[sennheiserhd485]

Any known DAP that will play lossless, downloaded (offline) audio? I am referring to lossless monthly subscription services. I'd muchhh rather have a dedicated DAP than the whole phone + DAC/amp combo.

Edit: I also notice that most of the players will only *stream* lossless over Wi-Fi. To me, streaming seems like much inferior audio quality than downloaded.

 

[Bloodborne]

Doesn't the Fiio M6 and M9 download Tidal?

 

[Womaz]

I started a similar thread about a year ago, I hope the link works

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/dap-for-tidal-offline.861741/

It looks like I am going to go to using my IPhone for this purpose as it just works

 

[ThomasHK]

The new AKs

 

[yong_shun]

The new Astell and Kern models and FiiO models support offline Tidal.
https://www.theaudiolocheese.com/home/fiio-m9
https://www.theaudiolocheese.com/home/fiio-m6

 

[Womaz]

The new Astell and Kern models and FiiO models support offline Tidal.
https://www.theaudiolocheese.com/home/fiio-m9
https://www.theaudiolocheese.com/home/fiio-m6

This is using APK files though. This is how the DX200 works and offline Tidal is not reliable. This is why I may start using my phone for my portable music source as it just works. Unfortunately there is quite a drop in performance to my ears so I am looking at a few options.

 

[yong_shun]

This is using APK files though. This is how the DX200 works and offline Tidal is not reliable. This is why I may start using my phone for my portable music source as it just works. Unfortunately there is quite a drop in performance to my ears so I am looking at a few options.

Since this is the case, you might want to consider a DAP with Android that support Play Store. FiiO X7 Mk II? or maybe the new Hiby R6 Pro.

 

[sennheiserhd485]

My price range ends at like $350, so I don't think the AKs will work. What is wrong with using APK files? Unreliable?

 

[yong_shun]

My price range ends at like $350, so I don't think the AKs will work. What is wrong with using APK files? Unreliable?

If your budget is $350 then FiiO M9 would be the best. I seldom use streaming with the player but when I do it does it job well. I believe the unreliable part is at the offline content?

 

[Womaz]

I am not sure if it is the use of APK files specifically but I have problems using TIDAL offline. This is why I am probably going to use my phone as my portable music source. I have read a lot of the pages on the Fiio and the Hiby DAPs and there seems to be a few issues.
My IPhone just works. It was the opposite of what I intended but now I am probably going the opposite way to the original poster.

 

[yong_shun]

If this is the case maybe OP can consider stream using phone then pair it with a Bluetooth DAC/AMP?

 

[sennheiserhd485]

It's pretty OCD, but I hate the idea of a cell phone being my main music player. I also don't like how the phone + DAC/amp combo looks. Hmm... But it seems like offline playback isn't reliable for any cheaper devices. Maybe I will just have to wait longer until a company gets it figured out.