--- title: "SMSL DO100 PRO vs SMSL RAW-MDA1: Which to Buy?" description: "SMSL DO100 PRO 8.0/10 vs SMSL RAW-MDA1 8.0/10. Same score: character decides it. They differ most on tonal balance and connectivity." url: "https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/smsl-do100-pro-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" --- > Markdown rendering of https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/smsl-do100-pro-vs-smsl-raw-mda1/ > Canonical URL to cite: https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/smsl-do100-pro-vs-smsl-raw-mda1/ > Generated from the published page. Text and links only; see the HTML for layout. Breadcrumb: [Home](https://theaudiostuff.com/) > [Comparisons](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/) > SMSL DO100 PRO vs SMSL RAW-MDA1 # SMSL DO100 PRO vs SMSL RAW-MDA1 The SMSL DO100 PRO and the SMSL RAW-MDA1 score the same, 8.0 each, at about the same price. The reviews favour the DO100 PRO on connectivity, and the RAW-MDA1 on tonal balance. By [Jakub Charkiewicz](https://theaudiostuff.com/authors/jakub-charkiewicz/), updated September 2026. Too close to call The DO100 PRO and the RAW-MDA1 are level on score at 8.0 and on price, so the pick rule does not separate them. The reviews favour the DO100 PRO on connectivity and the RAW-MDA1 on tonal balance: choose on whichever matters more to you. When to choose the DO100 PRO or the RAW-MDA1 ## The short version {#cmp-qa-title} The SMSL DO100 PRO scores 8.0/10 (Recommended) and the SMSL RAW-MDA1 8.0/10 (Recommended). The DO100 PRO and RAW-MDA1 cost about the same ($219 against $239). On tonal balance, the RAW-MDA1's review lists "Warmer-than-typical ESS tonality with forward midrange" where the DO100 PRO's lists "Tonality leans slightly analytical". On connectivity the DO100 PRO has the edge over the RAW-MDA1: "Balanced internally - XLR output sounds slightly better" against "Doubled coax/optical inputs instead of BNC or AES". The published pick rule does not separate the DO100 PRO and the RAW-MDA1. ![The SMSL DO100 PRO's front display showing the 44.1kHz sample rate, beside its stepped control knob](https://theaudiostuff.com/images/smsl-do100-pro-front-display-1152w.avif) Too close to call ## [SMSL DO100 PRO](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/smsl-do100-pro/) Score **8.0** Verdict Recommended Price **$219** -$20 Reviewed Jun 2024 [SMSL DO100 PRO review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/smsl-do100-pro/) ![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) Too close to call ## [SMSL RAW-MDA1](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/smsl-raw-mda1/) Score **8.0** Verdict Recommended Price **$239** +$20 Reviewed Dec 2024 [SMSL RAW-MDA1 review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/smsl-raw-mda1/) Keep the DO100 PRO - [Compare the DO100 PRO with SMSL DL100 scored 8.2 out of 10](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/smsl-dl100-vs-smsl-do100-pro/) - [Compare the DO100 PRO with Henry Audio DA 256 scored 8.2 out of 10](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/henry-audio-da-256-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 DL100 scored 8.2 out of 10](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/smsl-dl100-vs-smsl-raw-mda1/) ## In the reviewer's words {#words-heading} The RAW-MDA1 review mentions the DO100 PRO in passing, verbatim below. > While it looks almost identical to one on, for example, the DO100 PRO - it's designed with a bit more finesse. *SMSL RAW-MDA1 review, from the section "Design & Build Quality: Denser, Sharper, More Premium". [Read it in context in the RAW-MDA1 review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/smsl-raw-mda1/#design--build-quality-denser-sharper-more-premium)* ## Which one to buy {#guidance-heading} The pick rule does not separate these two: the DO100 PRO for connectivity, the RAW-MDA1 for tonal balance. ### SMSL DO100 PRO Choose it if: - The DO100 PRO's connectivity matters more to you than the RAW-MDA1's tonal balance. - You want the DO100 PRO's brighter sound; the RAW-MDA1 sits closer to neutral there. [SMSL DO100 PRO review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/smsl-do100-pro/) ### SMSL RAW-MDA1 Choose it if: - The RAW-MDA1's tonal balance matters more to you than the DO100 PRO's connectivity. [SMSL RAW-MDA1 review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/smsl-raw-mda1/) ### What matters most to you? {#cmp-ax-title} **Rubric axes out of 10: DO100 PRO and RAW-MDA1.** | What matters | SMSL DO100 PRO | SMSL RAW-MDA1 | | --- | --- | --- | | Sound | 7.9 | 8.0 | | Technical performance | 7.7 | 8.0 | | Build & comfort | 8.1 | 8.2 | | System fit | 8.5 | 8.1 | | Value | 8.2 | 7.8 | The widest gap is system fit: 8.5 for the DO100 PRO against 8.1 for the RAW-MDA1. Each column comes from its own review's pros and cons, 13 for the DO100 PRO and 14 for the RAW-MDA1, and recombines to its headline score, 8.0 and 8.0. [How a score is built](https://theaudiostuff.com/about/#rubric) ## Where they differ {#diff-heading} Three topics the DO100 PRO and RAW-MDA1 reviews both discuss, the most decisive first. Only the DO100 PRO - Desktop Only the RAW-MDA1 - Headphone Amp ### Tonal balance The [RAW-MDA1 review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/smsl-raw-mda1/#how-does-it-sound-warm-for-an-ess-mids-forward) lists one strength here, the [DO100 PRO review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/smsl-do100-pro/#sound-solid-slightly-analytical-a-touch-soft) one flaw. - RAW-MDA1, strength: "Warmer-than-typical ESS tonality with forward midrange" - DO100 PRO, flaw: "Tonality leans slightly analytical" ### Inputs and outputs The [DO100 PRO review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/smsl-do100-pro/#build-aluminum-with-all-the-io-you-need) 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. - DO100 PRO, strength: "Balanced internally - XLR output sounds slightly better" - RAW-MDA1, flaw: "Doubled coax/optical inputs instead of BNC or AES" ### Build and controls The [DO100 PRO review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/smsl-do100-pro/#build-aluminum-with-all-the-io-you-need) lists one strength and two flaws here and the [RAW-MDA1 review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/smsl-raw-mda1/#design--build-quality-denser-sharper-more-premium) one strength and one flaw; the RAW-MDA1 review weighs the two on this directly, quoted above. - DO100 PRO, flaw: "Slight wobble in the (digitally stepped) plastic knob" - RAW-MDA1, strength: "More premium feel than other SMSL DACs in the price range" Only the [DO100 PRO review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/smsl-do100-pro/) discusses detail (one flaw) and soundstage (one flaw); only the [RAW-MDA1 review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/smsl-raw-mda1/) discusses system matching (one strength, two flaws), bass (one flaw), treble (one flaw), and measured noise (one strength). ## What they have in common {#common-heading} The DO100 PRO is a DAC and the RAW-MDA1 a DAC/amp, both from SMSL, and both have a USB input, an optical input, a coaxial input, Bluetooth, RCA outputs, balanced XLR outputs, and a front display. The DO100 PRO and RAW-MDA1 reviews both praise features and circuit design. ## Sound signature, overlaid {#sig-heading} On tonal balance the DO100 PRO sounds bright where the RAW-MDA1 sits near neutral and on stage size the DO100 PRO sits near neutral where the RAW-MDA1 sounds intimate. The DO100 PRO and the RAW-MDA1 both sound analytical and energetic. ## On paper {#specs-heading} The DO100 PRO and the RAW-MDA1 share #4 of the 8 DACs reviewed here; on value the DO100 PRO rates Strong and the RAW-MDA1 Fair. The DO100 PRO lists 5 inputs and 2 outputs; the RAW-MDA1 lists 4 and 4. Inside, the DO100 PRO uses Dual ESS DAC + 6× OPA1612, XMOS and the RAW-MDA1 Dual ES9039Q2M (dual-mono) + 6× OPA1612A + XMOS XU-316. The DO100 PRO and RAW-MDA1 figures come from [SMSL's official site](https://www.smsl-audio.com). **Specifications for the SMSL DO100 PRO compared with the SMSL RAW-MDA1** | Spec | SMSL DO100 PRO | SMSL RAW-MDA1 | | --- | --- | --- | | Architecture | Dual ESS DAC + 6× OPA1612, XMOS - PCM 32-bit/768 kHz, DSD512, MQA | Dual ES9039Q2M (dual-mono) + 6× OPA1612A + XMOS XU-316 - PCM 32-bit/768 kHz, DSD512, MQA | | Inputs | USB-C, Bluetooth, HDMI ARC, Optical, Coaxial | USB-C, 2× Coaxial, 2× Optical, Bluetooth (LDAC / aptX / AAC / SBC) | | Outputs | RCA, Balanced XLR | Balanced XLR, RCA, 4.4 mm (HP), 6.35 mm (HP) | Only the [DO100 PRO review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/smsl-do100-pro/#specs-heading) records weight; only the [RAW-MDA1 review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/smsl-raw-mda1/#specs-heading) records power output, dynamic range / THD+N, and output level. ## How these verdicts were reached {#deepdive-heading} The DO100 PRO was reviewed in June 2024 and the RAW-MDA1 in December 2024, 6 months later, on one [reference chain](https://theaudiostuff.com/#rig-title) and [rubric](https://theaudiostuff.com/about/#rubric). The RAW-MDA1 review mentions the DO100 PRO in passing, quoted above. The DO100 PRO and RAW-MDA1 reviews were both re-checked in September 2026. ## Questions about the DO100 PRO and RAW-MDA1 {#compare-faq-heading} 1. ### What is the difference between the SMSL DO100 PRO and the SMSL RAW-MDA1? {#compare-smsl-do100-pro-smsl-raw-mda1-faq-what-is-the-difference-between-the-smsl-do100} On the rubric the DO100 PRO and the RAW-MDA1 are level at 8.0. In the reviews' own lines, connectivity goes to the DO100 PRO and tonal balance to the RAW-MDA1. On voicing the DO100 PRO is the brighter of the two; the RAW-MDA1 does not lean far on that axis. 2. ### Which should you buy, the SMSL DO100 PRO or the SMSL RAW-MDA1? {#compare-smsl-do100-pro-smsl-raw-mda1-faq-which-should-you-buy-the-smsl-do100-pro} Neither, on the published rule: the DO100 PRO and the RAW-MDA1 are level at 8.0 and on price, so the topics further up decide it. 3. ### How do the DO100 PRO and the RAW-MDA1 differ in tonal balance? {#compare-smsl-do100-pro-smsl-raw-mda1-faq-how-do-the-do100-pro-and-the-raw} The RAW-MDA1: its review lists one strength on tonal balance, the DO100 PRO review one flaw. 4. ### Which has the better inputs and outputs, the DO100 PRO or the RAW-MDA1? {#compare-smsl-do100-pro-smsl-raw-mda1-faq-which-has-the-better-inputs-and-outputs-the} The DO100 PRO, narrowly: its review lists two strengths on connectivity, the RAW-MDA1 review one strength and one flaw. ## Where they rank {#ranks-heading} In Best DACs the RAW-MDA1 ranks #4 and the DO100 PRO #5. [Best DACs](https://theaudiostuff.com/guides/best-dacs/) RAW-MDA1 **#4** DO100 PRO **#5** 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/) [All DACs matchups](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/#cat-dacs) [All DACs reviews](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/dacs/)