Moondrop Dawn Pro_01

MOONDROP DAWN PRO Review: #1 faithful budget DAC!

In-depth, technical presentation on 'Moondrop Dawn Pro review.' Explaining it's build, design and sonic capabilities.
  • Design
  • Build Quality
  • Bass
  • Midrange
  • Treble
  • Soundstage
  • Technicalities
  • App & Accessibility
4/5Overall Score
Pros
  • Clean and detailed sound
  • Punchy Bass
  • Detailed Mids
  • Energetic Treble
  • Compact & portable
  • Powerful, considering size & price
  • Easy to use
Cons
  • Limited Soundstage
  • Though made of metal, it feels cheap in hand
  • Might be insufficient for power hungry headphones
  • No physical ‘gain’ switch
  • Super annoying ‘Moondrop Link’ app

The Moondrop Dawn Pro is a portable DAC that punches well above its weight. Priced at $49.99, it offers an affordable option for enhancing audio quality from smartphones, iOS devices, and computers.

I am not a huge fan of DAC or DAC-AMP; I would rather roam around with a DAP. But I was interested in trying the Dawn Pro, because it’s cute! In my arsenal, most of the IEMs (not all) are with warm/ warm neutral sound signature. In my first audition, I used Aful Performer 5 with it and felt amazed by it’s awesome detailed mids and instrument separation. With no time, I decide to buy it. And after using for some months, I’m writing Moondrop Dawn Pro review to share my thoughts on that beautiful little DAC.

POCO X3
PC
AFUL MagicOne

AFUL Performer 5
Ikko OH10

Ikko OH10S
OG Aria

Aria 2
Moondrop LAN

BQEYZ Winter (modified with dense filter)
Tanzchim One

Tanzchim Zero
Tangzu Princess Chag-Lee

KBEar KW1

This unit is a personal buy, not a review unit sent by any party. And after spending some days with it and using it extensively, I decide to review it due to my personal interest. There is no monitory transaction nor any other privilege between me and the respective company/distributing authority. The following Moondrop Dawn Pro review is my unbiased & honest opinion.

One thing more. The review is based on my personal experience and what I hear using different IEMs. Your experience may be very due to personal preference and physical differences like the shape & depth of the ear canal.

You can grab your copy from Geek Mart if you are in Bangladesh.
For international buying, Shenzhen Audio is the place for you.

Model: DAWN PRO High-performance DAC/AMP
Weight: 13g
Size: 42mm * 22.45mm * 12.39mm
Headphone Connector: 3.5 Single-ended, 4.4mm Balanced
Frequency Response: 5Hz – 82kHz (±1dB)
Chipset: Dual Cirrus Logic CS43131
Background Noise:
4.4mm: 1.3μV (AES17 20kHz)
3.5mm: 1.5μV (AES17 20kHz)
SNR:
4.4mm: 131dB (A-wt)
3.5mm: 123dB (A-wt)
Dynamic Range: 4 4mm: 132dB (A-wt)
Line Output:
4.4mm: 4Vrms
3.5mm: 2Vrms
THD+N: 0.00014% (AES17 20kHz, no load)

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• Down Pro
• Type-C to Type-C adapter
• Type-A to Type-C adapter

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It is of a rounded shape, enclosed in a tin box. The packaging is simple and basic, hence safe for the DAC in transport. First impressions when holding the Dawn Pro are that it is small and lightweight. Its sleek aluminum alloy chassis not only makes it look good but also provides durability and longevity for long-term use. It means compact, light, and very portable. This device will let you take your high-fidelity audio with it anywhere.

Despite the premium feel and build quality, there are some minor but critical issues. The volume button of the Dawn Pro DAC feels a little bit flimsy, less solid in comparison with other parts in this device because the rubber gasket is lacking. It works well enough for volume adjustments but perhaps lacks the tactile click and durability that might be wished for by us, the users. The dot-patterned grills, aka air vent, in the cover might also not suit everybody’s taste and could promote dust or debris accumulation over time, which would require periodical cleaning for optimal performance and appearance.

Overall, it is an aesthetically pleasing, cute little DAC, well built, with a couple of absolutely unforgivable flaws.

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Much of that storytelling, though, is in its heart-the dual CS43131 decoding chips from Cirrus Logic. It’s known for being fairly accurate and rather low in terms of distortion. The CS43131 chips are making sure music reaches your ears with incredible clarity and detail. Moondrop has carefully designed the circuitry around the chips to make sure they are operating at peak potential. Such an approach helped this series, the Dawn Pro, provide a clean sound and let the listener enjoy his or her music exactly as the artist intended.

Image from Google:

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Now, for the main event – how does it sound? The Dawn Pro offers a clean and detailed sound signature that punches above its weight class. It holds the bass well and open up the mids with airy & shiny treble. I found that, it delivers tone with a good weight overall, if you pair it with warm IEMs. But neutral or neutral bright IEMs may give you some treble fatigue, if you are a treble sensitive guy like me. So keep it mind that, you will hear some identical differences with different tuning IEMs. Don’t bother to experiment, if you have that opportunity.

OK, let’s dive into the analysis. Here’s a breakdown of its sonic characteristics:

The sub-bass on the Dawn Pro is deep, also decently controlled; it will provide a good foundation but never overpower any frequency range. When paired with warm IEMs, the Dawn Pro DAC enhances the sub-bass frequencies without making the overall sound too muddy. When using a bit brighter/neutral IEM, the DAC delivers a solid and punchy but balanced sub-bass.

The Dawn Pro DAC brings deep, rumbling sub-bass into the foreground in the tracks like “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” supplementing the atmospheric soundscapes. The rich, full-bodied underlying bass notes are thick and contribute a lot to an immersive experience. In terms of speed and complex bass lines, as with the song “The Number of the Beast” by Iron Maiden, the given DAC does very well. The sub-bass is taut and controlled, even in the riotous parts. Though you will miss some speed, it won’t let you down because it can deliver the sonic sweetness of sub-bass any music lover is looking forward to getting.

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Mid-bass is punchy and dynamic, delivering a satisfying thump that brings kick drums and bass guitars to life. The mid-bass frequencies are full-bodied and dynamic, adding depth and drive to the music and excels in delivering a rich and engaging mid-bass performance while using warm IEMs. Balance comes courtesy of the Dawn Pro, fleshing out the in-ear monitors’ accurate, well-defined mid-bass performance. Mid-bass frequencies are taut and controlled, giving the music weight and fullness without overstepping their limit. Be it intricately crafted musical arrangements by Pink Floyd or riff-laden songs from Metallica, the mid-bass response from the DAC is clear and balanced, further elevating your listening experience.

For instance, in “Is This Love” by White Snake, the mid-bass sounds smooth and full-bodied with the Dawn Pro. The IEMs warm up blissfully, endowing the bass guitar and drums with lusciousness, which really helps the overall texture of the song. The mid-bass is prominent-to say the least-but never overwhelming on the vocals or other instruments. The neutrality of the IEMs brings in clarity in the mid-bass, making the overall sound cohesive. Well-defined bass guitar and drums complement the vocals and guitars perfectly, adding depth without overwhelming the mix.

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But put it with warm IEMs, and the Dawn Pro DAC just comes alive with rich and engaging male vocals. On Metallica’s “Enter Sandman,” James Hetfield’s vocals are a bit gravelly and strong. The Dawn Pro DAC brings out the depth and texture in his voice, which makes it sound more intense and engaging. The warm IEMs add to the richness of his vocals, giving the song a more dynamic, powerful feel.

Neutral IEMs are when the male vocals never miss being relayed clearly and accurately by the digital to analog converter. It’s clean and detailed midrange amplifies the natural timbre and expression of the vocals. Whether subtler vocals, as in the case of Pink Floyd, or more power-packed performances by Metallica, the digital to analog converter puts out a well-balanced and transparent vocal experience that brings the best out of males.

The female vocals sound rich and engaging when the IEMs have warm sounding from the DAC. The midrange is silky and full-bodied, adding some weight to the vocals. When listening to “Jolene” by Dolly Parton, Dawn Pro gave her vocals a silky and organic characteristic. The voice of Dolly sounds warm and inviting, while the midrange is clear and detailed. The IEMs give warmth, richness to her vocals, carrying a feel of being a little more intimate and textured.

Paired with the balanced IEMs, this is where the Dawn Pro really shines: clear, natural, and engaging female vocals. The midrange is nicely articulated and accurate, providing good natural timbre to the vocals and emotion. While listening to “Gloria” from Laura Branigan, her strong voice comes through the DAC in such a way that is both precise and energetic, making her voice textured and placing a vibrant and engaging feel into it.

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The treble is crispy, bright, and fairly well-extended, adding a sense of air and space to the music. It’s energetic but not harsh; clear and detailed enough to give the best effect of high-frequency sounds like cymbals and strings. This is very good news, especially for those listeners who do not enjoy harshness or sibilance brought out by warmer IEMs. For example, the hissing cymbals and Ritchie Blackmore’s iconic work on the guitar in “Smoke on the Water” by Deep Purple should be reproduced faithfully. The smooth treble presentation on the Dawn Pro ensures those elements remain clear without being fatiguing during a long listening session.

Well, balanced IEMs are known for their neutral sound signature, and this might give the Dawn Pro’s smooth and controlled treble a slightly different character. It is highly likely that balanced IEMs will open up the full range of treble frequencies, probably bringing out even more detail and sharpness of high notes than, say, warmer IEMs. However, it can be a bit too bright for treble-sensitive listeners if they use any bright neutral IEM.

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The instruments sound accurately reproduced and with good detail. Guitars are nice and crunchy, pianos full and resonant, and strings are smooth and natural. Each instrument has its own space; the complex arrangements sound coherent, immersive.

An instrumental track, “Altitudes” by the late guitar prodigy Jason Becker, is a technical marvel: just listen to the lightning-fast picking and the complex melodic structures. The Dawn Pro, too, presents this with aplomb-with Becker’s rapid-fire guitar passages coming across readily, and you can easily appreciate the delicate interaction between the different guitar parts.

Speaking of which, the instrument separation on the Dawn Pro is great for its price. Complex tracks with a lot of instruments on offer come through clear, with ease tracking each piece to fill out a richer texture.

Detail Retrieval: The Dawn Pro really impresses with the way it retrieves even the subtlest nuance in your music that you just won’t catch on the lesser of DACs. Every single string plucked on a guitar, every breath taken by a vocalist, and any minor detail in the background is reproduced crystal clear.

Dynamic Range: The dynamic range on this DAC is quite exceptional. It handles quiet passages with explosive crescendos, and it can present all the elements of music correctly. Due to this, one gets an engaging and dynamic listening experience that keeps him hooked right from the very beginning.

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Dawn Pro has been praised due to its clean sound and unexpectedly strong sound; however, the thing that it really tends to fall short on is soundstage: more intimate when compared to several competitors. What that may mean is that the instruments may appear to be positioned closer together, tending to create less of an expansive listening experience.

The Dawn Pro focuses more on clarity and detail rather than creating this wide sonic landscape. That’s a good thing in some regards, as you can hear every instrument quite clear in the mix. If you are accustomed to a wider soundstage where instruments tend to seem spread out, however, the Dawn Pro might feel just a touch congested on some recordings with many instruments playing simultaneously.

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A COMPLETE POWER HOUSE:

The Moondrop Dawn Pro may be compact, but big things can come in small packages. Surprisingly for driving headphones and IEMs alike, this little DAC kicks hard.

• 3.5mm Single-ended: The 3.5mm jack is providing a good deal of power for most everyday listening, with a great performer offering 2Vrms; it’s well-matched to most IEMs and even some easier-to-drive headphones. It does not have the sheer muscle of the 4.4mm jack, but in most respects, this delivers a clean and controlled sound.

• 4.4mm Balanced: This is, in fact, where the real juice of the Dawn Pro comes in – via the 4.4mm balanced output at 4Vrms. This connection offers considerably higher power compared to the 3.5mm single-ended-one-twice as powerful. For audiophiles sporting high impedance headphones or notably power-sucking IEMs, the balanced output is a game-changer.

For all its power, the Dawn Pro is a compact unit, and it may not be as fitting for every case. For instance, audiophiles with real audiophile-class headphones with very high impedance may find that the output of one single Dawn Pro leaves them wanting.

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What frustrates me is the lack of a physical gain switch. It’s kind of basic for such a position class of a DAC, with this design and price. You have to install and depend on an app called ‘Moondrop Link’, which is super buggy and not user-friendly at all. While the app Moondrop Link may give everything that is required, as far as functionality is concerned, it is just underwhelming on the ground of user experience. The pain in downloading it, the mess of an interface, and crippling features-all these make me frustrated and ask for something that would be more polished and seamlessly user-friendly.

• Budget-Minded Audiophiles: To be honest, the price it carries, the Dawn Pro is simply fantastic, with a clear, detailed, and somewhat powerful listening experience that makes for a great buy when quality and price are both keys.

• IEM Users on the Go: The compact and portable design of this device makes it perfect for users of smartphones and tabs that want to take their IEM listening experience to the next level.

• Listeners Who Value Clarity Over Spaciousness: If one values clear and accurate sound presentation over a super wide soundstage, the detailed and focused signature of the Dawn Pro will be a treat.

• Fans of Balanced Audio (Especially with IEMs): more so with IEMs, the 4.4mm balanced output provides an appreciable and welcome power boost to really get the best out of higher-impedance IEMS or those that scale well from a balanced connection.

Audiophiles Craving a Vast Soundstage: If a wide and airy listening experience is your top priority, the Dawn Pro’s more intimate soundstage might feel a bit limiting.

• Owners of True High-Impedance Headphones: While the Dawn Pro packs a punch, it might not be enough for audiophile-grade headphones with extremely high impedance.

• Listeners Who Don’t Need Extra Power: If you’re perfectly happy with your current smartphone or laptop’s audio output and only use easy-to-drive IEMs, the Dawn Pro might be an unnecessary addition to your setup.

The Moondrop Dawn Pro is the best of the breed for the budget-conscious audiophile looking to wring clear, detailed audio out of their IEMs. It’s great considering just how small a travel companion it is, but then it did manage to surprise with its heft. If you’re craving a super wide soundstage or more luxurious build, you might want to keep searching. Ultimately, it just goes to prove that big things do indeed come in small packages, offering improved audio quality without breaking the bank. Though not perfect for all, clarity, power, and portability on a budget do make Dawn Pro a champion for those who need it.

My low rating is for no physical gain switch, lack of rubber gasket inside, non-practical air vents, & disturbing dependency on a non user friendly & buggy app.


You Can Read Other Audio Gear Reviews HERE.

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