ATC HDA-DP20

Entry level DAP’s have always given the impression that the design is conservative and the operating system stereotyped. However, I recently found a new DAP, not only is the price economical but there has also been an effort and thought put into the design and operating system. The classic turntable control and cassette set all-in-one. It also supports digital Coaxial out.

 

CLASSIC STYLING, LIKE A CASSETTE PLAYER

 

I would like to introduce you to the ATC HDA-DP20 DAP. In this Matte Black DAP, the display is using a cassette tape image as the background – this is nostalgic. For control, most on the current DAP’s are using a button or touch screen, but the DP20 is utilising a classic control mode. It uses a control wheel to scroll through a variety of functions and for volume control there is a volume knob recessed into the body of the player which can be accessed from either side, front or back.

Onto the size, this DAP is not difficult to control in one hand and the edge of the player feels comfortable. Coupled with the Matte finish the DP20 is stylish in its appearance.

 

SMOOTH CONTROL, EQ CALIBRATION

 

The DP20 does not have a built-in memory, a Micro SD card is required. For some users, it may be a little inconvenient.

The DP20’s overall operation is really quite smooth and the reaction fast. Using the wheel to control options is easy and each turn scrolls you onto another option. The screen is also perfectly synchronized with each turn of the control wheel

For audio adjustments, the DP20 comes with a built-in EQ. The EQ can be adjusted for each band, allowing the user to set the DP20 to their own personal listening preferences.

For connectivity, in addition to the 3.5mm headphone out, it also supports digital Coaxial out to allow easy connection to external amplifiers or other audio equipment.

 

ENOUGH OUTPUT POWER WITH MORE DETAIL

 

The DP20’s output is reassuringly strong. When using other model DAP’s I need to push the volume to over 70%, but the DP20 has enough for me to only push it to 50%. You can notice the details in all instruments and even the breath of the vocalist can be heard. The output power is absolutely enough. However, the less desirable aspect is the volume has too many steps – 120 steps, turning only two steps slightly increases/decreases the volume. If you wanted to adjust the volume sharply, you would have to turn the volume knob many times, maybe causing a little inconvenience.

《 Schindler’s List 》, Yang Xuefei

《 It was a very good year 》, Ray Charles

《 Promises don’t come easy 》, Susan Wong

The overall sound quality of the DP20 is a bit like an audiophile once said, it has a “British Sound”, which is warm and the soundstage is prominent. I paired a set of Shure 315 headphones with the DP20 whilst listening to Ray Charles “It was a very good year”, Yang Xuefei’s “Schindlers List” and Susan Wong’s “Promises do not come easy – all tracks are lossless music files .FLAC or .WAV, 16bit 44kHz.

Ray Charles husky voice does not bring any harsh notes to the ears, the voice feels warm and thick – I can even hear his mouth opening and closing. The DP20 is adept enough to decode and reproduce this.

When listening to the guitars in “Schindlers List”, I feel like I am enjoying a live concert, I can especially hear the intensity of every pluck of the guitar strings.

As the DP20 has a “British Sound”. With Susan Wong’s voice in the soprano section, it cannot reproduce the high frequencies sharply, but it’s still more than sufficient.

In conclusion, there is something I must admit. The DP20’s midrange, bass and soundstage makes be very happy at this price point.

Link: https://www.pcmarket.com.hk/2017/05/11/入門dap扮懷舊卡式機-atc-hda-dp20有心思/