The RAW-HA1 is a compact integrated amplifier from SMSL that houses a Class D power section, a DAC section and a headphone stage in one black chassis. Its name carries the same RAW prefix as the SMSL RAW-MDA1. The launch price was USD 249.99, with European pricing at EUR 249. Despite the network-style feature list, it has no streaming function of its own, so music has to arrive from a connected source over a cable or Bluetooth.
Key specs that matter
SMSL rates the Infineon-based power stage at 2 x 85 W into 8 ohm and 2 x 165 W into 4 ohm. SMSL quotes a THD+N of 0.003%, a signal to noise ratio of 108 dB and channel separation of 87 dB. The analogue input has a sensitivity of 245 mV and an impedance of 22 kohm. Through USB it plays PCM up to 32 bit and 768 kHz, DSD256 and MQA, while the coaxial and optical inputs handle up to 24 bit and 192 kHz, DSD as DoP64, and MQA including MQA-CD. The case measures 219 x 45 x 190 mm and weighs 1.55 kg, and power use is around 40 W at normal listening level.
Engineering and use context
Conversion and the headphone output are handled by a Cirrus Logic CS43131, the USB port is served by a third-generation XMOS XU-316, and wireless reception runs through a Qualcomm QCC5125 Bluetooth 5.1 chip whose codec list runs from SBC and AAC through the aptX family, including the HD and Adaptive versions, up to LDAC. Level is set by a JRC NJW1194 attenuator chip. The mains supply accepts 100 to 240 V AC. An LCD panel behind tempered glass shows the status, with a choice between a graphic and a traditional layout. Users can select PCM filters, including a minimum phase slow roll-off type, and apply one of seven equaliser presets, among them Direct, SDB and Super Bass. Separate bass and treble controls give up to 9 dB of adjustment, and everything is reachable from the supplied remote handset.
Pairing
Sources can connect through one RCA analogue input, USB-C, coaxial, optical, HDMI ARC or Bluetooth, so a television, a computer, a CD transport and a phone can share the amplifier. For deeper bass in a two-channel system, a dedicated sub out feeds an active subwoofer, and the two pairs of speaker terminals suit passive bookshelf or floorstanding models. On the front, a 6.35 mm jack and a 4.4 mm balanced jack take headphones.
Alternatives
The SMSL AO300 is another integrated amplifier from the brand with a CS43131 DAC, built around an MA5332MS Class D chip.