I was listening to my Rockboxed DX50 yesterday and started wondering exactly how long I've owned it. I used this thread for the answer: going on 7 years! What a high-value purchase it has been. Only during COVID exile have I ever slowed down in using it (since I have actual stereo systems in three rooms while working from home), and it's still going strong. People ask me what it is and are blown away when I play them something through my Sennheisers.
When I window shop for what I'd buy for a replacement if I had to, I really don't know. User reviews of current ibasso players agree they sound great but often complain about the UI and/or firmware, and none of them have been Rockboxed.
It would be nice to be able to play my DAP through my upsampling DAC via Bluetooth, but I don't care about Tidal or any such services and don't see a need for Wifi or Android apps (unless there's a great music player app I don't know about). Amp module swapping is an interesting idea, but doesn't sound to me like it would be worth the money. And really a $1000+ DAP just makes me think how crappy it would be to lose it or have it stolen.
So it occurred to me: I can still buy a brand-new DX90 with a warranty. Rather than risk being annoyed with the UI on the DX120, if my DX50 were to die I could get a DX90 and Rockbox it.
Is that a crazy idea? Has sound quality advanced so far in 7 years that the DX90 doesn't compare? What do you all think?