[577563]

Hello Everyone,

So I've been recently looking at getting a new DAP for listening to my music on the go as I'm someone who would rather have a dedicated device for doing so.
I had an iPod classic a couple of years ago that I loved, but the charging port broke so I was left unable to use it.

So I've recently gotten around to looking at getting a replacement, but would like something that sounds better then my phone.
I've looked at some old threads on here, but they all had very out of date recommendations of which most of the recommended DAPs didn't seem to even be on the market anymore.
So I was wondering what you all would recommend for an entry level DAP under £200.
I've been looking at the Hidizs AP80 PRO-X, but am slightly put off by the kinda low battery life.

Any recommendations are much appreciated,

Thank you.

 

[dunring]

Apos has the Topping G5 which measures as well as desktop stacks. Their re-certified price might be right in the range. I've had a couple from Astrall and Kern and they're really nice, a lot of features to sift through though. Apos certified has a warranty, but locally used might have a good one. Battery life and how many times it's been charged is always the issue though.

 

[Raketen]

FYI ICYMI there is, or at least was, a whole retro iPod restoration and upgrading scene, so if you still have yours it may be possible to order parts for having it repaired or even improved by a local electronics shop, though not sure how that works out budget-wise (there may be some specialist places you can send it to as well?).

If you want more than 8-10 hrs there don't seem to be a lot of options these days- I see the Hiby R3ii claims 15 hrs, though personally wasn't a fan of first R3, I think the Cayin N3 claims 12. AFAIK Sony and Cowon were the last to make 20+ hr models, but I could be wrong & am not super up-to-date (also perhaps the Chinese DAP thread would know some).

Sony: Not sure about their current Android models battery life, but the Sony A55 is fairly recently discontinued should be findable new or secondhand (heck, even my 10 year old A17 still hits 18 hrs, so perhaps anything from a10/20/30/40 generations- possibly also ZX100/300? I forget what their rated battery was). Just beware they are volume capped if Euro/UK model unless modded with the NWDestTool from rockbox.

Cowon: appear to have stopped making DAPs to all appearances, but if you can find a secondhand plenue D, V, or J I think those all had relatively good battery life (less sure about J and the newer d2 or d3 versions, or R and R2 models).

 

[baskingshark]

Sony A55.

It is meh on stock form, but there is a free Mr Walkman mod that unlocks volume caps and provides 4 different sound signatures to choose from, with better technicalities. 30+ hours battery life with FLAC/WAV on moderate volumes.

 

[o0genesis0o]

Hello Everyone,

So I've been recently looking at getting a new DAP for listening to my music on the go as I'm someone who would rather have a dedicated device for doing so.
I had an iPod classic a couple of years ago that I loved, but the charging port broke so I was left unable to use it.

So I've recently gotten around to looking at getting a replacement, but would like something that sounds better then my phone.
I've looked at some old threads on here, but they all had very out of date recommendations of which most of the recommended DAPs didn't seem to even be on the market anymore.
So I was wondering what you all would recommend for an entry level DAP under £200.
I've been looking at the Hidizs AP80 PRO-X, but am slightly put off by the kinda low battery life.

Any recommendations are much appreciated,

Thank you.

If you have a lot of offline files, have a look at Hiby R3 Gen II (just released). I’m finalising the review of that one. I prefer it over the AP80 Pro X due to sound, size, and battery.

 

[Raketen]

I just saw the Shanling M3x claims "23 hrs in single dac mode", and the Sony A105 claims "26 hours music playback ( mp3 128kbps (lol))"
If accurate, it's good to see Android daps (though android 7, yikes, and 9... ) coming along in battery life.

300-370 usd, idk about poundzone.

 

[bamboostreet]

I just saw the Shanling M3x claims "23 hrs in single dac mode", and the Sony A105 claims "26 hours music playback ( mp3 128kbps (lol))"
If accurate, it's good to see Android daps (though android 7, yikes, and 9... ) coming along in battery life.

300-370 usd, idk about poundzone.

With dual dac and high gain, m3x can get between 10 to 12 hrs...

 

[ThEvil0nE]

Had the Hidizs AP80 PRO-X and didn't like the sterile presentation, fixable with MSEB. M0/M0 Pro sounds more fuller, more powerful and is wearable but as with small screens, scrolling can be a chore.