In today’s feature, Lynn reviews the SMSL RAWPro-DAC1, a PCM 32bit/768kHz capable ES9039MSPRO desktop DAC with wireless LDAC Bluetooth 5.1 decoding. It is priced at $699.99
Disclaimer: I received this sample in exchange for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or partnerships. I thank Shenzhen Audio and SMSL for their support.
Click here to learn more about SMSL products we have previously reviewed on Headfonics.
This article follows our current scoring guidelines, which you can find in more detail here.
Fresh off the RAW-DAC1 review, of which I was thoroughly impressed, I did not expect to be more impressed. Yet, the SMSL RAWPro-DAC1 has all the characteristics that the RAW-DAC1 housed but uses ESS chips instead. Very similar to the SMSL SU-X, which Louis reviewed a while back.
This is the third release in SMSL’s “RAW” series, following on the heels of the RAW-MDA1 and the RAW-DAC1, which I have previously reviewed, coming away impressed with each.
If the beginnings are anything to go by, I am prepared to be mightily impressed yet again.
Features
The RAWPro-DAC1 runs the ESS9039MPRO DAC chip, putting on the “PRO” aspect for its users. This is the same chipset used in the venerable SMSL SU-X, which sits one level above the Pro. Running here in a single chip, the RAWPro-DAC1 also has MQA CD decoding.
Carrying the now familiar 3rd gen XMOS XU-316 true 32-bit USB processor, the RAWPro-DAC1 is capable of up to PCM 32bit/768kHz and DSD512. All of this is now familiar to most, but the combination makes for the difference.
The low-phase noise crystal oscillator and clock processor keep things quiet and accurate. Jitter is pretty much a thing of the past with a good DAC nowadays, and the RAWPro-DAC1 is no different. SMSL’s proprietary multi-frequency CK-03 Jitter processing circuit ensures this.
Just like the SU-X, the DAC section is capable of playing back MQA and MQA CD-certified files at the hardware level. But this cannot be done at the USB input. The user must use the Optical, Coax, or AES port. All interfaces except BT support DSD, though.
Coax, optical, and the AES/EBU are capable of DoP64.
Design
Unless you are brand new to the portable audio scene, you should recognize the familiar black of SMSL in their designs. Except for their higher-end units such as the SU-X (which looks quite good) and the RAWPro-DAC1, which comes in silver.
This color highlights the unit more than the familiar black, allowing you to showcase the unit within your desktop system or even with powered speakers and a turntable if you choose.
But, as usual for SMSL, the volume knob dominates the front right, with the screen to the left, still slightly off-center to the right. The rest of the front is bare except for the lettering. I’m not sure if this was the intent, but that off-center look adds to the sleek theme.
The silver chassis isn’t necessarily a bad thing, with dimensions similar to the RAW units slotted below. Coming in slightly larger than its lower-tiered siblings, the 254 X 203 X 48mm (W x H x D) size and weight of 1.9kg/4.19lbs carries the proportioned looks nicely.
With an efficient spatial layout, the RAWPro-DAC1 comes across as versatile too, especially since once the unit is on, you only need the remote for functioning and to put it into sleep mode.
You can certainly stack the unit, but you might want to show off the good looks, especially with the screen that can go into two distinct layouts.
I/O
Carrying multiple inputs ranging from optical, coax, USB-C, USB-B, AES/EBU, and I²S, along with Bluetooth, means you can hook multiple sources to the RAWPro-DAC1 and simply switch using the remote.
At one point, I had a turntable hooked up via BT, a DAP via USB-C, my computer via USB-B, and an older Oppo BDP-83 used as a CD player via coax simultaneously.
With outputs of RCA and balanced 3-pin XLR, you can hook to an amplifier (I did via XLR) and powered speakers via the RCA out. All of this can be changed simply by using the remote to access the submenus.
More and more, we are seeing this, which follows along similar lines to a pre-amplifier from a quality home two-channel system.
Controls
The concave volume knob on the front can also be used like the remote to access the sub-menus, simply by pressing.
You can then rotate the wheel to access the sub-menu of choice, such as input. Pressing it again allows you to change the source input. After about five seconds, the screen reverts to the main viewing choice.
The RAWPro-DAC1 can also be used as a pre-amplifier through the menu system, adding to its versatility.
Once the rocker on the back is activated, you only need the remote to turn the unit on or off and control menus from a distance.
Visibility of the screen is pretty good, but not from across the room, as if the RAWPro-DAC1 was in a two-channel system. That said, brightness can be controlled, allowing for better visibility.
Remote control
The SMSL RAWPro-DAC1 comes with an RC-8C remote control that uses two AAA batteries, which are easy to obtain or recharge. They seemingly last forever to me.
The remote has everything you need to operate the unit, starting with a power button, as long as the unit is in standby mode. This is the same remote included with the SU-X and RAWPro-DAC1, so if you happen to have either as well, they will both come on or turn off with the push of that button.
The control has a volume control rocker, a mute button, an input selector, and a function button that gets you into the system menu. A four-direction round control pad allows you to navigate wherever you want within the system menu, which is vast.
I consistently use the remote from distances up to 25 feet without issue, so it is perfectly acceptable from across your living room. The IR sensor is visible behind the front glass and to the right side of the screen.
System Menu
The SMSL RAWPro-DAC1 menu is extensive and full of features. You get separate and selectable input and output menus followed by three separate sound tailoring options. The third, Soundcolor, is similar to the RAW DAC1 I just reviewed but different in interpretation.
You get “standard,” which is unfiltered DAC sound, along with three versions (1, 2, 3), each of rich, tube, and crystal. With increasing degrees of change, you can add to the “modification” of the sound.
Rich provides more vibrant tonality and warmth. The tube mode adds a tube-like sound with even more warmth but lacks the vibrancy. Crystal adds a bit more clarity and detail retrieval.
I like all three options, but I use the tube settings more. This can be changed for different headphones, personalizing the sound signature to meet your pleasure.
You can also change to pre-amp mode along with I²S mode and Phase mode, which both promote a 180 switch lending to a more holographic effect. Think of old Sansui (and others) amplifiers that could do this as well as run in quad mode, promoting a more inclusive listening environment.
You also get the usual home screen change between graphics and universal, along with a timer, dimmer, and brightness settings. Overall, this is one of the more thorough menu options, with a multitude of user-defined changes available.
Packaging & Accessories
The RAWPro-DAC1 comes inside a foam mold within the now typical SMSL large box made of thick cardboard, with a sleeve over it. This follows the SMSL RAW route.
Included with the RAWPro-DAC1 is a 3-prong 5-foot power cord, a 3-foot USB A to USB C cable, a 3-foot USB A to USB B cable, an owner’s manual, the SMA terminated Bluetooth antenna, the SMSL VMV pass card, and the remote control. No AAA batteries are included.
Connectivity
Bluetooth
Connection with the RAWPro-DAC1’s Bluetooth 5.1, which supports SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, and LDAC, was seamless to my MacBook Pro and the FiiO TT13 for review. Much like the RAW DAC1, connecting was simple, stable, and without bother.
When connected to my Macbook Pro, watching videos either on Netflix or YouTube, latency was commendably low and could not be discerned without a concerted effort. Well done.
USB-DAC
As the main testing option used, the RAWPro-DAC1’s USB-C to USB-C option worked for both my MacBook Pro and the FiiO JM21 with streaming. Qobuz and Tidal, along with video watching, were seamless without a hitch, coming across with very high audio standards.
Coax
I was able to sneak in some time using my older Oppo BDP-83 as a CD transport through the RAWPro-DAC1 coax out successfully.
The pairing with an upcoming amplifier was a magnificent chance to relive a time when CDs were the top dog. Used as such, the RAWPro-DAC1 calmly allowed the Oppo to shine.
RCA
Connecting the RAWPro-DAC1 to the Edifier R1280DBs powered speakers and the small Akai/Yamaha system I have on hand afforded a better DAC to be in place.
This would make the RAWPro-DAC1 a serious contender to become part and parcel in my home McIntosh MA6100 system upon returning north.
XLR
While I was unable to use the RAWPro-DAC1 XLR out into a pair of Soundcraft Absolue 4P-powered studio monitors, I could use this connection in an upcoming amplifier review, which became my main testing option. Seeing an XLR-out makes the versatility even more appreciated.
Sound Impressions
Sound impressions of the SMSL RAWPro-DAC1 were made using the recently reviewed SMSL RAW-HA1 with some rejuvenated Yamaha bookshelf speakers, both through XLR out.
I also used the SJY Horizon headphones, FiiO’s TT13 for BT capability, my iPhone 16 Pro for BT and USB-C, along with my MacBook Pro and FiiO’s JM21 for USB-C connectivity.
The Meze Audio 99 Classics were used, as well as the Campfire Audio Supermoon IEMs, for comparison. The coaxial was briefly tested using the aforementioned Oppo BDP-83.
Summary
ESS chips are known for their accuracy in sound presentation without inputting much of a stamp on the signature. This allows what is there to be heard uncolored and unencumbered by nuances other chips may impact on the sound.
Pairing with a variety of amplifiers allowed the amplifier to dictate the sonic characteristics heard. But, changing the Soundcolor settings allows the user to fine-tune what we hear. If you pair it with a tube amplifier, you can add more subtle bits through the three tube options.
Prefer a more crystal response for genres such as micro-detailed classical? There are options for that, as well as adding richness to the scale.
I found myself changing with different songs played, allowing for a fine-tuning that almost became a ritual. But if one focuses on a single (or two) genre(s), know that setting and forgetting is worth it, too.
Coming across as neutral, the RAWPro-DAC1 allowed altering nothing or a lot as your pleasure without distracting from the overall excellence.
Timbre
The natural timbre of the RAWPro-DAC1 is one of its best characteristics. Striking a balance between smooth and emotive, the presentation is an extremely accurate translation of the recording.
The RAWPro-DAC1 also extracts every detail within a recording, with a high amount of micro-dynamic representation brought forward coherently. The overall sonic signature is as linear as linear gets concerning frequency response while presenting a detail-rich, clarity-driven signature.
The bass response comes across as flat, but unlike the SU-X, there is an ever-so-slight push in the mid-bass region, adding a small amount to note weight.
Louis called the SU-X midrange and treble “evenly produced with a smooth buttery texture, and sweet-sounding timbre that fall between musical and analytical.”
I would add that here, the texture is indeed smooth, but without weighing note quality down. Instead, those regions are lifted due to excellent detail retrieval and clarity. I am pretty sure we mean the same thing in response but use different verbiage.
Staging & Dynamics
The black background allows for an excellent dynamic response when called upon. Genres such as classical that rely upon accuracy of tone, note weight, and clarity relish with the RAWPro-DAC1.
The aural response is as accurate as you would expect, without losing definition or adding artificiality to the signature.
Putting this all together, you get excellent spatial awareness and quality. Dependent to a degree on the amplifier, the RAWPro-DAC1 does its best to present its best foot and quality, almost like saying, “It’s not my fault if this doesn’t sound like it should.” And that is what a quality DAC should do: get out of the way.
The soundstage is also accurately large in all three dimensions. When presenting neutrality, one could rightly expect an expansive height to almost overshadow width and depth.
That is not the case here, with expansive sounds heard three-dimensionally. But not so cavernous as to lose definition or imaging.
Well-placed and accurate, the RAWPro-DAC1 does a commendable job in layering and resolution to top off the excellence heard.
Click on page 2 below for my recommended pairings and selected comparisons.
