DAP with optical output

[marku1350]

Hey everyone,
As the title states I'm looking for a DAP to use in my car to send FLAC audio to my mosconi 6to8 v8 dsp (has both optical and digital SP-DIF input). Reason I'm asking for something with optical output is due to all the interference in a car, so I figured optical would be my best bet.... unless someone can convince me otherwise.

Budget: preferably under $500 however willing to shift for something that stands out
Doesn't need alot of internal memory so long as it is expandable with memory cards
battery life really doesn't matter either since it will live in my car

open to suggestions since I'm having a really hard time finding clear cut answers

Thanks,
Mark

 

[marku1350]

I guess I should also say I'd rather not buy a better headunit since most endgame headunits aren't double din and I like using the screen for my backup camera

 

[marku1350]

...anyone?

 

[ProtegeManiac]

...anyone?

AFAIK all current DAPs are on coax and even Fiio is shifting from the coax-equipped X-series to USB on the M-series. This has a lot to do with how the glass fibers are relatively fragile vs a stiff coax 75ohm cable, or if you can DIY, it's easier to crimp several from a 1m or 1ft run.

I guess I should also say I'd rather not buy a better headunit since most endgame headunits aren't double din and I like using the screen for my backup camera

If you're using a processor then why not just get a 2-DIN that has optical output? New ones are coming out with FLAC compatibility and you don't have to hang it there the way you'd have to with a DAP.

Hell even without FLAC, 320kbps with a processor is more important than GIGO in a car because what would lossless (let alone MQA) be for when the processor (along with proper installation) is what deals with the actual problem of not having a Maclaren F1.

 

[buke9]

The Questyle QP1R has optical out but you would be looking at used for that price.

 

[marku1350]

If you're using a processor then why not just get a 2-DIN that has optical output? New ones are coming out with FLAC compatibility and you don't have to hang it there the way you'd have to with a DAP.

Hell even without FLAC, 320kbps with a processor is more important than GIGO in a car because what would lossless (let alone MQA) be for when the processor (along with proper installation) is what deals with the actual problem of not having a Maclaren F1.

I have a hard time justifying replacing a headunit that already works in a car that I've already spent more than it's worth on audio... realistically yeah that probably is the best solution.

to the second part of your statement... I'd assume most people suffer from that problem, hence why I stated a budget lol. Isn't working in weird environments kinda fun though? I mean people come up with some amazing solutions and workarounds to get a car sounding pretty damn good.

 

[yong_shun]

I think Fiio has several model that support optical out

 

[ProtegeManiac]

I have a hard time justifying replacing a headunit that already works in a car that I've already spent more than it's worth on audio... realistically yeah that probably is the best solution.

Or a cheap Android tablet then use a DDC converter to convert USB to optical. Just find one that doesn't run on USB power since that might cause compatibility problems with many tablets.

to the second part of your statement... I'd assume most people suffer from that problem, hence why I stated a budget lol. Isn't working in weird environments kinda fun though? I mean people come up with some amazing solutions and workarounds to get a car sounding pretty damn good.

I didn't mean take the fun out of making sitting off center sound like sitting off center in a large room, if at least for one seat.

I'm just saying that finding the cheapest 2-DIN for about the same money you'd sink into a DAP will simplify installations and connections and give you use of the processor, even if you have to be limited to 320kbps, you're getting the main benefit of a processor that actually deals with the car environment. You don't need a high end or even brand new receiver either unless you bought an ///////ALPINE processor and have to use it with an ///////ALPINE receiver just so you can control the processor on the receiver's interface, if not actually need it so you can avoid using optical cables and have audio and controls going through Ai-Net.

I think Fiio has several model that support optical out

The X-series uses SPDIF coax, not optical. Do the M-series use optical output? IIRC they use USB.

 

[marku1350]

The Fiio website says the X7 mk II is capable of optical output!

 

[Pesplayer]

Fiio x7ii has optical. Very nice too. M series does not alas. Also all connections on M series are on the same side as charging port,so can’t be docked whilst connected to av equipment. Not sure if the M 15 or whatever it will be called will allow for this,hope so. Think x series has now been totally superseded by M series.

 

[474194]

Not sure if too late, but someone upped the thread.

I love car builds. Frequent diymobileaudio often in the past before spamming got bad there.

Have you considered a Raspberry Pi build to output optical? Even coax if needed...

You can run off a battery bank or any clean 5V USB power source. I estimate my build can run about 30 hours with a mid Anker.

You can manage your files on a USB stick, so file management can be done on your PC. I use a iPhone app to rescan and manage playlist when needed.

For the frontend, you can use a rPI HDMI touchsreen monitor. I use a simple IR remote control as my frontend since it's headless. If you add a travel router which you can power with an Anker battery pack, you can communicate with a Apple Watch, iPhone or Ipad as your frontend. If you connect the travel router to 4G, you can stream online.

I have not updated yet, but build is here to get the gists of things:

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/yet...alternative-to-2go-poly.905925/#post-15004881

 

[miketlse]

https://www.amazon.fr/Platine-Numérique-Bluetooth-Lecteur-Portable/dp/B07KYJ7MVJ

 

[cjfamman]

I too have been looking for a similar solution for a helix dsp in my car. I have found the following daps with optical out so far all of which can be had for under 500:
questyle qp1
cowon plenue r
echobox
astell & kern ak100ii
xduoo x10
opus #1
lotoo paw 5000

I am still deciding on which player i will purchase.

 

[mattiav]

The iBasso DX150, DX200 And DX220 all do optical out.