[21qz]

It's a debate!

You own it, you want it, or had it. Fan boy, advocate, or opposite views..
Please vote which you feel reigns supreme for 2018. All are respectively flagship references.
Was it a clear winner, or certain feature/component/sound that made you select one over the other.

 

[justrest]

Lotoo Paw Gold

 

[21qz]

Lotoo Paw Gold

Added, the touch version looks promising!

 

[justrest]

Added, the touch version looks promising!

Resolution and detail monster, design, built like a tank, POWER; 500mw, fast and easy to use UI, PMEQ,
I haven't listen N8 but I have listened both WM1Z and SP1000. For me LPG is the winner.

 

[21qz]

guys what makes the Sony unique here?

 

[Zhanming057]

I very briefly had the WM1Z and found it pretty disappointing. Overcolored and the ergonomics were horrible. Really makes you appreciate the length A&K went to to making their DAPs responsive and easy to use.

Sound-wise the monster-sized DAPs such as the Sony Z1 are always going to edge out the SP1000 simply because they can afford to run at higher voltages and use better components. That said, I found the Z1 considerably lacking compared to a Hugo 2/ mass kobo 404 stack, which you can run off your phone at half the price of the Z1.

 

[PointyFox]

I very briefly had the WM1Z and found it pretty disappointing. Overcolored and the ergonomics were horrible.

The WM1Z is definitely overcolored. WAY too much gold. The WM1A is much more neutral with its black exterior.

 

[iridium7777]

king of what? retail price?

 

[21qz]

king of what? retail price?

King to justify the retail price

 

[Whitigir]

King to justify the retail price

You forgot to add Ibasso Dx200 in there my friend.

None of those listed above can do Native DSD512, only Dx200 does...and then recently Lotoo Paw Gold Touch. But Dx200 is still the cheapest that can do such

 

[jmills8]

Well I had : Sony wm1z, Lotoo paw good, AK 380 , ksp1000. I sold them and now I have the Cayin N8 and will not sell it. From my experience using these daps the N8 has a better over all sound. I like the N8s 700 mw of power and enjoying itsTube amp. Best portable sound for me up to now has been : N8 , Hugo 1 , Hugo 2 , ifi Bl, Mojo then the daps I sold.

 

[21qz]

You forgot to add Ibasso Dx200 in there my friend.

None of those listed above can do Native DSD512, only Dx200 does...and then recently Lotoo Paw Gold Touch. But Dx200 is still the cheapest that can do such

Added the Ti version!

 

[Whitigir]

Well I had : Sony wm1z, Lotoo paw good, AK 380 , ksp1000. I sold them and now I have the Cayin N8 and will not sell it. From my experience using these daps the N8 has a better over all sound. I like the N8s 700 mw of power and enjoying itsTube amp. Best portable sound for me up to now has been : N8 , Hugo 1 , Hugo 2 , ifi Bl, Mojo then the daps I sold.

Until the next flagship DAP and technologies

Remember, the technologies for high fidelity Audio is booming, and the R&D for components and productions of it is boosted up in mind boggling speed. Coincidentally, to satisfy the audio enthusiasts like us, these components need to meet very strict parameters, and when it is met, these products are so precised that it can be used for other technologies like space technology and medical

There are waves of new components, such as film capacitors, Jitter free Tantalum, Resistors...etc...even the IC itself are being reduced greatly in self generated noises.

For example, there is AK4499EQ, the newest DAC, even newer than the one in SP1000 or N8

 

[NehPets]

LP6 already has the crown.

 

[nc8000]

I vote for the one I have and love, but it’s hard to truely vote unless one has heard and used them all