SMSL RAW-HA1 Review featured image

SMSL RAW-HA1 Review

Today, Lynn reviews the SMSL RAW-HA1, a new integrated desktop DAC, headphone, and speaker amplifier with added BT 5.1 wireless capability. It is priced at $249.99.

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.

SMSL RAW-HA1 Review featured image
SMSL RAW-HA1 Review
Summary
When the SMSL RAW-HA1 arrived, I knew in advance that having the ability to hook up in two-channel mode would be a plus. What I didn’t quite realize was that would be the best aspect of the RAW-HA1. The RAW-HA1's headphone amplifier section performed quite well when used with IEMs, however, don’t expect harder-to-drive headphones to sound optimal.
Sound Quality
8.3
Design
8.6
Features
8.7
Synergy
8.4
Slide here to add your score on the gear!35 Votes
8.2
Pros
Multiple input options..
Very good 2-channel HiFi performance.
Atypical SMSL sound-stretched signature.
Cons
Weak headphone amplifier.
Thinning of top end hinders quality.
8.5
Award Score

The SMSL RAW-HA1 is a headphone amplifier that can also be used in a two-channel system.

Having reviewed several SMSL products of late such as the RAW-MDA1 and the DL100, I compliment them for staying diverse in their products, including many source options in and out.

This keeps their items fresh while allowing the lineup to fine-tune options meeting many needs.

The RAW-HA1 can be used in many ways, and I was looking forward to testing it, especially in two-channel mode.

SMSL RAW-HA1 with FiiO FT1 Pro headphones at an angle

Features

Using the German company Infineon for the choice of digital amplification gives the RAW-HA1 a solid base on which to stand.

Coupled with the third generation XMOS XU-316, which can handle PCM up to 32bit/768kHz and DSD256 allows for most of the current choice music options. MQA and MQA CD certifications are included.

The JRC NJW1194 volume attenuation keeps things accurate when raising or lowering the volume. Gone are the small channel imbalances had on analog volume pots.

The Cirrus Logic CS43131 DAC chip rounds out the decoding needs, with good results. This is a basic DAC chip that has been successfully used in not only desktop units but DAPs as well, such as the just reviewed FiiO x Jade Audio JM21.

Qualcomm’s Bluetooth 5.1 supports LDAC, aptX HD, SBC, and AAC.

SMSL RAW-HA1 with portable CD player on top

Design

Form Factor

The familiar black rectangular shape is unmistakably SMSL, with minimal “interference” on the front, except for the screen and volume knob, which acts as a function knob, too.

Sized to fit neatly on your desktop at 8.62 x 1.77 x 7.48 inches (219 x 45 x 190 mm), the 3.42lb unit can be easily shifted around.

With a new design, the UI flows easily between the two screen aspects. The curved section allows for a bit of flair between the two sections.

The LCD screen is easy to see, even from a distance, but I do wish that the right side, which included the source option and HPA/Speakers was a bit larger. Of course, once you choose the source and listening option, this is less important.

Aesthetics

The clean look of the RAW-HA1 is fast becoming an SMSL tradition. Some call the lack of “looks” boring and plain, but it could be called functionally literate. Purposeful would be another descriptor, with the greater than the center-third taken up by the new LCD screen.

Unlike some of the SMSL units in the past though, the headphone jacks are readily accessible for large jacks. The gold lining gives a bit of an upscale look to it, differentiating the all-black look of the rest.

The semi-gloss black also hides fingerprints, even on the volume knob, which is again appreciated. The curved bottom to the front gives the RAW-HA1 a decidedly smaller look to it, minimizing its influence on your system.

The protective feet are larger than expected and help to keep the unit in place when inserting or taking out headphone jacks. The unit did not move.

SMSL RAW-HA1 rear panel

I/O

The RAW-HA1 comes with a multitude of input and output options, ranging for both two-channel and headphone amplification.

With inputs ranging from RCA line-in to digital coax-in, optical and HDMI (ARC) input, USB-C input, and Bluetooth 5.1,  you can run both analog and digital options. Due to my situation, I was unable to try the HDMI input.

Lacking XLR or a 4.4bal input was a bit disappointing, but the plethora of other options included makes up for that.

You also get jacks for speaker connection (banana plug or bare wire), and a subwoofer output for use in a two-channel system. Power through both 4Ω and 8Ω  is quite good for a small unit, and I was never left lacking speaker power in my medium-sized listening room.

The front carries either a 4.4mm balanced or 6.35mm single-end headphone option, keeping it simple, yet functional.

SMSL RAW-HA1 PCM filter screen

Controls

Using either the volume knob or the remote, you can access all of the submenus for input, output PCM filter, equalizer, treble, bass, FN key for, UI style, language, dimmer, brightness, and a reset button.

The FN key for options can be used to determine whether you want it to control outputs or Bluetooth functionality. With easy access through the large round button on the remote, you can easily change this.

The UI function key can change the display to a more traditional layout, which reads better from a distance than the “graphic” option; with more information presented on the screen as well.

The easy-turn volume knob doubles as the function access when you are not using the remote. The rounded-in feel of the knob gives a nice tactile feel to it.

Connectivity

Wireless

Initial connectivity was seamless between the FiiO TT13 and the RAW-HA1, which was then fed into a pair of budget Yamaha NS638 (restored) bookshelf speakers. Pairing to the FiiO turntable took less than five seconds and never skipped.

Switching to headphone use to gauge that aspect was seamless as well. The 5.1 BT is a one-way connecter only.

Wired

With the ability to use either headphones or speakers, the RAW-HA1 is versatile. Just as versatile are the input options. Other than BT, the main connections for sources I used were the USB-C (DAPs and MBP) and Line In (RCA, portable CD player, and DAC).

Coaxial was used briefly via an upcoming DAC review. I did not have a subwoofer available during the review process.

SMSL RAW-HA1 accessories

Packaging & Accessories

The RAW-HA1 comes in the now familiar red and black labeled SMSL box, well protected from the “elements.” Included are the unit, remote, power cords, and user manual.

Any connecting cables must be supplied by the user. Most of us have a plethora of cables anyway.

The RAW-HA1 comes set into a semi-soft foam insert, of matching dimensions, wrapped in plastic, with the power cord and remotes tucked neatly next to the unit.

Sound Impressions

My sound impressions of the RAW-HA1 were completed using an upcoming DAC review item, the FiiO JM21, HiBy R4, vintage Aiwa XP-SR311 portable CD player, and FiiO TT13 as sources.

My head and desktop speaker gear included the FiiO FT1 Pro, SJY Horizon headphones (briefly), the Campfire Audio Solaris 2020 (with ddHiFi BC130 Net Nyx cable), and Yamaha‘s NS638 bookshelf speakers.

Summary

Sometimes gauging the sonic ability of an item is not as easy as listening to the item. The RAW-HA1 would be one of those times.

With the ability to be used as a pure headphone amplifier or for speakers, the impressions broaden a bit to take each aspect into account. Especially when you can add both treble and bass (+9dB each) to the mix.

Running the RAW-HA1 in base settings gives a good approach to the sound. I found the soundstage height allowed the layers to spread up while staying connected to the whole, giving a good representation of note weight; which was just about right.

A slight thinning of the upper mids and treble notes added air to the signature but felt a bit thin when combined with the lower mids and bass.

Changing the PCM filter can modify somewhat what is heard with more or less emphasis in various places depending upon the filter. Utilizing the Minimum Phase slow roll-off helped balance the thinning up top mentioned above. The same can be said for the equalizer presets.

SMSL RAW-HA1 EQ screen

Timbre

The SMSL RAW-HA1 does come across as slightly thin up top when no additional equalization occurs, sounding a bit analytical and cold in response. Modifying the PCM filter or equalizer affords the user many options to warm, smooth, or tailor the sound.

The accuracy across the board coming forth without equalization gave a good melodic effect to the sound, even with the slight thinning.

It never felt too distant or weak, with note decay slightly longer than attack; resulting in very good feedback to the signature, allowing those notes to linger giving weight to what I heard.

Countering the baseline sound, which comes across as accurate, but a bit less musical due to the thinning up top can be had by changing the PCM filter or equalizer.

The equalizer “settings” are actually “headings” ranging from direct (no change) to a “Tone” change,  SDB, Bass, Super Bass, Rock, Soft, and Clear.

Each setting altered the tonality enough for me to hear differences using either headphones or the speaker output. Some more so than others.

Settling on Direct gives the account mentioned above. Changing to SDB acted like a loudness switch on a two-channel amplifier.

I would not recommend the Super Bass setting on anything too loud or listening devices that might be harmed by too much volume. There was that much of an effect.

Super Bass worked quite well on the bookshelf Yamaha speakers at moderate volumes, giving good depth to the notes, while adding a bit of warmth, but I never raised the volume too much.

Staging & Dynamics

The height mentioned above allows for each layer to carry forth with good accounting, allowing instruments to come across as accurately placed, never leaving a void in the signature.

The width comes across as slightly outside the head (or outside the speaker separation), with average depth. Placing speakers properly helped avert the lack of overall depth a bit, as did equalizer settings.

There is enough variation between the three dimensions that the full signature comes across as melodic, and slightly organic, even with the shortcomings.

The seemingly opposing dynamics of the soundstage and baseline character work well together providing the listener with a good spatial sense of awareness. This is a case where tinkering with the PCM filters and equalizer makes the signature worth it.

SMSL RAW-HA1 with FiiO FT1 Pro headphones on top

Synergy

Efficiency

The RAW-HA1 carries forth that dichotomous character mentioned above when it comes to use as an HPA or speaker amplifier.

As a speaker amplifier, you can attain listening levels, which become startlingly loud. Especially when combined with the SDB equalizer.

That loud playing level translates into a full musical listening experience, with the ability to tailor the sound response using either (both) the PCM filter change or equalizer.

I never went above 35 in volume to attain competent listening levels using either the USB-C out (JM21, R4), BT (TT13), or Aux in (Aiwa CD player).

The same cannot be said regarding the HPA playback. Even using easy-to-drive headphones such as the FiiO FT1 Pro or Meze Audio 99 Classics required upwards of 60 on the volume scale to attain “adequate” listening levels. More often I was north of 70-75 for my listening purposes, even with IEMs such as the Solaris 2020.

This unit will not work with demanding headphones such as the SJY Horizon, which are notoriously hard to drive.

Power

Putting out 165W x 2 in 4Ω, and 85W x 2 in 8Ω shows its capabilities to be used in an office or small listening room situation. I had no trouble attaining adequate listening levels in my medium-sized listening room.

HPA outputs run in the low range with a purported 120mW+/- output. I was able to reach loud enough listening levels though, so power ratings can be a bit misleading.

Pairings

Since the RAW-HA1 is a combination desktop and two-channel amplifier, you have a multitude of options. I was able to test the RAW-HA1 using IEMs, headphones, and bookshelf speakers with success.

My favorite pairing was a small desktop two-channel amplifier using the Yamaha NS638s. With the ability to fill a medium-sized listening room with no trouble, the RAW-HA1 proved powerful enough to satisfy the room’s needs.

Adding “flavor” to the sound via the PCM filters or equalizer options enhanced my ability to tailor the sound to various genres, showing versatility.

While used as a pure headphone amplifier, the RAW-HA1 performed less admirably. You could still drive the Meze 99 Classics or FiiO FT1 Pro to loud enough levels.

While the sound was quite good, I was left with an overall lack of power necessary to properly drive even those easier-to-drive headphones. Both headphones provided very good sonic abilities when paired, it simply felt like there should have been that little more to satiate the need.

Running the CFA IEM, the lack of overall power was less bothersome, since both the Solaris 2020 is fairly easy to drive.

The Campfire model exhibited a pitch-black background, too. Leaving the equalizer to default, I was able to enjoy the deep bass tones and excellent midrange, showing that with the proper combination, the RAW-HA1 can indeed function well using the headphone jacks.

Click on page 2 below for my selected comparisons.

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