Hello!
Can somebody report on how AP80 Pro performs as a digital transport? Are there any differences in sound/audio related performance compared to a smartphone in this use case? I have found out that active background processes (running apps and system services) on my phone have an impact (subjectively negative, i.e. "darker" sound, lesser perceived channel separation) on sound when I'm using it as a transport with BTR5 in both wired (via UAPP, Neutron MP) and wireless modes, even with 16/44,1 files without any additional resampling and DSP. Same goes for my PC. This leads me to believe that processing power available matters in handling of audio files/digital signal. With this point in mind, I'm concerned about M3 Pro's apparent hardware limitations.
I need a dedicated mobile digital transport device, but my budget is very limited, so the only viable options for me are budget low-performance DAPs like the ShanLing Q1, Fiio M3 Pro or this one, or a budget smartphone like, say, Redmi Note 8 Pro. I'd like to go with the latter to be sure, but in my current financial situation I'll have to save up for it for a few months at least.
Sadly, this issue seems to be pretty obscure to say the least, and it's very hard to find any information on this topic.
Every digital transport makes difference in sound. It depends on gear.
In my opinion, digital out of AP80 Pro Copper using audioquest Dragontail is not bad but my 8 years old MacBook Pro retina sounds way better to me as a digital transport. A&K SA700 sounds better than AP80ProCP as well both using Dragontail. iPhone + CCK is acceptable but not good.
One more thing you have to keep in mind is that AP80Pro shares volume for both analog out and digital out.
This is really meh for me. I want to use digital out in 100% volume. But if I turn up 100% as a transport and forgot to turn down before listening directly with IEM,,,, Oooouch! it blasts your ear.