Today, we review the Dethonray Clarinet portable DAC/Amplifier. It sells for $223 USD.
About Dethonray
Dethonray is a boutique audio brand, and the DTR1 Audio Player was their first complete end-user product.
Then came the DTR1+ model, which I reviewed at the start of 2022. It deserved our award as one of the best DAPs available, especially for its price.
You can check that review just below.
Anson Tse is the man behind Dethonray, and he has extensive experience in audio processing.
He believed the universal designs on the market were unsuitable for high fidelity, so he devised his own.
The same goes for his amplifier designs; I hope he continues doing the same.
The “DethonRay” name comes from a violin record Anson had listened to. The bass violin was charming in the recording, and the recording itself was named “Dethon,” so he thought about using the name.
After some time, he added the “Ray” part to the end.
Dethonray Clarinet
Clarinet is a musical instrument quite cultural in some parts of the Eastern world, and Anson decided to name the new DAC/Amp after it.
It is designed for portable use but is suitable for desktop use, including laptops and PCs.
Dethonray previously released a wireless DAC/Amp model, which was reviewed as follows:
The Clarinet utilises the new ‘Velvet Sound’ AKM chip, the 4493. Dethonray claims this chip was chosen for its excellent musicality and detail abilities.
The new device also has a specialised high-voltage power system, with separate power for analogue and digital signals.
It supposedly drives headphones ranging from 10 ohms/120 db IEMS to 300 ohms/102 db headphones, showcasing versatility.
The Clarinet features USB, Optical, and Coaxial inputs, offering flexibility to connect with various devices, including CD players, game consoles, and more.
The AK4118A professional-grade chip ensures a balanced analogue output. Two independent USB-C ports enable simultaneous charging and data transfer, eliminating concerns about battery life when on the go.
The device can also be connected directly to a portable power bank, providing continuous audio enjoyment. The chassis is CNC processed aluminium.
Design & Build Quality
Like the previous offerings from Dethonray, the Clarinet has a practical design approach.
The build quality is similar to that of the former units, but the design and finish remain impressive.
The volume knob is the main characteristic of the design language, with its unique shape. The knob feels very lovely to use and it’s very ergonomic.
The front panel has 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs, coax/opt outputs, an LED light, and a volume knob. On the opposite side, you have two USB Type-C ports and the gain switch.
A straightforward and no-nonsense approach.
User Experience
The Clarinet offers a smooth experience overall. You open the device, pair it with your source device over USB-C, and you’re connected.
The volume knob is high quality and the build quality has no flaws. Perhaps Dethonray could have included a protective case, given the sharp and angular design, which may cause damage to the corners.
You can get a case for an additional cost.
I have no problems with the Dethonray Clarinet’s user experience. It has good connection stability and is light and easy to carry around.
I throw it in my laptop bag and use it whenever I need good music while travelling. It’s a nice companion.
However, sometimes the unit connects to your source but gives no sound. This happens when you try to minimise the volume, but the unit understands it as a turn-off signal, so the sound disappears.
Restarting the units fixes the issue. Alternatively, it means the battery is almost depleted, so it’s time to charge it. Speaking of the battery, I’ve found the battery life to be quite good in my experience.
I never tried running it down to absolute zero, but it has good stamina.
Another positive point is that the device has no background noise. It’s dead silent.
One thing that can be criticized for desktop scenarios is that the device doesn’t have a desktop mode to bypass the battery completely.
That might be because of the power design.
Sound Quality
The Dethonray Clarinet is an impressive DAC that combines a smooth, musical quality with neutral tonal characteristics, all while maintaining commendable technical performance for a compact, budget-friendly device.
Its sound profile is predominantly linear with an emphasis on the mid-range, exhibiting a slight warmth that contributes to its natural and lively presentation.
The Clarinet showcases excellent tonality with a distinct musicality, characterised by robust dynamism, contrast, and transient response. Additionally, it excels in micro-detail retrieval and demonstrates capable separation and soundstage representation.
While it doesn’t serve as a high-end DAP substitute, the Clarinet is an excellent choice for streaming from multiple platforms and offers impressive sound quality for those frequently on the move. Anson has certainly delivered once again with this model.
Bass
The bass has a moderate to good impact and rumble. It has good resolution with a good kick to make you tap your feet, but the bass is nowhere near as rumbling and hard-hitting as it could be.
It does have good warmth in terms of midbass. Yet, it brings a certain flatness to the music, creating a neutral-like listening experience. One could argue that the mid-bass is slightly lacking, and the bass is too flat here.
I wouldn’t argue against that. There’s not much colouration here, which is a bit unexpected. However, the bass is exceptionally tight, comparable to higher-end USB DACS and amps on the market, which is impressive.
However, this is not the best device in terms of bass texture and fullness. The emptiness in the bass region is quite apparent.
You can hear the bass, but you can’t completely feel it; there’s a certain emptiness or hollowness in the lower frequencies, particularly with specific recordings.
The positive thing about the Clarinet is that the bass is not splashy at all. It doesn’t overshadow anything or get in the way. It’s tight and controlled.
It doesn’t sound boomy, but it’s very tight regarding decay and speed, so there’s a slight compromise here. It certainly doesn’t wow you with texture, impact, or body, but it has good resolution and definition.
Yet, it’s essential to understand that if you’re after some bass, the Clarinet is not that device.
Mids
The mid-range performance of the Clarinet stands out prominently, much like Dethonray’s previous offerings. It delivers a clean and resolving sound with a slightly forward presentation that showcases exceptional tonality and fullness.
For those who gravitate towards vocal-centric music, the Clarinet’s ability to elevate vocals will be particularly satisfying. Its transparency is noteworthy, and instrument separation is executed beautifully.
While the Clarinet offers commendable resolution and spaciousness that surpasses many DACs in its price category, it does not match the performance of high-end DACs or DAPs.
The mids possess a heart-touching timbre, rendering vocals and instruments with a vibrant, organic warmth. I found the vocal reproduction especially remarkable.
In the standard model, the mids are prominently placed near the front of the soundstage, providing good body and fullness. However, they do lack a solid foundation due to some diffuse mid-bass.
A breathy presentation of instruments enhances the musicality, and the mids are dynamic and lively. The Clarinet is an exceptional DAC for those who prioritise a mid-range with focused definition.
While it may not reach the highest echelons of detail, resolution, or transparency—areas where other DACs excel—within its price range, the Clarinet stands as a compelling option.
The review continues on the second page. Click here or use the jumps below.
