Budget single ended DAP recommendations

[Chik0240]

Hi all,

I have been in search for a budget DAP (<$700USD) for single ended use only (UERR and RE-600S), since I will be occasionally use the UERR with some other single ended device and don't want to go to balanced cable every now and then I will prefer more to be using 3.5mm mostly.

I've been targeting the following:
1) Sony Z300 - seems a bit wasted as it was mostly designed to be using 4.4mm plug, but I don't find any cheapo or stock 4.4mm cable from UE, (have spotted that QDC use the same plug but rumours having opposite +/- )
2) Sony A45 - very cheap and affordable, sound better than the iphone SE at least, which I am using with or without a OPPO HA2 for portable use)
3) AK 70 Mk II - more expensive and use CS4398, not a huge fan of the chip
4) OPUS 3# - no where to test locally, review looked nice, but use the good old PCM1792A, and not really sure for durability
5) Pioneer XDP-30R - good old ES9018 C2M chipset, but not very impressed with the trial in shop

Any other options recommended with the use of 3.5mm for most of the time? I prefer generally neutral signature

 

[yong_shun]

I would choose Sony NW-A45. It can be used as a DAC if you wish to. The user interface is very simple.

 

[Redcarmoose]

Hi all,

I have been in search for a budget DAP (<$700USD) for single ended use only (UERR and RE-600S), since I will be occasionally use the UERR with some other single ended device and don't want to go to balanced cable every now and then I will prefer more to be using 3.5mm mostly.

I've been targeting the following:
1) Sony Z300 - seems a bit wasted as it was mostly designed to be using 4.4mm plug, but I don't find any cheapo or stock 4.4mm cable from UE, (have spotted that QDC use the same plug but rumours having opposite +/- )
2) Sony A45 - very cheap and affordable, sound better than the iphone SE at least, which I am using with or without a OPPO HA2 for portable use)
3) AK 70 Mk II - more expensive and use CS4398, not a huge fan of the chip
4) OPUS 3# - no where to test locally, review looked nice, but use the good old PCM1792A, and not really sure for durability
5) Pioneer XDP-30R - good old ES9018 C2M chipset, but not very impressed with the trial in shop

Any other options recommended with the use of 3.5mm for most of the time? I prefer generally neutral signature

https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/walkman/nw-zx300


https://www.amazon.com/XBA-N3BP-Headphones-International-version-warrant/dp/B0756KVG3K


Well the ZX300 offers the sound of the 1A with slightly less volume levels achieved at a great discount. And.....the 4.4mm adaptation cables are now really not expensive to try and go completely balanced with much of the headphones you now own with detachable cables.

I don’t think it’s a waste if it improves the overall sound. Still I can see where your coming from as the player may not work but as single ended with your collection of favorite IEMs.

Also as listed......4.4mm Sony IEMs stock with a 4.4mm plug for $298.

Before I had any 4.4mm Pentaconn headphones or IEMs it was simply the warmer Sony sound that I was into. So even if you stay with the rest of your gear, you may still like the sound?

 

[Chik0240]

https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/walkman/nw-zx300


https://www.amazon.com/XBA-N3BP-Headphones-International-version-warrant/dp/B0756KVG3K


Well the ZX300 offers the sound of the 1A with slightly less volume levels achieved at a great discount. And.....the 4.4mm adaptation cables are now really not expensive to try and go completely balanced with much of the headphones you now own with detachable cables.

I don’t think it’s a waste if it improves the overall sound. Still I can see where your coming from as the player may not work but as single ended with your collection of favorite IEMs.

Also as listed......4.4mm Sony IEMs stock with a 4.4mm plug for $298.

Before I had any 4.4mm Pentaconn headphones or IEMs it was simply the warmer Sony sound that I was into. So even if you stay with the rest of your gear, you may still like the sound?

I think I am more into finding a dap which is good for the uerr, getting a ciem is intending to mainly use that to listen to music, tried the ZX300 single ended and it’s not really satisfying, might get Cayin n5 ii or opus 3 for the use

 

[Redcarmoose]

I think I am more into finding a dap which is good for the uerr, getting a ciem is intending to mainly use that to listen to music, tried the ZX300 single ended and it’s not really satisfying, might get Cayin n5 ii or opus 3 for the use

Got ya. Enjoy whatever you get. The UERR 2pin may be difficult to find with 4.4mm balanced.

There is this though, which would let you go balanced 2.5mm with the Opus 3! And.....the Cayin N5 goes 2.5mm balanced too!
https://headfonics.com/2017/05/the-opus3-by-the-bit/
https://www.headfonia.com/review-cayin-n5-ribbed-pleasure/


https://www.amazon.com/Balanced-Ultimate-M-Audio-Earphones-RC-UE2B/dp/B01HP9LD9A