Help me find a new DAP

[commandaria]

Hey guys,
 
I am looking to upgrade my DAP, I am currently using a J3 and an AK100 but I am looking to sell the latter for another player.
The iems I currently have on hand is an t10 and an sm64 with a Noble Audio Mass Drop on the way.
I am debating on which player would be best as there seems to be so many quality Dap's right now.
I mostly listen to 16bit and 24bit flac.
I should also say I want to spend max 500. Canadian dollar is in the ****ter.
 
The ones I am considering are:
Ak Jr
DX90
Colorfly C4
Luxury and Precision L3
Cayin N5
 
But please, if I am missing anything please, fill me in. It seems like these players are all older.
 
Any suggestions would be much appreciated

 

[music4mhell]

Questyle Q1PR and you will be done buying for next few years..

 

[commandaria]

It is a bit too much out of my price range unless someone wants to sell one for 400ish

 

[mrazik]

Aune M1s or xDuoo X10

 

[haens]

Aune M1S, Shanling M5, Opus #1, Fiio X5 III - I dont know if they all are in your price limit, but they are worth checking out. maybe someone will add some more.

 

[commandaria]

Thanks everyone, essentially I need a top 3-5 list of DAPS to look out for in the classified. If anyone wants to help out a struggling student with a deal, give me a shout.

 

[Barra]

Buying a DAP is all about tradeoffs, especially with a limited budget. On one side you have form factor and UI - is it pretty, look expensive, reasonable battery life, power to drive full sized, and is it easy to use. On the other side you have sound quality - does it sound as good as a desktop can and does it fit my signature preferences. Without more insight into what you are looking for, we are all shooting in the dark. However, I would not want any of the items in your list having heard most and owned/sold many. Below are some that I would buy in that price range. I own the AK100ii and the Calyx M, but still want the Aune M2. The Sony WM1A will probably replace my AK100ii and provide the best all rounder with the best SQ, battery life, and UI that is second only to the AK.
 
 
Balanced SQ and Usability: If you want a good all rounder with a balance in SQ and functionality/looks:

1. Cayin i5: Looks nice, 8 or 9/10 UI/functionality, 7 or 8/10 SQ
2. Used AK100ii: Beautiful build, 10/10 UI/functionality, 7/10 SQ

 
Best SQ: If SQ is the top priority and you can make a basic or problematic UI/functionality work for you, then I would go with these:

1. Aune M2: Basic build, 7/10 UI/functionality, 11/10 Amazing SQ (At $350, you can add a B1 amp and stay within your pricerange to drive even hard to drive HPs at desktop quality. M2 can drive any CIEM/IEM well directly, but HPs sound better stacked. You can skip the B1 amp and buy a pro or a used s version for even better SQ, but personally, I would go B1, vs. the marginal SQ bump.)
2. Used Calyx M: Beautiful build matching or better than AK100ii, 8/10 UI/functionality, 11/10 amazing SQ (recently falling used within your price range, just picked one up and will never let go. Hampered by stupid UI design choices and a poor battery life, but looks like a million dollar DAP and has a beautiful touch screen. The SQ will amaze. Oh, and the M has the power to drive many full sized HP pairing beautifully with my HEX.)

 

[Chirantan]

What's the best DAP under $25?

 

[Random Lunatic]

Generally, I'm personally of the mind that I cant be bothered with botched functionality or lacking essential features... Or lackluster fit and finish. This has to a great extent limited the players that have my interest. Out of the ones you listed, I'd go for the AK Jr., as I believe it is the one that is the most effortless in day to day use. It may not be the absolute best in terms of sound quality, but for portable use, I would often accept that to have something that easy to use... Then I can save the fiddling to squeeze out the last bit of resolution for when I'm at home, relaxing, where I have the time, should I be so inclined...
 
So if you're anything like that, I'd probably aim for an AK, as I believe they are still the best finished product, or with the least quirks, out of the ones listed.

 

[txfilmguy]

Hey everyone,
 
I'm also in the market for a new DAP.  I've been using Pono since I got my kickstarter model, but it has gone missing.  I have accumulated a sizable collection of music in flac (up to 192/24) and DSD files, and I want to make use of them!  Here's what I'm looking for:
 
Sound quality (clarity, transparency) is a must and #1 priority, hopefully without sacrificing a solid user interface.  I would prefer two card slots, as I'd like to have up to 1/2TB available to me.  Build quality is important, but attractiveness less so.  Ability for streaming/apps is ok, but not critical, as this will be used pretty much exclusively for high-end music playback.  I've got my iPhone for everything else, I just want the best-sounding gear.  I won't say money is no object, but right now I just want to know what device is the best based in this criteria, price notwithstanding.
 
Thanks in advance!
 
~Steve

 

[Random Lunatic]

Questyle QP1R is your friend in that case...

 

[Old Music Lover]

Hey guys,

I am looking to upgrade my DAP, I am currently using a J3 and an AK100 but I am looking to sell the latter for another player.
The iems I currently have on hand is an t10 and an sm64 with a Noble Audio Mass Drop on the way.
I am debating on which player would be best as there seems to be so many quality Dap's right now.
I mostly listen to 16bit and 24bit flac.
I should also say I want to spend max 500. Canadian dollar is in the ****ter.

The ones I am considering are:
Ak Jr
DX90
Colorfly C4
Luxury and Precision L3
Cayin N5

But please, if I am missing anything please, fill me in. It seems like these players are all older.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated

Hello Comandaria. I see you are in Toronto. I am in Brantford and if you have not purchased your DAP yet I do have a Cayin N6 that I would let go for less then the 500 max you are looking at. I have the original box and accessories.

Joe