Hey all! Are there any daps that have fairly easy to replace batteries? I know about the DX90; the AK JR isn't too bad either. But what about the current crop of under $500 daps? DX170? RS2? Fiio M11S? It's not a huge deal, but it would just be a nice feature. (I'm not opposed to getting special...

There used to be daps that had a separate jack for fixed line out (Ibasso DX50, DX90, Fiio X3, X5, etc.) Most newer daps now have a variable line out, meaning that the volume adjusts the line out digitally, even if it's not amped (as much as I understand it.) It is almost always the SE 3.5mm...

I've got an Ultimate Ears UE4 and a pair of HD569 (which I like quite a bit for a cheap closed-back). I currently have a Leckerton UHA-6S Mkii with ADA4627-1B op-amp. Out of the Leckerton, the UE4 does not have a lot of volume play before it gets too loud. The HD569 doesn't need much power...

Any recommendations for a great-sounding tablet via headphone out? I know which smart phones get a lot of praise, but I'm not sure if there is a clear alternative for a tablet. It would be mostly listening to spotify premium, though maybe one of the lossless services. I'm not particularly...

Title pretty much says it all. Only thing to add is looking for a decent UI at the most affordable cost. I've got a couple good options of external portable amps, so it's really important that the DAP have an excellent, unamped line-out. The DAP market has so exploded, I'm having a hard time...

If my work laptop doesn't have enough space for my flac files, what options do I have to bring music to work where I have a Modi 3/Magni 3? Maybe a DAP with a coaxial or optical line out? I'd prefer under $200, but could go higher. Also interested if anyone has experience with other music...

Looking for some ideas! I'm ok with a mediocre UI. I'm ok with a mediocre Headphone Out. I'm ok with mediocre battery life. What I'm looking for most is a dap with an excellent internal dac through a clean line out. (I don't want to double amp.) For a long time, I loved my ipod classic. It...

So many DAPs presents an interesting cost to performance ration issue. I know that a DAP by itself is easier, but I don't mind having an external amp for sensitive iems. I'm almost always listening sitting and not exercising. So far, the biggest weakness is the amp stage of DAPS. I have a hard...

I've been out of the loop for a while and wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions, from anyone whose been around the block but still up to date with current offerings. I really like the HD650/HD600. I go back and forth which is my favorite but land most often on the HD600.    I can be...

Hey all!    I have the cd of this but EAC is having a tough time making a WAV or FLAC of track 7. Does anyone have the CD who can help me get a copy of that track? My cd is spotless but I can't get a clean copy. 

Just a teaser pic so far.. https://www.jdslabs.com/?the_element

I know that might sound crazy, but lets be honest, many, many of us will buy an external amp. I'd like to spend less and not have an internal amp/only a line out. Any of the rest of you? I'd be interested in one...    (It's not like most of us don't have a phone, an old shuffle, or maybe even...

Thanks all for any help! Obvious contenders are X1, X3, DX50, Used Ipod Classic, Sony Products, etc. 

Hey all!    I've got a modest set up currently. E07K>E09K>HD600. And yet, for a couple reasons, a portable dap would probably be better than messing around with my work laptop. When I moved to this set up, I got rid of my Ipod Classic, expecting a smoother transition than I've had. ...

In a fit of madness, I sold my ipod classic for... lots of reasons. It was pristine and working awesome, but I thought it looked like a good time to move away from a hard drive dap that needed an external amp. Kind of wishing I hadn't now... Anways, I was looking at either the Fiio X3 or X5, but...

I have a choice to get either the Drangonfly or Meridian Explorere, both $149, or a stationary Modi and portable E10K. Which would you choose? At my desk, the dac would feed an amp; portable, it would power the ER4.   It seems like the Dragonfly or Explorer could be better than the E10K. But...

I have so many questions and am trying to get caught up on what I need to get started. For those who have time... My setup. Laptop > ? > E09K > HD600  // Portable: Laptop > ? > ER4S What pc program do you recommend for playing FLAC files to a dac? I've used itunes for years but am ready to be...

I've been around a while and probably have some guesses what you might recommend, but I'm beating the bushes for something new. On-Ears are totally out. I've tried 7 or 8 and the only I found comfortable was the ESW9A. I'm looking for something more balanced and detailed across the...

I'm out of place in the sound science section and in need of your help, please.    The sensitivity of the SRH1840 is 96dB/mW and the impedance is rated at 65 ohms. Is my Ipod Classic 7th Generation powerful enough to give the SRH1840 what it needs to function as designed or should I buy an...

Bwahaha!    Let the "beats" down begun.    http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/05/08/apple-said-to-be-in-talks-to-buy-beats-for-3-2-billion/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0   (I know there are some real reasons Apple is making their largest acquisition ever...but lets have some fun first.) 

I'm the only in the house using an apple device currently. I have 1.5 year old 7th Gen Ipod Classic. To keep using it with my current iems, I need a portable amp. The C5 seems like the best budget option (or at least best budget to cost ratio). And yet...is it really time to put $200 into a...

Hey all! I barely ever listen away from my computer. Now that I've got a new laptop for work, I think I can move away from my ipod classic to a DAC...if its worth it and easy. I did briefly have both have use of an ODAC and a HRT Streamer but my old laptop kept freezing so it wasn't really...

Hey all! Got a question for you from a non-science guy...though I wish I were. Do you think some amps give more bass slam than others? Is bass slam subjective or is there science behind it? Subjectively, I seem to like amps that give bass slam to the HD600 and currently looking for one with the...

The designer of the O2 recommended additional wall warts than the often sold WAU12‐200. He said "If your line voltage is below 117 VAC or 235 VAC, and/or you plan to drive difficult low impedance headpones (i.e. HiFiMan planars), I would suggest a 14+ VAC transformer at 400+ mA. The best Mouser...

Here is a link to 21 amps that Tyll measured http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/AllAmpsJuly2013.pdf. (I couldn't find any conversation going on about them.) I don't understand measurements at all but I'd love to hear what you all think. Did any of these measure really well? Were there any...