---
title: "SMSL DL100 vs SMSL RAW-MDA1: Which to Buy?"
description: "SMSL DL100 8.2/10 vs SMSL RAW-MDA1 8.0/10. The SMSL DL100 wins on score and undercuts the SMSL RAW-MDA1 by $60. They differ most on connectivity."
url: "https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/smsl-dl100-vs-smsl-raw-mda1/"
type: "article"
section: "DACs comparison"
author: "Jakub Charkiewicz"
published: "2024-12-11T00:00:00.000Z"
modified: "2026-09-23T00:00:00.000Z"
---

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Breadcrumb: [Home](https://theaudiostuff.com/) > [Comparisons](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/) > SMSL DL100 vs SMSL RAW-MDA1

# SMSL DL100 vs SMSL RAW-MDA1

The SMSL DL100 scores 0.2 higher and costs $60 less than the SMSL RAW-MDA1. The reviews favour the DL100 over the RAW-MDA1 on connectivity, while only the RAW-MDA1's review singles out its tonal balance and circuit design.

By [Jakub Charkiewicz](https://theaudiostuff.com/authors/jakub-charkiewicz/), updated September 2026.

Our pick **SMSL DL100** The DL100 is 0.2 ahead on score and costs $60 less than the RAW-MDA1: nothing to trade. Against the DL100, the RAW-MDA1's case is its tonal balance and circuit design, which only its own review singles out.

When to choose the RAW-MDA1 over the DL100

## The short version {#cmp-qa-title}

The SMSL DL100 scores 8.2/10 (Recommended) and the SMSL RAW-MDA1 8.0/10 (Recommended). At $179 against $239, the DL100 saves you $60 over the RAW-MDA1. On connectivity, the DL100's review lists "USB-C, HDMI ARC, Bluetooth, Optical, Coax inputs" where the RAW-MDA1's lists "Doubled coax/optical inputs instead of BNC or AES". The published pick rule chooses the DL100 over the RAW-MDA1.

![The SMSL DL100's front panel: display, volume knob, and 1/4-inch plus 4.4mm headphone outputs](https://theaudiostuff.com/images/smsl-dl100-front-panel-1152w.avif)

Higher score

## [SMSL DL100](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/smsl-dl100/)

Score **8.2** +0.2

Verdict Recommended

Price **$179** -$60

Reviewed Aug 2024

[SMSL DL100 review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/smsl-dl100/)

![The SMSL RAW-MDA1's front: tempered-glass LCD, stepped knob, and 1/4-inch plus 4.4mm headphone outputs](https://theaudiostuff.com/images/smsl-raw-mda1-front-display-1152w.avif)

## [SMSL RAW-MDA1](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/smsl-raw-mda1/)

Score **8.0** -0.2

Verdict Recommended

Price **$239** +$60

Reviewed Dec 2024

[SMSL RAW-MDA1 review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/smsl-raw-mda1/)

Keep the DL100

- [Compare the DL100 with SMSL DO100 PRO scored 8.0 out of 10](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/smsl-dl100-vs-smsl-do100-pro/)

Keep the RAW-MDA1

- [Compare the RAW-MDA1 with Henry Audio DA 256 scored 8.2 out of 10](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/henry-audio-da-256-vs-smsl-raw-mda1/)
- [Compare the RAW-MDA1 with SMSL DO100 PRO scored 8.0 out of 10](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/smsl-do100-pro-vs-smsl-raw-mda1/)

## Which one to buy {#guidance-heading}

Our pick is the DL100; the cards say when the RAW-MDA1 is the better buy.

### SMSL DL100

Our pick. Choose it if:

- Connectivity matters most to you, and that is where the reviews favour the DL100 over the RAW-MDA1.
- You want the DL100's higher score (8.2 against 8.0) and $60 back against the RAW-MDA1.

[SMSL DL100 review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/smsl-dl100/)

### SMSL RAW-MDA1

Choose it instead if:

- The RAW-MDA1's tonal balance and circuit design appeal to you: only the RAW-MDA1 review singles them out, where the DL100 review is silent.

[SMSL RAW-MDA1 review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/smsl-raw-mda1/)

### What matters most to you? {#cmp-ax-title}

**Rubric axes out of 10: DL100 and RAW-MDA1.**
| What matters | SMSL DL100 | SMSL RAW-MDA1 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Sound | 8.0 | 8.0 |
| Technical performance | 8.0 | 8.0 |
| Build & comfort | 8.2 | 8.2 |
| System fit | 8.4 | 8.1 |
| Value | 8.8 | 7.8 |

The widest gap is value: 8.8 for the DL100 against 7.8 for the RAW-MDA1. Each column comes from its own review's pros and cons, 13 for the DL100 and 14 for the RAW-MDA1, and recombines to its headline score, 8.2 and 8.0. [How a score is built](https://theaudiostuff.com/about/#rubric)

## Where they differ {#diff-heading}

Two topics the DL100 and RAW-MDA1 reviews both discuss, the most decisive first.

Only the DL100

- Budget

Only the RAW-MDA1

- ESS

### Power and system matching

The [DL100 review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/smsl-dl100/#inputsoutputs-hdmi-arc-and-balanced-xlr-at-180) lists one flaw here and the [RAW-MDA1 review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/smsl-raw-mda1/#inputs--outputs-doubled-up-digital-inputs) one strength and two flaws, with no clear edge.

- DL100, flaw: "Pairs poorly with already-bright systems"
- RAW-MDA1, flaw: "Not enough power for Susvara, HE6, or Tungsten"

### Inputs and outputs

The [DL100 review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/smsl-dl100/#inputsoutputs-hdmi-arc-and-balanced-xlr-at-180) lists two strengths here, the [RAW-MDA1 review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/smsl-raw-mda1/#inputs--outputs-doubled-up-digital-inputs) one strength and one flaw.

- DL100, strength: "USB-C, HDMI ARC, Bluetooth, Optical, Coax inputs"
- RAW-MDA1, flaw: "Doubled coax/optical inputs instead of BNC or AES"

Only the [DL100 review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/smsl-dl100/) discusses mids (two flaws), detail (one flaw), and value (one strength); only the [RAW-MDA1 review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/smsl-raw-mda1/) discusses treble (one flaw), build (one strength, one flaw), tonal balance (one strength), and circuit design (two strengths).

## What they have in common {#common-heading}

The DL100 and the RAW-MDA1 are both DAC/amps from SMSL, and both have a USB input, an optical input, a coaxial input, Bluetooth, RCA outputs, balanced XLR outputs, a front display, and a balanced headphone output. The DL100 and RAW-MDA1 reviews both praise features and measured noise, and both fault bass.

## Sound signature, overlaid {#sig-heading}

On tonal balance the DL100 sounds bright where the RAW-MDA1 sits near neutral and on stage size the DL100 sits near neutral where the RAW-MDA1 sounds intimate. The DL100 and the RAW-MDA1 both sound analytical and energetic. The DL100 review reads bass weight and the RAW-MDA1 review does not, so the two go uncompared there.

## On paper {#specs-heading}

The DL100 ranks #2 and the RAW-MDA1 #4 of the 8 DACs reviewed here; on value the DL100 rates Excellent and the RAW-MDA1 Fair. Into 16 Ω, the DL100 is rated at 3 W and the RAW-MDA1 at 2.5 W. The DL100 lists 5 inputs and 4 outputs; the RAW-MDA1 lists 4 and 4. Inside, the DL100 uses 4× Cirrus Logic DAC + XMOS and the RAW-MDA1 Dual ES9039Q2M (dual-mono) + 6× OPA1612A + XMOS XU-316. The DL100 and RAW-MDA1 spec sheets match on outputs (Balanced XLR, RCA, 4.4 mm (HP), 6.35 mm (HP)).

The DL100 and RAW-MDA1 figures come from [SMSL's official site](https://www.smsl-audio.com).

**Specifications for the SMSL DL100 compared with the SMSL RAW-MDA1**
| Spec | SMSL DL100 | SMSL RAW-MDA1 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Architecture | 4× Cirrus Logic DAC + XMOS - PCM 32-bit/768 kHz, DSD256, MQA | Dual ES9039Q2M (dual-mono) + 6× OPA1612A + XMOS XU-316 - PCM 32-bit/768 kHz, DSD512, MQA |
| Power output | 3 W into 16 Ω · 1.5 W into 32 Ω | 2.5 W into 16 Ω · 1.7 W into 32 Ω |
| Inputs | USB-C, HDMI ARC, Bluetooth, Optical, Coaxial | USB-C, 2× Coaxial, 2× Optical, Bluetooth (LDAC / aptX / AAC / SBC) |
| Output level | 2.5 Vrms (RCA) / 5.2 Vrms (XLR) | 5.2 Vrms (XLR) / 2.5 Vrms (RCA) / 8.2 Vrms (HP) |

Only the [DL100 review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/smsl-dl100/#specs-heading) records THD+N; only the [RAW-MDA1 review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/smsl-raw-mda1/#specs-heading) records dynamic range / THD+N.

## How these verdicts were reached {#deepdive-heading}

The DL100 was reviewed in August 2024 and the RAW-MDA1 in December 2024, 4 months later, on one [reference chain](https://theaudiostuff.com/#rig-title) and [rubric](https://theaudiostuff.com/about/#rubric). The DL100 review never mentions the RAW-MDA1, nor the RAW-MDA1 review the DL100: two separate sessions. The DL100 and RAW-MDA1 reviews were both re-checked in September 2026.

## Questions about the DL100 and RAW-MDA1 {#compare-faq-heading}

1. ### What is the difference between the SMSL DL100 and the SMSL RAW-MDA1? {#compare-smsl-dl100-smsl-raw-mda1-faq-what-is-the-difference-between-the-smsl-dl100}
   The SMSL DL100 edges the RAW-MDA1 where it is measured, 8.2 to 8.0. The reviews favour the DL100 over the RAW-MDA1 on connectivity, while only the RAW-MDA1's review singles out its tonal balance and circuit design. On signature the DL100 and the RAW-MDA1 sit close together, axis by axis.
2. ### Which should you buy, the SMSL DL100 or the SMSL RAW-MDA1? {#compare-smsl-dl100-smsl-raw-mda1-faq-which-should-you-buy-the-smsl-dl100-or}
   The DL100: it leads the RAW-MDA1 on both counts, 8.2 against 8.0 and $60 less. Choose the RAW-MDA1 instead if its tonal balance is worth $60 more to you.
3. ### Which has the better inputs and outputs, the DL100 or the RAW-MDA1? {#compare-smsl-dl100-smsl-raw-mda1-faq-which-has-the-better-inputs-and-outputs-the}
   The DL100, narrowly: its review lists two strengths on connectivity, the RAW-MDA1 review one strength and one flaw.
4. ### Is the RAW-MDA1 worth $60 more than the DL100? {#compare-smsl-dl100-smsl-raw-mda1-faq-is-the-raw-mda1-worth-60-more-than}
   Not on score: the RAW-MDA1 costs $60 more than the DL100 for 0.2 less on the rubric. In the reviews' own lines, it buys the RAW-MDA1's tonal balance and circuit design over the DL100.

## Where they rank {#ranks-heading}

In Best DACs the DL100 ranks #3 and the RAW-MDA1 #4.

[Best DACs](https://theaudiostuff.com/guides/best-dacs/)

DL100 **#3** RAW-MDA1 **#4** 8 picks

## Tools for this decision {#compare-tools-heading}

Test

### [ABX Blind Test](https://theaudiostuff.com/tools/abx-test/)

EQ

### [Online Graphic Equalizer](https://theaudiostuff.com/tools/eq-simulator/)

## Related comparisons {#related-heading}

Nearby DACs matchups without the DL100 or the RAW-MDA1.

[Henry Audio DA 256 SMSL DO100 PRO 8.2 vs 8.0](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/henry-audio-da-256-vs-smsl-do100-pro/)

[All DACs matchups](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/#cat-dacs) [All DACs reviews](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/dacs/)