I have been looking at DAPs and DAC/Amps for the past few days Really interested in the Xduoo X2s (recently released) at 60 USD, Fiio Btr3k/M3 Pro, Shanling UP4, or the Hidizs AP80/Pro if I can get a discount from them. E1DA would have also been good if not for the non-implementation of USB C.
Set my limit to 80 USD as I don't want to go down deeper in that rabbit hole as I don't see the "value" compared to IEMs/Earbuds
You might be interested in the tempotec Sonata hd pro then. I wouldnt really recommend daps at this price range, since you get a worse amp than just an amp.
You might be interested in the tempotec Sonata hd pro then. I wouldnt really recommend daps at this price range, since you get a worse amp than just an amp.
Totally agree. Budget DAPs especially the ones under $100 are weaker than modern day smartphones. Ideally one should rather invest in a decent budget DAC/Amp like BTR5/Qudelix 5K for the equivalent cost.
Totally agree. Budget DAPs especially the ones under $100 are weaker than modern day smartphones. Ideally one should rather invest in a decent budget DAC/Amp like BTR5/Qudelix 5K for the equivalent cost.
You might be interested in the tempotec Sonata hd pro then. I wouldnt really recommend daps at this price range, since you get a worse amp than just an amp.
Totally agree. Budget DAPs especially the ones under $100 are weaker than modern day smartphones. Ideally one should rather invest in a decent budget DAC/Amp like BTR5/Qudelix 5K for the equivalent cost.
DSD128 Native playback Direct decoding-Maximum support for DSD128 lossless format music playback, the signal is directly decoded inside the CPU,and the DOP link is removed, which greatly reduces the loss of sound quality and realizes true native music playback
Mastering sound quality 4K picture quality music experience-Maximum support for PCM 24Bit/192Khz, the professional audio chip is only to restore the music signal to a high degree, like a 4K HD picture compared to a 720p picture, which is more clear and complete. Enjoy the extraordinary experience brought by real tones, Feel the real sound of master quality
Support a variety of music formats-The player supports the common DFF. DSF. DSD. APE.FLAC. ALAC. WAV. AIFF、 ACC. MP3. WMA formats, Maximum support PCM 24Bi/192K,DSD128 HD lossless music.
EQ Adjustment-6 band dynamic adjustment with a gain control range of +/-12dB, llowing you to fine-une each music frequency band, aleviating the lack of earphone frequency response, and making music more suitable for your listening preferences.
Accommodate massive Non-destructive resources-Supports up to 128G TF/Micro SD card, It can store more than 3,000 WAV or 6,000 FLACIAPE lossless songs, calculated as 4 minutes for a single song, 24.000 minutes without repeating any, enjoy the wonderful feeling of music.
I have been looking at DAPs and DAC/Amps for the past few days Really interested in the Xduoo X2s (recently released) at 60 USD, Fiio Btr3k/M3 Pro, Shanling UP4, or the Hidizs AP80/Pro if I can get a discount from them. E1DA would have also been good if not for the non-implementation of USB C.
Set my limit to 80 USD as I don't want to go down deeper in that rabbit hole as I don't see the "value" compared to IEMs/Earbuds
You can try Walnut F2 as a pure DAC Amp under $30. Arguably the best one under $50 if you use 3.5mm jack output. And, it also can be used as a DAP although I never use it as one
For USB-C/Lightening, try Fiio BTR5/Qudelix 5K both are approximately for $100-120 but you will be sorted for at least 2-3 years in terms of tech and specs.
The X2s is a dap, it has a software (and the extra hardware needed) to play music as well. That means you are spending money on that feature as well as the dac/amp.
I'd like to correct myself, mid-range smartphones, i.e. over $250. Qualcomm's existing DAC from Snapdragon 6xx series is more powerful than ones shared in DAPs under $100-150. Samsung, Asus, Sony, LG (RIP), Vivo and Xiaomi do a decent job with the stock DAC. Asus and Samsung use software enhancements like DTS and Dolby whereas Sony and LG prefer to bulk up their hardware with optimal software. iPhone on their own have a very capable DAC which can easily compete with even some mid-range DAPs.
Also, Android gives one liberty to tweak them via rooting and modding. A modded basic Redmi smartphone sounds better than quite a bunch of budget DAPs. Precisely why some brands are shooing away from the segment altogether.
I'd like to correct myself, mid-range smartphones, i.e. over $250. Qualcomm's existing DAC from Snapdragon 6xx series is more powerful than ones shared in DAPs under $100-150. Samsung, Asus, Sony, LG (RIP), Vivo and Xiaomi do a decent job with the stock DAC. Asus and Samsung use software enhancements like DTS and Dolby whereas Sony and LG prefer to bulk up their hardware with optimal software. iPhone on their own have a very capable DAC which can easily compete with even some mid-range DAPs.
Also, Android gives one liberty to tweak them via rooting and modding. A modded basic Redmi smartphone sounds better than quite a bunch of budget DAPs. Precisely why some brands are shooing away from the segment altogether.
Yeah. I get the point and to solve for that it's feasible for most consumers to simply buy an amp instead of a DAP. DAP in current times is just redundant.
Yeah. I get the point and to solve for that it's feasible for most consumers to simply buy an amp instead of a DAP. DAP in current times is just redundant.
Yeah. I get the point and to solve for that it's feasible for most consumers to simply buy an amp instead of a DAP. DAP in current times is just redundant.
YMMV, but bringing a smartphone around with a stacked amp is quite inconvenient (not to mention you might be stopped by security checks haha). But the smartphone can also be limited by battery life and memory (especially if you have lots of lossless files), so that's where a DAP may come in handy, though it involves bringing 2 devices out on the go.
YMMV, but bringing a smartphone around with a stacked amp is quite inconvenient (not to mention you might be stopped by security checks haha). But the smartphone can also be limited by battery life and memory (especially if you have lots of lossless files), so that's where a DAP may come in handy, though it involves bringing 2 devices out on the go.
Totally. It's different strokes for different folks. A BTR5 or something similar does help in navigating the stacked amp scenario. Anyways, one has to carry two devices while traveling and it all boils down to the user's preference and convenience.
All in all, it is about what one prefers to use OTG. If one is comfortable using a boombox while traveling, more power to them!
Totally. It's different strokes for different folks. A BTR5 or something similar does help in navigating the stacked amp scenario. Anyways, one has to carry two devices while traveling and it all boils down to the user's preference and convenience.
All in all, it is about what one prefers to use OTG. If one is comfortable using a boombox while traveling, more power to them!
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Really interested in the Xduoo X2s (recently released) at 60 USD, Fiio Btr3k/M3 Pro, Shanling UP4, or the Hidizs AP80/Pro if I can get a discount from them. E1DA would have also been good if not for the non-implementation of USB C.
