Is the DAP dead?????

[bachankas]

There are DAC with their own battery but they are not so small.

Op - good idea for a thread.

A DFR sounds better than a phone, but better than a Sony Zx300, an AK70 II, a Hiby R6, a Fiio X5iii - and these are mid level players - no. I guess his definition of an audiophile is different from mine (or the rest of the planet...)

Shanling M3s, don't forget Shanling M3s! IMO sounds better than X5III

 

[stuck limo]

No, the DAP isn't dead. The fact that smartphones are phasing out the headphone jack, which means you can't charge and listen to music, will ensure that DAP manufacturers stay in business for the time being.

 

[bachankas]

No, the DAP isn't dead. The fact that smartphones are phasing out the headphone jack, which means you can't charge and listen to music, will ensure that DAP manufacturers stay in business for the time being.

We have to remember that Bluetooth headphones market is spreading. Thus, less and less people will require jack. There are some incredible wireless headphones, but they are quite expensive.

 

[igytech]

We have to remember that Bluetooth headphones market is spreading. Thus, less and less people will require jack. There are some incredible wireless headphones, but they are quite expensive.

Well bluetooth story will not find way to audiophile hands due bluetooth limitations. Mainstream maybe yeas. But I have agree somwhere with article because for example I use smartphone with Fiio 100$ DAC which give me some midrange DAP sound. It is better then smartphone but not as high end DAP. To me enough.

 

[GearMe]

Well bluetooth story will not find way to audiophile hands due bluetooth limitations. Mainstream maybe yeas. But I have agree somwhere with article because for example I use smartphone with Fiio 100$ DAC which give me some midrange DAP sound. It is better then smartphone but not as high end DAP. To me enough.

So...that's the thought process that led me to switching off of Samsung phones to the LG V series. The V30 has a 32 bit, Quad, high-powered ESS DAC/Amp with more than enough power and audio quality for my portable needs. One device, less hassle -- for me, as well as many others. https://www.head-fi.org/threads/lg-v30.858933/

Always hated carrying a phone + a DAC/Amp!

That said, I think the high-end DAP market is a different buying decision; not at all based on 'enough'. For those folks, I'd guess many of them are trying to get every last ounce of audio quality they can out of their portable gear...at a cost ($$$$) of course! Given that scenario, I'd expect the high-end DAP market to continue as it has.

 

[Whazzzup]

Believe it or not there are people that use the iPhone as a player for a portable dac amp. Few and far between but we exist, we don’t use the phone for biz, don’t give out cell num, don’t really use it for data unless specific task.
Now I will retreat to my dust bunnies in the closet.

 

[psikey]

Is the DAP dead ??

Until this week I would have said no, being perfectly happy with a ZX300 over 4.4mm balanced but if you have any interest in streaming services, especially Tidal FLAC/MQA then I now would say it could be.

I just got an LG V30+ yesterday after reading all the positive feedback on head-fi.

Quite simple it has killed my hobby ! No more searching for DAPs/DAC's/Link cables etc...... The V30/V30+ sounds simply fantastic with both my 8 Ohm SE846 IEM's and 150 Ohm HD660S Headphones.

I waited until price dropped then imported from Hong Kong for under £500 and simply amazing as a music player and smartphone. Only an S8/S9 is better as a pure well-rounded smartphone I'd say. Built-in 128GB plus can takes a 400GB micro SD with a big 6" display in a smallish/slender/light body for less money than a ZX300 !! Not forgetting its SABRE ES9218P QUAD DAC.

 

[psikey]

Believe it or not there are people that use the iPhone as a player for a portable dac amp. Few and far between but we exist, we don’t use the phone for biz, don’t give out cell num, don’t really use it for data unless specific task.
Now I will retreat to my dust bunnies in the closet.

Agree, here's what I was using purely as a DAP until I got my V30+ this week


iPhone 128GB SE with a Dragonfly Red (next to my LG V30+)


Oh, and LDAC or AptxHD bluetooth is perfectly good enough for CD quality with the right phone/headphones IMO.

 

[GearMe]

Yep...In fact, since I've owned LG V series phones, I'd have to say that I'm far less likely to pull my DAC/Amp out of my backpack to connect to my laptop when I'm on the road/at a coffee shop/etc. I just use my phone for music and my laptop for work.

 

[swesko]

Well had debated this myself and I, came to the conclusion that I can't be using my smartphone all the time if I want to listen to music as it will be dead by noon. But it's ok to use from time to time. That's the reason why I bought a DAP.

 

[audioaudioaudio]

LG V30+ (128gb, Nougat) and Integral 512gb card and Shure SRH840-E = £1100

Or

AK320 (128gb, Marshmallow) = £1350

Or

Cowon P2 (128gb) - £1100

Or

Sony NW-WM1A (128gb, Jelly Bean) - £1000

----
Could understand the arguments based on the prices above. Would love to objectively compare them by listening to all 4 at the same time with various headphones but on price alone I think some of the DAP makers must be a little wary if more phones go the way of the LG v30s.

If the LG was used just for hi-res audio with all other stuff disabled would also be interesting to compare battery life with the other Android ones too. Using Tidal etc.

 

[fluteloop]

I am about to purchase my first DAP (probably a N5ii but also considering the R6) and then I read/watch this...

https://darko.audio/2018/03/the-dap-days-are-over-part-1-xiaomi-audioquest/

I would love to start a conversation discussing those that agree and those that disagree and why

As someone who was an Avid waRkman user since the early 90's i've been through Tapes, Dat's, minidisc (still use) and into Iriver 40gb, various HDD's like Gigabeats, Zen etc. Also a collection of Sandisks and various other bits and pieces of the modern iterations, i'm not really a casual listener per se But I am far from balls to the wall enthusiast level, I prefer to focus on Sound System hifi and the portable stuff these days is pretty generally amazing all around so i don't 'really' care what I use and the headphones are my main focus., even random cheap daps' I've bought for fun or when I Was in a pinch or on holiday not wanting to bring anything I'd regret losing and when home coupled with some better phones i've been impressed. I guess that's the way it goes, the good stuff just trickles down over time.

 

[blue212]

The concept of the V30 has had me intrigued

All things being equal, if it sounds as good as a mid tier DAP and cost about the same but is faster, smoother, more reliable and with better screen.... why not just use this as your DAP. Even if you don’t want to use it as your phone, is there anyone using let’s say an iPhone for mobile communications device and carrying V30 solely as a music player?

 

[fluteloop]

just realised I had nothing worth adding.

 

[fluteloop]

The concept of the V30 has had me intrigued

All things being equal, if it sounds as good as a mid tier DAP and cost about the same but is faster, smoother, more reliable and with better screen.... why not just use this as your DAP. Even if you don’t want to use it as your phone, is there anyone using let’s say an iPhone for mobile communications device and carrying V30 solely as a music player?

literally not a single soul to stop you using the phone for that use.