minimizing its affect in your system.
The protecting ft are bigger than anticipated and assist to maintain the unit in place when inserting or taking out headphone jacks. The unit didn’t transfer.
I/O
The RAW-HA1 comes with a mess of enter and output choices, ranging for each two-channel and headphone amplification.
With inputs starting from RCA line-in to digital coax-in, optical and HDMI (ARC) enter, USB-C enter, and Bluetooth 5.1, you possibly can run each analog and digital choices. Because of my scenario, I used to be unable to strive the HDMI enter.
Missing XLR or a 4.4bal enter was a bit disappointing, however the plethora of different choices included makes up for that.
You additionally get jacks for speaker connection (banana plug or naked wire), and a subwoofer output to be used in a two-channel system. Energy by each 4Ω and 8Ω is sort of good for a small unit, and I used to be by no means left missing speaker energy in my medium-sized listening room.
The entrance carries both a 4.4mm balanced or 6.35mm single-end headphone possibility, protecting it easy, but useful.
Controls
Utilizing both the amount knob or the distant, you possibly can entry all the submenus for enter, output PCM filter, equalizer, treble, bass, FN key for, UI type, language, dimmer, brightness, and a reset button.
The FN key for choices can be utilized to find out whether or not you need it to regulate outputs or Bluetooth performance. With quick access by the massive spherical button on the distant, you possibly can simply change this.
The UI operate key can change the show to a extra conventional structure, which reads higher from a distance than the “graphic” possibility; with extra info introduced on the display as nicely.
The straightforward-turn quantity knob doubles because the operate entry if you end up not utilizing the distant. The rounded-in really feel of the knob offers a pleasant tactile really feel to it.
Connectivity
Wi-fi
Preliminary connectivity was seamless between the FiiO TT13 and the RAW-HA1, which was then fed right into a pair of price range Yamaha NS638 (restored) bookshelf audio system. Pairing to the FiiO turntable took lower than 5 seconds and by no means skipped.
Switching to headphone use to gauge that side was seamless as nicely. The 5.1 BT is a one-way connecter solely.
Wired
With the power to make use of both headphones or audio system, the RAW-HA1 is flexible. Simply as versatile are the enter choices. Apart from BT, the primary connections for sources I used had been the USB-C (DAPs and MBP) and Line In (RCA, moveable CD participant, and DAC).
Coaxial was used briefly by way of an upcoming DAC assessment. I didn’t have a subwoofer out there throughout the assessment course of.
Packaging & Equipment
The RAW-HA1 comes within the now acquainted purple and black labeled SMSL field, nicely shielded from the “components.” Included are the unit, distant, energy cords, and consumer guide.
Any connecting cables should be equipped by the consumer. Most of us have a plethora of cables anyway.
The RAW-HA1 comes set right into a semi-soft foam insert, of matching dimensions, wrapped in plastic, with the facility twine and remotes tucked neatly subsequent to the unit.
Sound Impressions
My sound impressions of the RAW-HA1 had been accomplished utilizing an upcoming DAC assessment merchandise, the FiiO JM21, HiBy R4, classic Aiwa XP-SR311 moveable CD participant, and FiiO TT13 as sources.
My head and desktop speaker gear included the FiiO FT1 Professional, SJY Horizon headphones (briefly), the Campfire Audio Solaris 2020 (with ddHiFi BC130 Web Nyx cable), and Yamaha‘s NS638 bookshelf audio system.
Abstract
Generally gauging the sonic capability of an merchandise is just not as simple as listening to the merchandise. The RAW-HA1 can be a type of instances.
With the power for use as a pure headphone amplifier or for audio system, the impressions broaden a bit to take every side under consideration. Particularly when you possibly can add each treble and bass (+9dB every) to the combination.
Operating the RAW-HA1 in base settings offers a very good method to the sound. I discovered the soundstage top allowed the layers to unfold up whereas staying linked to the entire, giving a very good illustration of notice weight; which was nearly proper.
A slight thinning of the higher mids and treble notes added air to the signature however felt a bit skinny when mixed with the decrease mids and bass.
Altering the PCM filter can modify considerably what’s heard with roughly emphasis in varied locations relying upon the filter. Using the Minimal Section sluggish roll-off helped steadiness the thinning up high talked about above. The identical could be mentioned for the equalizer presets.
Timbre
The SMSL RAW-HA1 does come throughout as barely skinny up high when no extra equalization happens, sounding a bit analytical and chilly in response. Modifying the PCM filter or equalizer affords the consumer many choices to heat, easy, or tailor the sound.
The accuracy throughout the board coming forth with out equalization gave a very good melodic impact to the sound, even with the slight thinning.
It by no means felt too distant or weak, with notice decay barely longer than assault; leading to superb suggestions to the signature, permitting these notes to linger giving weight to what I heard.
Countering the baseline sound, which comes throughout as correct, however a bit much less musical as a result of thinning up high could be had by altering the PCM filter or equalizer.
The equalizer “settings” are literally “headings” starting from direct (no change) to a “Tone” change, SDB, Bass, Tremendous Bass, Rock, Delicate, and Clear.
Every setting altered the tonality sufficient for me to listen to variations utilizing both headphones or the speaker output. Some extra so than others.
Deciding on Direct offers the account talked about above. Altering to SDB acted like a loudness change on a two-channel amplifier.
I’d not advocate the Tremendous Bass setting on something too loud or listening units that is perhaps harmed by an excessive amount of quantity. There was that a lot of an impact.
Tremendous Bass labored fairly nicely on the bookshelf Yamaha audio system at reasonable volumes, giving good depth to the notes, whereas including a bit of heat, however I by no means raised the amount an excessive amount of.
Staging & Dynamics
The peak talked about above permits for every layer to hold forth with good accounting, permitting devices to return throughout as precisely positioned, by no means leaving a void within the signature.
The width comes throughout as barely exterior the pinnacle (or exterior the speaker separation), with common depth. Inserting audio system correctly helped avert the shortage of general depth a bit, as did equalizer settings.
There’s sufficient variation between the three dimensions that the complete signature comes throughout as melodic, and barely natural, even with the shortcomings.
The seemingly opposing dynamics of the soundstage and baseline character work nicely collectively offering the listener with a very good spatial sense of consciousness. It is a case the place tinkering with the PCM filters and equalizer makes the signature value it.
Synergy
Effectivity
The RAW-HA1 carries forth that dichotomous character talked about above in the case of use as an HPA or speaker amplifier.
As a speaker amplifier, you possibly can attain listening ranges, which grow to be startlingly loud. Particularly when mixed with the SDB equalizer.
That loud taking part in stage interprets right into a full musical listening expertise, with the power to tailor the sound response utilizing both (each) the PCM filter change or equalizer.
I by no means went above 35 in quantity to realize competent listening ranges utilizing both the USB-C out (JM21, R4), BT (TT13), or Aux in (Aiwa CD participant).
The identical can’t be mentioned concerning the HPA playback. Even utilizing easy-to-drive headphones such because the FiiO FT1 Professional or Meze Audio 99 Classics required upwards of 60 on the amount scale to realize “enough” listening ranges. Extra typically I used to be north of 70-75 for my listening functions, even with IEMs such because the Solaris 2020.
This unit won’t work with demanding headphones such because the SJY Horizon, that are notoriously onerous to drive.
Energy
Placing out 165W x 2 in 4Ω, and 85W x 2 in 8Ω exhibits its capabilities for use in an workplace or small listening room scenario. I had no bother attaining enough listening ranges in my medium-sized listening room.
HPA outputs run within the low vary with a purported 120mW+/- output. I used to be capable of attain loud sufficient listening ranges although, so energy scores is usually a bit deceptive.
Pairings
For the reason that RAW-HA1 is a mixture desktop and two-channel amplifier, you have got a mess of choices. I used to be capable of check the RAW-HA1 utilizing IEMs, headphones, and bookshelf audio system with success.
My favourite pairing was a small desktop two-channel amplifier utilizing the Yamaha NS638s. With the power to fill a medium-sized listening room with no bother, the RAW-HA1 proved highly effective sufficient to fulfill the room’s wants.
Including “taste” to the sound by way of the PCM filters or equalizer choices enhanced my capability to tailor the sound to numerous genres, exhibiting versatility.
Whereas used as a pure headphone amplifier, the RAW-HA1 carried out much less admirably. You could possibly nonetheless drive the Meze 99 Classics or FiiO FT1 Professional to loud sufficient ranges.
Whereas the sound was fairly good, I used to be left with an general lack of energy essential to correctly drive even these easier-to-drive headphones. Each headphones supplied superb sonic skills when paired, it merely felt like there ought to have been that little extra to satiate the necessity.
Operating the CFA IEM, the shortage of general energy was much less bothersome, since each the Solaris 2020 is pretty simple to drive.
The Campfire mannequin exhibited a pitch-black background, too. Leaving the equalizer to default, I used to be capable of benefit from the deep bass tones and glorious midrange, exhibiting that with the right mixture, the RAW-HA1 can certainly operate nicely utilizing the headphone jacks.
