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, updated .
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 DL100The short version
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.
Which one to buy
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 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.
What matters most to you?
| 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
Where they differ
Two topics the DL100 and RAW-MDA1 reviews both discuss, the most decisive first.
Only the DL100
Only the RAW-MDA1
Power and system matching
The DL100 review lists one flaw here and the RAW-MDA1 review 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 lists two strengths here, the RAW-MDA1 review 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 discusses mids (two flaws), detail (one flaw), and value (one strength); only the RAW-MDA1 review discusses treble (one flaw), build (one strength, one flaw), tonal balance (one strength), and circuit design (two strengths).
What they have in common
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
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
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.
| 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 records THD+N; only the RAW-MDA1 review records dynamic range / THD+N.
How these verdicts were reached
The DL100 was reviewed in August 2024 and the RAW-MDA1 in December 2024, 4 months later, on one reference chain and 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
What is the difference between the SMSL DL100 and the SMSL RAW-MDA1?
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.
Which should you buy, the SMSL DL100 or the SMSL RAW-MDA1?
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.
Which has the better inputs and outputs, the DL100 or the RAW-MDA1?
The DL100, narrowly: its review lists two strengths on connectivity, the RAW-MDA1 review one strength and one flaw.
Is the RAW-MDA1 worth $60 more than the DL100?
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
In Best DACs the DL100 ranks #3 and the RAW-MDA1 #4.
DL100 #3 RAW-MDA1 #4 8 picks