Help me choose the right DAP

[Zeo-Gold92]

So recently I got the AP80, and even though I enjoy it and it sounds mostly good. I feel like I'm missing something and have been looking to greener grass. I've flipped flopped the last few days in some of my choices.
On the table is the Fiio M9, Ibasso DX150, sony zx300, A&K Norma (not sure due to price) and the fiio m11 even though it is newly announced. I don't have high end headphones (yet) but I would be using my seeds. I'm after something that can handle what I listen to (hip hop, rap, electronic, classic rock, metal). I don't really want to buy an extra dac/amp. One of the things that puts me off the Sony is it doesn't have a real dac? Another thing is I want something that has as close to black background as possible. Thanks. I still have a lot to learn in this hobby.

 

[duaned]

Wait for the Fiio M11 in my opinion.

 

[Zeo-Gold92]

You're probably right, it does look good, hopefully it delivers on everything.

 

[yong_shun]

Wait for M11 +1
or go for Hiby R6 Pro?

 

[lantian]

So recently I got the AP80, and even though I enjoy it and it sounds mostly good. I feel like I'm missing something and have been looking to greener grass. I've flipped flopped the last few days in some of my choices.
On the table is the Fiio M9, Ibasso DX150, sony zx300, A&K Norma (not sure due to price) and the fiio m11 even though it is newly announced. I don't have high end headphones (yet) but I would be using my seeds. I'm after something that can handle what I listen to (hip hop, rap, electronic, classic rock, metal). I don't really want to buy an extra dac/amp. One of the things that puts me off the Sony is it doesn't have a real dac? Another thing is I want something that has as close to black background as possible. Thanks. I still have a lot to learn in this hobby.

You'll be happy with either one except for fiio, could never ever recommend their products or even call them good sounding. Not compared to rest of the days you can choose. Ibasso will have stunning line out, while Sony will be a better portable package, probably gonna sound better than stock dx150 as well. It is a Walkman after all, but it is just a portable unit. If you want to plug it in to big speaker or headphone amp, your best bet would be ibasso dx150. For best portable sound the Walkman zx 300(it does have a DAC that feeds straight into d class amp(or digital one) this approach makes perfect sense for single portable unit. Never had any experience with as tell and Kern, they also have no line out.

 

[yong_shun]

Never had any experience with as tell and Kern, they also have no line out.

Astell and Kern do have line out. Some of the older models even support optical out.

You'll be happy with either one except for fiio, could never ever recommend their products or even call them good sounding.

This is subjective. FiiO still standing good in the market means there are still demands for their DAPs. Your claim is like saying all the people who buy FiiO want a bad music quality or bad sounding DAP. Well it might not suit you well but some people just love it.

 

[PointyFox]

The Sony has a DAC. They all do. Do you have a smartphone? You could use it as a DAP if you do.

 

[Zeo-Gold92]

You'll be happy with either one except for fiio, could never ever recommend their products or even call them good sounding. Not compared to rest of the days you can choose. Ibasso will have stunning line out, while Sony will be a better portable package, probably gonna sound better than stock dx150 as well. It is a Walkman after all, but it is just a portable unit. If you want to plug it in to big speaker or headphone amp, your best bet would be ibasso dx150. For best portable sound the Walkman zx 300(it does have a DAC that feeds straight into d class amp(or digital one) this approach makes perfect sense for single portable unit. Never had any experience with as tell and Kern, they also have no line out.

How far apart would the dx150 be from the zx300 in terms of sound? I would need to keep the DX150 stock for awhile as the price of the amps are getting up there on the budget. Whats the sound signature on the zx300, hiss, bass response etc, compared to the ibasso? I've been researching but some of the articles seem to be in conflict in opinion.

 

[PointyFox]

No hiss on the DX150. Not sure about the other.

 

[Audiophonicalistic]

I demoed briefly the dx150 and really loved the sound from it. For $500 it's a steal. Definitely a big difference then using samsung s8. I'd own it but I already own the lotoo

 

[vodanhkhack]

Do you need Tidal or streaming music? If not, Shanling M5s is a good choice...

For your reference :

https://www.themasterswitch.com/best-digital-audio-players

So recently I got the AP80, and even though I enjoy it and it sounds mostly good. I feel like I'm missing something and have been looking to greener grass. I've flipped flopped the last few days in some of my choices.
On the table is the Fiio M9, Ibasso DX150, sony zx300, A&K Norma (not sure due to price) and the fiio m11 even though it is newly announced. I don't have high end headphones (yet) but I would be using my seeds. I'm after something that can handle what I listen to (hip hop, rap, electronic, classic rock, metal). I don't really want to buy an extra dac/amp. One of the things that puts me off the Sony is it doesn't have a real dac? Another thing is I want something that has as close to black background as possible. Thanks. I still have a lot to learn in this hobby.