[carpler]

I am looking for a DAP that has good sound quality but that also works well in streaming, using Tidal or Spotify, but also by accessing via wi-fi to a server where I have a large music library (of course when I'm at home).
Unfortunately, I have a limited budget, around € 200/250, which excludes most Android players that are around € 400/500.
Among the players in my price range, I seem to understand that there are well-sounding DAPs, but are often limited precisely in the streaming part, or due to the lack of dedicated apps or in any case for limited hardware.
I don't know much about the models out there: would you have anything to recommend? Is there anything valid to buy, or is it better to wait to have a larger budget?

 

[davidcotton]

I am looking for a DAP that has good sound quality but that also works well in streaming, using Tidal or Spotify, but also by accessing via wi-fi to a server where I have a large music library (of course when I'm at home).
Unfortunately, I have a limited budget, around € 200/250, which excludes most Android players that are around € 400/500.
Among the players in my price range, I seem to understand that there are well-sounding DAPs, but are often limited precisely in the streaming part, or due to the lack of dedicated apps or in any case for limited hardware.
I don't know much about the models out there: would you have anything to recommend? Is there anything valid to buy, or is it better to wait to have a larger budget?

If you can stretch an extra £50 then amp3 have got the dx160 from ibasso on clearance if that helps?

Failing that sony a105 is £259 on amazon in black but does have downsides, such as limited volume cap and not great battery. At least with amazon you can always try it and return it if it's not right.

Edit sorry missed that you said euro not pound.

 

[carpler]

Thank you for answer.
iBasso DX160 seems to be a good player (I know the good iBasso SQ), but yes, is a little out of my budget...

 

[davidcotton]

How about fiio m6?

 

[carpler]

How about fiio m6?

Good question.
I don't know anything about the low-budget Fiio player: the M6, M7 and also the M9 are in (or close to) my budget.
Any opinion about the SQ of this player? The M6 has a Sabre DAC, M7 and M9 an AK DAC...
I haven't read much about these players, but I seem to understand that on the streaming front they are not the best ...

ANd what about the Shanling M2X? Is another DAP in the range: on SQ I know that Shanling usually makes good DAP, but on software and streaming front I don't know too much...

 

[Infoseeker]

Don't forget about used LG phones.

 

[carpler]

Don't forget about used LG phones.

I've searched the LG V20 for many month, but I gave up because the phone was not officially sold in my country.
After that I no longer followed the subsequent models. Is there any particular model to consider for audio quality?

 

[carpler]

And what about a good portable DAC/AMP to use with a not too old smartphone (with custom rom and Android 10)?
Any suggestion?

 

[Chris Kaoss]

There should be a used V30 or V30+ in the sales forum for about 130 €, i think.
It's worth a look.

 

[artpiggo]

DX160

 

[carpler]

There should be a used V30 or V30+ in the sales forum for about 130 €, i think.
It's worth a look.

Thank you for suggestion. Also in my country there is some used LG V30 in a sales site with a good price (around 180€).
But I already own a not-so-old smartphone: why not use it with a portable DAC/AMP?

DX160

Thank you for the suggestion, but the DX160 is around 400€ in Italy: out of my budget...

 

[Chris Kaoss]

Thank you for suggestion. Also in my country there is some used LG V30 in a sales site with a good price (around 180€).
But I already own a not-so-old smartphone: why not use it with a portable DAC/AMP?



Thank you for the suggestion, but the DX160 is around 400€ in Italy: out of my budget...

Just for a convienent purpose.
With streaming from amazon, i can go the whole day listening with the most headphones/iems.
To mention all option, why not take your smartphone and take a bluetooth amp like Es100 or FiiO Btr5?

For clarification, i'm a practitioner who won't go with 2 device by the chance to get all in one.

 

[PopZeus]

Afaik, the Shanling M2x can stream Tidal just like the M5s can. I prefer the price/performance ratio and sound quality of Shanling DAPs to other brands. Not sure if Tidal playback is buggy on a proprietary MTouch OS.

 

[nxxo]

+1 for LG Phone

 

[artpiggo]

Ifi hip dac