DAP vs External DAC - previous HTC 10 user

[MurcieLP640]

I'm having a lot of trouble trying to decipher what I should be getting to get back into enjoying my music. I have a HTC 10 but it's had the typical battery degradation issues and now refuses to turn on. A replacement battery has only lasted a few months so I don't really want to waste any more time and money continuing down that avenue.

I'm not adverse to having multiple devices on my person at any one time so I was thinking of getting something like a NW-A55 Walkman but on reading up apparently a lot of the lower end DAPs don't even come close to the HTC 10 for output power? So now I'm very confused.

My current phone is a Huawei P20 Pro which I haven't had any real luck with USB-C to 3.5mm dongles in terms of reproducing the HTC's performance but if there's an external DAC that can come close then that would make me happy. My budget is small, only about AU$300 but I don't have any high-impedance headphones to drive so that's not really an issue.

 

[PurpleAngel]

What headphones do you own or are planning on buying in the future.
I've owned a few Sony DAPs and i liked them.
I also like FiiO DAPs.
My two cents is with FiiO you might get a better DAC function and headphone amplifier.
Sony would have a slicker interface.
But have not used any DAPs in awhile, so my opinion is very dated.

 

[MurcieLP640]

My main set of headphones is ATH-M50xBB. I also have Sennheiser HD215 but I use those on my electronic drums rather than just straight up listening to music. At present I'm not planning on buying more cans but I never really know to be honest.

 

[PurpleAngel]

For headphone like the ATH-M50X, I might spend around $100 (AU 150) for a DAP to use with them.

Otherwise you would be better off upgrading to headphones (with whatever is left over in your audio budget) like the ATH-ESW9 or ATH-WS99 (more bass).
(buy used off eBay).

 

[PurpleAngel]

I'm not adverse to having multiple devices on my person at any one time so I was thinking of getting something like a NW-A55 Walkman but on reading up apparently a lot of the lower end DAPs don't even come close to the HTC 10 for output power? So now I'm very confused.

The ATH-M50X are not very power demanding, any $75 (USD) DAP should easily drive them.
I would assume any DAP costing over $100 (USD) would match the HTC M10 for power (I bought the HTC M10 a few weeks ago).

 

[Raketen]

If you like having a phone as a player, LG v20 and v30 have good audio & affordable secondhand (albiet old Android).

A55 is handy as bluetooth receiver, haven't tried USB DAC with a phone (works w/ PC but out of sync). Not sure about driving power for m50x- Sony DAPs tend to have comparatively low power- should get listenable volumes but possibly not ideal performance? For more power Hiby R3 w/ a 2.5 TRRS balanced m50x cable (though not sure either of these strictly better than HTC10/v30).

Alternately, if not particularly interested in DAPs a dedicated bluetooth reveiver that can double as usb dac/amp might be of interest- i.e. the Radsone ES100;.Fiio, Shanling, etc... also make them (there are even some bluetooth attachments specific for M50x) check this thread https://www.head-fi.org/threads/the...n-es100-btr3-w5-up2-and-tempotec-blue.906655/