Portable amp and or Player
Oct 20, 2014 at 7:20 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 11

ryanstl

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Is there such a thing as a DAP that also offers a line in to be used as a dedicated amp for an iPhone?
 
I had been looking at the IBasso DX50. I like this player, but it does not offer the option to stream.  Maybe I missed something, but can this be used as an amp too?
 
Is there a DAP with wifi that offers the ability to stream?
 
I had considered using the Fiio Andes, but I really do not want to cary around two pieces of equipment.
 
I am open to suggestions.  
 
Oct 20, 2014 at 4:04 PM Post #2 of 11
  Is there such a thing as a DAP that also offers a line in to be used as a dedicated amp for an iPhone?
I had been looking at the IBasso DX50. I like this player, but it does not offer the option to stream.  Maybe I missed something, but can this be used as an amp too?
Is there a DAP with wifi that offers the ability to stream?
I had considered using the Fiio Andes, but I really do not want to cary around two pieces of equipment.
I am open to suggestions.  

 
I would guess there is very little demand for a Digital Audio Player to come with a line-input.
I would say to just get A FiiO X1 and use it for playing music files.
 Leave your iPhone in your pocket, unless making or receiving a phone call.
 
Oct 20, 2014 at 4:10 PM Post #3 of 11
I believe some of the affordable iriver DAPs have line-in...but their amp sections aren't exactly strong.
 
The iBasso DAPs are powerful enough to drive many headphones without the use of an external amp...but I don't think you can use it as an amp for another device.
 
The Astell&Kern (also by iriver) DAPs have wireless streaming...but are very expensive. You're better off using a computer as a wireless music server as long as you're in range.
 
If all you're looking for is an amp for your iPhone, you can spend less money on a portable amp than those DAPs.
 
Oct 21, 2014 at 8:18 PM Post #4 of 11
Thanks for the replies.  I have been looking at all of the reviews of DAP's.  I am pretty disappointed so far.  They all seem to be buggy.  I think the HIfiman hm601 has several good reviews.  Any thoughts vs the X1?
 
Also as far as amps for iPhone 6 is the Fiio e07 a good choice?
 
Oct 21, 2014 at 8:26 PM Post #5 of 11
I know a guy who has owned lots of high-end DAPs, yet he stopped using them and just uses his iPhone now.
 
Are you just trying to get better sound quality and volume out of your iPhone?
 
Also, which headphones are you using?
 
Oct 21, 2014 at 8:44 PM Post #6 of 11
I was actually trying for better sound.  I have never purchased anything because I was unaware of external DAP that were better than iPhone/ipod.  If I were totally convinced I would have a lot better soundstage.  I am not against spending the money. I was looking for a portable solution that did not require 2 devices.
 
I had a set of Cardas 5813, but I just sold them last week.
 
I just purchased a set of Shure 215's this past weekend.  They are really good for 1/4 the price of the Cardas.  I really liked the Cardas, but the cable got to be such a PIA. I had to go a different direction. 
 
I had planned on purchasing a comparable set of IEM's but I was not finding anything in my price range.  I was also looking for something I could wear to walk the dog.  The Cardas were not them.  Now that I have a $100 set of IEM and they sound great I might explore some others like the GR07
 
Oct 21, 2014 at 9:13 PM Post #7 of 11
Well, since you're using assumedly easy-to-drive earphones, you may not benefit much from an external amp, though I can't say for sure. Using a different DAP or adding a DAC may yield some improvements, but since you already have the iPhone, you might as well work with that.
 
Do you think you can bring your iPhone to a shop that stocks portable amps, DACs, and DAPs for you to try out and compare? If you find out that adding more equipment to carry around (or using a different player) doesn't improve the sound as much as you had hoped, you could save yourself the trouble of buying something that isn't a worthy upgrade.
 
Oct 21, 2014 at 9:20 PM Post #8 of 11

Unfortunalty there are no, I mean Zero, stores in my area that carry any high end portable DAP's.  There are plenty of audio stores, but none of them carry any portable stuff.  It is hard to even find shures. I found them at a local Guitar Center.
 
So auditioning is out of the question.  
 
So now i am open to suggestions,  what dac/amps would you suggest?
 
Oct 21, 2014 at 9:40 PM Post #9 of 11
Since you're using earphones and an iPhone, I can't really tell you what the best choice is, unfortunately. Like I implied, you may very well realize after the fact that an amp, DAC, or even a new DAP didn't give the improvements you seek. I will say this, though: when I was looking at upgrading my DAP, the DX90 was my first choice.
 
As an alternative to auditioning, you could always buy a few items from Amazon and return what you don't like. Since you want to have just one device, perhaps you could compare how your iPhone sounds by itself, with an amp, and with a DAC or amp/DAC, then compare that to another DAP and any other components you have on hand...if you can wing it.
 
If you want thoughts on more specific options, let me know your max budget. (The first comparison that comes to mind is the FiiO E07K and E6, which costs less than $30.)
 
Oct 21, 2014 at 10:02 PM Post #11 of 11
That is correct. All the reason to compare it, because if you don't notice much of an improvement with a more expensive amp/DAC over just a cheap amp, then you know you don't need to spend so much, at least for that. And if you use the cheap amp with the iPhone and still don't notice much of an improvement, you can cross that off the list too.
 

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