Best DAPs to consider in 2022?

[RichardSumilang]

During this process, I learned a lot about scanning and fixing my flac library. I wrote some debugging scripts to my fix music library which is a little over 1tb. In approx 35k songs, I found about 500 songs with errors. I've never noticed playback issues on my roon or computer but it was nice feeling to fix nonetheless. I also saved the errored files for experimentation. I thought I would surely find the problematic flac with my sp2000t so debugging 500 songs is a lot easier than the full 1tb sd card I had loaded. To my surprise, the sp2000t loaded the flacs with errors fine and played random ones I chose just fine! HAH! ... But still crashes when loading in a full 1tb sd card... Hrmm... At this point I'm thinking its possible just a file name issue? Idk.

Meanwhile I already had ordered another DAP to try, the Sony NW-WM1Z. It had just arrived. Holding it in my hand was already a huge pleasure vs the sp2000t. I knew it was coming so I had been loading up a 1tb sd card for the test. Stuck it in and the "Creating Database" screen went up. About 5-10 minutes later I was rocking and rolling! This was the simple experience I was looking for all along. I know the Sony is 6 years older than the A&K but it just works and sounds fine. It does basically the same thing except lacks streaming apps and usb-c. Initially I was going to continue debugging A&K devices but I've decided to throw in the towel as I've already spent over 2 months with their products.

I'm sure some of you have better experiences with their devices, this was just mine. I plan on writing a detailed article of my journey from the SR25 MK2 -> SP2000T -> NW-WM1Z if anyone is interested.

 

[enn1]

I have been reading your thread with great interest. I am also looking for a real good DAP and SP2kT has been on the top of the list. However, I would hate to pay abt 2 k€ for something I will have trouble loading my music on or other issues. Sony sounds attractive, but I will be bitterly missing the streaming capabilities. Tidal and Radio Paradise are my new found love for new music, which I enjoy very much in my desktop setup ...
So looks like I need to go for Ibasso dx240 or Hibi RS6. Another option is to stick to my iphone and add a proper portable dac- amp like ifi Goblu or Gryphon.

 

[iFi audio]

Another option is to stick to my iphone and add a proper portable dac- amp like ifi Goblu or Gryphon.

Although there's nothing wrong with having a DAP, a smartphone used as a transport for and external DAC/amp device seems rather appealing considering how much we're used to them for media playback.

 

[Redcarmoose]

During this process, I learned a lot about scanning and fixing my flac library. I wrote some debugging scripts to my fix music library which is a little over 1tb. In approx 35k songs, I found about 500 songs with errors. I've never noticed playback issues on my roon or computer but it was nice feeling to fix nonetheless. I also saved the errored files for experimentation. I thought I would surely find the problematic flac with my sp2000t so debugging 500 songs is a lot easier than the full 1tb sd card I had loaded. To my surprise, the sp2000t loaded the flacs with errors fine and played random ones I chose just fine! HAH! ... But still crashes when loading in a full 1tb sd card... Hrmm... At this point I'm thinking its possible just a file name issue? Idk.

Meanwhile I already had ordered another DAP to try, the Sony NW-WM1Z. It had just arrived. Holding it in my hand was already a huge pleasure vs the sp2000t. I knew it was coming so I had been loading up a 1tb sd card for the test. Stuck it in and the "Creating Database" screen went up. About 5-10 minutes later I was rocking and rolling! This was the simple experience I was looking for all along. I know the Sony is 6 years older than the A&K but it just works and sounds fine. It does basically the same thing except lacks streaming apps and usb-c. Initially I was going to continue debugging A&K devices but I've decided to throw in the towel as I've already spent over 2 months with their products.

I'm sure some of you have better experiences with their devices, this was just mine. I plan on writing a detailed article of my journey from the SR25 MK2 -> SP2000T -> NW-WM1Z if anyone is interested.

Congratulations!

I know that for me the WM1Z was my gateway drug to all that was the Sony ecosystem! Yes it’s 6 years old, and depending on your other headphones it may or may not be totally powerful enough?

But I use all the IEMs in my signature with it and it’s fine. Super long battery life, no hassle start up and all the options and features work flawlessly. I got mine at the beginning of 2018.

You may at some point look into aftermarket firmware? Also changing the region does wonders for the sound. I’m currently on region MX3 and it’s great. But part of ownership is the whole journey. Just when I purchased mine 2.00 firmware came out. You may definitely notice a huge improvement with burn-in. As the capacitors and transistors settle the sound will change. Sony recommends 200 hours but really they just continue to slowly sound better especially after the first 100 hours. Also MrWalkmans firmware will help with album art. Basically MrWalkmans Firmware One will let you get native DSD out of both the 3.5mm and 4.4mm port. If your on stock firmware you are getting native DSD just from the 4.4mm port. Also MrWalkmans firmware will cause the UI to get slightly more speedy. Not that it really needed any improvement but it is now instantaneous.

Anyways I could go on and on but I’ll keep this short. Be sure to check out the Continuation of the Sony Walkman Thread. There you will find many new and old cultists who think they will have their Sony players forever or close to it....at least 5 or 10 years. People like me never want another player. Some have over 10,000 hours, I only have about 1800 hours but I also have a WM1A with 1800 hours. This use somehow never wears out the battery. 10,000 hours and the battery is 80% like new!

Modern Walkman Thread.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/the-continuation-of-the-sony-walkman-1z-1a-thread.944508/


Firmware Thread.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/sony-walkman-os-fw-mods-non-android.943661/


Old Walkman Thread with 45,000 pages...............pack a lunch.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/sony-nw-wm1z-wm1a.815841/


You should do a review and even explain how you found the WM1Z! Put the whole story in the WM1Z review section. I wrote a review for the WM1A.

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/sony-walkman-wm1a.25427/reviews

 

[RichardSumilang]

Congratulations!

I know that for me the WM1Z was my gateway drug to all that was the Sony ecosystem! Yes it’s 6 years old, and depending on your other headphones it may or may not be totally powerful enough?

But I use all the IEMs in my signature with it and it’s fine. Super long battery life, no hassle start up and all the options and features work flawlessly. I got mine at the beginning of 2018.

You may at some point look into aftermarket firmware? Also changing the region does wonders for the sound. I’m currently on region MX3 and it’s great. But part of ownership is the whole journey. Just when I purchased mine 2.00 firmware came out. You may definitely notice a huge improvement with burn-in. As the capacitors and transistors settle the sound will change. Sony recommends 200 hours but really they just continue to slowly sound better especially after the first 100 hours. Also MrWalkmans firmware will help with album art. Basically MrWalkmans Firmware One will let you get native DSD out of both the 3.5mm and 4.4mm port. If your on stock firmware you are getting native DSD just from the 4.4mm port. Also MrWalkmans firmware will cause the UI to get slightly more speedy. Not that it really needed any improvement but it is now instantaneous.

Anyways I could go on and on but I’ll keep this short. Be sure to check out the Continuation of the Sony Walkman Thread. There you will find many new and old cultists who think they will have their Sony players forever or close to it....at least 5 or 10 years. People like me never want another player. Some have over 10,000 hours, I only have about 1800 hours but I also have a WM1A with 1800 hours. This use somehow never wears out the battery. 10,000 hours and the battery is 80% like new!

Modern Walkman Thread.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/the-continuation-of-the-sony-walkman-1z-1a-thread.944508/


Firmware Thread.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/sony-walkman-os-fw-mods-non-android.943661/


Old Walkman Thread with 45,000 pages...............pack a lunch.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/sony-nw-wm1z-wm1a.815841/


You should do a review and even explain how you found the WM1Z! Put the whole story in the WM1Z review section. I wrote a review for the WM1A.

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/sony-walkman-wm1a.25427/reviews

Thanks for the tips and encouragement! My goal is to definitely detail the journey. I've picked up a lot of little tricks along the way that I saved and would be happy to share.

Re: MrWalkman firmware - I just spent the past 3 hours trying to get the Sony device to work on a Windows 10 computer. I'm on a MacBook Pro and ran Winblows 10 in a virtual box. The Windoze system seen the walkman but said "Driver Error" underneath it. My spirit was broken after hours of trying to get it working on the OS to install the MrWalkman firmeware. Open to any suggestions.

Btw, do you know where I can find a Dignis case for it? They look by far the sexiest and nowhere to be found these days. The only thing I can find around the internet is the Miter and a rubber shock absorption one

 

[Redcarmoose]

With Walkman One, you can have it installed then tweak the actual firmware inside with a Mac. Just parts of the firmware can be changed while going into your device with a Mac. Though I have never tried an emulator to actually do the install with the Mac? All my case experience is from Japan.......so no?

Many just find a Windows machine? But you will be surprised at the accessibility with the Mac after the firmware is inside your device!

 

[RichardSumilang]

With Walkman One, you can have it installed then tweak the actual firmware inside with a Mac. Just parts of the firmware can be changed while going into your device with a Mac. Though I have never tried an emulator to actually do the install with the Mac? All my case experience is from Japan.......so no?

Many just find a Windows machine? But you will be surprised at the accessibility with the Mac after the firmware is inside your device!

The issue was mainly with installing. I was trying with Virtual Box but had no luck. After a break, I downloaded Parallels and tried again. Worked like a charm and now I'm running MrWalkman's version ... The faster screen refreshes alone was worth all the trouble. Time to play with the different sound signatures! Woohoo!

 

[Redcarmoose]

The issue was mainly with installing. I was trying with Virtual Box but had no luck. After a break, I downloaded Parallels and tried again. Worked like a charm and now I'm running MrWalkman's version ... The faster screen refreshes alone was worth all the trouble. Time to play with the different sound signatures! Woohoo!

Cool! Have fun!

 

[CalliopeK]

OMG thank you so much!!! I am searching in vain for a low priced DAP with excellent UI, and though I love FiiO daps, I haven't been happy with any of the models I've purchased in the past 8 years. I'm a neophyte, but know what I want in a dap & this infographic is gonna be so helpful.

 

[originalsnuffy]

OMG thank you so much!!! I am searching in vain for a low priced DAP with excellent UI, and though I love FiiO daps, I haven't been happy with any of the models I've purchased in the past 8 years. I'm a neophyte, but know what I want in a dap & this infographic is gonna be so helpful.

I still have fond memories of my First FIIO and also first hi res DAP, the FIIO X3.

 

[RichardSumilang]

I just completed my in-depth reviews of the DAPs I've used. Here they are in the following order:

1. Astell & Kern SR25 MKII Review

2. Astell & Kern SP2000T Review

3. Sony NW-WM1Z Walkman Review

 

[F208Frank]

Yeah it is hard to find a good DAP. It constantly amazes me how AK still has slow laggy interfaces. Please update when you find the dap that worked for you.

I suggest trying out the M9 from Shanling, I had a faulty unit but that DAP was on my mind when reading your post. Reach out to musictek. I just got one off him recently.

 

[RichardSumilang]

Yeah it is hard to find a good DAP. It constantly amazes me how AK still has slow laggy interfaces. Please update when you find the dap that worked for you.

I suggest trying out the M9 from Shanling, I had a faulty unit but that DAP was on my mind when reading your post. Reach out to musictek. I just got one off him recently.

Thanks for the input, I'll check out the Shanling M9. I'm currently on the NW-WM1Z and quite delighted with it. A matter of fact, I posted a detailed review of each DAP right above your post:

I just completed my in-depth reviews of the DAPs I've used. Here they are in the following order:

1. Astell & Kern SR25 MKII Review

2. Astell & Kern SP2000T Review

3. Sony NW-WM1Z Walkman Review

 

[F208Frank]

Thanks for the input, I'll check out the Shanling M9. I'm currently on the NW-WM1Z and quite delighted with it. A matter of fact, I posted a detailed review of each DAP right above your post:

Read the sp2kt one.

 

[chasmore]

Hi folks. I have two primary demands of a DAP:
- reliable bluetooth connection
- ability to process 80,000 plus songs seamlessly

I have been using:
- a Fiio x5iii for a few years and it is ok on the first but not so good on the second - there is a long lag and it is very clunky
- aAK Sr15 for a couple of years - ditto. Ok on bluetooth but poor on the processing

I have just trialled an iBasso DX240 which performs brilliantly on the second but has a serious issue on the first which is that whenever I reconnect it to a bluetooth device (Sony soundbar, Bowers and Wilkins headphones or Sony in ear phones) it starts at a deafening sound level. when I then move the volume knob w slightly the volume drops back to the preset level. Really frustrating because it is a lovely device and it handles the volume of songs beautifully but I cannot possibly use it with that bluetooth glitch. Any thoughts on what might be causing the problem and/or on an alternative DAP to trial?

Any help much appreciated.