I think it is time for a first feedback. Please take this with a grain of salt as I barely have 2-3 hours of listening on this DAP and it is barely burned in (if that exists).
- The player is provided with an AC charger, and a USB cable, both with mini-HDMI connectors. It cannot be charged via USB
- Startup is very fast, 60g of FLAC scanned within seconds
- UI is simple and efficient, and with next to no bugs. Not as good as Lotoo Paw Gold yet, but with a better screen quality
- No tag reading at this stage, folder works well
- This thing is ultra powerful. The Spiral SE6 is already super loud (and well controlled) at barely 1/3 of the volume in low gain, whereas I put it at 45/100 in high gain on the WM1Z
- There is no issue of hiss (on the VE8, which is super sensitive)
- Volume control might have to be adapted with more than two levels of gain in future FW, because low gain will be maybe too loud for highly sensitive IEMs
- Soundwise, I have been comparing side by side on my Spiral SE6 with the WM1Z balanced (the DTR1 being single ended) and :
- I don't think I can spot a difference in technical performance whether it be details, speed, control, etc., or at least not at this stage
- THe key difference I hear at this stage is that the DTR1 has a fuller bass. NOT more bass, just has more body, maybe related to the power
- Overall tonality are quite close, but maybe WM1Z is a bit airier
- I would say DTR1 has more emphasis on depth in the stage, versus width on the WM1Z, but it is very subtle
- Overall, the DTR1 sounds slightly smoother and more natural than the WM1Z
At this stage, even if the WM1Z is miles ahead in terms of functions, they seem pretty close in terms of SQ, while the DTR1 is much smaller and much cheaper. My main issue with it at this stage is the absence of USB DAC function, which I really need. Don't start the huge hype train, I never think DAPS around 500-1k have a huge difference soundwise with TOTL DAPs, it is more often subtle nuances, and choices in tunning, or functionality.
In any case, at this very early stage, I think this is a great player if you need small, simple, great sounding, super powerful.