[tobes01]

Hello all,
 
Been lurking for a while trying to figure out my next step on the road to audiophile, and having failed to find the answer I'd value your advice please.
 
I'm a long-time OSX/iTunes user (since the beginning) and had been using an iPhone with a pair of Bose IEMs. Music taste is very mixed, often dance/trance when commuting but classical/rock at work, 20+ hours a week with 'phones on. Much of my music has been bought from iTunes store in the past, but I've been re-ripping my CDs in ALAC and am now only buying on CD rather than download.
 
I started with a pair of Monster Turbine Copper IEMs, big mistake - couldn't make them fit with any of the supplied or 3rd-party tips. Then tried a pair of Westone 4r's and I was hooked, absolutely love them.
 
I've now added a Fiio E12 to my iPhone, which is great, but I want to take the next step. I could try a portable DAC with an iPod classic, which would allow me to carry all my music, but is a bulky solution when wearing a suit. I'm very tempted by the Astell and Kern AK100, I'll have to lie to the wife about what it costs but it's a neat DAP and looks like it'll last the course.
 
Any suggestions please?
 
Cheers
 
Tobes

 

[ProtegeManiac]

If you don't mind SD cards and lack of a click wheel/touchscreen, this one is basically the Fiio E17 DAC-Amp with DAP hardware on it (SDcard reader, screen, controls, etc) - http://www.head-fi.org/t/651769/fiio-x3-thread-clieos-first-impressions-on-page-37

This one hints at new controls and UI, apart from other specs, but nothing's clear for now : http://www.head-fi.org/t/661411/fiio-x5-thread

 

 

[tobes01]

Many thanks - been following the Fiio developments with interest, I suspect it might be a while before we see them in the UK. I think I'm going to pull the trigger on the AK100, it seems to fit the bill for what I'm after.
 
Many thanks,
 
Tobes