LETSHUOER DT03: First Attempt, Pretty Well-executed
LETSHUOER became one of the staple names in a portable audio community as it really delivers some of the recognisable products in the past few years. As this audio company releases some of the well-regarded IEM models around, they decided to create a new product line-up, this time with their first ever USB headphone DAC/Amplifier dongle.
This is LETSHUOER DT03, this device has a compact size and it has two types of audio output on its interface that make this one truly portable and relatively versatile to use. This dongle will truly elevate the sound quality on some gadgets like smartphones, tablets, laptops and PCs to redefine high-fidelity sound experience on such a light portable device could deliver.
On its overall layout, its frame is made of CNC-milled aluminium alloy that underwent an anodising process to achieve that matte-finish surface with its parallel cross section part panels has a polycarbonate thermoplastic that takes an oval profile on both ends. It has a rather long RGB LED indicator to determine a type of digital audio format and its sampling rate. On one of its side panels that were troughed, there's a manual gain mode switch along with volume control keys in a circular form and it seems that they are quite tactual and responsive to press them.
On its connectivity port used to communicate with other devices via plug and play, it was outfitted with type-C port as this type of USB port is the current standard to all devices that augmented its compatibility in both software and hardware. Meanwhile, on the other side, its interface has dual audio output of different types, a standard 3.5mm and a balanced 4.4mm.
| AUDIO OUTPUT | OUTPUT POWER | SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO RATING |
| 3.5mm SINGLE ENDED | 78mW at 32Ω | 119dB |
| 4.4mm BALANCED | 195mW32Ω | 119dB |
On its internal part, it has an ESS DAC chip, a dual ES9219C as its main core to decode/encode some digital audio signal into analogue output. This particular DAC/Amp IC is a proven one as it powered up some devices that I'm acquainted with like the LG V60, HIDIZS XO and HIBY R3 MK.II and I know its power efficiency while delivering a clear and detailed sound quality at reasonable power output. The ES9219C is a hi-fi DAC in a quad array that is capable of processing up to 32-bit with a highly competent 2-channel stereo audio SABRE Headphone Amp that can support up to 2 Vrms of power output with an option of having an analogue gain control to reduces any unnecessary output noise floor and distortion that might be unpleasant to our listening session. Aside from the chip and its vaunted headphone amp, it also has its own precise clock quartz oscillator to lessen jittering between the USB interfaces. This DAC can even faithfully reproduce the audio quality of a track from its original recording and it can encode and decode up to 32bit/384kHz in PCM format and up to DSD256 in DSD format. The RGB LED Indicator will show sampling rate status via colour-coding.
| DIGITAL AUDIO FORMAT | SAMPLE RATE | COLOUR CODE |
| PCM | 44.1 kHz | GREEN |
| 48 kHz | GREEN | |
| 88.2 kHz | GREEN | |
| 96 kHz | GREEN | |
| 176.4 kHz | BLUE | |
| 192 kHz | BLUE | |
| 352.8 kHz | RED | |
| 384 kHz | RED | |
| DSD | 64 | YELLOW |
| 128 | YELLOW | |
| 256 | YELLOW |
The product packaging of LETSHUOER DT03 is quite well-accessorised for a headphone DAC/Amp dongle as LETSHUOER wants this device to be as versatile to be used as possible.
Here are following contents inside of DT03's packaging box:
- LETSHUOER DT03 Headphone DAC/Amplifier Dongle
- A black coloured PU leatherette case
- A short 80cm type-C to type-C cable
- A bit long 12.5cm type-C to type-C cable
- Paperwork like instruction manuals, Q.C. stub and warranty card.
As for connectivity on both hardware and software, it supports a miscellany of modern devices like smartphones, tablets, laptops, PCs and even DAPs with a USB audio decoding support. In regards to software support, this device is compatible with all known OSes in either mobile or desktop formats.
It supports mobile OS like Android, iOS and Harmony OS while on desktop OS, it supports Windows, MacOS and Linux.
Since I'm more of an Android user, I can more accommodating and freely share on what particular apps that supports USB audio decoding for this device like HIBY MUSIC App, UAPP (USB Audio Player Pro), Onkyo HF and Neutron app.
On how this device delivers its output, it gives a neutral sound profile with a little bit of added treble emphasis but still remains to sound uncoloured as possible.
LOWS/BASS:
I've tested all my sets with different sound profiles, from the boomy and authoritative ones down to the tight and incisive bass response of some reference-neutral IEMs, I don't hear any overemphasis on a bass frequency as it retains its bass texture quality and quantity.
I clearly perceived those rumbling and reverberating sub bass presence generated by selected instruments like synthesisers, drum machines, octobasses, and low octave bass guitars and double basses. It also appears that it delivers an ample mid bass texture to some clef bass instruments and deep male vocals while maintaining a clean, well-segregated and good control within its own frequency region.
MIDRANGE:
THE S08 retains a clean, neutral and transparent midrange presentation, without too much embellishments on instruments and vocals’ tone and timbre. It really delivers an excellent detail, clarity and articulation in this particular frequency range.
Male vocals have a sufficient texture and depth while female vocals will sound more clean and lively. Strings and woodwind instruments will have its vibrant, crisp and silvery presentation while brasses and percussion have those sound characteristics like brassy, full, resonant and precise on its respective tonal colour.
HIGHS/TREBLE:
As I mentioned it while ago regarding its tonal delivery, there's a discernible minimal emphasis on some parts on the treble section but LETSHOUER execute it in a very sensible manner in which I really think its a very appropriate one as it conveys an elucidate presentation in terms definition and clarity on some vocals and attack of percussives and rhythm instruments in clear and well-delineated manner.
This device is also capable to mark out more definition on the brilliance region like air, sparkle and substantial harmonics.
OVERALL TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE:
The DAC/Amp dongle can give an above-average to wide sound/speaker stage depending on the technical performance of the paired set that was used for decoding and amplification. It also projects a well-layered soundscape and excellent stereo imaging presentation in which I can pinpoint the exact placement of certain instruments and vocals in which I tried to pair it with technically proficient sets.
This device is capable of rendering a remarkable resolution aspect in both macro-dynamics and micro-dynamics as it shows a solid note compression on the former while it is capable of projecting a substantial amount of micro-details and nuances from a clean black sonic canvas.
As for power output delivery, while this set isn't a champ in terms of sheer amplification output but it is rather on a moderate level of power output delivery as it is capable of driving some IEMs with planar magnetic driver or ceramic dynamic driver and other cans that require some more power output to have that optimal sound quality. Surprisingly, it has a good thermal management as it does not have a heat build-up a lot in a long usage but rather on a warmer side of temperature.
PEER COMPARISONS:
EPZ TP20 PRO
- Its frame structure is made of aluminium alloy that was sandblasted to achieve that texture with carbon-fibre cover on its panels.
- It has a RGB LED light for sampling rate although its placement is a bit misaligned.
- It has a short 8-core type-C to type-C cable.
- Like the DT03, it also has volume key buttons and manual gain switch but this device has a play/pause button.
- Instead of implementing ESS, EPZ opted to use a Cirrus Logic DAC chip, CS43131 which is also a power efficient on it also capable of delivering a 2Vrms and capable of decoding of digital audio format up to 32-bit/384kHz on PCM and up to DSD256 on DSD format.
- It delivers a warmish-neutral sound profile.
FOSI AUDIO DS2
- It has a solidly built structure while having a lightweight design as it is also made of metal alloy that underwent via CNC-milling process and sandblasting to achieve the colour and texture.
- It also has a volume key button but it doesn't have a manual gain mode but it has more power output in both 3.5mm and 4.4mm jacks on paper.
- Another dongle that uses a Cirrus Logic CS43131 which is very reliable and power efficient that it can process up to 32-bit/384kHz on PCM and DSD256 on DSD digital audio format.
- Another warmish-neutral sounding device like most Cirrus Logic devices that I've tested.
KIWI EARS ALLEGRO
- It has solid aluminium alloy that underwent an anodising process to have a brush surface with an overall aesthetic of a vintage video game console controller.
- It also has volume keys but it doesn't have manual gain mode switches.
- In terms of power output, this device is capable enough to drive some power-hungry IEMs with either ceramic dynamic drivers or planar magnetic drivers.
- It uses a desktop-grade ESS DAC, the ES9028Q2M which has similar decoding/encoding capability of its mobile counterpart, ES9219C.
- It has a balanced-neutral sound profile but it has less emphasis on the treble region compared to the DT03.
To sum up my review on this device, LETSHUOER seems to deliver a capable headphone DAC/Amplifier dongle that can be used in both mobile and desktop either for casual listening and professional use. This set is very competent on projecting a neutral sound profile with some less colouration on its timbre and tonality while having a good technical capabilities that analytical types will somehow enjoy its overall technical performance. For sure that it doesn't have that class-leading power output that probably will not have a satisfactory optimal sonic performance on some power-hungry cans but on most IEMs and earbuds, this one is competent enough to drive them.
LETSHUOER DT03 is now available on LETSHUOER's own official store on their website. You can click the unaffiliated link below.
LINK: https://letshuoer.net/products/letshuoer-dt03-headphone-amplifier-portable-high-resolution-dac-amp
For more LETSHUOER product reviews, just check out the following highlighted products:
SPECIFICATIONS:
| Model | LETSHUOER DT03 |
| Output Power | 78mW(SE); 198mW(BAL) |
| Input Mode | USB Type C |
| Output Mode | 3.5MM + 4.4MM Headphone |
| Frequency Range | 20Hz-40kHz (±0.5dB) |
| THD | 0.0006%(32Ω SE) |
| SNR | ≥118dB |
| Sampling Rate | 32bit/384kHz |
| DSD | DSD64/128/256 |
| DAC Chip Set | ESS ES9219C (2x) |
| Material | Aluminium Alloy |
| Compatible Devices | Mac\Windos\IOS\Android |
PROS:
● Firm, solid and seamless construction of its overall frame structure while maintaining a lightweight.
● Well-implementation of its composite materials as they are quite sturdy.
● While it has an unusual shell design, it still offers an ergonomic fitting
● Pretty well-accessorised for a headphone dongle along with its asking price.
● A faux leather case for the dongle itself for added more protection.
● Volume key buttons
● Manual gain switch
● That elongated LED light looks really attractive.
● Surprisingly, it has good thermal control management.
● A neutral sound profile
● Clean and quite delineating on delivering the sound quality from its source.
● Can decode/encode up to 32-bit/384kHz and up to DSD256 in DSD format.
CONS:
● Certainly it doesn't have that high power output like some dongles that I've tried, therefore is not a class-leading one in that category.
● I doubt that this device is able to properly drive some cans that have a high impedance rating.
● That LED lighting might be bothersome to some users.
TESTING TRACKS: ( * = 16-bit FLAC, ** = 24-bit FLAC, *'* = MQA, '*' = DSD, *'= .WAV)
Alison Krauss -When You Say Nothing At All *
Jade Wiedlin - Blue Kiss**
Led Zeppelin - When The Levee Breaks **
Mountain - Mississippi Queen *
Queen - Killer Queen **
Guns N' Roses - Patience *'*
Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven '*'
Sergio Mendes- Never Gonna Let You Go '*'
Pearl Jam - Daughter **
Roselia - Hidamari Rhodonite *
Assassin - Fight (To Stop The Tyranny)*
Celtic Frost- Visual Aggression *
New Order - Blue Monday *
The Corrs- What Can I do (unplugged version) *
Jimi Hendrix Experience - Voodoo Child *
The Madness- Buggy Trousers *
Metallica - Motorbreath **
Mariah Carey- Always Be My Baby *
Destiny's Child - Say My Name *
Malice Mizer- Au Revoir *
Mozart - Lacrimosa *
New York Philharmonic Orchestra - Dvorak- Symphony 9 " From the New World." *
Eva Cassidy - Fields of Gold (Sting cover)*
Michael Jackson - Give In To Me *
Exciter - Violence and Force *
Diana Krall - Stop This World **
Debbie Gibson - Foolish Beat *'*
The Sisters of Mercy – Lucretia My Reflection**
Suzanne Vega – Luka **
Lauren Christy – Steep *
Ottoman Mehter - Hucum Marsi *
Diana Damrau - Mozart: Die Zauberflöte*
P.S.
I am not affiliated to LETSHUOER nor receive monetary incentives and financial gains as they provide me a review unit for an exchange of factual and sincere feedback from yours truly.
Once again, I would like to send my gratitude to MS. BETTY of LETSHUOER for providing this review unit. I truly appreciate their generosity and trust towards me and other reviewers.
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