[krismusic]

Which present DAP has the DAC quality of IPhone 4s and has much better amp section than 4S? In lets say 500$ price bracket

Thank you guys

Not trying to be a smart arse but for $500 could you get a pair of headphones that play nicely with the 4S?

 

[Synthax]

Not trying to be a smart arse but for $500 could you get a pair of headphones that play nicely with the 4S?

You are probably right, but which one to choose? As an upgrade ?

 

[krismusic]

You are probably right, but which one to choose? As an upgrade ?

What headphone are you using currently?

 

[Synthax]

What headphone are you using currently?

Full size: AKG Q701, previously Beyer T1 - nicr detailing but lacks musicality, LCD2 - which i didn't like for some muddy timbre, even with great amps
IEM: Phonak 112 with grey filters and sometimes black, Braiwavz ProAlpha

 

[krismusic]

Full size: AKG Q701, previously Beyer T1 - nicr detailing but lacks musicality, LCD2 - which i didn't like for some muddy timbre, even with great amps
IEM: Phonak 112 with grey filters and sometimes black, Braiwavz ProAlpha

That's some serious headphones!
I can see why you are after more power.
You wouldn't be using the full size outside though?
I suggest you ask in the headphone forum as to what amp might drive the headphones nicely.
The 4S will be fine with the IEM's?
If you really want a DAP, the AR M2 has a very powerful amp. Possibly too powerful for the IEM's.
The M20 is more IEM oriented but I don't know if it will drive your full size properly.
I heard the M20 but it was too warm with my Noble K10's, for me. I have found that a lot of DAPs boost the lower midrange to give a warm sound.
The 4S is very clean and neutral. IMO.

 

[bimbim]

  Which present DAP has the DAC quality of IPhone 4s and has much better amp section than 4S? In lets say 500$ price bracket
 
Thank you guys

why not get an amp instead?
 
for DAP maybe you can try ibasso dx90/80, cost around $300-400
 
but i'm not sure if it can power your k701 though

 

[Synthax]

  why not get an amp instead?
 
for DAP maybe you can try ibasso dx90/80, cost around $300-400
 
but i'm not sure if it can power your k701 though

 
 

That's some serious headphones!
I can see why you are after more power.

You wouldn't be using the full size outside though?
I suggest you ask in the headphone forum as to what amp might drive the headphones nicely.
The 4S will be fine with the IEM's?
If you really want a DAP, the AR M2 has a very powerful amp. Possibly too powerful for the IEM's.
The M20 is more IEM oriented but I don't know if it will drive your full size properly.
I heard the M20 but it was too warm with my Noble K10's, for me. I have found that a lot of DAPs boost the lower midrange to give a warm sound.
The 4S is very clean and neutral. IMO.

 

  why not get an amp instead?
 
for DAP maybe you can try ibasso dx90/80, cost around $300-400
 
but i'm not sure if it can power your k701 though

I will check these options. The full size headphones are not that necessary because I use Q701 with desktop rig. Phonaks play well with IPhone 4s but I feel like 3-4 bars more power would be great. Also the amp section in IPhone is not that great as the IPhone is as DAC alone (with LOD output)...
I see these DAPs do not support Spotify. So I think I will look for a straight amp to my IP4s

 

[krismusic]

I will check these options. The full size headphones are not that necessary because I use Q701 with desktop rig. Phonaks play well with IPhone 4s but I feel like 3-4 bars more power would be great. Also the amp section in IPhone is not that great as the IPhone is as DAC alone (with LOD output)...
I see these DAPs do not support Spotify. So I think I will look for a straight amp to my IP4s

I don't quite understand what you mean by the 4S being LOD only. There are quite a few DAP's that support Spotify. AFAIK the AR do. At least, they definitely support Tidal.

 

[Synthax]

I mean using IPhone as a source with fixed output (volume). This way to me it siund cery good. The added jack output spoils a bit the audio quality

 

[bimbim]

   
 
 

I will check these options. The full size headphones are not that necessary because I use Q701 with desktop rig. Phonaks play well with IPhone 4s but I feel like 3-4 bars more power would be great. Also the amp section in IPhone is not that great as the IPhone is as DAC alone (with LOD output)...
I see these DAPs do not support Spotify. So I think I will look for a straight amp to my IP4s

 
the cheapest DAP that support spotify/tidal is onkyo dpx1 if i'm not wrong at $600
 
but for that price i would rather get a chord mojo and use the ip4s as DAP

 

[krismusic]

the cheapest DAP that support spotify/tidal is onkyo dpx1 if i'm not wrong at $600

but for that price i would rather get a chord mojo and use the ip4s as DAP

There are cheaper DAPs that support Spotify.
Pioneer. XDP-100r.
I have heard the Mojo and don't believe the hype. YMMV.
Also you end up with a pain of a stack with the clunky CCK.

 

[krismusic]

I mean using IPhone as a source with fixed output (volume). This way to me it siund cery good. The added jack output spoils a bit the audio quality

So how are you amping the LO?

 

[Synthax]

So how are you amping the LO?

In my desktop rig I amp the LOD output od IPhone 4S with Phonitor 2 amplifier. But in mobile use I use jack output of IPhone. But it does not have enough power and quality for Audeos Phonaks and Q701...

 

[Synthax]

There are cheaper DAPs that support Spotify.
Pioneer. XDP-100r.
I have heard the Mojo and don't believe the hype. YMMV.
Also you end up with a pain of a stack with the clunky CCK.

Pioneer XDP 100r is very very expensive

 

[krismusic]

Pioneer XDP 100r is very very expensive

£450 isn't it?
TBH this is a bit of a red herring as I still reckon the OP should get an amp for the full size and use the 4S HO for the Phonaks.