Great review! I have the Pegasus Gold Edition (2x more powerful than the standard version) for a couple days and all i can say is that im smashed by the dynamics, bass punch and the soundstage. Im pairing it with the Monarch Mk2 and i didnt even realize that my Monarchs were undepowered.. until now. Its a life-like performance im getting with this pairing. Its very close to a big class A speaker amplifier in its presentation. Worth to mention than ive had daps like the IBasso dx320, AK Kann Max, AK sp1000, Shanling M8, Mojo2 dac/amp- none of these have such an amazing dynamics and bass punch. Also what surpises me is a very natural, layered and liquid layering and soudstage on the Pegasus. There are no artificial edges around notes, everything is very naturally rendered, just a great musical and natural performance.
So glad you're enjoying it so much! It's a brilliant device. Just for the benefit of others reading this though, it's not about having more power. It's about the design of the amplification circuit providing all those benefits you're describing. There are plenty of more powerful devices than the regular SG1 or the gold version that don't sound as good.
What a review! The method of presenting and communicating information to us is really clear. I have an UP5 and I agree with your description of it, I think I'll go to SG. Thanks from the heart
I have a ITB03, BTR5 and UTWS5. The ITB03 is just simple and I use with Bluetooth on PCs and laptops. I use the BTR5 and UTWS5 with my DAP and Android phone as the app is quite powerful. All balanced with IEMs and some headphones (HD599, HE400SE, Focal Clear and Zeus without issues). Sound wise, there's little difference when using Bluetooth, even though the UTWS5 only uses AptX. For me it comes down to versatility and convenience.
What an amazing review: detailed, comprehensive and the comparisons knocked it out of the park. I have so many darn dongles and bluethooth dac/amps that I don't need more...but you've got me thinking about the ikko and dethonray. I've got the new Hiby FCN6 on order to give an R2R a try. But, another might not hurt - I will sleep on it 😄. Thank you for sharing this review
Sorry! It's always difficult when something new and better comes out. The G5 is still a beast so rest assured of that, but the Dethonray is mighty fine!
@@PassionforSound nah. I want them both. I’m really happy with the separation imaging of G5. Sounds like a ‘Topping’. But I do crave another one with more smoothness, like Ifi Gryphons but cheaper. I gotta give Dethonray a try.
Hello, thank you for the wonderful review you brought us! I purchased the Shanling UP5 and I was very satisfied with what it delivers, but in dac mode connected to the cell phone the battery is lasting a maximum of 3 hours, this is disappointing me a lot... Can you tell me if this is right? Is this using the 4.4mm with high gain? Thank you and congratulations for the wonderful work!
So glad you like the sound of the UP5! I think, from memory, the UP5 has a menu option to charge or not charge when connected to USB. You'll need to switch it to charging on so it isn't draining the battery so fast I think.
Sure! It performs to the level of amps like the Soloist GT, GS-X Mk2 and Phonitor XE, but it different. It's a little less spacious and open sounding than the Soloist GT and Phonitor, but the bass it delivers is a real standout. It has this deep, solid and controlled bass delivery that's amazingly enjoyable.
@@PassionforSound Sounds like my Perreaux SXH2...and coincidentally look almost identical under the hood. The Perreaux is New Zealand made. They've made high end amplifier since the 80's. Thanks for the reply Lachlan! Cheers mate.
I am using the SG1 for several months now and can add the following to this review (which I find great, btw!): 1. The volume knob problems occur only with the stock firmware. As soon as you upgrade (the updates ARE available - I am not sure why you think they aren`t?) they will disappear. 2. I agree, 3,5 and 4,4 output sound different. In my opinion there is clearly an impedance difference between the two outputs going on, because the difference in sound really depends on the earphones! So I would not necessarily say the 4,4 sounds better with any, but from my experience punchier with some of my earphones. On the other hand, I have phones that sound clearer through the 3,5. I hope Dethonray can fix this with the next model, impedance should be the same.
Thanks for sharing the info, Hanes. I'd love a link or directions to the firmware if you can. I tried the Dethonray website and retailer websites with no success.
Hey, did the sound change after upgrading from stock firmware to the latest one? Do the sound become worse? Also please let me know if you are having any issues like battery drain on high gain and sound dropouts?
The firmware filters have been out for months for the Pegasus SG1 but indeed they are hard to find a pretty troublesome to install. The sg1 is an absolutely fantastic unit that easily beats mid fi desktop setups with very dynamic and musical sound.
i just picked up the dethonray SG1. the volume knob is janky if you change gain it won't actually change until you turn the volume knob. poor coding in the FPGA. however it sounds AMAZING. my go-to is usually an ifi go blu or gryphon and this is right up there if not better. currently there are 2 firmware packs. one is more subdued which i am experimenting with. some IEMs can be a bit shouty compared to over the ear headphones and i'm hoping it can tame some of that edit - the gryphon is much cleaner. disregard
Wow what an informative great video! Full of details! Im planning to buy a portable dac mainly for my PC desktop and I can take it outside if I want, UA5 is my choice good sound but its a little bit pricy over $230 , then I considered UA3 but I want something better to use for 2 years without need to upgrade, THEN I found UP4 22 and UP5, they are under $200 and they have Bluetooth! Do you think UP5 and UP422 as good as UA5 or moondriver 2 (I will use 4.4 cables) witch one do you recommend for me?
I haven't ever compared the UP series with the UA series, but I do think you'll be happy with either of those as they're both excellent. The UP5 is a little better than the UP4 of you have the budget.
I'm a bit behind on your videos. This must be the review you were referring to previously. The Ikko is on sale for $120 so it's tempting but only if it offers a significant improvement in sound quality over my Ear Studio ES100. To be honest, I don't know if my problems are equipment related or my expectations are wrong. It seems like busy tracks blur together and some crash symbols sound like trash. I don't know if it's a shortcoming of my headphones/IEMs, the DAC, or me.
That's very difficult to answer and might require some experimentation on your part to fully understand. At that price, the ITB03 is a good starting point.
Excellent review, thank you Lachlan! Could you please compare SG1 with Chord Mojo 2 as it seems they are both going for that natural and fluid sound presentation?
Glad you liked it, Lukas. The Mojo 2 is more resolving and also more neutral sounding than the SG1. I love the SG1, but the Mojo 2 is next level for sound quality. The SG1 is a bit smoother in its presentation which is nice sometimes, but that's also why the Mojo 2 is more detailed sounding.
Thank you for the thought, but no. The local retailers and distributor don't have any such programs. In fact, I don't know of any Chord retailers that offer that anywhere in the world. I don't need a kickback anyway so feel free to buy from whoever you would like to. If you feel like telling them that my content helped you make the decision, the extra exposure and awareness is always helpful though. 🙂
Would beinteresting to explore additional use-cases. For example, for use in a car which doesn't have BT, but does have an aux-in where functionality of rapid pairing, auto-off when no power, power by yUSB. In that case what are the main contenders? How would the ITB03 (which seemed to have a "car-mode") stack up against a BTR5 for example?
I can't answer the question vs BTR5 because I don't have one here, but everything I've said about the sound quality with headphones will be true for in-car use too. The only difference is you don't have to worry about power output because it's acting only as a preamp
Sadly, no. I ended up moving it on fast due to certain circumstances (all positive). It's a great amp that performs to the same level as the Soloist GT, GSX Mk2, Phonitor XE, etc. but it's standout feature is bass presence and control - amazing!
I have up5 I'm using it with iems. Im enjoying the sound of it. But i only have 2.5mm cables... So are you sure 4.4mm is significantly better than 2.5mm output on up5? I'm thinking to buy 4.4mm cables after you noted that 4.4mm better. But just to make sure i wanna know how much difference is there. Is it like difference between 2.5 and 3.5 or is less.
I have no idea why/how it could sound different, but it was a clear improvement via 4.4mm to my ears at the time of testing. I had to send the UP5 back so can't retest to provide you more info - sorry.
How would the sound signature compare to one more neutral like the iBasso house sound? I ask cuz the headphones i plan on getting, the JM modded HE-R9, seems to be natural and organic sounding as well, worried too much of a good thing might come to bite me in the rear. 😅 Thank you.
@@PassionforSound Yessir. I've been considering the Hiby R6 III, and the iBasso DX170, but the Dethonray... It seems like they made something magical there. I know the HE-R9s don't need so much power, they are pretty easy to drive, but I'm looking for the ultimate sound signature. Guess I'm worried two harman-esk curves (the Pegasus and the HE-R9) might end up being much more of a V than expected. The way you or mostly anyone describes the Pegasus - that's what I'm looking for.
The Pegasus isn't really Harman tuned so I wouldn't worry about that - it's more of a generally rich, detailed sound. I think it could be quite magic with the HE-R9.
Yes, I think so. Because Bluetooth is also still lossy (even LDAC), the difference between FLAC/ALAC and AAC will probably be less with SG1 and it'll still sound wonderful
I'm considering this but the models that are on sales right now have latest firmware which changed the sound from last year units, how do you compare the sound between old and new, I've heard the updated firmware has less bass and is more neutral, would you say this is still the best Bluetooth dac/amp under $500? If it isn't please tell me. Thank you!
Ok. I haven't tried updating the firmware so I can't comment directly, but you can possibly swap to an older firmware for if you want to. Based on my experiences, the firmware changes will be subtle so the foundation of the sound quality will remain and will still be amazing because it will come down to the circuitry used more than the firmware which will likely be altering things like the noise filtering used by the DAC stage.
@@PassionforSound this device seems like a very temperamental buy for me is there any thing better purely in terms of sound quality? If gryphon is slightly more expensive but does it sound better?
Which one of these that you reviewed would you recommend in Bluetooth mode with either Sennheiser momentum 3 or Sony xm4 with ANC on? I alternate with both of them mostly when I'm taking my daily walks.
Hi Mike, none of these are 2-way Bluetooth so you would need a different device for that. Is there a reason you wouldn't just pair your wireless headphones to your smartphone?
@@PassionforSound Hi Lachlan, I use an earman eagle with the momentum 3 headphones in wired mode, which I feel gives me better sound. In wired mode, I can't skip tracks or use volume control with the buttons on the headphones, so I have to use the phone, which distracts from the walking and running pace that I try to maintain. I know that sounds very petty on my part, but it is annoying.
No, I totally get it. Unfortunately, if you go fully Bluetooth you'll lose the sound quality, but you could go with something like a Shanling UA3 and get onboard controls for skipping tracks, etc.
Hey, if I pair SG1 amp with hifiman r9 which are very bassy headphones will it get too much and get distorted and bloated? also is sg1 a good upgrade from btr5 2021?
I think the SG1 is an excellent upgrade from the BTR5 - you'll be amazed I think. As for the pairing with the R9, that's a personal thing so I can't say if it's going to be too much. I think it will likely sound great still.
@@PassionforSound hey, some units of Sg-1 are having issues like if you play at high volume it over heats and drains the battery quickly and randomly shuts off, have you experienced these issues?
