Letshuoer dt03 - Achromatic

4⭐️

+ Very lightweight 

+ Neutral/transparent sound

+ Does not add any color to the stock tuning

+ Plenty of power

+ Gain switch

+ Accessories 

- No independent volume control 

- Not the best build quality/premium feel

- Light on features

thaslaya's star rating system:

☆☆☆☆☆ - Fantastic!

☆☆☆☆ - Recommended 

☆☆☆ - Sound for thee, not for me

☆☆ - Can't see the appeal

☆ - Product is a failure

Disclaimer: 

This product was sent to me by Letshuoer in exchange for my honest and impartial review. I recieve no compensation and all thoughts and opinions are my own. Non affiliate link here: https://letshuoer.net/products/letshuoer-dt03-headphone-amplifier-portable-high-resolution-dac-amp

Gear used: 

● Samsung Galaxy s22 Ultra

● Samsung dongle

● Hiby FC4

● KiwiEars Allegro 

● Various iems

Source:

● Listening was done through Amazon Music HD or Ultra HD.

Introduction:

Letshuoer is a brand known to most audiophiles who have spent a bit of time in this hobby. The company has been consistently releasing a wide range of quality products, including iems, cables, and DAC/amps. A few recent notable releases include the Cadenza4 and S15, which have been well-received by audio community. This year, they celebrate their eighth anniversary and are marking the occasion with some new releases. The dt03 is their latest dongle DAC/amp, but not their first. However, it is the company’s only offering so far with a removable cable. It’s currently available on Letshuoer’s website for $89. Let's see what the dt03 has to offer.

Build, design and features:

The unboxing experience is really nice. The unit itself is small but it comes in a fairly large package. Within the box are 2 smaller boxes, lifting the larger one reveals the dt03 nestled into foam. These boxes hold the manual and paperwork, an 80 cm and 12 cm cable, and a protective case. This is the first DAC/amp that includes both a short and long cable (there's also a USB-C to USB-A adapter). The longer cable is a welcome inclusion, especially for desktop use. The dt03 utilizes dual ES9219C DAC chips and it sports a sleek, handsome design with rounded edges. It has a matte black finish and a long LED indicator light on its face. Although the packaging and design are done well, the build quality of the dt03 itself leaves a bit to be desired. It's made of an aluminum alloy but has somewhat of a cheap feeling in hand. It's hollow and lightweight, which could be a pro for some, but I personally prefer a heavier, sturdier build. The size of the unit is about average and is comparable to others on the market. One end features both 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm inputs, and the other features the USB-C port for source connection. The gain switch and volume adjustment controls are both located on the same side of the unit. Unfortunately, the volume buttons are tied to the source and lack independent volume control. This is not ideal for me, as I prefer smaller steps to better tailor the volume level to my needs. The LED light on the front displays various colors to indicate the sampling rate (green for ≤96 kHz, blue for 176.4 kHz or 192 kHz, red for ≥352.8 kHz, and yellow for DSD). I really like the light being a key feature in the design, and it sets the dt03 apart from some of its competitors. The inclusion of a leather case is a welcome feature to protect the body from scratches and dings. It's not a very premium-feeling case, but at least it's something, and I do appreciate it. There's not much to talk about in terms of features. The dt03 doesn't have a companion app or any digital filters, so what you see hear is what you get. Sometimes, simple can be better.

Power consumption:

The dt03 boasts an output power of 78mW @32ohms (single-ended) and 195mW @ 32ohms (balanced). To test the dt03's power consumption I ran a short trial. With my devices in airplane mode, I let my library play on a medium high volume with high gain enabled, while making sure to limit any unnecessary interaction with the screen. Here is the battery drain results after 1 hour:

18% on LGV30+ through 4.4 and 13% through 3.5.

6% on Galaxy S22 Ultra through 4.4 and 5% through 3.5.

These results were quite impressive to me. The dt03 appears to draw less power from my sources than the other DAC/amps I've reviewed thus far. Lower power requirements mean more listening time!

Sample track breakdown:

These comparisons were made using the dt03 against the Samsung dongle.

● "Too Sweet" - Hozier

The bass in the intro is fuller and more textured and continues to have more weight throughout the track. The snare is slightly subdued but still present, just not as "in your face." The soundstage grows a bit deeper and wider. The dt03 injects a sweetness to the vocals and also shows better separation. Overall, it just sounds a little more mature and refined.

● "Dreams" - Fleetwood Mac

The first snare hit in the intro sounds a little less splashy and more crisp and accurate on the dt03. The bass guitar throughout the track has more rumble, reverberation, and presence. The vocal clarity and separation get a slight bump, allowing nuances to be heard more clearly.

● "Why Georgia" - John Mayer

With the dt03, I hear better vocal separation and a deeper soundstage. The guitar takes on better resolution and definition and sounds more natural. The drums that come in at 1:27 are more dynamic with better slam and texture, yet still not noticeably elevated or colored. The layering of instruments and vocals is taken up a notch, and I can pick up the background vocal harmony more clearly.

I would usually provide more track comparisons, but it became abundantly clear during my testing that the dt03 is very consistent and excels in presenting music in a tonally uncolored way. It has the same effect on my entire library, irrespective of genre. When compared to the Samsung dongle, the dt03 simply sounds more refined, mature, and dynamic. There is a noticeable improvement in resolution, separation, and a slight increase in the soundstage.

Comparisons:

● KiwiEars Allegro - The Allegro presents a more colored sound than the dt03. It accentuates the mid bass slightly over the sub. There is noticeably more energy and air in the highs with an additional crisp and edge to the notes. The Allegro has a slightly reduced soundstage by comparison. While the dt03 includes better accessories, the build quality of the two is comparable, though the Allegro is slightly heavier and smaller in profile.

● Hiby FC4 - The FC4 is more colored and has an organic and analog sound signature, whereas the dt03 is neutral and natural. The FC4 adds a slight bit of warmth and can help smooth out any troublesome peaks. The bass on the FC4 is a little less punchy and dynamic, but it does offer slightly better separation. The build quality is superior, and the FC4 feels more solid and premium with better weight. They are fairly close in size, but the accessories are better on the dt03.

In conclusion:

When Letshuoer first contacted me regarding the dt03, I didnt have much expectations. I'm unfamiliar with their prior releases but the dt03 was a nice surprise and is a wonderful DAC/amp. I was quite impressed at the way it presents a tonally correct and uncolored sound. It's the most natural and neutral option I've tested to date. The dt03 preserves the stock sound of iems while also elevating the technical prowess and dynamics to the next level. There is plenty of power available here, and it had no trouble running everything I threw at it, but it also had the lowest battery drainage too. In truth, I can't say that this is my favorite DAC/amp since I personally prefer a more colored, warmer sound such as the Hiby FC4. However, I will definitely be using the dt03 in my reviews going forward due to it's proficiency in presenting a natural and tonality correct sound. It has become a staple in my audiophile arsenal. While its build quality leaves a bit to be desired and it's light on features, I still give the dt03 a strong recommendation, especially for those who want an uncolored, natural DAC/amp option without breaking the bank.