DAP Challenge Chart (Including 26 Portable Sources, the BIT Opus 1 added. More to come..)

[MikePortnoy]

Hello mates,
 
I would like to prepare a chart about DAP Challenge in order to give some opinions about them. Since it is very difficult to put them together due to financial reasons, some scorings are done from memory. I hope it would be helpful for all of you.
 
Impressions may vary from listener to listener; I have respect for all those different ideas. So, if you share your own thoughts, I would be more than happy. 
 
Cheers
 
1000+ USD Daps
 

 
 
 
 
 
1000-600 USD Daps
 

 
 
 
 
200-600 USD Daps
 

 

[Mython]

I'm surpised how low you've scored the (now discontinued) DX100

 

[MikePortnoy]

  I'm surpised how low you've scored the (now discontinued) DX100

 
 
Yeah, DX100 is not natural as required. It has an aggressive presentation, especially on upper mids. It is also fast and detailed, but with bright and thin notes. That's makes it unnatural, in my opinion. QLS360 has a similar presentation, but it is more natural and musical than DX100. However, Dx100's low and center mids are really good. 

 

[AmberOzL]

Mython, I know Mike in real life I think he is the most disappointed person I ever seen when it comes to the SQ of DX100

 

[AmberOzL]

I would like to correct something though, Tera Player has an UI, but it doesn't have GUI (graphical UI). So yeah Mike, it exists

 

[MikePortnoy]

  I would like to correct something though, Tera Player has an UI, but it doesn't have GUI (graphical UI). So yeah Mike, it exists

 
It just has a plug and play UI  
 
I owned most of them in the list; I owned DX100 for two times. For the last time, I was really disappointed, especially pairing with 1p2..
 
I had long time audition on all of them with help of our local hifi forum's members, I am trying to be objective as much as possible mate.  

 

[wirefriend]

Which firmware version did you test DX100 with?

 

[MikePortnoy]

  Which firmware version did you test DX100 with?

 
I am not sure mate, but it has to be latest one.
 
I am going to update this chart by adding a few thing, btw. 

 

[wirefriend]

It is great chart - looking forward for your updates.

 

[Zaroff]

Quite helpful as a reference. Well done

 

[MikePortnoy]

  It is great chart - looking forward for your updates.

 
I appreciate that. 
 
I have done a few thing including adding ZX1 and dividing the chart in three part regarding prices. That would be easier I think.

 

[MikePortnoy]

  Quite helpful as a reference. Well done

 
 
Thank you mate.

 

[AmberOzL]

I think PAW Gold is better player than Tera but if that's how you heard I am not gonna argue about it

 

[Zaroff]

Interesting that the AK120 is still holding its own after all this time. I concur with the findings Despite being spat on in some corners of head-fi since newer and flashier came along, it's still a very good DAP IMO. It comes at a confluence of intelligent compromises. If one likes its sound signature, the SQ is still excellent, battery life is very respectable, and no other player save for the Calyx M can have that massive storage -at least for the Titan. Come 31st of May, it'll be able to hold more than half a terabyte of music... 200+200+128. I'm very fond of that little thing.
 
EDIT: that was *half* a tera, obviously.

 

[MikePortnoy]

  I think PAW Gold is better player than Tera but if that's how you heard I am not gonna argue about it

 
 
Well, it can be discussed. Paw Gold has better lows, resolution and highs in sum. However I find Tera's tonality and mids better than all. 
 

  Interesting that the AK120 is still holding its own after all this time. I concur with the findings Despite being spat on in some corners of head-fi since newer and flashier came along, it's still a very good DAP IMO. It comes at a confluence of intelligent compromises. If one likes its sound signature, the SQ is still excellent, battery life is very respectable, and no other player save for the Calyx M can have that massive storage -at least for the Titan. Come 31st of May, it'll be able to hold more than a terabyte of music... 200+200+128. I'm very fond of that little thing.

 
AK120 is still strong. I am auditioning an AK100ii at the moment, it does have some better qualities than AK120, such as transparency and liveliness. On the other hand, AK120 sounds more ''organic'' or ''analogue'' than AK100ii with thicker and blacker notes. And yes, AK120 is very user friendly.