Sound
When it comes to sound, I should get straight to the point. The Dethonray DTR1 is one of the best DAPs I’ve ever listened to in terms of pure sound quality. It doesn’t fool around and it can fight with the best DAPs available, even with its $549 retail price.
The performance is simply phenomenal. If you just need a portable player to merely play your high quality music files, then I don’t think there’s a better option than the DTR1 for the money.
The player has a neutral presentation top to bottom, creating a good foundation for its detail and separation oriented sound. I think the DTR1 -in its own way- provides a great studio type of sound at the highest level. To me, this device can even be used for producing and mastering in studios for reviewing the final recording. You can rely on it being a reference point thanks to its great technical abilities.
Bass
The bass is punchy enough with great control and texture. It has a lot of resolution with good enough kick to give some life to music, whilst being somewhat reserved and controlled at the same time. The DTR1 isn’t the DAP for bass lovers. It instead is tuned for a flat sound reproduction. This is not the WM1Z, and nor is it trying to be. The Prelude relies on its tremendous bass control with fast decay, high resolution and detail.
However, if you want a slightly warmer sounding bass then you can pair it with dynamic driver IEMs or some BA based setups with good bass. For that I’ve tried the InEarz Nirvana and P450, which are bass heavy IEMs and with wrong pairings they surely “boom”, but not with the DTR1. It perfectly evens out with its quickness and control in the bass department. It is simply reference, not to have some fun now and then.
Dethonray DTR1
Mids
Mid range is very transparent and resolving with a beautiful tonality. The transparency is quite remarkable and the instrument separation is top notch. The DTR1 surely doesn’t miss any resolution in this part, as it’s easily one of the best I’ve heard in the mid area. The mids have great timbre, and overall the vocals and the instruments are lively without any additional coloration.
So just as the bass area, the DTR1 presents a reference reproduction in the mid section without an added warmth or some kind of fun tuning in its sound. It’s just what it is. With CIEMs like the Pears SH3 or M-Fidelity SA50, you get wonderful transparency across the mid range with lots of detail. Sure, you may want some color in the mids at times, but in its own presentation, the DTR1 gets the job done in my book.
Treble
The treble is greatly articulated and extended, without being harsh and aggressive. If you have a good IEM or headphone which is performing nicely regarding treble, the DTR1 will scale them to their highest levels. In example, I’m normally not a big fan of the Beyerdynamic Xelento IEM, but when I tried it with the DTR1, the treble is exceptionally good and relaxed with great extension.
So the DTR1 continues its own approach in the treble area as well. Once again the transparency is exceptional, the detail level is awesome and highs don’t have any excessive nature. It doesn’t overdo anything, it just gives an effortlessly smooth yet detailed treble, which is very pleasing particularly with mid-fi and high-end gear. Overall I haven’t found any flaws with the treble.
Dethonray DTR1
Technical Performance
The greatest feature of the DTR1 in its sound to me, is the overall separation and stereo imaging. The background is pitch black, and the instruments cry with incredible texture, dynamism and transparency. The left-right balance is also very impressive. One can say that the DTR1 is flat sounding hence it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but I don’t think anyone can deny its success in the imaging department.
Yet, if I would have to bring up any kind of negativity in the DTR1’s sound, that would be the stage width. However, I honestly think that it is a result of my high expectations from the DAP, since it performs amazing in every other category. Nevertheless, this is not the widest sounding DAP and I recommend to pair it with holographic sounding IEMs and headphones if you put great emphasis on staging. It is by no means mediocre, and actually it’s still incredibly good for this price, but the width is not as impressive as the other aspect of its sound. I found out the stage depth to be very good though.
Another important aspect of the DTR1 is the output power. When you select high gain, the power is very surprising from this little and compact device. Anson’s authentic internal design certainly works wonders here. You can drive 300 Ω headphones to some extent, not to mention something like the HD660 S with its 150 Ω impedance.
The review continues on PAGE 4 by clicking here using the page numbers below
Richard Provan
Great review, thank you for taking the time to set down your thoughts. I’m curious to know how you feel about the DTR1 a year later. Sound? Reliability? Usability? Would it still be your pick in this price range (with SQ being the most important factor), or do you think it has been overtaken?
Berkhan
Hi Richard,
No I don’t think it has been overtaken. For its price bracket still there’s nothing better in my opinion. It would be my pick not even in this price range only. It would be my pick unless you have a WM1Z, SP1000/2000, R2R2000, or Cayin N8.
Richard Provan
Berkhan, thank you for the prompt reply. My ‘portable’ unit is an iPhone with Hugo2. H2 blows me away, but I’ve come to the conclusion it’s not a great on-the-go rig. But I’m also worried H2 has set the bar high. I can live without bells and whistles, but sound is key. The lack of touch screen and need to update firmware and load songs with a computer don’t seem like deal breakers to me.
Nicholas Mauro
My DTR1 crapped out unfortunately after four months. I am a heavy user both headphone and line out. After resorting to the reset button to turn it on for a few weeks it now will not power on. I suspect that multiple times plugged in and out has shorted something in the line out. It crackles upon inserting and it’s not even powered on. Still waiting on Dethonray to respond to my emails regarding repair. So.. tough call. If it did what it’s supposed to do it’s just about perfect. Maybe I will be more careful when plugging in but really this shouldn’t be an issue. My Fiio M7 has been plugged and unplugged a million times at this point and never a blip. I bought an M9 for the interim. Please get back to me Dethonray!
Nicholas Mauro
Got a response from Anson, he put me in contact with a tech in America. Hoping it goes smoothly in these rough times. Cheers
Nicholas Mauro
Back in action with most current firmware. Make sure you get the latest software for this player because you will unlock its full potential. Everything worked out. Don’t stop til you get enough
Andres
Excellent review, it actually made me purchase this player (really like it.)
Would you say the A&K SR25 it much better than this player?
Thanks!
Berkhan
No I wouldn’t say that.
Thierry
Great review,
i hesitate between this model and the QLS QA361, which one do you recommend in term of sound quality? (if you had the chance to test the QLS model)
I ‘ve already a Fiio M1 but i’m searching a pure DAP (dedicated only to the music (no streaming services), is it for you a big upgrade?
Thanks for all
Thierry
Berkhan
Hi Thierry,
I never tried the 361, so I can’t compare directly.
Yes, the DTR1 is an upgrade over the FiiO M11 in terms of pure sound performance.
Thierry
Thanks for your quick answer.
I will surely buy one ,your review has seduced me :0)
Antonio Gamboa
Greetings from Pamplona, Spain. I don’t understand much about music but thanks to their analysis I bought a second hand Dethonray dtr1. Six months after doing it I had problems with the startup, it stayed off. I got in touch with Anson, the DAP still had a warranty, and they sent it to me fixed in perfect condition. However, after a short time the headphone output does not seem to be right, I have tried with several headphones and the connection is not good, I have to constantly touch the cable to make it work. Is this normal in DAP of these levels? Do you have a solution to this type of problem? Thank you.
Antonio Gamboa
Greetings again. Given the failures that I had and that I commented on previously, I sent DTR 1 back to Anson. After a couple of months he came back home. Everything perfect, I don’t think there are many brands that take care of their customers like that. Thank you.-