[lukpe]

Hi,
 
I'm selling my modded iBasso DX50 (Panasonic FC caps) because I need something more portable (It's too big for my pocket). I'm thinking about Sony NWZ-A15, Xuelin IHIFI 770C or something else.
 
Will there be any smaller DAP with similar SQ within 180 EUR price range? I want it to be neutral and sound good with Shure SRH440 and Havi B3 Pro, I don't care about USB DAC or digital out but line out would be nice. I listen mainly to hardcore/sludge/doom metal and sometimes ambient or classical music, and I'm not a bass head at all

 
I stumbled through 770C and A15 threads but I couldn't find anything conclusive. Any suggestions?
 
Thanks in advance!

 

[derGabe]

Hi lukpe,
 
i think that the Apple iPod Touch 5G is the way to go (if you can live with the fact, that the storage is not expandable). But then again there are awesome products like wireless small hardrives or sd-card reader that work well (while traveling i use an wireless sd-card reader that also supports 2.5 hdd's via usb and stream the music to my IPhone/iPod). The SQ is top notch, you could use the Vox Player app, which is imo hands down the best mediaplayer on any portable device out there. It also supports hires music (even dsd) when you use an external dac/amp combo.
 
I also have a pair of the Shure SRH440 (and love them to death) that i pair with an iPod Touch 5G in combination with an Oppo HA2. But even without the Oppo, the pure SQ of the iPod is impeccable.
 
And its incredibly thin and portable. Maybe you should take listen, you will be surprised how good it really sounds.

 

[meat01]

I really like the Touch also, but it may be hard to drive the Havis.

 

[lukpe]

I think the same. I need something small but with decent amp section.

 

[lukpe]

Okay, the final contestants are Fiio X3 II, Sony NWZ-A15 and Xuelin IHIFI 700c. Any thoughts?

 

[KT66]

If it had a bit more volume I'd add a Nova N3 to that list.

 

[lukpe]

I've heard about Nova N3 but I don't like the interface. Those pixels/squares are not appealing to me

I think I'll go with international version of Sony NWZ-A15 (no EU volume restrictions), because X3 II is nearly the same size as DX50, and that's what I want to avoid.

 

[dbdynsty25]

  I've heard about Nova N3 but I don't like the interface. Those pixels/squares are not appealing to me

I think I'll go with international version of Sony NWZ-A15 (no EU volume restrictions), because X3 II is nearly the same size as DX50, and that's what I want to avoid.

 
It's quite a bit smaller actually.  If that's too big, go w/ the X1...it's even thinner/lighter than the X3II.

 

[lukpe]

I've read in several reviews, that A-15 SQ is superior to X1, and the size comparison between X3 II and DX50 show that they are nearly the same:
 
X1: 96.7 mm×57.7 mm×14.1 mm
X3 2nd: 96.7 x 57.7 x 16.1 mm
DX50: 100 x 64 x 17 mm
 
The thickness is where Sony wins: 43.6 x 109 x 8.7mm

 

[dbdynsty25]

  I've read in several reviews, that A-15 SQ is superior to X1, and the size comparison between X3 II and DX50 show that they are nearly the same:
 
X1: 96.7 mm×57.7 mm×14.1 mm
X3 2nd: 96.7 x 57.7 x 16.1 mm
DX50: 100 x 64 x 17 mm
 
The thickness is where Sony wins: 43.6 x 109 x 8.7mm

 
3, 6 and 1 mm are quite significant...especially the 6mm on the width.  It feels so much smaller in the hand being that it's narrower/thinner.  At least it did when I owned both.