[Engineer2002]

Hi all...
I am looking for recommendations for a new high end DAP from a decent & honest company..
....
Only criteria is.

Android OS
Good battery life
Excellent customer service.
4.4 balanced & 3.5 Jack output
And it needs to be able to be used as a digital transport via USB-C.

I've heard iBasso are an excellent company to deal with as are Fiio (I'm led to believe).
I would go with A & K but I've been told they no longer support Tidal.
All Recommendations appreciated.
Thanks in advance

 

[Tanalasta]

A&K support tidal. Have you considered the SE180.

 

[rlw6534]

Hi all...
Having had extremely bad experiences with two HIBY Daps & indeed their customer support.
I am looking for recommendations for a new high end DAP from a decent & honest company..
....
Only criteria is.

Android OS
Good battery life
Excellent customer service.
4.4 balanced & 3.5 Jack output
And it needs to be able to be used as a digital transport via USB-C.

I've heard iBasso are an excellent company to deal with as are Fiio (I'm led to believe).
I would go with A & K but I've been told they no longer support Tidal.
All Recommendations appreciated.
Thanks in advance

This forum has threads on all of the current offerings out there. I would suggest some research, especially for high end DAPs as almost all of them have quirks such as 1) poor wifi and battery life, 2) custom Android OS workarounds or 3) problems with specific streaming services. You'll have to decide what are your must-have priorities and what issues you can live with.

 

[Engineer2002]

This forum has threads on all of the current offerings out there. I would suggest some research, especially for high end DAPs as almost all of them have quirks such as 1) poor wifi and battery life, 2) custom Android OS workarounds or 3) problems with specific streaming services. You'll have to decide what are your must-have priorities and what issues you can live with.

Thanks for your reply & yes I have been doing research/reading reviews etc
But personal experience of other consumers is always good & there seems to be people with a great deal of experience of the numerous brands/models etc on this forum.
Thanks & enjoy

 

[rlw6534]

This forum has threads on all of the current offerings out there. I would suggest some research, especially for high end DAPs as almost all of them have quirks such as 1) poor wifi and battery life, 2) custom Android OS workarounds or 3) problems with specific streaming services. You'll have to decide what are your must-have priorities and what issues you can live with.

Thanks for your reply & yes I have been doing research/reading reviews etc
But personal experience of other consumers is always good & there seems to be people with a great deal of experience of the numerous brands/models etc on this forum.
Thanks & enjoy

I'll throw out a suggestion for a Shanling M3x. It's definitely not high end, but everything seems to work and mine is problem-free. I suppose you could look at the M6 Pro (21) if you simply have to spend more money.

 

[Engineer2002]

A&K support tidal. Have you considered the SE180.

Ahhh thanks for that...
I had looked at the SE200 but the thought of 2 dacs for two different outputs seemed a little excessive...
I hadn't heard of the SE180 but it ticks all the boxes and the review I quickly scanned said its impressive.
Also my Ifi Aurora has LDAC which is good for when I'm not attaching via 3.5.
Thanks - I'm seriously thinking about that as an option & it's on Amazon so I could test drive it.
Many thanks to you

 

[NehPets]

If you don't mind a customized Android OS, Cayin N6ii has got a lot going for it.

 

[Engineer2002]

I'll throw out a suggestion for a Shanling M3x. It's definitely not high end, but everything seems to work and mine is problem-free. I suppose you could look at the M6 Pro (21) if you simply have to spend more money.

Thanks - I will take a gander!

 

[Engineer2002]

If you don't mind a customized Android OS, Cayin N6ii has got a lot going for it.

Thanks I'll take a look at that too.
To be honest the only thing important is Tidal as I use it as my main listening source...
I have heard good things about Cayin.
And they have a UK distributor so thumbs up to that.
Thanks

 

[rlw6534]

Ahhh thanks for that...
I had looked at the SE200 but the thought of 2 dacs for two different outputs seemed a little excessive...
I hadn't heard of the SE180 but it ticks all the boxes and the review I quickly scanned said its impressive.
Also my Ifi Aurora has LDAC which is good for when I'm not attaching via 3.5.
Thanks - I'm seriously thinking about that as an option & it's on Amazon so I could test drive it.
Many thanks to you

I can't think of any other brand that has more dissatisfied customers than A&K. But it sure is "high-end", at least on price. And some love it.

 

[Engineer2002]

I can't think of any other brand that has more dissatisfied customers than A&K. But it sure is "high-end", at least on price. And some love it.

Yes I've heard the opinion that A&K is overpriced.... the most important thing for me now is a UK distributor.
Any problems - they can deal with it!

 

[Tanalasta]

At a more affordable price point the new Fiio m11 plus

 

[iFi audio]

Also my Ifi Aurora has LDAC

Works rather well, doesn't it ?

 

[Engineer2002]

Works rather well, doesn't it ?

Lol - indeed it does!
Although when using a quality DAP & for extended listening, I always use wired.
Thank you for an excellent piece of kit.
I love the way the Aurora produces music.
And having had an Ear Yoshino amp.
The Auroras tube preamp is just divine.
Wouldn't swap it for anything else under 2.5k.
And as a footnote - I also have an Ifi ipurifier 3 usb and 4 AC ipurifers...& they're exceptionally good.
Thanks
(You should put your expertise into a Dap!)

 

[iFi audio]

Ear Yoshino amp.

Thank you for an excellent piece of kit.
I love the way the Aurora produces music.

You're welcome!

The Auroras tube preamp is just divine.
Wouldn't swap it for anything else under 2.5k.
And as a footnote - I also have an Ifi ipurifier 3 usb and 4 AC ipurifers...& they're exceptionally good.

Suffice it to say, hybrid amps are what we like

You should put your expertise into a Dap!

Perhaps one day we will, but the odds for that are rather slim.