Henry Audio DA 256 vs SMSL RAW-MDA1
The Henry Audio DA 256 scores 0.2 higher; the SMSL RAW-MDA1 costs $1,491 less. Going by the two reviews, the DA 256 is stronger on bass and system matching and the RAW-MDA1 on connectivity.
By Jakub Charkiewicz · Published · Updated
On score and price Henry Audio DA 256 The DA 256 scores 0.2 higher, two steps, which is worth more than the $1,491 the RAW-MDA1 saves. The RAW-MDA1 still does better than the DA 256 on connectivity.
When to choose the RAW-MDA1 over the DA 256The short version
The Henry Audio DA 256 scores 8.2/10 (Recommended) and the SMSL RAW-MDA1 8.0/10 (Recommended). At €1,600 against $239, the RAW-MDA1 saves you $1,491 over the DA 256. On bass, the DA 256 review notes "Full, deep, controlled bass and standout imaging" and the RAW-MDA1 review "Bass is clean but lacks ultimate slam and punch". On connectivity, the RAW-MDA1 comes out ahead of the DA 256. Weighing score against price, the DA 256 is a better buy than the RAW-MDA1, and the cards below say when the RAW-MDA1 makes more sense.
Higher score
Henry Audio DA 256
Which one to buy
The DA 256 is the better buy unless its connectivity would put you off, in which case take the RAW-MDA1.
| At a glance | Henry Audio DA 256 | SMSL RAW-MDA1 |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 8.2/10, Recommended | 8.0/10, Recommended |
| List price | €1,600 | $239 |
| Lowest tracked US price | not tracked at US stores | $251.99 at Apos Audio on Oct 7, 2026 |
| Better choice for | bass and system matching | connectivity |
| Less suited to | connectivity | bass and system matching |
Henry Audio DA 256
Picked on score and price. Choose it if:
- You care more about the DA 256's bass and system matching than the RAW-MDA1's connectivity.
- You would pay $1,491 more than the RAW-MDA1 costs for the DA 256's higher score, 8.2 against 8.0.
Not ideal if:
- You need the RAW-MDA1's connectivity more than the DA 256's bass and system matching.
- Every dollar counts: the RAW-MDA1 costs $1,491 less than the DA 256.
SMSL RAW-MDA1
Choose it instead if:
- You care more about the RAW-MDA1's connectivity than the DA 256's bass and system matching.
- Keeping $1,491 matters more to you than the DA 256's two-step lead over the RAW-MDA1, 8.2 against 8.0.
Not ideal if:
- You need the DA 256's bass and system matching more than the RAW-MDA1's connectivity.
- The DA 256's 8.2 against the RAW-MDA1's 8.0 is worth $1,491 more to you.
What matters most to you?
| What matters | Henry Audio DA 256 | SMSL RAW-MDA1 |
|---|---|---|
| Sound | 8.4 | 8.0 |
| Technical performance | 8.3 | 8.0 |
| Build & comfort | 8.4 | 8.2 |
| System fit | 8.2 | 8.1 |
| Value | 7.4 | 7.8 |
The widest gap is sound: 8.4 for the DA 256 against 8.0 for the RAW-MDA1. The DA 256 column is worked out from its review's 15 pros and cons and the RAW-MDA1 column from 14, and each adds back up to its overall score, 8.2 and 8.0. How a score is built
Where they differ
The RAW-MDA1 has an XLR output and a display and the DA 256 does not.
Only the DA 256
Only the RAW-MDA1
Bass
Here the DA 256 review is the more positive of the two and the RAW-MDA1 review finds fault:
- DA 256, praised: "Full, deep, controlled bass and standout imaging"
- RAW-MDA1, criticized: "Bass is clean but lacks ultimate slam and punch"
Power and system matching
Here the DA 256 review is the kinder of the two and the RAW-MDA1 review has reservations:
- DA 256, praised: "Runs off USB bus power, any 8 to 16 V supply, or a 9 V battery"
- RAW-MDA1, criticized: "Not enough power for Susvara, HE6, or Tungsten"
Features and formats
The DA 256 review and the RAW-MDA1 review are both mixed here, so neither has a clear edge:
- DA 256, praised: "Coax and optical are buffered and replayed on the DAC's own precision clocks, not the source's"
- RAW-MDA1, praised: "High-resolution LCD with tempered glass front"
Inputs and outputs
Here the RAW-MDA1 review is the kinder of the two and the DA 256 review finds fault:
- RAW-MDA1, praised: 'XLR + RCA outputs, 1/4" + 4.4mm headphone outs'
- DA 256, criticized: "No XLR outputs at all - one pair of RCAs and that's it"
Build and controls
Here the DA 256 review is the more positive of the two and the RAW-MDA1 review has reservations:
- DA 256, praised: "Thick brushed aluminum case on a real solid wood base, designed in Norway and built in Germany"
- RAW-MDA1, criticized: "Volume knob can be unpredictable on fast adjustments"
Only the DA 256 review faults its detail and in-box accessories; only the RAW-MDA1 review praises its circuit design but faults its treble.
What they have in common
The DA 256 is a DAC and the RAW-MDA1 a DAC/amp, and both have a USB input, an optical input, a coaxial input, and RCA outputs. The DA 256 and the RAW-MDA1 are both praised for their tonal balance and measured noise.
Sound signature, overlaid
Neither the DA 256 nor the RAW-MDA1 leans either way on energy.
On paper
The DA 256 ranks #2 and the RAW-MDA1 #4 of the 8 DACs reviewed here; on value the DA 256 rates Steep and the RAW-MDA1 Fair. The DA 256 lists 4 inputs and 1 output; the RAW-MDA1 lists 4 and 4. Inside, the DA 256 uses Texas Instruments PCM5142 delta-sigma, chip filter only, no upsampling and the RAW-MDA1 Dual ES9039Q2M (dual-mono) + 6× OPA1612A + XMOS XU-316.
The DA 256 and RAW-MDA1 figures are the makers' own; AES17 defines how they are measured.
| Spec | Henry Audio DA 256 | SMSL RAW-MDA1 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Texas Instruments PCM5142 delta-sigma, chip filter only, no upsampling | Dual ES9039Q2M (dual-mono) + 6× OPA1612A + XMOS XU-316 - PCM 32-bit/768 kHz, DSD512, MQA |
| Inputs | USB-B, USB-C (front), Coaxial, Optical x2 | USB-C, 2× Coaxial, 2× Optical, Bluetooth (LDAC / aptX / AAC / SBC) |
| Outputs | RCA | Balanced XLR, RCA, 4.4 mm (HP), 6.35 mm (HP) |
| Output level | 2 V | 5.2 Vrms (XLR) / 2.5 Vrms (RCA) / 8.2 Vrms (HP) |
Only the DA 256 review lists SNR, weight, format support, power input, case, origin, and licensing; only the RAW-MDA1 review lists power output and dynamic range / THD+N.
How these verdicts were reached
The RAW-MDA1 review was published on Dec 11, 2024 and the DA 256 review on Sep 19, 2026, nearly two years later, on one reference chain and rubric. The DA 256 review never mentions the RAW-MDA1, nor the RAW-MDA1 review the DA 256: two separate sessions. The DA 256 and RAW-MDA1 reviews were both last checked on Oct 3, 2026.
Sources
Further reading for the DA 256 and the RAW-MDA1: the DA 256's delta-sigma conversion and what both reviews say about the noise floor.
Questions about the DA 256 and RAW-MDA1
What is the difference between the Henry Audio DA 256 and the SMSL RAW-MDA1?
The Henry Audio DA 256 scores 8.2 and the RAW-MDA1 8.0. The DA 256 does better on bass and system matching, the RAW-MDA1 on connectivity. The DA 256 and the RAW-MDA1 have similar sound signatures on every axis.
Which should you buy, the Henry Audio DA 256 or the SMSL RAW-MDA1?
The DA 256: its 8.2 against the RAW-MDA1's 8.0 is two steps, enough to justify the extra $1,491.
Which has the better bass, the DA 256 or the RAW-MDA1?
The DA 256: its review is positive about bass, while the RAW-MDA1 review is critical.
How do the DA 256 and the RAW-MDA1 compare on power and output?
The DA 256, narrowly: both reviews are mixed on system matching, the DA 256's less so than the RAW-MDA1's.
Is the DA 256 worth $1,491 more than the RAW-MDA1?
Yes, on score and price: the DA 256 leads the RAW-MDA1 by 0.2, two steps, which outweighs the $1,491. What the extra money gets you, going by the reviews, is the DA 256's bass and system matching over the RAW-MDA1's.
Where they rank
In Best DACs the DA 256 ranks #2 and the RAW-MDA1 #4.
DA 256 #2 RAW-MDA1 #4 8 picks