Images of the D&A Alpha PRO DAC/Amp all in one circulated widely in my group chat recently and many audiophiles remarked that its panel design reminiscent of the Nothing Phone was a stroke of genius For me however there is a saying that the weirder the weapon the quicker you die The positive impression created by its aesthetics and design inevitably raises expectations for its overall performance And if the sound quality which is the core of any audio product fails to deliver even the most beautiful exterior would be meaningless With that in mind I began using the D&A Alpha PRO DAC/Amp all in one about two weeks ago to see what this seemingly unconventional device had to offer
The design is indeed a major plus As a desktop audio product with a premium price point most brands tend to make their devices look more professional or adhere to the established family design language of long standing brands It is rare for a new brand like D&A to play with creative aesthetics in desktop device design The panel design of the Alpha PRO is visually well balanced with tasteful and elegant colour coordination that does not compromise on texture The transparent cover paired with circular metal buttons creates a harmonious look The finishing touch is the illumination that lights up in corresponding positions on the front panel after power on and the exclamation mark on the far right wheel along with its outer ring glows in white light a truly clever detail The lighting on the Alpha PRO panel can be controlled via a dedicated button for on off and lighting modes and the brightness is well judged never being harsh even in a dark room Overall this design stands out among the typically conservative desktop all in one devices in the market offering a distinctly futuristic appeal
As an all in one device the DAC section uses the flagship ES9039MSPRO DAC chip while the amplification stage employs the core 4C FBDA fully balanced discrete amplifier architecture with a maximum output power of up to 6000mW at 32 ohms Of course specifications do not directly translate to actual listening experience and the real world driving capability of the Alpha PRO will be discussed separately later For headphone outputs it offers a 4 pin XLR balanced output a 6.35mm single ended output and a 4.4mm balanced output covering everything from full sized headphones to IEMs The line output can be adjusted via the GAIN button on the front panel with three gain levels available The rear panel connectivity is comprehensive and while the included power and USB cables are decent most audiophiles will likely replace them to further optimise sound quality
After this period of listening and pairing experiments I personally find that the sound quality of the Alpha PRO far exceeds expectations and has even reshaped my perception of this new brand It is no exaggeration to say that the sound performance of this device can go toe to toe with some well established products at the same or even higher price points The overall tonal character of the Alpha PRO is balanced thick and smooth maintaining a rounded and engaging sound across the entire frequency range with a rich sense of power and atmosphere Interestingly I find it difficult to categorise this device as either technically oriented or musically oriented because it excels at both To be fair it would be an overstatement to say that a sub 5000 yuan device achieves absolute perfection in any single aspect but within the technical limits of its price bracket the Alpha PRO strikes an impressive balance between sound quality and musicality that commands respect
The soundstage of the Alpha PRO is notably expansive with a well proportioned balance between width depth and height presenting a three dimensional and cathedral like space Within this space layering is rich imaging is precise and the microdynamic detail is commendable In broader terms the Alpha PRO offers dynamic range performance that stands out in its price bracket excelling particularly with tracks that have wide dynamic contrasts and delivering impressive transient energy when needed Looking at the three frequency energy distribution the Alpha PRO presents a well balanced allocation The bass is generous with excellent sub bass extension and the combination of rich layering and elasticity creates an outstanding bass atmosphere making this all in one suitable for a wide range of genres from pop to symphonic and OST performing effectively in all bass demanding scenarios and serving both as atmosphere builder and a central driving force Especially when paired with higher quality headphones the combined listening experience is further enhanced The midrange is one of the highlights of the Alpha PRO in my view Its imaging is full without being bloated with a moderate distance that never feels intrusive and a natural positioning generally centred around the nasal area though the in head effect varies depending on the paired headphones overall it remains subtle The midrange also delivers good thickness and density largely avoiding issues of thinness hollowness or lack of body Combined with the robust imaging and the impressive detail retrieval from its strong technical foundation the reproduction of vocals and midrange instruments is highly satisfying Beyond its accurate rendering the midrange texture and tonality are not built on coloration but on solid technical performance imaging resolution and detail The treble is equally impressive showing genuine capability that is rarely found in all in one devices at this price point combining outstanding extension and resolution with refined brightness and transparency When paired with dynamic or planar headphones it easily produces the coveted sense of airiness
In terms of headphone pairing the 6000mW at 32 ohms output power is clearly intended for over ear headphones After trying it with the Paradise 2 MV1 and DT990 PROX all of which delivered highly satisfying results I turned my attention to the HD800S which I had only planned to use for a quick photo The result was nothing short of startling While I would not claim that the Alpha PRO drives the HD800S to its absolute peak the sound quality from this combination was easily comparable to some 10,000 yuan class setups The HD800S not only opened up its soundstage with rich layering but even when listening to pop vocals and tracks that emphasise atmosphere the impressive dynamics transient response density and three dimensionality made me question whether this was really a 5000 yuan device driving the HD800S
In conclusion the Alpha PRO is a desktop DAC Amp all in one that is unexpectedly mature and impressive With its immense driving power refined sound engaging atmosphere and distinctive design it has all the makings of a standout product DIGI & AESTH a brand that may seem relatively unknown has delivered a DAC Amp all in one with such sincerity and capability right out of the gate Appearing to offer nothing it has in fact delivered everything
Source：巡洋艦3rd
