rattlingblanketwoman
100+ Head-Fier
Hello all,
I am looking for a DAP so I can have something distraction-free. When I have some time to myself, often washing the dishes at night, is when I get to listen to my music. Nothing holds things up or keeps me stressed like going to change a track and seeing notifications (or just searching things that are on my mind instead of waiting until later).
My budget is very low because my overall budget is low and I'd like to keep a decent pair of IEMs.
I've been looking at the $100-150 range, almost always used.
I'm not looking for something too small as then it's heck to navigate (I'm otherwise a huge Shanling M0 fanboy. If I saw one for $50 like I did last week, I'd get it regardless of size). Something too large becomes a pain to carry around with a separate phone, needs a dedicated pocket free of scratchy objects. Tough in summer.
If I wasn't very fussy about the camera on my phone, I'd probably get an LG phone and be done with it, rather than an old Pixel model. That wouldn't eliminate the distraction issue either, which is a main motivation for a separate device.
Here are my thoughts, please feel free to chime in with any experience or advice:
(Any cellphone options I am imagining getting in functioning condition, ESN wouldn't matter, not planning to use as main device)
As far as I know power is not an issue, I use IEMs and any DAP I've tried has been considerably louder than a phone. If they can push a Moondrop SSR or Final E4000, they have enough power for me.
A plus: If the model has balanced output (2.5mm or 4mm doesn't matter as I'd be buying a new cable to use it anyway). I've never tried balanced but I would like to keep the option open. Battery life is a big deal to me too, I hate the idea of something needing a daily tether like a phone. Can't be button operation only, unless it has a heck of a wheel for scrolling a-la iPod classics. I don't want to have to tap/hold a button to navigate a long list of artists.
For now I'm just refreshing the source/components classified forum like a hawk, and have some saved searches on eBay at all times, to try to get something at a great value. So bummed I passed up on going in for the iBasso DX160 for $190 earlier this week (no kidding).
Anyone been in the same journey and found an underdog I haven't mentioned? Anyone have a good price on one of these they've ceased to use? I'd love to talk about it all instead of just thinking about it.
I am looking for a DAP so I can have something distraction-free. When I have some time to myself, often washing the dishes at night, is when I get to listen to my music. Nothing holds things up or keeps me stressed like going to change a track and seeing notifications (or just searching things that are on my mind instead of waiting until later).
My budget is very low because my overall budget is low and I'd like to keep a decent pair of IEMs.
I've been looking at the $100-150 range, almost always used.
I'm not looking for something too small as then it's heck to navigate (I'm otherwise a huge Shanling M0 fanboy. If I saw one for $50 like I did last week, I'd get it regardless of size). Something too large becomes a pain to carry around with a separate phone, needs a dedicated pocket free of scratchy objects. Tough in summer.
If I wasn't very fussy about the camera on my phone, I'd probably get an LG phone and be done with it, rather than an old Pixel model. That wouldn't eliminate the distraction issue either, which is a main motivation for a separate device.
Here are my thoughts, please feel free to chime in with any experience or advice:
(Any cellphone options I am imagining getting in functioning condition, ESN wouldn't matter, not planning to use as main device)
- Most recent idea: LG G8 ThinQ with intact screen off eBay. $110, great quad dac, very customizable and snappy interface. TBH for the money it seems like a no brainer apart from no balanced output? Apparently Meridian tuned the quad ESS Sabre DAC. (Example)
- Sony NW-A45 I have one on the way that was $110, I play to put a Mr.Walkman firmware on it (and drop him some bucks for a beer!) I am just hoping it won't be hissy for IEMs, one place suggested it might be
- iBasso DX90 - Ancient, but rugged, the kind of buttons you don't press by accident when adjusting grip or in pocket, trusted sound and noise floor, and by golly a replaceable battery. Disappointed that this is almost always around $150, it doesn't seem to have dropped in second-hand price for years.
- LG V20 - also replaceable battery, can be around $70, quad DAC, if I get the right model I can use roms/kernels to further perfect it for music playback
- Hiby R3 Pro - I did buy one within budget second hand and really liked it, unfortunately the buttons had travel issues on the one I bought. Buggy system, and lack of customization (sort by artist instead of album artist for example) it did have balanced output which is impressive!
- FiiO M9 if I can somehow swing one cheap enough - $160 seems to be the floor so far.
- Question: Would an old iPhone (original 5S/SE for example) sound as good through the Apple lightning dongle as the newer ones do? That could for sure be an option. Batteries are hecka easy to change on those, too.
As far as I know power is not an issue, I use IEMs and any DAP I've tried has been considerably louder than a phone. If they can push a Moondrop SSR or Final E4000, they have enough power for me.
A plus: If the model has balanced output (2.5mm or 4mm doesn't matter as I'd be buying a new cable to use it anyway). I've never tried balanced but I would like to keep the option open. Battery life is a big deal to me too, I hate the idea of something needing a daily tether like a phone. Can't be button operation only, unless it has a heck of a wheel for scrolling a-la iPod classics. I don't want to have to tap/hold a button to navigate a long list of artists.
For now I'm just refreshing the source/components classified forum like a hawk, and have some saved searches on eBay at all times, to try to get something at a great value. So bummed I passed up on going in for the iBasso DX160 for $190 earlier this week (no kidding).
Anyone been in the same journey and found an underdog I haven't mentioned? Anyone have a good price on one of these they've ceased to use? I'd love to talk about it all instead of just thinking about it.
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