DAP for Music Apps Only - Amazon and Apple

[ShootingStills]

Hi all,

I have some questions on how DAP might work for my intended use.

I have 4 pairs of IEMs and 1 Pair of Headphones. Likely that will increase if I know myself

I use an iPhone and laptop with a Dongle for high res music. I have the DC Elite and KA17 currently and am about to return the Onix XI1

I am considering a DAP, either the iBasso DX180 or DX260, I will use either Apple Music or Amazon Music (amazon currently), I will only use music apps and dont have bought music files at all.

Questions:

1. Will both Apple and Amazon Music allow downloading offline to the Memory or SD Card?
2. I have easy to drive headphones, is there any sound quality difference with the DX260 vs DX180?
3. Are there any pitfalls with a DAP vs just using a phone and Dongle?
4. Will the two DAP's above give a comparable sound quality to the DC Elite or KA17 I have currently?

Thank you so much

 

[tjl5709]

My 2 cents. I only use a DAP because I have a large FLAC library and really don't stream much. If it was me with the above criteria, I would stick with the phone / dongle. DAPs lag behind on the OS and chip sets. Your phone will always be up to date. I see more and more dongles being produced.

 

[ShootingStills]

My 2 cents. I only use a DAP because I have a large FLAC library and really don't stream much. If it was me with the above criteria, I would stick with the phone / dongle. DAPs lag behind on the OS and chip sets. Your phone will always be up to date. I see more and more dongles being produced.

I just dont like the fact that theres so much cable, an unwieldy dongle hanging off, or, if in a pocket lots of pressure on cables and the connections. Just a less than ideal situation. If its at home its less of an issue but still annoying having so much cable.

Also a drain on the phone battery, albeit not that bad. Just a bit of a rubbish solution I think. Lots of dongles coming out for sure, they need to start thinking of a better way of attaching to phones to cure that major issue and annoyance.

 

[VeightTripleDivision]

I have been using DAPs for Tidal/Apple Music few years now, using SD card as storage for offline mode, and it works fine. On a rare occasion when app requires internet connection, I use mobile phone as hotspot, so it authenticates, and that's it.

For me this is better solution than phone+DAC.

 

[OneEyedHito]

I have been using DAPs for Tidal/Apple Music few years now, using SD card as storage for offline mode, and it works fine. On a rare occasion when app requires internet connection, I use mobile phone as hotspot, so it authenticates, and that's it.

For me this is better solution than phone+DAC.

This works in my use case also and I love the iBasso DC-Elite for instance but it becomes to unwieldy to carry and use on the move for me.